<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_A8KVQ3xIXHg/R9rYSDOvK8I/AAAAAAAAAmc/6oiNM0QUyl4/s1600-h/Silver_Spirit.jpg"><img src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_A8KVQ3xIXHg/R9rYSDOvK8I/AAAAAAAAAmc/6oiNM0QUyl4/s400/Silver_Spirit.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Officials at <a href="http://www.silversea.com/">Silversea Cruises</a> took some time out at this week’s Seatrade Cruising Shipping Convention in Miami Beach to discuss its newly named all-suite ship: the <span>Silver Spirit</span>. Currently under construction at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard, the 540-guest vessel is scheduled to join the fleet in late 2009. Renowned Italian architect Giacomo Mortola is overseeing the design of the 36,000-ton, ultra-luxury vessel. The company also revealed a number of architectural details.<br /><br />“<span>Silver Spirit</span>’s design will mirror the distinctive silhouette of our existing ships and will offer the same standards of luxury that our guests have come to expect,” said Manfredi Lefebvre, Silversea’s chairman. “But there will also be several significant enhancements, including a new supper club, an Asian-themed restaurant, and an expanded spa facility that will rival the best spas on land.”<br /><br />The new ship will also feature those dining venues that have become favorites of Silversea guests, such as The Restaurant, the elegant main dining room; The Wine Restaurant, where the menu celebrates the most rarefied vintages; and the Pool Grille, offering casual poolside dining.<br /><br />The <span>Silver Spirit</span> is being built with an eye toward what current passengers want. There are 270 ocean-view suites with an increased number of the most popular suite categories. There will be 26 Silver Suites, 222 Veranda Suites, six Grand Suites, and two Owner’s Suites. All but 12 suites will have verandas.<br /><br />The new Spa at Silversea, which premiered aboard <span>Silver Shadow</span>’s World Cruise last year, will be rolled out aboard the new vessel in grand style with dramatically more space available to incorporate new design elements.<br /><br />And <span>Silver Spirit </span>will feature many of the same public lounges found on the line’s existing ships, including an Observation Lounge, Vista Lounge (similar to Panorama Lounge on current fleet), Show Lounge, Humidor, and Pool Bar, plus a new Lobby Bar styled along the lines of a European hotel, featuring Italian coffees complemented by champagne, wine and spirits—all served at no charge.<br /><br />Silversea’s forthcoming <span>Silver Spirit</span> will be one to watch. Mark your calendars for a December 2009 debut!<br /><br /><span"font-size:85%;"><span>Illustration courtesy of Silversea.</span></span>