Building on the success of its sister ship Silver Muse, Silver Moon will welcome luxury guests once it joins the fleet as Silversea's ninth ship on October 30, 2020. Many of the professional experts from around the world who contributed to the construction of Silver Muse have also brought their skills to Silver Moon, preserving Silversea's elegant Italian heritage.
During the peak months of Silver Moon's construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, more than 1,000 professionals worked on the ship simultaneously, with over 390 companies contributing to its construction. Silversea Cruises highlights some of the talented professionals who participated in the building of Silver Moon.
“Every single element of Silver Moon’s interior spaces has been crafted with the aim of enhancing the passenger experience and comfort,” says Barbara Muckermann, Silversea’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We value the expertise of our distinguished suppliers, each of whom was selected for their commitment to exceptional quality. From the Savoir beds to the Lalique crystal artwork, the fine details of our new ship are reflected throughout the entire cruise experience. Silver Moon will push the boundaries of travel, and I look forward to welcoming our guests aboard in the near future, where they will discover the authentic beauty of the world while enjoying a new standard of comfort.”.
HIRSCH-BEDNER ASSOCIATES – SALT Areas.
Among the most innovative features of the Silver Moon, Silversea's new culinary program, SALT (Taste of Sea and Land), will inspire passengers in three distinct areas—SALT Lab, SALT Kitchen, and SALT Bar—designed and built by the multi-award-winning design firm Hirsch-Bedner Associates. Work on the SALT areas of the Silver Moon took 18 months from initial commission to completion, with approximately 2,740 man-hours invested by professionals in London, Miami, and various locations in Italy. Across the three venues, some 330 square meters of carpeting, 220 square meters of tiles, 160 spotlights, 137 chairs and banquet seats, 81 tables, and a purpose-built wine cellar were used.
“Silver Moon will be the first Silversea ship to incorporate a complete ecosystem for culinary discovery and the SALT program, an innovation for the cruise world,” says Matteo Pace, Associate at HBA. “Creating synergy between the ship’s three SALT areas, operating around the clock, and incorporating an immersive element dedicated to culinary experiences is truly unique.” The goal was to find a balance between land and sea, uniting both concepts with global gastronomic influences. Each space required a bespoke design with a clear connection, driven by current trends. Tangible and striking in their design, the spaces needed to bring places and personalities to life and be experiences in themselves. The SALT program will transport travelers on a journey of discovery from port to port, which is reflected in the design of these areas, with many unique objects inspired by trends from around the world. The color palettes used in each area enhance the experience, with lighter tones in the common areas and the SALT Lab kitchen spaces; "Rich details and nuances in the main restaurant, SALT Kitchen; and a darker, more mysterious feel in the SALT Bar, which evolves the passenger experience as the day progresses.".
GEM – Public Places and Suites
With a capacity for just 596 passengers in 298 ocean-view suites – 96% of which feature private verandas – and a crew-to-passenger ratio of 1:1.45, the Silver Moon will maintain the intimate feel of a small ship and the spacious accommodations that are hallmarks of the Silversea experience. As with the Silver Muse, GEM was appointed as the architectural firm responsible for designing the public spaces and suites aboard the Silver Moon.
“In true Silversea style, Silver Moon certainly exudes luxury, just like its sister ship, Silver Muse,” says Lorenzo Mortola of GEM. “Beyond the introduction of the SALT program, the overall passenger experience has been enhanced based on feedback from Silver Muse passengers regarding the ship’s redesign. Many venues have been enhanced aboard Silver Moon: the expanded La Dame restaurant now seats 56 and is decorated with 11 handcrafted Lalique crystal panels; the popular Atlantide restaurant has been enlarged on Silver Moon to accommodate 220 guests; Connoisseur’s Corner now includes a sophisticated outdoor area; and the Dolce Vita Lounge, at the heart of the ship, will also enjoy a new layout, with a warm atmosphere that evolves throughout the day. Passengers will experience other enhancements as they explore the ship. Each enhancement will contribute to Silver Moon’s status as one of the most luxurious and comfortable ships afloat.”.
LALIQUE – Handmade glass artworks
Another bespoke detail aboard the Silver Moon is the 11 handcrafted crystal works by Lalique, adorning the walls of the La Dame restaurant. A team of approximately 15 people, including a designer from Lalique's Interior Design Studio, an engineer, and a team of specialized Lalique professionals, completed the project over a period of 18 months. Lalique's professionals dedicated approximately 30 hours to the production of each custom panel, applying their time-honored expertise at the company's historic French factory, which dates back to 1922. Before being installed on the Silver Moon, each crystal panel underwent two phases during the manufacturing process: during the hot glass process, Lalique's professionals faced extreme temperatures in the workshop to clean, shape, and reheat the crystal; then, in the cold glass process, artisans meticulously sculpted and finished each creation, forming a distinctive contrast between clear and frosted crystal—a hallmark of Lalique design.
“Both the Lalique and Silversea teams demonstrated remarkable skill throughout this project,” says Silvio Denz, Chairman and CEO of Lalique. “We are delighted that these fully bespoke Lalique interior glass panels will grace the ultra-luxurious Silver Moon cruise ship, enhancing the unique cruising experience for Silversea passengers.”
SAVOIR – Among the best beds in the world
The Silver Moon will be one of the most comfortable ships at sea, with an unusually high space-to-passenger ratio and personalized butler service in every suite. However, in the ship's 10 main suites – four Owner's Suites, four Grand Suites, and two Royal Suites – travelers will experience a distinctive level of comfort even while sleeping. Considered the world's most illustrious bed maker, Savoir has created 10 bespoke beds for the Silver Moon. A masterpiece of longevity and comfort, each bed was handcrafted by Savoir's skilled artisans in the company's factories in Wales, with each piece taking over 30 hours to complete. In addition to hand-spun horsehair and soft lambswool, the 10 beds comprise 72 kg of ribbed cotton, 72 kg of layered cotton, 30 kg of wool, 32,560 springs, and 720 fleeces. Each custom-made mattress offers dual firmness, meaning guests can choose between firm support on one side and soft support on the other. The result is perfect support and a rejuvenating night's sleep. Every element of the beds—the springs, mattresses, and mattress toppers—was signed and dated by the master craftsman, symbolizing a definitive mark of pride in their own making.
“Savoir has a rich history as a supplier of beds to the world’s finest luxury hotels and cruise ships, starting with the Savoy,” says Alistair Hughes, Managing Director of Savoir. “We are delighted to be working with Silversea Cruises to offer passengers the bespoke comfort of a Savoir bed aboard the Silver Moon. Like all our beds, Savoir’s handcrafted mattress toppers and mattresses will provide guests with the ultimate in comfort.”.
