Silversea firms order

SILVERSEA Cruises and Fincantieri have inked a contract worth approximately $463m for a new cruise ship.

Due to be delivered in 2020, the new ship has been tentatively named Silver Moon and will be a sister of Silver Muse, launched 19 Apr ( CW 20 Apr).

The 596-passenger vessel will be the cruise line’s 10th ship and is promised to “raise the bar in the ultra-luxury segment with a wealth of enhancements to the on board experience, while satisfying the uncompromising requirements for comfort, service, and quality of the world’s most discerning travellers”.

It will feature “Green Star 3 Design”, meaning it will be designed, built and equipped to prevent air and water pollution and built to minimise noise levels measured on the ship.

Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, chairman of Silversea, commented: “Based on the high praise Silver Muse has earned with our guests, we are eager to build on our flagship’s success and move forward with a sister ship, which will bring us closer to fulfilling my father’s dream of a 12-ship fleet”.

Last month ceo Roberto Martinoli told CW while he was in Sydney that the line was working on “real, final contracts” for newbuild vessels and hinted an announcement might be made soon ( CW 31 Aug).

Silver Muse is pictured. MEANWHILE, Silversea has rehired Christian Sauleau as exec vp of fleet operations.

Sauleau will report to Martinoli and has an extensive career in luxury travel, including nearly 20 years with Silversea.

He will be based in Silversea’s Monaco office.