A Personal Butler, Champagne, and Caviar on Demand—Experience the Pinnacle of Luxury at Sea

On my four-night preview cruise aboard the all-inclusive, luxury 728-passenger Silver Ray from Silversea Cruises, sailing from Lisbon to Cadiz and back, I truly discovered what opulence at sea feels like, largely thanks to my devoted butler, Rose. After noting my preferences, she treated me to a delightful caviar spread and served chilled champagne every evening at 5 p.m. One evening, she even surprised me with a soothing lemongrass balm, transforming my spacious shower into an aromatherapy haven.

On the fourth day of the voyage, I indulged in a 100-minute massage featuring four distinct techniques at the ship’s Roman-inspired Otium Spa (for an additional cost of $400), leaving me feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. Later that night, I found myself dancing on the expansive pool deck, partying as if it were 1999, inspired by a live band performing classic Eighties hits. It was the perfect blend of deep relaxation followed by vibrant celebration.

The Silver Ray, which officially launched on June 15, is a twin sister to Silver Nova, which earned a spot on Dinogo’s list of the world’s best cruise ships for its impressive outdoor spaces and stunning pool, strategically located to provide uninterrupted views of the sea and the ports. It evokes the breathtaking pool with ocean vistas at the Four Seasons Hotel San Domenico Palace in Sicily, where the acclaimed TV series The White Lotus filmed its second season. Sun enthusiasts will also be captivated by the Marquee, an open-air dining area adorned with a pergola, another standout feature of the new Silver Ray.

Even when indoors, the design prioritizes bringing the outside in. The ship’s name reflects its design philosophy, centered around light and space, drawing inspiration from a ray of light, which is abundant thanks to over 13,123 square feet of glass, including glass elevators integrated into the ship's architecture.

Every guest enjoys spacious suites, each featuring its own balcony, elegant marble bathroom, and dedicated butler service. The most extravagant are the 1,324-square-foot Otium Suites, which boast a wraparound balcony complete with a private whirlpool.

Top-tier drinking and dining experiences

In addition to its stunning design, attentive service, and opulent accommodations, the true highlight of the Silver Ray is S.A.L.T. (sea and land taste), a culinary program focused on local flavors, drinks, and storytelling, developed for Silversea four years ago and continually evolving for the better.

During a S.A.L.T. excursion in Lisbon, I enjoyed award-winning wine and freshly shucked oysters alongside Baron Nicholas von Bruemmer, whose Latvian grandfather established Casal Sta. Maria in Sintra, Europe’s westernmost vineyard. Later, I had the chance to learn how to make Portuguese cream tarts in the S.A.L.T. Lab, equipped with cooking stations.

Before dinner at the S.A.L.T. Kitchen—one of the two main dining options—I savored Spanish gin at the S.A.L.T. Bar, where the evening's special menu highlighted the culinary traditions of nearby Cadiz. A fascinating S.A.L.T. lecture in the main lounge featured João Sá, a young chef from Lisbon with a Michelin star for his restaurant Sála. His passion for local ingredients shone through, particularly when he offered a tasting of alheira, a bread-based poultry sausage with roots in 15th-century Portuguese Jewish culture.

Chef Sá also showcased a delightful sardine dish accompanied by peppers during a remarkable 11-course pan-Mediterranean S.A.L.T. Chef’s Table dinner, prepared by the culinary team from the S.A.L.T. Lab for just 18 lucky guests (priced at $180 each).

Onboard, the Italian restaurant La Terrazza is launching a daily menu that emphasizes modern Italian cuisine. Meanwhile, the French specialty restaurant La Dame now offers a $160 tasting menu crafted by renowned French chef Jean-Luc Rabanel, celebrated for his plant-centered, organic cuisine at Le Greenstronome in Arles and his previous two-Michelin-star restaurant L’Atelier in the same city.

The centrally located Arts Café serves delightful lattes, perfect for people-watching in the ship's bustling town square, while The Shelter, a concealed champagne bar on Deck 3, highlights Silversea's new collaboration with the family-run Duval-Leroy, a producer of exquisite champagne for six generations.

Exquisite dining and indulgent pampering—hallmarks of the Silversea luxury experience—were offered with finesse on the newest addition to the fleet.

Luxury with a reduced environmental footprint

Similar to its sister ship, the Silver Ray is designed with the future in mind, featuring a hull that minimizes water friction to conserve fuel and a hybrid power system that combines liquified natural gas (LNG), marine oil, and batteries, with plans for hydrogen fuel cells to eventually enhance this setup.

Dr. María Josefina Olascoaga, the godmother of Silver Ray and a professor of ocean science at the University of Miami, co-leads a program with Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Silversea, that installs oceanographic instruments on ships to monitor the health of our oceans. At the christening ceremony in Lisbon, Olascoaga expressed her hope that the ship would inspire guests to form a deeper connection with the sea.

Booking Information: Silver Ray is currently sailing through the Mediterranean and the Greek Isles, with plans to journey to South America for the winter season. An 8-night trip from Athens in October begins at $6,800 per person.