Silversea Cruises' Silver Ray is named in Lisbon festivities

Bert Hernandez, presiding over his first ship christening as Silversea president, noted the event took place as the line 'celebrates 30 years of excellence.'

Silversea has carried nearly 800,000 passengers who have amassed roughly 13m accumulated Venetian Society cruise days since its first ship, Silver Cloud, entered service in 1994.

Silver Ray's naming party included, from left, master of ceremonies Peter Greenberg, Capt. Alessandro Zanello, godmother María Josefina Olascoaga, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty and Silversea President Bert Hernandez

Silver Ray's celebration included remarks by Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty, bagpipers in a nod to company tradition, dance performances and renditions of the US and Portuguese national anthems.

OceanScope co-leader

Olascoaga is an ocean scientist and professor at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science. She also co-leads OceanScope, a public, private and academic program that equips Royal Caribbean Group ships with oceanographic instruments to collect the ocean’s vital signs. 

Silver Ray is scheduled to embark on its maiden voyage from Lisbon on June 15. The ship  will spend its inaugural season in the Mediterranean before redeploying to the Americas in December.