As Lisbon kicked off its St. Anthony’s Day festivities, honoring the anniversary of the saint’s death, the cruise industry marked the debut of a new luxury vessel. Silversea Cruises’ Silver Ray was officially christened in the center of the Portuguese capital.
The 544-passenger vessel is the 12th ship in the Silversea fleet and is an identical twin to Silver Nova, which was introduced last year with a new design that distinguished it from other Silversea ships.
Similar to its counterpart, Silver Ray features over 4,000 square meters of glass to ensure stunning outdoor views and a top deck crafted to highlight the sea and sky. Boasting a space-to-guest ratio of 75 gross register tons per passenger and a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.3, the ship offers enhanced luxury through its spacious suites, ample public areas, uncrowded spaces, and meticulous service.
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Silver Ray continues Nova’s dedication to exceptional culinary experiences both onboard and onshore, featuring multiple fine-dining restaurants and Silversea’s signature S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) program, designed by Adam Sachs, the former editor in chief of Saveur Magazine. Guests looking to delve into the culinary and wine culture of their cruise destinations can engage in hands-on cooking classes at S.A.L.T. Lab, savor regionally inspired dishes and craft cocktails at S.A.L.T. Kitchen and S.A.L.T. Bar, and join shore excursions that introduce them not only to local flavors but also to the people responsible for producing them.
Silversea has embraced the ancient Roman concept of “otium,” which signifies leisure time, as its guiding principle. This luxurious philosophy of self-indulgence and self-care is evident throughout the ship. At the Otium Spa, guests can enjoy rejuvenating spa treatments, as well as complimentary access to a sauna, steam room, and spa pool. Additionally, there are chocolate truffles and spa-inspired cocktails available for enjoyment after a massage or whenever a treat is desired. In-room services labeled “Otium” include aromatherapy showers and baths, gourmet snacks and movie night treats, and a dining menu featuring delicacies such as lobster and caviar. Moreover, each suite is attended to by a butler who can provide these exquisite services.
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Whether it’s featuring expansive views from nearly every public area on board or offering in-depth discovery through shore excursions and culinary experiences, Silver Ray is all about forging a connection with both land and sea. Appropriately, the ship was christened by Dr. Maria Josefina Olascoaga, a Professor of Ocean Sciences at the University of Miami. She will co-lead Royal Caribbean Group’s Ocean Scope Program, which outfits the company’s ships with equipment and labs that gather data on the ocean’s health for the university.
“She expressed her hope that this vessel would encourage its passengers to form a deep connection with the sea, and then proceeded to christen the ship by smashing a bottle of Champagne against its hull.”
Present at the event to christen his inaugural ship was the new Silversea president, Bert Hernandez, who brings extensive experience from his tenure with Royal Caribbean Group and its former luxury brand, Azamara. Addressing the guests, he remarked, “It is appropriate that we are introducing such a pioneering vessel during a landmark year,” highlighting Silversea’s 30th anniversary.
Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, discussed the importance of innovation and guest satisfaction across the entire company, including the Silversea brand. He mentioned that when Royal Caribbean acquired Silversea, their objective was to expand the brand. Since 2018, Silversea has added six ships to its fleet (five newly built and one purchased from another cruise line).
Silver Ray is set to embark on its inaugural journey this Saturday, departing from Lisbon and heading to Barcelona, with stops in Cadiz, Malaga, Valencia, and Palma de Mallorca in Spain. Throughout the summer and fall, the vessel will navigate various routes across the Mediterranean. In December, it will set sail for South America, concluding its first year of service with an extensive 71-day expedition around the continent.
For its second season, Silver Ray will again spend the spring, summer, and fall in the Mediterranean. However, it will spend the winter of 2025-2026 in the Caribbean and Central America.
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