Silversea's Silver Wind Completes Multi-Million Dollar Transformation

Silversea Cruises has just put the finishing touches on a multi-million dollar renovation of Silver Wind, involving virtually every aspect of the ultra-luxury ship. Undertaken over the past month during a dry dock at the San Giorgio shipyard in Genoa, Italy, the comprehensive refurbishment of Silver Wind sets a visionary course for the future with a refreshed décor embodying a sophisticated contemporary style that is warm and inviting with touches of natural cherry wood, russet and golden tones. A centerpiece of the project was the addition of an Observation Lounge (seating 60 guests), Spa, Beauty Salon and Fitness Center on the forward section of Deck 9, altering the ship's exterior appearance with floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the new space. A new two-floor, glass-enclosed elevator was also installed connecting Decks 8 and 9.

"We're delighted with the results of this major renovation," said Amerigo Perasso, Silversea's president and CEO. "Silver Wind has a refreshed look and feel, yet the ship retains her elegance and charm throughout. The company has made an important investment to bring this vessel in line with the style and design themes that are planned for our new ship, Silver Spirit, currently under construction. With these enhancements, our guests are sure to enjoy a renewed sense of luxury and comfort aboard Silver Wind." Perasso added, "Despite the challenging economic environment, our company is showing a strong commitment with this important investment. This is clearly a difficult and unpredictable time and while our business is not immune, we have the strength of our assets, brand and management team that position us well in the long term."

SUITE ENHANCEMENTS: Accommodating 298 guests, Silver Wind's 149 ocean-view suites range in size from 240 to 1,314 square feet, with 80% now featuring a private veranda. Suite modifications include:
* Four of the always-in-demand Silver Suites added on Deck 8.
* One Owner's Suite with a connecting second-bedroom suite added on Deck 7.
* One Medallion Suite added on Deck 7.
* One Vista Suite added on Deck 7.
* Fixed queen beds in larger suites have been replaced with convertible twin-to-queen beds.
* Custom-built TV cabinets added to all Vista and Veranda Suites.
* New flat screen TVs.
* New sofa, armchair, desk, vanity, night tables and headboard.
* New carpets, drapes and bed coverings.
* Updated bathroom fixtures and bathtubs, including new marble countertops, walls and flooring.

THE SPA: The new Spa, which encompasses the Beauty Salon and Fitness Center, occupies over 650 additional square feet (60 square meters) following the renovation. The expanded Spa features an inviting reception area, four massage rooms, one body treatment room, one dry sauna and one steam sauna. The new Fitness Center includes a body-building room and separate aerobics room, both offering spectacular panoramic ocean views.

Other ship enhancements include new upholstery, curtains, wall treatments, carpets and/or flooring in the restaurants, public lounges, lobbies, stairs and corridors.

The first guests to experience the Silver Wind enhancements are sailing on a Dec 2, Las Palmas-to-Cape Town cruise, an exotic 18-day voyage calling in the Cape Verde Islands, Dakar, Banjul, Bom Bom Island and Walvis Bay. And Cruise Diva won't be far behind... we'll join Silver Wind on Jan 13, 2009 in Cape Town to call on Port Elizabeth, Durban, and Richards Bay, and will debark a week later in Maputo, Mozambique. We hope you'll join us here on the Cruise Diva blog for our daily adventures.