Jan 19: A Silver Port

Port Everglades has an exciting guest this week. The first new ship to dock in 2010 at Fort Lauderdale's busy cruise port is also among the most elegant in the world. Silversea Cruises' flagship, Silver Spirit, has just arrived to a fanfare of water cannons after her maiden Atlantic crossing and now is preparing for her christening at the port this week. I feel very fortunate that I'll be among the folks at that ceremony, which officially brings yet another high-end travel option to Fort Lauderdale. I'm even luckier to have been asked to stay on the Silver Spirit overnight for the big inaugural gala. It's a black tie event with a small, invitation-only guest list - and acclaimed cabaret singer Michael Feinstein as the entertainment. All this should offer a memorable beginning for what appears to be a very beautiful and very luxurious ship.

For many years, Silversea's fleet routinely has been voted the world's best small cruise ships by one important travel publication or another. Having sailed on the line several times as a travel writer, I know why they win all these awards. I've stayed in some of the world's finest hotels, but I have never experienced anything quite like a Silversea cruise.

I also think it's impressive that this ultra-luxury cruise company has such strong ties to Fort Lauderdale. Along with the headquarters in Monaco, Silversea's Fort Lauderdale office is one of its main operations. The line has launched world cruises from Port Everglades. And Silver Spirit will leave on a 91-day voyage around South America from the port right after Thursday's christening. I'm really looking forward to both that ceremony and the gala, of course. For all my cruise experience, I've never been to a ship christening before. And I've never stepped aboard a ship quite like Silver Spirit either. Much larger ships, yes, and much smaller ships. But this - well, it's something different. The Spirit carries 540 guests and 376 crew, with six dining rooms and a jazz club and other amenities Silversea's more compact ships can't accommodate. I'm told this is a gorgeous vessel and the photos suggest it's true. Later this week, though, I'll be able to give you a first-hand report about the grand new addition to Port Everglades' growing cruise fleet. Recently, the world's largest cruise ship made its home port here. Now one of the world's most luxurious ships has tied up. I guess Fort Lauderdale must be doing something right, huh?