In a simple ceremony on board before guests from around the world, Silversea officially named the second ship in the Nova class, Silver Ray.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 69 – June 2024
On June 12, Royal Caribbean Group, with Jason Liberty at the helm, christened its new jewel, Silver Ray, the second ship in its innovative Nova Class, less than a year after launching the first, Silver Nova.
Both Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group, and Bert Hernandez, Chairman of Silversea, praised the ship's extraordinary design and energy efficiency and commemorated the brand's 30th anniversary.
The godmother was Dr. Josefina Olascoaga, an ocean scientist collaborating with the group who, together with Captain Alessandro Zanello, officially named the ship with the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle on the hull.
The celebration included the traditional bagpipe parade, a Royal Caribbean Group custom, along with live dance performances and renditions of the national anthems of the United States and Portugal.
“Welcoming Silver Ray to our global fleet represents the Royal Caribbean Group’s latest commitment to continue building the Silversea brand and delivering the finest ultra-luxury and expedition travel experiences,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group.
“It is fitting that we are celebrating the naming of Silver Ray 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 innovation in the industry,” said Bert Hernandez, Chairman of Silversea. “I am incredibly grateful to everyone involved, especially Captain Zanello and his crew, who will bring this ship to life, and I proudly welcome Dr. Maria Josefina Olascoaga to the family as godmother of Silver Ray.”.
Silver Ray: the second ship in Silversea's innovative Nova Class
Silversea announced Dr. María Josefina Olascoaga as the godmother of Silver Ray, a maritime tradition and a lifetime title. An ocean scientist and professor of Ocean Sciences at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Sciences, Dr. Olascoaga also co-directs OceanScope, a unique public-private-academic program that equips Royal Caribbean Group ships with oceanographic instruments to collect the ocean’s vital signs. Dr. Olascoaga’s research and expertise in studying ocean currents—how the ocean moves and what that tells us—helps shed light on how ocean conditions affect objects in the water. Her inquisitive spirit and profound knowledge of the ocean make her the ideal godmother for this innovative ship.
Silver Ray is identical to its predecessor, Silver Nova, with an asymmetrical design and 4,000 square meters of exterior glass. Its energy efficiency represents a significant milestone in the Royal Caribbean Group's journey toward net-zero emissions.
The ship begins its maiden voyage from Lisbon on June 15 and will spend its first season in the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic to the Americas in December 2024.
Silversea
celebrates its 30th anniversary. Founded in 1994 in Monaco, Silversea pioneered all-inclusive luxury cruises with its first ship, the Silver Cloud. The Lefebvre family were the co-founders, owners, and operators of Silversea. In its three decades of history, Silversea's ultra-luxury ships have welcomed nearly 800,000 guests who have accumulated approximately 13 million Venetian Society cruise days.
Many of the brand's original features continue to differentiate its offering, as guests enjoy an intimate atmosphere on all-suite ships with balconies in virtually every stateroom and some of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea. Its high standards of service, including in-suite butler service, a comprehensive all-inclusive offering with complimentary beverages served throughout the ship, exceptional culinary experiences, and a wealth of immersive experiences in the world's most enriching destinations, make it one of the most renowned luxury cruise lines.
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