Silversea, the Monaco based luxury cruise line, has unveiled plans for its first-ever ship lengthening. The turn-key transformation of Silver Spirit will take place early next year at the Palermo shipyard of Fincantieri, ” the company said in a statement.

The ship is currently 196 metres in length.

Starting in early March, Silver Spirit will be lengthened by inserting a prebuilt 49-foot / 14.9 metre midsection housing six Silver Suites, 26 Veranda Suites and 2 Panorama Suites. Technical upgrades will also be implemented.

As the ship's extensive redesign takes its inspiration from the innovations of the line's new flagship, Silver Muse, creative dining concepts will be incorporated, and stylish décor enhancements will be made to existing suites and throughout the public spaces and outdoor areas, providing an increased level of comfort and spaciousness.

"Based on the wonderful feedback from guests sailing aboard our beautiful Silver Muse, we believe the comprehensive makeover we have planned for Silver Spirit will enrich the onboard experience and be equally appreciated by guests. They will see many of Silver Muse's innovations and elevated comforts embodied by our reimagined Silver Spirit" said Christian Sauleau, Executive Vice President of Fleet Operations for Silversea Cruises.

Giorgio Rizzo, Senior Vice President Services of Fincantieri, said : “The lengthening of a ship always entails a rare level of complexity in a sector with already high technological content as the cruise one is. Today our group and the Palermo shipyard boast an established and recognized experience in this kind of operations, confirmed by the project that Silversea has assigned us. We are particularly proud of it because we will supervise it entirely, from design to its full execution, to the delivery to the shipowner”.