1st Apr 2025 | 14 nights | Silversea | Silver Ray
Slated to launch in summer 2024, Silver Ray will be Silversea's second Nova Class ship. The 728-passenger vessel will follow in the wake of sister ship Silver Nova, launched in summer 2023, and feature the same eco-friendly features and an all-new "horizontal" design that will be this class' signature, plus all-balcony cabins with butler service.
When Silversea announced plans for Silva Nova, the line said it would be the first hybrid, luxury cruise ship to be totally emission-free in port by using fuel cells and batteries. Silver Ray, which is also being constructed at Germany's Meyer Werft shipyard, will feature the same sustainable technology that uses shore-side power when the vessel is docked. Silver Ray will also use eco-friendly liquefied natural gas (LNG) as its main fuel. Silversea says the hybrid technology not only helps in port, but will also allow *Silver Ray* to achieve a percent overall reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions per double suite when compared to its previous Muse Class ships. Other features include a micro auto gasification system, which reduces onboard waste volume, resulting in lower incineration emissions. Additionally, Silver Ray is projected to achieve an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) rating of approximately 25 percent better than the current requirements set out by International Maritime Organization (IMO). It also has a hydrodynamic hull design to reduce fuel consumption.
Silver Ray's first sailing is a 10-night itinerary from Athens (Piraeus) to Venice departing on July 19, 2024. The voyage along the coastline of Greece, Montenegro, Croatia and Italy will include calls in Santorini, Corfu, Kotor, Bari, Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar, Zadar and Trieste. See the sailing here ►
Silver Ray will spend the rest of the inaugural season in the Mediterranean on a variety of 6- to 11-night voyages. In December 2024 the ship will reposition across the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale and spend the spring 2025 season in South America sailing on 8- to 19-night cruises out of Fort Lauderdale, Lima (Callao), Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro.
The ship will be 54,700 gross tons and carry 728 passengers at full occupancy with 556 crew.
Along with sister ship Silver Nova, Silver Ray will offer a* space-to-guest ratio of 75 GRT (gross register tonnage) per passenger which is the highest in the Silversea fleet, and a 1:1.3 crew-to-guest ratio. To enhance the sense of space and openness, the ship utilizes large areas of glass, including sea-facing elevators with glass walls and a pool located on the side of the ship -- rather than in the middle -- to create an area with unobstructed views. Until the Nova Class vessels were announced, all Silversea ships were built with cabins situated at the front of the ship -- and farthest away from the engine room -- and public areas at the back. New technology has resolved any issues of engine room noise and Silver Ray is being constructed to a "horizontal" plan with staterooms across the length of the ship; which is the norm with most modern ship design and was a first for Silversea with Silver Nova.
Silver Ray has eight dining options including the line's signature S.A.L.T. Kitchen with destination-inspired menus such as Terrain, which offers recipes and flavors specific to the port visited. Other restaurants include the casual dining Grill, Spaccanapoli pizzeria, Kaiseki for Asian-fusion dishes and French fine dining restaurant La Dame. The bars and lounges include the open-air Dusk Bar situated on Deck 10 at the back of the ship and the ideal spot for a sundowner. Silver Ray also has the popular Arts Cafe serving drinks and snacks in a cultural setting.
Cabins, located across four decks, come in 13 categories and start at 357 square feet. They all have verandas and walk-in closets. The largest staterooms are the pair of Otium Suites, which are located aft on Deck 6 and 7. Providing a 270 degree view, these suites have a bedroom and separate living and dining area and measure 1,324 square feet, and include a 431-square-foot veranda with a whirlpool.
Sophisticated international travellers who enjoy unusual destinations yet want a hint of traditional formality, complete with butler service
Young families and American-centric cruisers who like to be casual all the time
Silversea caters to Baby Boomers, affluent and often retired, with the leisure and the resources to make Silversea their cruise line of choice. Silversea Expeditions also appeals to that demographic, as well as younger professionals with a desire for active cruising that includes posh cabins and stellar service alongside Zodiac expeditions, snorkelling excursions and in-port hikes. Shorter classic voyages also tend to draw younger passengers. About 60 percent of passengers onboard come from the Americas, the rest from international markets.
Yes, if you are going on a classic cruise ship; no if you're sailing on a luxury expedition cruise. The classic ships divide evenings among casual resort wear, informal attire (for men, this means a jacket, tie optional, and women wear dresses or pantsuits) and formal nights when eveningwear for women is an evening gown or cocktail dress and men wear tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits, and a tie is required. The dress code is more casual on the expedition vessels, and there are no formal nights.
Silversea cruises are fairly inclusive, with the only extras being shore excursions (except on Silversea's expedition cruises on which they're included in the cruise price), shop purchases, spa and beauty treatments, and send-out laundry. Some speciality restaurants also cost extra (and caviar on the room service menu). Cruise fares include gratuities, unlimited beverages (soft and alcoholic), internet access and round trip transportation into town in most ports. Most itineraries also include transfers to/from the ship, and some even include complimentary round trip economy airfare.
Onboard, each Silversea cruise ship has a pool and hot tubs that see a lot of action, and the spa gets a lot of use, as well. Silversea cruisers also enjoy attending lectures on the culture and history of the destinations they visit, and like to spend time in the library. Evening shows, which range from opera-themed to swing-era classics, also draw a crowd. When in port, most Silversea cruisers opt for one of the line's many shore excursion offerings. Expedition cruises bring cruisers together with experts to lead hiking, Zodiac, snorkelling, diving and other small group excursions.