Silversea’s Silver Spirit Enters Lisbon Drydock for S.A.L.T. Debut

Silversea Cruises’ Silver Spirit is scheduled to undergo a major refurbishment during an extended drydock period running from mid-March to early May 2026, the cruise line said. The project is set to add new dining concepts, update public spaces and refresh accommodations before the ship returns to service in May for a summer deployment in Europe.

Drydock timeline and what’s planned

The 2009-built, 36,000-ton ship, which sails with a capacity of 608 guests, arrived in Lisbon on March 15, 2026, after completing a 13-night trans-Atlantic crossing from Barbados. The repositioning voyage included calls in Mindelo (Cape Verde), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Funchal, ahead of the start of the shipyard period at a local European shipyard.

Silversea said the work package includes “major enhancements,” spanning new dining venues, reimagined public areas and upgraded staterooms. The company is also positioning the updates as part of a broader effort to create greater consistency across its Muse Class ships, following a refurbishment program completed on Silver Muse in 2025.

S.A.L.T. culinary program to debut onboard

A centerpiece of the refurbishment is the addition of Silversea’s S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) culinary program, a concept that debuted in 2019. The line has described S.A.L.T. as a way to connect local culture and flavor with the onboard experience through regionally inspired food and beverage offerings tied to the ship’s destinations.

Dedicated S.A.L.T. venues

• S.A.L.T. Kitchen is planned as a destination-focused restaurant, with menus designed around regional inspirations connected to the ship’s itinerary.
• S.A.L.T. Bar is set to spotlight regional spirits and bespoke cocktails, extending the program’s focus to locally influenced beverages.
• S.A.L.T. Lab is expected to host hands-on cooking classes centered on regional tastes and traditions, giving guests a more participatory culinary option at sea.

Public space updates: Venetian Lounge and pool deck

Beyond dining, Silversea’s plans call for upgrades across common areas, including a comprehensive refresh of the Venetian Lounge and updates to the pool deck.

In the Venetian Lounge, the cruise line has outlined a full refresh that includes new drapery, upgraded carpet, refreshed upholstery and reupholstered banquettes. Silversea also plans to install a new LED wall, alongside new LED lighting, with the goal of enhancing entertainment experiences in the venue.

The pool deck is also slated for a revitalization as part of the broader shipyard project, which Silversea said is designed to improve outdoor leisure options for guests.

Refreshed accommodations and new Medallion Suites

Silversea said the refurbishment will include upgraded staterooms and the addition of new Medallion Suites, expanding the ship’s suite-category offerings. The new suite design is set to include a private veranda, a bathroom with a standard vanity, a bathtub and a walk-in shower, plus a bedroom area with a king-size bed and a more secluded sleeping layout.

Silversea’s leadership on the ship’s transformation

Bert Hernandez, president of Silversea, framed the work on Silver Spirit as part of an ongoing brand-wide effort to evolve the onboard experience while incorporating new concepts and expanding established guest favorites.

“With each ship’s revitalization, we are thoughtfully reshaping the future of our onboard experience to introduce new concepts, expand our guest favorites, and continue elevating the way our guests experience the world,” Hernandez said.

He added: “Silver Spirit’s transformation reflects our dedication to creating richer journeys for our guests giving them more space, more comfort, and a deeper sense of immersion onboard and across every destination.”

Where Silver Spirit will sail after returning to service

Following the planned completion of shipyard work in early May 2026, Silver Spirit is scheduled to resume operations with an eight-night cruise linking Civitavecchia (Rome) and Lisbon. Silversea described the open-jaw itinerary as including calls in the Western Mediterranean, including Livorno, Spain and Portimão.

Europe season: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, then back south

• Early May restart: The ship is scheduled to return to guest service with an eight-night sailing from Civitavecchia to Lisbon, with stops that include Livorno as well as ports in Spain and Portimão.
• Late spring through August: Silver Spirit is set to reposition to Northern Europe for 11- and 12-night itineraries visiting Scandinavia, the Baltic and the British Isles, with departures from Southampton, IJmuiden and Copenhagen.
• Fall into early November: After Northern Europe, the ship is scheduled to return to the Mediterranean for itineraries calling across Spain, Italy, France, Monaco, Malta, Croatia, Greece, Turkey and Slovenia, before a trans-Atlantic crossing back to Barbados ahead of a winter season in the Caribbean.

With the drydock planned to wrap in early May 2026, Silversea is positioning Silver Spirit to re-enter service with new S.A.L.T. venues, refreshed public spaces and added suite options as it begins a Europe program that runs from the Western Mediterranean to Northern Europe and back, before the ship transitions to a November trans-Atlantic voyage and winter cruising in the Caribbean.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is Silver Spirit’s drydock scheduled?

Silversea said Silver Spirit’s refurbishment is scheduled from mid-March to early May 2026. The ship arrived in Lisbon on March 15, 2026, after a 13-night trans-Atlantic crossing from Barbados, and is set to begin the drydock at a local European shipyard.

What is Silversea’s S.A.L.T. program?

S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) is Silversea’s culinary program that debuted in 2019. The cruise line has said it is designed to connect local culture and flavor with the onboard experience through regionally inspired food and beverage offerings tied to a ship’s destinations.

What new venues are being added onboard Silver Spirit?

As part of the refurbishment, Silversea plans to add dedicated S.A.L.T. venues, including S.A.L.T. Kitchen, S.A.L.T. Bar and S.A.L.T. Lab for hands-on cooking classes. The line has also highlighted upgrades to public spaces such as the Venetian Lounge and the pool deck.

What are the new Medallion Suites on Silver Spirit?

Silversea said the new Medallion Suites will add another suite category to the ship and feature a private veranda, a bathroom with a standard vanity, a bathtub and a walk-in shower, plus a bedroom area with a king-size bed.

Where will Silver Spirit sail after the refurbishment?

After returning to service in May 2026, Silver Spirit is scheduled for a European season that includes the Western Mediterranean and Northern Europe, followed by a return to the Mediterranean in the fall. The ship is then slated to sail a trans-Atlantic crossing back to Barbados in early November ahead of a winter season in the Caribbean.