MIAMI -- Silversea
Cruises has placed an order with Italy's Fincantieri shipyard for a
36,000-ton, 540-person ship, the line's fifth, to be delivered in
the fourth quarter of 2009, according to Amerigo Perasso, president
of the luxury operator.
Perasso made the
announcement at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention here,
adding that the line also signed an option for a second
vessel.
Silversea said that
an "irrevocable banking commitment, fully underwritten", has been
obtained by the line and is subject to the final loan agreement.
The order is the first for Silversea since 1998. The new ship would
increase Silversea's overall fleet capacity from 1,356 berths to
1,896 berths, representing a 40% increase.
Perasso said that the
newbuild order "shows great confidence in the luxury segment's
potential for greater demand."
Meanwhile, Oceania
Cruises Chairman and CEO Frank Del Rio also revealed that Oceania
placed a "billion-dollar, multi-ship order" with Fincantieri. He
added that further details of the ship order would be revealed
soon.
To
contact reporter Johanna Jainchill, send e-mail to [email protected].