Forward sales for Silversea’s 2010 season are defying the gloomy economic outlook with its new vessel and Antarctic voyages driving the market.

The luxury cruise line predicted a flat 2009 in terms of revenue but said signs for growth next year were encouraging.

Senior vice president Asia Pacific Steve Odell said it has brought forward travel agent events from September to April in a move to “land a harder hit” and secure early sales.

Pressure to increase passenger numbers and revenue will intensify across all Silversea’s key markets this year as the cruise line prepares for the maiden voyage in December of the 540-passenger Silver Spirit. The liner, Silversea’s sixth and the largest in the fleet, will see its overall capacity climb by 40 per cent.  “All markets will be expected to take a share of that 40 per cent,” Odell remarked

“We’ve done it in a breeze in previous years.” Sales have gone well for 2010, he said, despite fragmented and unpredictable bookings for 2009 departures with lead in times that have dramatically shortened from between nine and 15 months to four to eight months.