<p>Silversea Cruises President Amerigo Perasso dropped hints that the luxury line could build another new ship in the not-too-distant future. During a preview cruise on the new Silver Spirit, which was delivered on Dec. 16, Perasso said Silversea has experienced record weekly bookings since June. &ldquo;By the time 2009 is over, we will have over 70 percent of next year&rsquo;s revenue goals already on the books,&rdquo; he said during a press conference. &ldquo;Normally we&rsquo;re happy to have 60 percent.&rdquo; He noted that the line has a flexible option with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for a sister ship to the 36,000-ton, 540-passenger Silver Spirit. &ldquo;Obviously we think our decision [to build Silver Spirit] was right, and in the future we will see more growth.&rdquo; He added that European shipyards are eager for business after the economic slowdown of the last year and a half and are aggressively negotiating. &ldquo;No decision will be made for several months, but we are very closely monitoring the situation,&rdquo; he said.</p>
<p>Perasso and other executives welcomed European travel agents and trade press aboard the new Silver Spirit for a preview cruise from Monte Carlo to Barcelona. The ship boasts six restaurants, including two that charge a fee, along with an Art Deco d&eacute;cor with lots of burgundy and dark woods.</p>
<p>The ship&rsquo;s official inaugural cruise will depart Dec. 23 from Barcelona to Lisbon. On Jan. 21, it will be christened in Fort Lauderdale and depart on its 91-day &ldquo;Grand Inaugural Voyage&rdquo; to 45 ports in 20 nations including Brazil, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Mexico.</p>