or: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Silversea ship Silver Spirit is to be extended by 49ft as part of a major refit.

The ship enters dry dock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo on March 5 for the work to be carried out and is due to re-emerge on May 1.

Silver Spirit is set to return to service on May 6 with a seven-day cruise between Civitavecchia – the port of Rome – and Barcelona.

The nine-year-old luxury vessel currently has a capacity for 540 passengers.

The lengthening will create 34 new suites, as well as a top level Balsorano suite decorated with items of personal value to Silversea chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio di Balsorano de Clunieres.

The overall revamp will enhance each of the ship’s public spaces, taking inspiration from the line’s flagship Silver Muse.

The pool deck area will be enlarged and a new health and fitness centre introduced.

Fleet operations executive vice president Christian Sauleau said: “Based on the wonderful feedback from guests sailing aboard our beautiful Silver Muse, we believe the comprehensive makeover we have planned for Silver Spirit will enrich the on board experience and be equally appreciated by guests.

“They will see many of Silver Muse’s innovations and elevated comforts embodied by our reimagined Sil