Update: Silversea Cruises took delivery of Silver Moon on October 30, 2020.

After recently completing her sea trial, Silver Moon’s arrival is one step closer to reality. The pioneering new ship will become the second vessel to join Silversea’s ultra-luxury fleet in 2020, following the delivery of the Galapagos-specific Silver Origin. Built in Ancona’s Fincantieri shipyard, construction of the 40,571-ton ship has been a Herculean effort: over 1,000 skilled professionals were working on the ship simultaneously, with over 390 companies contributing to the build.

One of these companies, HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates, took on the task of designing and delivering the jewels of Silver Moon’s crown: the spaces that will encompass Silversea’s innovative Sea And Land Taste Program (S.A.L.T.). Unique to this new vessel, S.A.L.T. will offer a rich gastronomic experience that is all about connecting travelers to the places they’re visiting through the lens of food and drink culture.

Integral to this experience is the presence of dedicated venues devoted to enhancing the onboard culinary experience. S.A.L.T. Kitchen is a modern, luxurious restaurant with constantly changing menus that will range from regional specialties that reflect the route as well as a daily changing roster of dishes that reflect the local tastes and dishes of each port on the journey. S.A.L.T. Lab serves as a hub for all forms of culinary discovery: from providing a space for hands-on cooking instruction from visiting chefs and experts, to being an intimate venue where like-minded, food-focused travelers can meet and discuss their next culinary adventures. Finally, S.A.L.T. Bar will be devoted to the exploration and celebration of the tastes and terroir of a region through its specialized spirits, wines and local beers.

The ambitious goals behind each venue served as HBA’s blueprint to bring to life S.A.L.T. as a tangible culinary concept like no other. HBA Associate Matteo Pace shared with us some of the details of this extraordinary undertaking and how the design of each component of the program is both unique and part of the larger concept that is S.A.L.T.

Silver Moon’s S.A.L.T. venues are entirely new. What was the concept behind this innovative project?

The brief was about finding a balance between land and sea, bringing the two together through world of culinary influences. Looking at the brief, we did not want to position everything around one smaller room, instead it was to be a much larger and more in-depth experience with spaces woven around destinations, people, traditions and food. Each space needed a bespoke design with a clear connection, driven by the overall flow: the taste of sea and land. Tactile and surprising in their design, the spaces needed to bring to life places and personalities, and be experiences within themselves.   

What value will the S.A.L.T. venues bring to guests?

Guests will have the opportunity to connect to the destination and other guests through food, drink and the stories around them. It is about creating an enriching experience from dining to cooking that brings people together, creating social moments. Rather than focusing on star chefs, the guests will have real, authentic food that will transport them on a journey of discovery from port to port. This journey is reflected in the design itself, with lots of unique objects and arts & crafts pieces that draw on influences from all over the world. The color palettes used enhance the guest journey with lighter tones for the communal areas and cooking spaces at S.A.L.T Lab; rich details and accents in the main restaurant, S.A.L.T Kitchen and a darker, more mysterious feel for S.A.L.T Bar, seamlessly taking them from day to night.

“Each space needed a bespoke design with a clear connection, driven by the overall flow: the taste of sea and land. Tactile and surprising in their design, the spaces needed to bring to life places and personalities, and be experiences within themselves.”

Matteo Pace, Associate, HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates

Did you face any problems in bringing the project to life during this challenging period?

The innovative nature of this brief meant there was a huge amount of excitement and enthusiasm from the team involved. This excitement, coupled with the concepts integrity drove the development phase of the design without any issues.  

What makes Silver Moon different to all other cruise ships?

Certainly the S.A.L.T program, as this really is something new for the world of cruise. Creating a synergy between the different venues that evolves from day to night, and having such a sociable element with the culinary experiences is completely unique. Reflecting the adventures on land, the S.A.L.T concept will take guests on a ‘journey of discovery from port to port,’ with exclusive culinary experiences that change with each new destination.