By
Alice Chambers |
Meyer Werft hosted a keel-laying ceremony for Silversea Cruises’ second Nova-class vessel – Silver Ray – at its shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, to celebrate the start of its build.
“We were delighted to welcome select members of our valued trade community to the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg to witness this milestone in the build of Silver Ray – one of the first times that travel advisors have attended the keel laying of an ultra-luxury ship,” said Barbara Muckermann, president and CEO of Silversea. “Anticipation is building for the introduction of our pioneering Nova-class ships, with Silver Nova set to join the fleet this summer.”
Meyer Werft is also building sister ship Silver Nova and attendees were given a tour of the new ship before a commemorative coin was placed under a pre-assembled module of Silver Ray as a symbol of good luck.
“In addition to being two of the most sustainable ultra-luxury cruise ships ever launched, the Nova-class ships will introduce an asymmetrical design and a horizontal layout for the first time in our cruise line’s history, as well as all-new public venues that are among the most spacious at sea,” said Muckermann. “Silver Nova and Silver Ray represent important milestones on Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to achieving a net-zero newbuild, and I thank the entire team at Meyer Werft, as well as those involved at Royal Caribbean Group and Silversea, for their invaluable collaboration.”
Silver Ray, which will accommodate 728 guests and feature public spaces and suites spanning the entire length of the ship, will debut in summer 2024.
“The Nova class will set new standards on the way to net-zero emissions cruising,” said Jan Meyer, managing director of Meyer Werft. “We are therefore delighted to take another symbolic step in the construction of Silver Ray today with the keel laying. I am sure that the ultra-luxury ship will be able to meet the high demands of her guests and will inspire them with her innovative design.”
Read more about Silversea’s new Nova-class ships in the cover story of our 2023 Spring/Summer issue of Cruise & Ferry Review.