This new luxury cruise ship will take guests on culinary explorations of the Mediterranean

12.06.2024 - 17:55 / thepointsguy.com / Silver Nova / Silver Ray

As Lisbon began its St. Anthony's Day celebrations, marking the anniversary of the saint's death, the cruise world celebrated the birth of a new luxury cruise ship, Silversea Cruises' Silver Ray, with a christening ceremony in the heart of the Portuguese city.

The 544-passenger vessel is the 12th ship in the Silversea fleet and the identical twin of Silver Nova, which debuted last year with a novel design that set it apart from other Silversea ships.

Like its sister, Silver Ray is covered with more than 4,000 square meters of glass to bring views of the outside in and a top deck designed to emphasize the sea and sky. Its space-to-guest ratio of 75 gross register tons per passenger and crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.3 ups the luxuriousness of the ship with spacious suites and public venues, a lack of crowding and attentive service.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter.

Silver Ray also takes on Nova's commitment to incredible culinary experiences on board and ashore with multiple fine-dining restaurants and Silversea's signature S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) program, conceived by Adam Sachs, former editor in chief of Saveur Magazine. Guests who wish to immerse themselves in the local food-and-wine scene of their cruise destination can participate in hands-on cooking classes at S.A.L.T. Lab, enjoy regionally inspired meals and craft cocktails at S.A.L.T. Kitchen and S.A.L.T. Bar, and venture out on shore excursions that introduce participants not only to local flavors but to the people who produce them.

Silversea has also adopted the mantra of "otium," an ancient Roman concept of leisure time. You'll find this decadent approach to self-indulgence and self-care throughout the ship. The Otium Spa offers not just rejuvenating spa treatments and a complimentary sauna, steam room and spa pool, but a selection of chocolate truffles and spa-inspired cocktails to enjoy after your massage — or whenever you're in need of a pick-me-up. Otium-labeled in-room services include aromatherapy showers and baths, elevated snacks and movie night treats and an in-room dining menu featuring lobster and caviar. And, of course, each suite is serviced by a butler who can deliver the magic.

Whether it's showcasing the world via expansive views from nearly every public area on board or in-depth discovery through shore excursions and culinary experiences, Silver Ray is all about connecting with both land and sea. So it's fitting that the ship was christened by Dr. Maria Josefina Olascoaga, Professor of Ocean Sciences at the University of Miami. She will be co-leading Royal Caribbean Group's Ocean Scope Program, which equips the company's ships with gear and labs that collect data about the ocean's