Meyer Werft has handed over the “Silver Ray,” the second cruise ship in the Nova class, to the US cruise line Silversea Cruises.
On board the latest cruise ship built in Papenburg, the new vessel was officially handed over to Jason Liberty, President and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group, and Bert Hernandez, President of Silversea Cruises. Senior partner Bernard Meyer and Bernd Eikens, CEO of the shipbuilding group, were present at the traditional flag change on behalf of the shipyard.
The “SilverRay” is the second ship in the Nova class, which is characterised by its asymmetrical design and 4,000 m² of glass surfaces. The gas (LNG)-powered newbuild is reportedly one of the most energy-efficient luxury and expedition cruise ships ever built and represents an important milestone in Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to reduce emissions and carbon intensity.
“Silver Ray” is one of the most efficient ships
This class of ship reportedly achieves an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) that is about 25% higher than the current requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Gas (LNG) is planned as the fuel, as well as a fuel cell. According to the information provided, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly fuel cell systems can help to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions in shipping. There is enormous potential for use in covering the high hotel loads that occur on cruise ships. Once installed, the systems can also be flexibly supplied with increasingly renewable fuels.
Shore power connections allow the ship to switch off its main generators in selected ports. A Micro Auto Gasification System has also been installed, which reduces the volume of waste on board and thus leads to lower combustion emissions.
The “Silver Ray” will set sail on her maiden voyage from Lisbon on June 15 and will spend her first season in the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic to America in December 2024. The delivery of the almost 245 m long cruise ship, measuring 54,700 GT, took place two days earlier than planned. “It is an important milestone for us,” said Meyer CEO Eikens.
The entire Meyer Werft team had worked hard together with the shipping company partners to bring this ship to life. The completion is also paying off financially for the Papenburg-based company: A large part of the construction costs, which initially had to be pre-financed, will only become due upon delivery and official handover.
Pure luxury on board the Meyer Werft newbuild
The “Silver Nova” and the “Silver Ray” are among the most spacious cruise ships ever built. They have a room-to-guest ratio of 75 GT per guest and offer one of the most personalised levels of service at sea with a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.3, including butler service for all suites. The largest selection of bars, restaurants and lounges in ultra-luxury cruising, Otium, the line’s Roman-inspired wellness program, and the innovative Sea and Land Taste (S.A.L.T.) culinary program enhance the onboard experience.
After the newbuilding was transferred around 40 km down the river Ems from the Meyer shipyard in Papenburg at the end of April, she completed her technical and nautical sea trials in the North Sea until May 8 – under the supervision of Captain Alessandro Zanello, the shipyard’s captain, and experienced pilots on site.
The luxury shipping company Silverseas Cruises was founded in Monaco in the early 1990s and started with a single ship, the 300-passenger “Silver Cloud”. The shipping company gradually increased the number and volume of its ships. The fleet currently comprises eleven units. In 2018, the company, which had previously been owned by the Lefebvre family, was sold to the US company Royal Caribbean Cruises.
