Luxury and expedition cruise line Silversea has officially named Silver Ray, the second ship in its innovative Nova Class, as the brand celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, and Bert
Hernandez, Silversea’s newly appointed president celebrating his first
naming, together with Dr. Josefina Olascoaga, ocean scientist and the
ship’s godmother, and Captain Alessandro Zanello, officially named Silver Ray followed by a ceremonial champagne bottle break on the ship’s hull while docked in Lisbon, Portugal.
The celebration included a bagpipe performance — Royal Caribbean
Group’s customary tradition — alongside 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 Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal
Caribbean Group.
From left: Peter Greenwood; Captain Alessandro Zanello; Josefina Olascoaga; Jason Liberty; Bert Hernandez Photo Credit: Silversea
“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,” said Bert Hernandez, president,
Silversea. “I am incredibly grateful to all involved, most notably to
Captain Zanello and his crew who will bring this ship to life, and I
proudly welcome Dr. María Josefina Olascoaga to the family as Silver Ray’s Godmother."
An ocean scientist and Professor of Ocean Science at University of
Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, Dr.
Olascoaga also co-leads OceanScope, a unique public, private and
academic programme, that equips Royal Caribbean Group ships with
oceanographic instruments to collects the ocean’s vital signs. Dr.
Olascoaga’s research and experience in studying ocean currents, how the
ocean moves, and what that tells us, helps to shed light on how ocean
conditions affect objects in the water.
Like sister ship Silver Nova, Silver Ray is one of
the most energy-efficient ultra-luxury cruise ships ever built,
representing an important milestone on Royal Caribbean Group’s journey
to net zero emissions.
Silversea’s Nova Class ships mark a new take on luxury at sea,
introducing an unparalleled openness to the world with an asymmetrical
design and 4,000m2 of exterior glass. Due to embark on her maiden voyage
from Lisbon on 15 June, Silver Ray’s inaugural season will be spent in the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic to the Americas in December 2024.