NEW YORK -- Silversea Cruises christened its third ship and largest
vessel to date, the 28,258-ton, 382-passenger Silver Shadow, late
last month in a ceremony held at the Italian port of Civitavecchia.
The new ship, built at Italy's T. Mariotti shipyard, was
christened by its godmother, Janet Burke, formerly Silversea's
senior vice president of marketing and sales.
Two years ago, at age 46, Burke was diagnosed with a rare form
of bone cancer called multiple myeloma.
Burke stepped aside from her Silversea duties last year to
devote her energies to battling the cancer, for which there is no
cure. She underwent numerous treatments, and her cancer is now in
remission.
Burke is guardian of the Janet Burke/Silversea Endowment for
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, an organization for which she
also serves as patient advisor to the board of directors. The group
has raised more than $70,000 for cancer research since that
time.
Burke was selected the ship's godmother because "she embraces
strength and compassion, courage and grace," said Bill Smith,
Silversea's president and chief operating officer.
Silver Shadow's debut will be followed by the July 2001 debut of
Silver Whisper.
The ship will sail the East Coast through Oct. 25 followed by
Caribbean and South America sailings.
Features aboard Silver Shadow -- to be repeated aboard Silver
Whisper -- include a wine and champagne bar; a cigar club run under
an agreement with cigar maker Davidoff, and a spa and fitness
facility designed by Bali-based operator Mandara Spa.
For more information, call (800) 722-9955 or visit the company's
Web site at www.silversea.com.