Silver Muse, the new ultra-luxury cruise ship built by Fincantieri for Silversea Cruises, was presented at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Genoa Sestri Ponente.

Guests attending the ceremony included His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genoa, who blessed the ship, Giovanni Toti, Governor of Liguria, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, the Chairman of Silversea Cruises, and Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri.
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At 40,700 gross tons and the capacity to accommodate 596 passengers on board, Silver Muse represents an evolution of Silver Spirit, delivered in 2009 by Fincantieri in Ancona, and redefines the ultra-luxury ocean travel experience, while maintaining the small-ship intimacy and spacious all-suite accommodations which are hallmarks of the Silversea experience.

Silver Muse

The new build expands Silversea's fleet to nine ships. Silver Muse will offer guests the highest number of large suites (Silver, Royal, Grand, and Owner's) in the fleet and the greatest number of connecting suites for families and friends. Silver Muse offers a welcoming blend of spaciousness, luxury, and comfort, where guests can feel immediately at home. In addition, she will offer more restaurants than any other ultra-luxury ship – eight venues – offering the finest and widest bespoke culinary experience at sea.
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Among the voluntary notations of the ship, the 'Green star 3 Design' stands out. It is assigned to units which are designed, built, and equipped in order to prevent air and water pollution. Furthermore, the 'COMF-NOISE A PAX' and 'COMF-NOISE B CREW' are assigned on the basis of the noise levels measured on the ship. Results have confirmed the extremely high level of comfort offered to passengers on board.

"A cruise ship is the result of the most complex innovation and product process and it represents the state of the art of this industry, as Silver Muse proves."
​-Giuseppe Bono, Chief Executive Officer, Fincantieri

"Since the laying of the keel in December 2015, Silversea and Fincantieri have been working closely together to produce one of the finest ships to leave this shipyard and we look forward to welcoming our first guests onboard. On behalf of everybody at Silversea, I would like to thank Ficantieri for their tireless commitment to deliver Silver Muse to us on schedule and to such a high standard of craftsmanship."
-​Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Chairman, Silversea Cruises

"Today marks another milestone for Silversea, our guests and our colleagues as we celebrate our new flagship, Silver Muse, joining the fleet. The attention to detail throughout the ship is a reflection of our dedication, in conjunction with Fincantieri, to offer the ultimate luxury experience at sea."
​-Roberto Martinoli, Chief Executive Officer, Silversea Cruises

Ready to get away?  Contact me for more information and to design your incredible travel experiences.
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Kevin | Inspired Quests :: Travel Move | Live More | Be More

Stunning design and breakthrough staterooms set a new standard for modern luxury travel.

Celebrity Cruises delivered a first look at the transformational Celebrity Edge, whose dramatically expanded staterooms, ship-climbing Magic Carpet platform, and stunning suites set a new standard for ship design.

Designed completely in 3-D, and featuring the work of A-list global architects and designers, the 2,918-guest Celebrity Edge aims to make discerning global travellers redefine how they experience the world and how intimate a vacation can be.

Celebrity Edge Reveal

“Celebrity Edge is one of the most exciting, innovative, and transformational ships I have ever been involved with.  The new features and refined design will establish a new baseline for ships from here on out."
-Richard D Fain, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd

Transformational Design
A-List Global Designers Bring Their Best to Celebrity Guests
Celebrity Cruises made the most of its first new ship class in 10 years, bringing in a design and architectural dream team from around the globe to push the boundaries of ship design and to evolve luxury travel at sea, including internationally renowned interior designer Kelly Hoppen MBE of Kelly Hoppen Interiors and visionary architect Tom Wright of WKK.  American designer Nate Berkus serves as Celebrity Edge's design ambassador.  Together with other designers whose work will be revealed later, the team arrived at designs which are fresh, exciting, current, and comfortable – the essence of Celebrity Cruises' Modern Luxury style.

“Our guests don't want to just skim the world like a magazine – they want to feel a human connection with it.  Every element of Celebrity Edge is meant to make that connection intense and unforgettable.  Our new class of ship will allow guests to experience their journeys with the uniqueness and sophistication that marks the rest of their lives.”
​-Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Celebrity Cruises​

Transformational Accommodations
Design Breakthrough Enables Larger Rooms to Reach the Water’s Edge
Revolutionary staterooms erase the boundaries between the traditional ship stateroom and its veranda, creating a closer connection to the ocean.  The new Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda turns guest quarters into a seamless space, from the room's door all the way to the water’s edge.  The simple touch of a button gives guests open-air access to the sea, bringing the outside in and the inside out.  With the touch of another button, guests can take complete control of their stateroom and personalise everything from lighting, shades, temperature, and service – even choosing a setting to tuck them in or gently wake them.  The design adds 23 percent more square footage and 10 percent larger bathrooms than Celebrity Cruises' Solstice Class.

Celebrity Edge Renderings

The Retreat

Transformational Destination Experience
An Unexpected Playscape which Engages All the Senses
The Rooftop Garden is one of many spaces aboard Celebrity Edge which will lure guests out to relax and play.  Imagined by celebrated architect Tom Wright, the Rooftop Garden, tended daily by a resident horticulturist, is the perfect place for guests to enjoy games and activities through the day. At night, it is home to live music and the outdoor movie-and-meal pairing of A Taste of Film.

The World’s First Magic Carpet:  Where It Is, Where It's At
Cantilevered from the side of the ship, the Magic Carpet makes Celebrity Edge’s distinctive profile recognisable from miles away.  The size of a tennis court, this incredible engineering feat scales the 16-deck ship through the day and evening, positioning at four of the ship’s decks, transforming into a new and exciting experience at each one.

At the summit of the ship on Deck 16, the Magic Carpet becomes the ultimate specialty restaurant offering a special Dinner on the Edge for 90 guests.  Alongside Deck 14, Magic Carpet becomes an open-air expansion of the main pool area.  On Deck 5, Magic Carpet extends one of the ship’s specialty restaurants into the most amazing al fresco seating imaginable, and at its lowest position on Deck 2, Magic Carpet is a key component to the Destination Gateway, a luxury embarkation station where guests will be whisked away aboard sleek Edge Launches.

Booking a Transformational Vacation
Celebrity Edge will homeport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, making her first sailing 16 December 2018.  An eastern Caribbean cruise visits San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.  The western Caribbean calls on Key West, Florida; Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; and George Town, Grand Cayman.  Travellers will also have the option to book back-to-back sailings for a 14-night journey. Celebrity Edge will be joined by three sister ships in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Ready to get away?  Contact me for more information and to design your incredible travel experiences.
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Kevin | Inspired Quests :: Travel Move | Live More | Be More

Azamara Club Cruises, the up-market line delivering an unmatched experience at sea and on land, introduces The World Journey, the ultimate 102-day cruise itinerary on board the Azamara Journey.  The 2018 voyage begins in Sydney, Australia on 07 March and ends in London, England on 17 June.

​Travellers will have the opportunity to embark on an extended voyage of a lifetime, sailing to 61 ports in 29 countries over 102 days, as well as experience two major international events.  Guests on board The World Journey can take advantage of 18 late night stays, 14 over-night stays, and eight (8) AzAmazing Evening events.

​Azamara delivers Destination Immersion like no other cruise line.  Its signature programs encourage guests to take in the sights, sounds, and flavours of local culture in every port.  Whatever adventure presents itself, Azamara's Insider Access, Nights and Cool Places, and Cruise Global Eat Local set the brand apart by inspiring guests to think outside the ship, offering special access to museums, iconic and exclusive attractions, hidden gems, tours, and more.  And, private AzAmazing Evening events bring guests a unique cultural experience, complimentary on all voyages seven (7) nights or longer.​

​Azamara spends more time in destinations with late port departures and over-night stays, allowing for deeper exploration.  Some of The World Journey highlights include:

• ​Ho Chi Minh City:  Tour the city where French colonial architecture mixes with modern and Asian influences and many fine old houses have become trendy restaurants serving up fine Vietnamese cuisine.
• ​Bangkok:  Thai food is a not-to-be-missed delight, with tantilising and multi-layered tastes of sweet, salt, bitter, and spicy, as well as the eye-catching Buddhist temples which seem to be around every corner and life along the canals.
• Yangon:  A visit to Shwedagon Pagoda will introduce travelers not only to one of Asia's great religious sites, but to the daily life of the Burmese people, who come often to make their devotions - to spend time with friends or to sit in quiet contemplation.
• ​Dubai:  Stop by Gold Soug, a must see in Dubai as it is the largest gold market in Arabia.
• ​Muscat:  Explore the Sulan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the third largest in the world.  It features a massive Swarovski crystal chandelier with over 600,000 crystals and a hand-woven prayer rug with more than 1.7 billion knots.
• ​Barcelona:  It is all about architecture, from the magnificent medieval buildings of the Gothic Quarter to the Modernist movement typified by the work of Antoni Gaudi.
• Lisbon:  Check out the Castle of Sao Jorge, a Moorish citadel and castle built upon fortifications from the 2nd century BC.
• ​Amsterdam:  While strolling the canal-lined streets, taste poffertjes, buckwheat donuts with powered sugar, or stroopwafel, a chewy and cookie-like sweet.  Bitterballenm, deep-fried balls of beef with mustard, are unavoidable.

​It would not be a world journey without making a couple of high-profile appearances.  This voyage includes the opportunity to attend the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix.

​Guests who partake in the entire 102-day journey will experience Azamara's world-class service before they even step on board.  Round-trip air fare will be included for all full-cruise guests – business class for suite guests and economy class for all other staterooms - as well as a one-night pre-sailing hotel stay.  The World Journey kick-off event in Sydney will commence with a special celebration, hosted by President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Pimentel, to welcome aboard those embarking on this incredible voyage.  The 102-day trip package also includes Internet, $1,000 per person ship-board credit, free bag of laundry every seven days, and excess luggage reimbursement up to $500 per person.  For guests unable to sail the entire duration on board the 102-day journey, booking back-to-back voyages easily allows guests to create their own extended adventure.

Ready to get away?  Contact me for more information and to design your incredible travel experiences.
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Kevin | Inspired Quests :: Travel Move | Live More | Be More

​To kick off the new year in style, Celebrity Cruises announced an exclusive partnership with design icon Nate Berkus, naming him Design Ambassador for the brand’s newest class of ships – Edge Class.

As Design Ambassador, Berkus will bring his distinctive personality to the launch of Celebrity Edge, hosting a series of Edge Class reveal events alongside Celebrity’s President and Chief Executive Officer Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd Richard D Fain. Designed, and soon to be revealed to the world in 3D, Edge Class will transform the future of cruising. Together, Berkus and Celebrity will share this groundbreaking story in March 2017.
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A pioneer in the industry, Berkus established his award-winning interior design firm at the age of 24, showcasing an approachable and elevated design philosophy which has transformed countless interiors around the world for more than 20 years. Over and above the interiors he designs, Berkus’ signature style has been carried through to his highly popular product lines. As such, Berkus was a perfect fit to showcase Celebrity’s cutting-edge innovation and breathtaking design on its newest class of ships.

​"Nate Berkus embodies modern luxury and evokes a global aesthetic with his forward-thinking style, which is admired by the design world and the world at large. When we first sat down with Nate, we knew this was going to be an incredible partnership. Design is in our DNA, as well as Nate’s, plus we share a love for the same things: modern luxury, one-of-a-kind design, and global travel. We couldn’t think of a better person to collaborate with on the truly transformational Edge Class.” 
-Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Celebrity Cruises.

​“When Celebrity approached me about a potential partnership, I couldn’t wait to get onboard – pun intended. Their commitment to delivering the very best in terms of luxury design, but also their attention to the overall experience, the level of detail and care, really stood out for me. I love the idea that we can travel beautifully and that every moment of the experience – from start to finish – is exceptional. That’s what the Edge Class is all about.” 
-Nate Berkus

Edge Class is Celebrity’s first new ship class in nearly a decade, succeeding the brand’s revolutionary Solstice Class. The company expects delivery of Celebrity Edge in Fall 2018. Celebrity Beyond is scheduled for delivery in Spring 2020 and the third and fourth Edge Class ships in Fall 2021 and Fall 2022, respectively.

Celebrity Cruises will continue revealing details throughout 2017 and 2018, inviting guests along the pioneering journey and offering glances of what is to come in the future of cruising.

Ready to get away?  Contact me for more information and to design your incredible travel experiences.
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Kevin | Inspired Quests :: Travel Move | Live More | Be More
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Welcome to Inspired Quests.  I am pleased you have found my part of the Internet.

Other than Brahm, Anderson, and Alfred, travel is my passion.  My love for travel started at age 12 when my mother took my brother, Dale, and me from a small northern Ontario town to New Zealand, Australia, and Indonesia on a year-long adventure.  Since then, I have travelled to all seven continents.
Sharing the pleasure of travel has inspired me to operate my own travel business where I enjoy assisting friends and family to plan their spectacular vacation experience.  I particularly love travelling with friends and family and seeing their eyes enlarge and brighten as they experience their own adventures.

If you are wanting to fulfill your incredible travel experiences or if you are inspired by any of our group cruises, let me know; it would be my pleasure to assist you.

What is Inspired Quests?  Basically, Inspired Quests can be summed up by the company tagline:  Travel Move | Live More | Be More.  I inspire people to travel more, live more, and be more by designing incredible travel experiences.

On this blog, I will be sharing posts which cover the many aspects of travel (one of my passions in life) and amazing travel offers and opportunities (with a specialisation in cruise vacations).  I look forward to you joining me on these quests.

Please take some time to explore Inspired Quests and let me know about your life quests.

Ready to get away?  Contact me for more information and to design your incredible travel experiences.
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Kevin | Inspired Quests :: Travel Move | Live More | Be More