Silversea Buys Ship; Refurb Next

Silversea Cruises Group Ltd. bought the expedition ship World Discoverer. The company took delivery of the vessel in Singapore on September 17. The ship will undergo a multi-million dollar refurbishment before it begins service in spring 2008. After the planned refurbishment, World Discoverer will accommodate approximately 140 guests (reduced from current 175) and a crew complement of 106 in a state-of-the-art vessel sporting the latest communications systems, audio-visual equipment, and other high-end amenities. The 6,072-ton vessel also boasts a strengthened hull with the highest Lloyd's Register ice-class notation (1A), appropriate for navigating waters, without an escort, in some of the world's most remote regions, including Antarctica. Earlier this year the company finalized plans to purchase one 36,000-GRT, 540-guest, ultra-luxury vessel from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri with delivery scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2009. The line has also signed an option for a sister ship with the same shipbuilder.