Executives from Royal Caribbean Group and Meyer Werft celebrated the historic occasion aboard the Silver Ray in Eemshaven on May 14.
Underscoring its commitment to unlocking the ultimate in ultra-luxury travel and expedition cruising experiences, Silversea has taken delivery of Silver Ray, the second ship in its groundbreaking Nova Class. Upon boarding Silver Ray in Eemshaven on May 14, Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group, celebrated the ship's official delivery with Bert Hernandez, President of Silversea; Bernard Meyer, Chairman of the Meyer Group; Bernd Eikens, CEO of the Meyer Group; executives from the Meyer Werft shipyard and the Royal Caribbean Group; and Captain Alessandro Zanello. Attendees participated in iconic maritime traditions, including flag-changing and signing ceremonies, commemorative speeches, and a celebratory toast.
Silversea’s Nova Class marks a new perspective on luxury at sea, introducing an unprecedented openness to the world with an asymmetrical design and 4,000 squaremeters of exterior glass. The Silver Ray joins its sister ship, the Silver Nova, as one of the most energy-efficient ultra-luxury expedition cruise ships ever built, marking a significant milestone in the Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to reduce emissions and carbon intensity. Ready to embark on its maiden voyage from Lisbon on June 15, the Silver Ray will spend its inaugural season in the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic to the Americas in December 2024.
“We are thrilled to welcome Silver Ray, the newest jewel of ultra-luxury expedition cruises to the revolutionary Royal Caribbean Group fleet,” said Liberty. “Providing the best vacation experiences responsibly is at the heart of everything we do. We are fortunate to have the best people working together to dream up and create unforgettable experiences for our guests, including the team at Meyer Werft shipyard, whose partnership has allowed us to continue pushing boundaries.”
“The Silver Ray, the second ship in our cutting-edge Nova Class, along with its sister ship the Silver Nova, perfectly encapsulates the Royal Caribbean Group’s vision for the future of innovative ultra-luxury travel and expedition cruising,” said Bert Hernandez, President of Silversea. “In addition to being one of the most energy-efficient ships ever built, the Silver Ray allows for greater access and connection for our guests to the incredible destinations we visit. As far as firsts go, I am honored that my first delivery as President of Silversea is to welcome the Silver Ray to our fleet alongside Jason, my colleagues at the Royal Caribbean Group, and the wonderful team at Meyer Werft. I can’t wait for our guests to experience all that this extraordinary ship has to offer.”
“The delivery of the Silver Ray, two days ahead of schedule, marks a significant milestone for us,” said Bernd Eikens, CEO of the Meyer Werft Group. “The entire Meyer Werft team has worked tirelessly with our partners to bring this ship to life, and today, we have delivered another great vessel to Silversea.”
The Silver Ray will spend its inaugural season in the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic to the Americas in December 2024
The innovative design of the Nova Class ships immerses guests in their destinations from virtually every corner and suite, with sweeping views around every turn. Their reimagined pool decks, facing the water on the starboard side, and new outdoor spaces, the Dusk Bar and the Marquee, capture their unique openness to the destination. Among the most spacious cruise ships ever built, Silver Nova and Silver Ray boast a space-to-guest ratio of 75 GRT per guest and offer one of the most personalized levels of service at sea, with a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.3, including butler service for every suite. Further enriching the onboard experience are the largest selection of bars, restaurants, and lounges on ultra-luxury cruise ships; Otium, the cruise line's Rome-inspired wellness program; and the innovative Sea and Land Taste (SALT) culinary program.
After a journey of approximately 40 km up the Ems River from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg at the end of April, the Silver Ray completed its technical and nautical tests in the North Sea on May 8, under the supervision of Captain Alessandro Zanello, shipyard captain, and expert local pilots.
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