Sarah Bretz, ContributorSilversea Cruises officially named its newest ship, Silver Ray, on Wednesday, the second vessel in its Nova class. This continues a banner year for the brand as it celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking three decades as a pioneer and leader in ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel.
At the ceremony, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group Jason Liberty and Bert Hernandez, celebrating his first naming as Silversea’s president, addressed invited guests. Dr. Josefina Olascoaga, ocean scientist and the ship’s godmother, as well as Alessandro Zanello, the ship’s captain, officially named the ship followed by a ceremonial champagne bottle break on the ship’s hull — a longstanding maritime tradition. The celebration included a bagpipe performance — a tradition for Royal Caribbean Group — alongside live dance performances and renditions of the U.S. and Portuguese national anthems.
“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. “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.”
Dr. Josefina Olascoaga
An ocean scientist and professor of marine science at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, Dr. Olascoaga also co-leads OceanScope, a unique public, private, and academic program that equips Royal Caribbean Group ships with oceanographic instruments to collect 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. Her spirit of curiosity and her depth of knowledge on the ocean make her an ideal godmother for the latest Silversea ship.
Silver Ray
Silversea’s Nova class introduces a unique way for guests to experience openness with the ocean with an asymmetrical design and over 13,000 square feet of exterior glass. Silver Ray joins her sister ship Silver Nova as two of the most energy-efficient ultra-luxury cruise ships ever built.
Silver Ray is set to embark on her maiden voyage from Lisbon on June 15th, and will spend her inaugural season in the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic to the Americas in December 2024.
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