Silversea officially named Silver Ray, its second Nova-class ship, in Lisbon on June 12, 2024.
At the ceremony, Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, and Bert Hernandez, celebrating his first naming as Silversea’s president, addressed esteemed guests. Dr. Josefina Olascoaga, ocean scientist and the ship’s godmother, and Alessandro Zanello, the ship’s captain, officially named the ship followed by a ceremonial champagne bottle break on the ship’s hull, a longstanding maritime tradition. The celebration included a bagpipe performance — Royal Caribbean Group’s customary tradition — alongside live dance performances, and renditions of the U.S. and Portuguese national anthems.
Silver Ray, Silversea’s second Nova Class ship, debuts on its maiden voyage in June from Civitavecchia (the Port of Rome) and will build on the momentum of Silver Nova, launched in 2023. Silver Ray mirrors its acclaimed predecessor, carrying 728 passengers and 544 crew and measuring 54,700 GRT, or Gross Registered Tonnage, which indicates space in the ship. This creates a seamless experience because the groundbreaking layout and new features will be the same for both Nova Class ships.
“Welcoming Silver Ray to our global fleet represents that latest commitment from Royal Caribbean Group to continue building the Silversea brand and delivering the very best experiences in ultra-luxury and expedition travel,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group.
“It is fitting that we are celebrating Silver Ray’s naming in the same year that Silversea celebrates 30 years of excellence, connecting our past with our future as we continue to lead in luxury travel and industry innovation,” said Bert Hernandez, president, Silversea. “I am incredibly grateful to all involved, most notably to Captain Zanello and his crew who will bring this ship to life, and I proudly welcome Dr. María Josefina Olascoaga to the family as Silver Ray’s Godmother.”
Silver Ray is a continuation of a legacy in ultra-luxury voyages as the 12th ship in the Silversea fleet. Silver Ray is the second Silversea vessel to be constructed at Germany’s Meyer-Werft shipyard. (Silver Nova’s float-out took place in May 2023 and it made its first passenger voyage in August of that year.)
Silver Ray’s Godmother Ushers in New Era
Dr. María Josefina Olascoaga is the godmother of Silver Ray, a longstanding maritime tradition and a lifelong title. An ocean scientist and Professor of Ocean Science at University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, Dr. Olascoaga also co-leads OceanScope, a unique public, private and academic program that equips Royal Caribbean Group ships with oceanographic instruments to collect the ocean’s vital signs. Dr. Olascoaga’s spirit of curiosity and her depth of knowledge on the ocean make her an ideal Godmother for this innovative ship.
Innovation continues on Silver Ray
Beginning with its basic structure, the difference in the Nova Class starts with its steel frame. When it made its debut, Silver Nova (and now Silver Ray) are the largest and most spacious of the Silversea fleet.
This breakthrough in layout means more space to accommodate plush lounges and extraordinary bars and restaurants.
Silversea pairs the ships’ contemporary aesthetic with additional open-air spaces, creating Silversea’s connection between the ship and guests’ surroundings both indoors and on deck. The design difference on both ships extends to their all-balcony suites, which include some of the best views on any vessel.
Here’s a closer look at the elements that make this second Nova Class vessel unique.
Two new buzzwords in design for Silversea
As the second of its Nova Class ships, Silver Ray, along with Silver Nova, is unique for Silversea in that its design is horizontal rather than vertical (in which all suites are located forward while public rooms are toward the aft). The benefit with a horizontal layout is that the designers ensure that public room decks feature higher ceilings for a more spacious ambience and a better guest flow.
And, conversely, on Ray and Nova, all suites are grouped together on four different decks. The advantage here is that, with suites stretch from forward to aft Silversea is offering more variety in layouts. For instance, an entirely new category of suites is built around the ship’s aft section, and feature great wake views.
Bringing key structural elements toward the inside of the ship also allows more seamless integration between the outside elements and the ship’s interior. Floor-to-ceiling glass will form many of the structural but see-through “barriers” around the decks, which means unimpeded views.
Enhanced technology has eliminated noise and vibrations from the engine room on Nova Class vessels, allowing latitude in the placement of suites and public spaces.
Dazzling public spaces
Silver Ray has an impressive 1,400-square-foot pool area. Nova Class pools are the largest in the fleet. Also on the outer decks are an infinity-style Cliff Whirlpool on Deck 11 and the Dusk Bar, a new venue that debuted on Silver Nova, one deck below.
The Shelter, an intimate, evening-only bar with a capacity of 32, is new to the Nova Class and is part of Silver Ray as well. This Deck 3 venue is ideal for a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap, opening to the Atrium with premium surf-and-turf restaurant Atlantide and the immersive S.A.L.T. Kitchen featuring regional cuisine, on either side.
The Venetian Lounge can accommodate 370 guests, who can listen to lectures or attend performances in this two-story space. The larger S.A.L.T. Lab and S.A.L.T. Bar have been relocated from their midship position on other Silversea ships to Deck 10 for views that integrate the outside into the spaces.
On Silver Ray, the Otium Spa (a spa concept that debuted in spring 2022 onboard Silver Dawn and is also found on Silver Nova) will also feature a sprawling thermal suite inspired by the ancient baths of Rome. Guests will find a steam room, sauna, decorative water fountain and floor-to-ceiling windows. These Otium Spas contain a spa-centric indoor pool.
Inventive suites
Silver Ray has 13 suite categories that contain a choice of 364 suites. The ship’s interior design highlights premium, residential touches, including decorative lighting, fluted mirrors and plush furniture. The concept is described as “whispered luxury.”
The crown jewel of any Silversea suite at sea are the Otium Suites, a new category that has eye-catching “walls of windows” offering a 270-degree view. Again, the ship’s design allows this unique space at the aft starboard corner. Guests in Otium Suites, at 1,324 square feet, will be treated to a large living room as well as premium amenities.
Master Suites, also a new concept aboard the Nova Class, offer accommodations of 721 to 826 square feet and have balconies that wrap around the back of the ship and bathrooms that offer views to the outside. Medallion Suites are 50 percent wider than a standard veranda suite and have a larger balcony.
Re-imagined dining concepts
Five decks’ worth of restaurants, bars and entertainment spaces create a lively hub on Silver Ray. Ten bars and lounges along with eight distinct dining venues create a bounty of choices. These venues are spread across the ship, allowing easier social connections in a more open-concept floor plan.
Returning restaurant concepts include Atlantide and S.A.L.T. Kitchen, along with design concepts new to the Nova Class, including the Marquee. This light-filled space on Deck 10 incorporates the existing Grill and Spaccanapoli authentic pizzeria into one casual but elegant dining venue.
Specialty dining favorites Kaiseki and La Dame are more luxe than ever. Wine plays an important role at La Dame, where exclusive pairings will be offered.
On Silver Ray, art remains at the heart
Exclusive artwork will be the primary element that distinguishes Silver Ray from Silver Nova.
Like Silver Nova, Silver Ray will carry more than 1,700 pieces of artwork onboard, in various media that might include sculpture, collage, photography and tapestry. Expect antique maps and a unique muraled ceiling in the library that beckons passengers to look up and revel in the piece painted specifically for this spot.
Silver Ray’s on-board dress code
During the day, guests can don casual wear similar to five-star resort sportswear. The revision to the dress code also notes that guests should wear flats or low heels on deck.
After 6 p.m., elegant casual is the expectation. Women may wear slacks (or skirts) and blouses or an informal dress. Men may wear a collared shirt and slacks, but a jacket is optional. If you would like to wear dressier garb, you are welcome to do that. Note that on formal-optional nights, men must wear a jacket indoors.
Based on the length of the cruise, you might not need formal attire. A seven-day cruise is elegant casual every evening, unless you wish to go dressier. An eight- to 14-day cruise has one or two formal optional nights, and a cruise of 15 days or more will have at least two formal optional nights.
What’s next for Ray
Silver Ray will spend its inaugural season in the Mediterranean, sailing summer voyages to Portugal, Spain, Italy, France and Greece.
Silver Ray itineraries are scheduled through winter 2026. Silversea’s newest ship will spend its first two summers (2024 and 2025) in the Mediterranean. Choose from a selection of itineraries of a week, 11 days or 16 days.
By winter ’24/’25 Silver Ray will reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and sail a series of South America voyages to ports including Lima (Callao), Peru; Cartagena, Colombia; Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Panama; and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
After another summer in the Med, Silver Ray will embark on a 13-day transoceanic sailing from Lisbon, Portugal, to Fort Lauderdale in November 2025.
Back in Florida, Silver Ray is scheduled on a series of Caribbean and Central American cruises through March 2026. These 10-day to two-week itineraries include calls on St. Kitts and Nevis; the U.S. Virgin Islands; Antigua and Barbuda; the Turks and Caicos; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
How do I book a voyage on Silver Ray?
Silver Ray is open for bookings. As usual, highly coveted top-tier suites are already wait-listed on many of Silver Ray’s initial itineraries.