Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd and Silversea Cruises today announced an agreement to build three new ships for Silversea Cruises, the ultra-luxury expedition cruise brand that recently joined the RCL family.
Silversea has signed a memorandum of understanding with the German shipyard Meyer Werft to build two new Evolution Class ships. The first Evolution Class ship will be delivered in 2022.
Silversea also signed a contract with the Danish shipyard De Hoop to build a new expedition ship, called Silver Origin, which will sail the Galapagos Islands route currently operated by the Silver Galapagos. The new ship will join the fleet in March 2020.
“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Meyer Werft for the Silver Evolution series and with De Hoop for the Silver Origin,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Executive Chairman of Silversea. “With our guests in mind, we are pushing the boundaries of ultra-luxury cruising, as well as expedition cruises in the Galapagos Islands, redefining the concept of immersive travel.”
“We are excited to work to help Silversea grow and realize its ambitions,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., which acquired a two-thirds stake in Silversea earlier this year. “There is tremendous potential in the ultra-luxury and expedition segment of the cruise industry, and we believe discerning passengers will embrace the exciting designs Silversea is envisioning for them.”
The agreements are subject to certain contingencies that are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2019.
