Silversea Cruises and Meyer Werft celebrated the keel-laying ceremony of Silver Ray on March 23, hosting select travel advisors at the shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. An age-old shipbuilding tradition, the keel laying marks the start of a ship’s assembly. The second ship in Silversea’s Nova class, the 728-guest Silver Ray is expected to launch in summer 2024, joining its sister ship, Silver Nova, as one of the most sustainable vessels in its class.
Barbara Muckermann, Silversea’s president and CEO, and Jan Meyer, managing director of Meyer Werft, were among the attendees as a commemorative coin, bearing Silver Ray’s silhouette, was placed under a pre-assembled module—weighing 230 tons, and measuring approximately 155 feet by 27feet—as a symbol of good luck. Before Silver Ray’s official keel-laying ceremony, attendees were given a tour of Silver Nova, which nears completion at the Meyer Werft shipyard and is set to join Silversea’s fleet this summer. A first for Silversea, both Nova class ships will incorporate an innovative asymmetrical design and a horizontal layout, with public spaces and suites spanning the entire length of each ship.
“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 Muckermann.
“The Nova class will set new standards on the way to net zero emissions cruising. 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,” added Meyer.
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