A master suite on board Silver Ray. Photograph courtesy of Silversea. Silversea Cruises, a prominent player in the ultra-luxury and expedition cruise market, has officially named Silver Ray, the second vessel in its groundbreaking Nova Class. This event highlights a significant year for Silversea as the brand marks its 30th anniversary, celebrating three decades of pioneering high-end travel experiences.
The naming ceremony, held with great fanfare, featured addresses by Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, and Bert Hernandez, who celebrated his first naming ceremony as Silversea’s president. Dr. Josefina Olascoaga, an esteemed ocean scientist and the ship’s godmother, along with Captain Alessandro Zanello, performed the official naming rites. The ceremony culminated in the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle against the ship’s hull. The festivities included a bagpipe performance, a customary tradition of the Royal Caribbean Group, along with live dance performances and renditions of the U.S. and Portuguese national anthems.
“Welcoming Silver Ray to our global fleet represents the 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 Liberty. Hernandez added, “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.”
Silver Ray represents a leap forward in cruise ship design, characterised by an asymmetrical layout and extensive use of exterior glass, offering passengers an unprecedented connection to the ocean. This ship, along with its sister vessel Silver Nova, ranks among the most energy-efficient ultra-luxury cruise ships ever constructed, reinforcing Royal Caribbean Group’s dedication to achieving net-zero emissions.
Silversea’s legacy spans three decades, during which its ships have hosted nearly 800,000 guests who have collectively spent approximately 13 million Venetian Society cruise days. The brand, which introduced the ultra-luxury, all-inclusive cruise concept with Silver Cloud in 1994, continues to distinguish itself with intimate, all-suite ships featuring balconies, butler service, and exceptional culinary experiences.
As Silversea celebrates 30 years of luxury cruising, the launch of Silver Ray underscores its ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence, ensuring that the brand remains at the forefront of ultra-luxury travel.