Cruising around in style

The Ft. Lauderdale, FL-based Silversea Cruises, which describes its trips as “ultra-luxury,” set an all-time record for reservations for one week at the end of January. Its net passenger gains were up 20% over its previous highest booking week in July of 2003, the company said. The record week followed a 12-week period where the cruise line has been seeing average weekly reservations grow by about 40% compared to the same period last year. “Were seeing the greatest demand in the Mediterranean, but our new summer cruises to Alaska have exceeded all expectations and are already beginning to sell out,” said CEO Albert Peter. He added the bookings were a sign that global tensions, security concerns and the economy were no longer deterring luxury-seeking travelers. Silversea Cruises offers guest large-ship amenities aboard four intimate vessels. For the fifth time, Silversea was selected “Number One” small-ship line in Travel+Leisure World’s Best Awards 2004.