Silversea Cruises launched its latest luxury vessel — the new 40,700-gross ton, 596-guest Silver Moon — in Piraeus, Greece, on July 28. Godmother Gaia Gaja, who represented the Italian Gaja Winery, christened the ship during a traditional ceremony where a bottle of Champagne was broken over the ship’s bow.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group; Roberto Martinoli, president and CEO of Silversea Cruises; Jason Liberty, executive vice president and CFO of Royal Caribbean Group; Captain Chavdar Georgiev; Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s merchant ships division; and Harry Theoharis, minister of tourism for Greece.
Witnessing the official naming of Silver Moon — the first of Silversea’s christenings as part of Royal Caribbean Group — was a very proud moment, indeed.
“Witnessing the official naming of Silver Moon — the first of Silversea’s christenings as part of Royal Caribbean Group — was a very proud moment, indeed,” Fain said in a press release. “I commend Silversea’s leadership team, Captain Georgiev and Silver Moon’s crew, the team of Fincantieri and everyone involved in the ship’s launch for their tireless efforts in bringing this long-awaited milestone to fruition.”
Silver Moon previously set sail on its inaugural voyage June 18 from the Athens cruise port, initiating a series of 10-day sailings in the Greek Isles. With the ship’s introduction, Silversea also marks the start of the line’s S.A.L.T. (sea and land taste) program, which features a trio of onboard dinging venues fostering regionally inspired culinary discovery.
“It was an honor to cut the ribbon and signal the official naming of Silver Moon as the ship’s Godmother,” Gaja said. “Launching Silversea’s new S.A.L.T. program, Silver Moon embodies the core values that my family’s winery shares with this cruise line: a reverence for tradition, a commitment to unwavering quality and a deep respect for cultural values. I look forward to journeying aboard this beautiful ship to dive deep into the Greek Isles' celebrated culinary cultures.”
The launch of Silver Moon also marked a significant event in the luxury fleet’s overall and post-pandemic timeline.
“This is an extraordinary milestone in the history of our cruise line,” Martinoli said. “We today christened Silver Moon as the ninth ship in our fleet, marking an evolution in 21st-century luxury travel. As the first ultra-luxury cruise ship to set sail this year, Silver Moon leads the way in the return of ultra-luxury cruising. She represents our industry’s strength and resilience. Aboard the newest addition to our fleet, our guests will rediscover the world in unrivaled comfort and whispered luxury. I extend my gratitude to the Royal Caribbean Group, Fincantieri, Captain Georgiev and the ship’s crew, as well as our teams ashore, for making this momentous occasion possible.”
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