Silversea Cruises has appointed an experienced group of Senior Officers for its 2023 World Cruise, 'South Side Story', a 140-day voyage that will see guests travel from Sydney to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, starting on January 9, 2023. Vicki Van Tassel, a popular figure among members of the company's Venetian Society, will serve as Cruise Director for the first time, joining the group of senior officers aboard the Silver Shadow, including Captains Michele Macarone Palmieri and Ivo Botica and Hotel Director Flavio Gioia.
The 2023 World Cruise “South Side Story – All the World’s a Stage” sold out on its general opening day in March 2021. This voyage visits 66 destinations in 34 countries across five continents. True to the cruise's theme, “All the World’s a Stage,” the World Cruise's exclusive events will highlight the sights, flavors, and rhythms of local life, illuminating regional music, art, theater, and traditions with authentic performances.
Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO of Silversea Cruises, said: “Our flagship voyage, our annual World Cruise, is incredibly popular with our most loyal guests, who enjoy meeting up with friends while traveling the world with Silversea.”.
The senior officers traveling aboard Silver Shadow for Silversea's 2023 World Cruise include:
Captain Michele Macarone Palmieri. After completing his nautical studies at the Nino Bixio Nautical Technical Institute in Piano di Sorrento, Macarone Palmieri developed his experience aboard cargo ships and bulk carriers, later joining the cruise sector in 1987. He sailed aboard the Silver Wind on its maiden voyage in 1995 and was first appointed captain aboard the Silver Cloud in 2002.
Captain Ivo Botica. Born in Dubrovnik (Croatia), the captain graduated from the University of Dubrovnik with degrees in nautical and marine engineering in 1985. After his studies, Botica completed an apprenticeship on container ships, before moving into the cruise industry to develop his knowledge and expand his experience, rising to the position of captain for the first time in 1995 and joining Silversea in 2020.
Flavio Gioia, Hotel Director. Flavio Gioia grew up in Positano before moving to London, where he began his career in the hospitality industry, working at the Grosvenor House Hotel. From London, he moved to New Zealand and Australia, where he spent many years working in the hospitality sector. Gioia’s hotel experience, which includes 30 years in city hotels and resorts, led him to pursue a career at sea from 2004, which he describes as “the final frontier of hospitality.” For this reason, Gioia is proud to be Silversea’s Hotel Director, having joined the company in 2009.
Vicki Van Tassel, Director of Cruises. Following an illustrious and extensive career in the entertainment industry, Vicki Van Tassel began her career at sea with Silversea in 2011, performing as a vocalist on three World Cruises and numerous Grand Voyages, learning from some of the best in the business. In 2015, she joined Silversea as Director of Cruises. Since then, Van Tassel has served as Director of Cruises on nearly every ship in the Silversea fleet, proudly inaugurating the Silver Moon℠, one of the world’s first cruise ships to resume service, followed shortly thereafter by the Silver Dawn. It is with the greatest sense of honor and pride that Van Tassel assumes the role of Director of Cruises for the World Cruise in 2023.
