As Lisbon began its St. Anthony’s Day celebrations, marking the anniversary of the saint’s death, the cruise world celebrated the birth of a new luxury cruise ship, Silversea Cruises‘ Silver Ray, with a christening ceremony in the heart of the Portuguese city.
The 544-passenger vessel is the 12th ship in the Silversea fleet and the identical twin of Silver Nova, which debuted last year with a novel design that set it apart from other Silversea ships.
Like its sister, Silver Ray is covered with more than 4,000 square meters of glass to bring views of the outside in and a top deck designed to emphasize the sea and sky. Its space-to-guest ratio of 75 gross register tons per passenger and crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.3 ups the luxuriousness of the ship with spacious suites and public venues, a lack of crowding and attentive service.
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Silver Ray also takes on Nova’s commitment to incredible culinary experiences on board and ashore with multiple fine-dining restaurants and Silversea’s signature S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) program, conceived by Adam Sachs, former editor in chief of Saveur Magazine. Guests who wish to immerse themselves in the local food-and-wine scene of their cruise destination can participate in hands-on cooking classes at S.A.L.T. Lab, enjoy regionally inspired meals and craft cocktails at S.A.L.T. Kitchen and S.A.L.T. Bar, and venture out on shore excursions that introduce participants not only to local flavors but to the people who produce them.
Silversea has also adopted the mantra of “otium,” an ancient Roman concept of leisure time. You’ll find this decadent approach to self-indulgence and self-care throughout the ship. The Otium Spa offers not just rejuvenating spa treatments and a complimentary sauna, steam room and spa pool, but a selection of chocolate truffles and spa-inspired cocktails to enjoy after your massage — or whenever you’re in need of a pick-me-up. Otium-labeled in-room services include aromatherapy showers and baths, elevated snacks and movie night treats and an in-room dining menu featuring lobster and caviar. And, of course, each suite is serviced by a butler who can deliver the magic.
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Whether it’s showcasing the world via expansive views from nearly every public area on board or in-depth discovery through shore excursions and culinary experiences, Silver Ray is all about connecting with both land and sea. So it’s fitting that the ship was christened by Dr. Maria Josefina Olascoaga, Professor of Ocean Sciences at the University of Miami. She will be co-leading Royal Caribbean Group’s Ocean Scope Program, which equips the company’s ships with gear and labs that collect data about the ocean’s health for the university.
“I hope this ship will inspire its guests to connect meaningfully with the ocean,” she said before pressing a lever to smash a bottle of Champagne against the hull of the ship to christen it.
Also on hand to name his first ship was new Silversea president Bert Hernandez, who has a long career with Royal Caribbean Group and its previous upscale brand Azamara. “It is fitting that we are launching such an innovative ship in a milestone year,” he told guests, referring to Silversea’s 30th anniversary.
Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, also spoke about how innovation and guest satisfaction are key to the entire company, including the Silversea brand. He referenced how when Royal Caribbean bought Silversea, its goal was to grow the brand, and since 2018, Silversea has take delivery of six ships (five new and one bought from another cruise line).
Silver Ray will depart Saturday on its maiden voyage from Lisbon to Barcelona, calling on Cadiz, Malaga, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca in Spain. The ship will spend the summer and fall criss-crossing the Mediterranean before sailing for South America in December, capping its first year of service with an epic 71-day around-South-America voyage.
For its second season, Silver Ray will once again spend spring, summer and fall in the Mediterranean but will spend winter 2025-2026 in the Caribbean and Central America.
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