Silversea has officially named Silver Ray, the second ship in its innovative Nova Class with Bert Hernandez celebrating his first naming as Silversea’s new brand president.
At the ceremony, Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, was present to see Dr. Josefina Olascoaga, ocean scientist and the ship’s godmother, and Captain Alessandro Zanello, taking the helm of Silver Ray.
“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 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.”
In April, Hernandez replaced Barbara Muckermann who departed Royal Caribbean Group after 14 years with Silversea “to pursue other opportunities”.
After the ship was officially named, it was followed by a ceremonial champagne bottle break on the ship’s hull, a longstanding maritime tradition.
The celebration included a bagpipe performance – Royal Caribbean Group’s customary tradition – alongside live dance performances, and renditions of the US 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,” Liberty said.
Silver Ray’s Godmother
Silversea announced Dr. María Josefina Olascoaga as the Godmother of Silver Ray, a longstanding maritime tradition and a lifelong title.
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 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 this innovative ship.
Second ship in Nova Class
Strengthening Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to unlocking the very best experiences in ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel, 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 4,000sqm of exterior glass.
Silver Ray joins sister ship, Silver Nova, as 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.
Due to embark on her maiden voyage from Lisbon on June 15, Silver Ray will spend her inaugural season in the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic to the Americas in December 2024.
