Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Sneak Peek at Silversea Cruises' New Spirit

Silver Spirit photos compliments of Silversea Cruises




Here's your Savvy Seafarer on a Silversea Cruise from Los Angeles to Auckland a couple of years ago. What a voyage that was.

The Savvy Seafarer is a big fan of Silversea Cruises so pardon the gushing, but I love this casual chic cruise line with its gourmet cuisine, spacious stateroom suites, super crew and all-inclusive fare. I'm talking everything from soft drinks and spirits to tips and some shore excursions. I love The Bar where everyone meets before dinner, the dine when and where you want attitude, the large pool, great fitness classes, low key entertainment and general ambiance. So I'm delighted the company's adding a new, bigger and, if possible, better ship to its tiny fleet in January in January 20010. The Spirit will make her bow in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and then embark on a 90 day voyage. The company's offering inaugural fares so check it out at http://www.silversea.com/.
Straight From the Corporate Mouth:
Here's the company's release on the Inaugural Season:

The Silver Spirit, is set to debut in lavish style with a Grand Inaugural Voyage on January 21, 2010. On this extraordinary 91-day journey, dubbed "The Spirit of South America," Silver Spirit will sail from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles and twist back to New York on a fascinating itinerary highlighted by a visit to Rio de Janeiro in time for Carnaval, a journey around the end of the earth at Cape Horn, an in-depth exploration of the Mexican Riviera, a crossing of the Panama Canal and an unforgettable Statue of Liberty event in New York Harbor.
Having Reservations
Silversea will begin accepting reservations on January 12. An area of the company's website (http://www.silversea.com/) is now dedicated to Silver Spirit. "As the new year begins and the construction of our new ship moves forward steadily, I am delighted we're able to reveal some of the highlights of her much anticipated inaugural season," said Amerigo Perasso, Silversea's president and CEO. "When Silver Spirit sets sail, she will embody the hallmarks of Silversea's understated elegance and distinct luxury with even more spacious suites, expansive spa facilities and enticing epicurean venues."
GRAND INAUGURAL VOYAGE
The "Spirit of South America" odyssey, stops at more than 45 ports in over 20 different countries and island destinations across two continents, enjoying overnight stays in Fort Lauderdale, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Punta Arenas, Lima, Acapulco and Los Angeles. In addition, guests on the full voyage will be invited to attend the naming ceremony, a gala dinner event on the eve of departure with accommodations aboard ship, exclusive shoreside events in select ports of call, and a VIP evening at the Rio Carnival, not to mention special commemorative gifts and a $2,000 per suite onboard spending credit. A complimentary Business Class air upgrade is also available for guests who purchase Silversea's optional air program. Fares for the full Grand Inaugural Voyage start at $39,187 per person, based on double occupancy, and include "Extended Voyage Savings" of 5% -- plus enhanced "Early Booking Incentive" and new "Extended Advance Payment Bonus" discounts applicable to voyages in 2010. (The company plans to announce more details about these generous new savings options shortly.) Other highlights of the inaugural itineraries include an 11-day "Holiday Spirit" maiden voyage (#5901) on December 23, 2009, sailing from Barcelona to Lisbon; a "Maiden Crossing" (#5001), departing January 3 from Lisbon for 16 fascinating days exploring the Atlantic and Caribbean islands before arriving in Fort Lauderdale; and a two-week grand "Atlantic Crossing (#5011) to Southampton from New York on April 23. After completing her inaugural season, Silver Spirit will spend the summer in the Mediterranean and then reposition to the Caribbean for fall and winter cruises.
The Suite Life
The 36,000-ton, 540-passenger luxurfy liner features the largest suites in the fleet -- 95% feature a private veranda -- and with one of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea today, 67, providing 6,700 cubic feet of space per guest. The onboard décor will lend a sophisticated 1930s Art Deco ambience to the public spaces, highlights of which include an indoor/outdoor spa measuring no less than 8,300 square feet (770 square meters), three whirlpools (two adjacent to outdoor pool, one in spa area), enriching performances in The Show Lounge and a choice of six dining venues including Seishin, a Japanese restaurant, and the innovative Stars Supper Club, featuring live music, dancing and nightclub-style entertainment. A new full-color, 36-page brochure showcasing Silver Spirit's Inaugural Season will be available in the coming weeks. To order a complimentary copy, visit http://www.silversea.com/ or call toll-free (877) 215-9986. Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard four intimate vessels, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, and Silver Whisper, all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company's itineraries encompass all seven continents. In the U.S., Silversea has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and rated Number-One luxury cruise line by high-net-worth consumers in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI). International awards include "World's Leading Luxury Cruise Line" from World Travel Awards (2007); "Five Star Diamond Award" from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2007); "Number One" small-ship line in the Readers' Choice" survey conducted by Britain's Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2007); "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by Spain's Cruceros & Destinos magazine (2008); "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by Australia's Luxury Travel & Style Magazine (2009); and "Best Luxury Cruise Operator" according to Asia's Travel Weekly (2008). (877) 215-9986 or visit http://www.silversea.com_/


Early Booking Discounts
Silversea is offering "Early Booking Incentive" and "Advance Payment Bonus" programs for 2010. Designed to reward plan ahead travelers, the Early Booking Incentive (EBI) discount ranges from 10% to 30% off the published cruise fare, while the Advance Payment Bonus (APB) option provides an additional 5% savings for guests who make full payment six months prior to sailing. Starting with voyages in 2010, the Early Booking Incentives will range from 15% to 35% and a new Extended Advance Payment Bonus (XAPB) will offer a second, more generous savings level of 15% for payments made in full one year prior to sailing. "We recognize that given the current economic environment, travelers may be tempted to postpone their purchase decisions, including vacations," said David Morris, Silversea's executive vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. "Yet it is times like these when people are most in need of an uplifting diversion, so we want to encourage travelers by offering our best deals early." Added Morris, "Our enhanced 'Advance Payment' and 'Early Booking' programs are designed to help consumers firm up their travel plans as early as possible in order to take advantage of very generous fare discounts. When guests book and pay in full a year before sailing, they can enjoy savings of up to 50% and better appreciate the tremendous value of an all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruise experience. Ultimately, our goal is to reduce or eliminate the need for additional tactical promotions like our 'Silver Sailings' discount program." Silversea will announce its 2010 schedule shortly and start accepting reservations on January 12, following a private presale this week to members of the company's Venetian Society past-guest loyalty club. For guests wishing to benefit from the new Extended Advance Payment Bonus on voyages departing during the first quarter of 2010, an introductory grace period will allow them to receive the 15% XAPB savings on top of the applicable EBI discount provided they make their full payment by March 31, 2009.
The Jaunty Fleet
Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, and Silver Spirit offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance, while the Prince Albert II provides special educational voyages to seven continents.

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