Silversea orders three ships

By Cruise Adviser On Oct 8, 2018

Silversea, the ultra-luxury cruise line, has announced an agreement with new owner Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd for three new ships.

The ships will be the first ultra luxury vessels built with the involvement of Royal Caribbean.

The two part deal included a memorandum of understanding with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft for two new vessels, named “Evolution Class”, with the first due in 2022.

A second deal was signed with Dutch firm Shipyard De Hoop to build a new expedition vessel, named Silver Origin, which is due for delivery in March 2020. The ship will sail the Galapagos, which is currently the domain of Silver Galapagos, pictured.

“We are delighted to have entered into an agreement with Meyer Werft on the Silver Evolution series and De Hoop for Silver Origin,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Silversea’s executive chairman. “With our guests in mind, we are pushing the boundaries of ultra-luxury cruising, as well as expedition cruising in the Galápagos Islands and beyond, redefining the concept of immersive travel.”

“We are excited to get to work helping Silversea grow and realise its ambitions,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “There is tremendous potential in the ultra-luxury and expedition markets of the cruise industry, and we believe discerning travellers will embrace the exciting designs Silversea is imagining for them.”

“We are very happy to build these new ships for Silversea Cruises. Together with Silversea we will create a new generation of environmentally friendly ships in the ultra-luxury cruise market,” said Tim Meyer, Managing Director of Meyer Werft.

“We are excited and proud to receive this order,” said Patrick A.B.M. Janssens MA, CEO, Shipyard De Hoop. “It is not only about building the best small expedition cruise vessel, but also about building and maintaining a high-quality partnership with Royal Caribbean and Silversea.”

The agreements are subject to certain contingencies which are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2019.