SILVERSEA CRUISES has ordered a new deluxe ship and unveiled options to build
two more, as it looks to capitalise on a strong and buoyant deluxe market.
The deluxue cruise company has confirmed it has placed a new order with FINCANTIERI shipyard for a sister ship for SILVER MUSE, with two more
options open. The new vessel will launch in 2020 and will be called SILVER MOON. It will be the luxury line’s 10th ship, taking owner Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio closer to his dream of having a fleet of at least 12 ships.
by Earl of Cruise
Projected SILVER MOON constructed by FINCANTIERI for SILVERSEA - courtesy FINCANTIERI
Unfortunately even if built in Italy, by Italian designers created, not an Italian beauty.
Unfortunately even if built in Italy, by Italian designers created, not an Italian beauty.
The contract between SILVERSEA and FINCANTIERI to build the new 596 passenger vessel is worth € 310,000,000.00 - US$ 371,400,00.00.
This announcement is the latest sign of the strength of the luxury
cruise sector and the luxury market in general, with RITZ-CARLTON recently announcing its plans to enter
the cruise sector with three deluxe yachts. Meanwhile, CELEBRITY CRUISES, self proclaimed luxury company, has
three ships on order, PONANT with four expedition ships, and CRYSTAL CRUISES with expedition yachts, SCENIC with one near to completition and on option for a second,
SEABOURN and STAR CLIPPERS also have new vessels set to launch.
SILVERSEA’s chairman Manfredi Lefebvre
d’Ovidio said: "The order reflect the success of SILVER MUSE and the
strength of the luxury market. UK guests were the most loyal for
the brand," and thanked agents for their support.
SILVER MUSE at sea - courtesy SILVERSEA CRUISES
"We had three options with FINCANTIERI and we’re exercising one at this time - a sister to SILVER MUSE. This will be the same as SILVER MUSE, with a few minor adjustments
such as enhancing the restaurant areas. There will also be a few more
surprises. My father always dreamed of 12 ships - this takes us closer to that.
I interrupt his words to mean at least 12 ships, so we will keep
growing. We have two more ships on option and they will be exercised as soon
as we see further good signs from the market. We are very happy and the
growth we’re seeing is very good. The UK has its issues at the moment around currency and concerns
over Brexit, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the UK guests have
always been the most loyal guests."
When asked whether SILVER MOON would be part of the brand’s classic
or expedition fleet or might offer a mixture of sailings, Manfredi Lefebvre
d’Ovidio said: "This ship is purely for the classic fleet. We have other
plans for the expedition side of the company. We have the SILVER CLOUD
[refurbishment} project and that’s the main focus but we are
contemplating a lot about how we expand the expedition side. The contract between SILVERSEA and FINCANTIERI to build the new 596-passenger vessel is worth € 310,000,000.00. SILVER MOON will have a `Green Star 3 Design´, meaning it will be
designed, built and equipped in order to prevent air and water
pollution."
SILVERSEA’s
chairman and owner is planning to build further three new vessels, as
well as investing significant funds in refitting the entire fleet.
Manfredi Lefebvre said the 596-passenger SILVER MUSE now `set the new standard´ for the line.
He issued a rallying call for agents to support the line and its fleet to ensure new builds would soon follow.
"This ship sets a new standard and, of course, I’m now aware I will
have to invest more money on the rest of the fleet to bring it up to the
same standard. We want to have the same feeling and product development
across the entire fleet. If you [agents] help me fill this ship we will build three more of these."
Manfredi Lefebvre explained that his late father had once described a fleet as being
12 ships and this was now his aim. SILVERSEA currently has nine ships
in its fleet, including SILVER MUSE - five classic ships and four
expedition focussed vessels.
My only ship experience was on Navy destroyer (tin can) during Vietnam war. It was no luxury liner for sure.
ReplyDeleteFLETCHER Class? Todays cruise vessels of the mass market will remind you of the "tin can" ...
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