Review: Silver Ray

What is the line? Silversea

Name of ship? Silver Ray

Passenger occupancy? 728 passengers

Itinerary? 11-Day Venice to Athens

What is this cruise line known for?

Silversea, a longtime ultra-luxury cruise player, embraces all-suite accommodations and attentive passenger service, including pampering butlers for all guests. Silversea is lauded for both its classic ocean liners and expedition ships, which voyage the globe including the Poles. Cruisers enjoy complimentary alcohol and caviar, fine dining, gratuities, and some shore excursions, among fare inclusions.

Devotees are sophisticated and well-traveled, many skewing in the 55+ category, although expedition and newer ships can skew younger. These cruisers live in high style at home and seek the same at sea. Although passengers are primarily American, many come from around the globe, lending a more international vibe than found on competitive luxury lines. Passengers are social, and easily mingle in bars and lounges or when playing trivia. Silversea primarily attracts couples, some solo passengers, and traveling friends. With newer vessels possessing a contemporary, rather than staid, luxury vibe, a wealthy younger crowd seeking onboard sizzle, like livelier entertainment and buzzier bars, is becoming the norm.

Tell us about the ship in general.

Silver Ray twins Silver Nova. Both are the line’s largest. As Silversea’s 12th ship, Silver Ray debuted in 2024 and holds 728 passengers. Despite a higher passenger count than older ships, Silver Ray is incredibly roomy, possessing one of the highest space ratios per passenger at sea.

Its elegant glam design emphasizes vibrant hues and sensual curvy lines. Ocean views pop from nearly everywhere—even in sea-facing glass elevators. Rather than mixing accommodations and public venues on the same decks, some floors are suites only (and delightfully quiet) and others are public. Public decks possess multiple expansive seating areas, both inside and out.

Service, with a nearly one-to-one crew-passenger ratio, is at Silversea’s usual impeccable level. Eight dining venues and 10 bars encourage schmoozing, drinking and dining and servers’ attention is prompt.

Outdoors, cruisers chill on sun-protected couches and chaise loungers on the two-level pool deck, with ocean views on both ship sides. The beautifully designed pool is small for so many passengers and shallow (about a five-foot depth). Its size is particularly noticeable on sea days, and better for quick dips than doing laps. Sadly, there’s only one whirlpool—it’s gorgeous, with an infinity edge—on the upper pool deck.

Expect glitzy bars and eateries, often with tray ceilings that light up in beautiful hues at nightfall. Rather than old-school bands or duets everywhere, solo entertainers play sax, piano, and electric violin in multiple lounges. Passengers socialize in bars and lounges, sometimes into the late night.

Silver Ray’s noteworthy high-tech touches include public bathrooms that open and close with a wave of a hand and touchscreen elevators. In-suite, iPads and interactive televisions keep passengers informed of every detail, from shore excursions and spa bookings to daily menus. Additionally, cruisers can download an app and stay in the loop poolside or ashore.

Who is on board?

Like Silver Nova, Silver Ray attracts a more youthful, well-heeled crowd than most other Silversea ships with its larger size, high-tech allures, multiple buzzy bars and lounges, bigger fitness center, relaxed dress code (primarily elegant casual), and more vibrant entertainment. In summertime, expect some families, including those with younger children. (The families I saw were from European countries.) Couples, many traveling with friends, range in age from mid-30s to active 65-plus. Silversea is known for welcoming solo cruisers with get-togethers, and several were on board. While my cruise was mostly American, we also had an abundance of Aussies, and I met cruisers from the UK, Mexico, and India. By day, pool attire, shorts, and jeans abound. At night, cruisers are casually well-dressed; think quiet luxury attire.

Describe the cabins.

Cabins are all generous-sized suites with verandas, and feature queen or king beds with plush custom mattresses dressed in silken Italian linens. Every suite receives butler service. Beige hues predominate, with pops of color in pillows and objets d’art. Every suite offers a mini-bar and fridge stocked with passenger favorites, walk-in closet, large vanity, writing table, marble bath, and Otium (Silversea’s branded spa) toiletries. (On my summer sail, you could still request Bulgari, Silversea’s former signature toiletries.) Wall-mounted USB-C mobile device chargers are plentiful and handy bedside.

Silver Ray’s suites come in a whopping 13 categories. A Classic Veranda is entry-level, with 357 square feet, veranda included. Pricier Superior, Deluxe, and Premium Veranda Suites differ solely by location.

Medallion and aft-located Premium Medallion suites feature 527 square feet of space, including verandas. Perks at this level and up include separate bedrooms, two televisions, complimentary laundry, pressing and wet cleaning, and espresso machines. I stayed in a Medallion Suite and loved the separate bedroom and roomy veranda offering a chaise lounge and table and chairs for two. I couldn’t begin to use all the cabinet space provided. I did wish the magnifying vanity table mirror had a built-in light as the overhead wasn’t bright enough.

Silver Suites (highly popular throughout the fleet) provide 678 square feet (veranda included) of luxe living. The new Master Suites might overtake Silver Suites in popularity; their 721-to-826 square feet include enviable 270-degree views. At the food chain top, Otium Suites also feature 270-degree views. Stunners at 1,324 square feet, they feature 431-square-foot balconies include a private whirlpool.

Tell us about the crew.

Silver Ray’s impressive crew combines longtime Silversea employees jumping to a different fleet ship, to newbies from countries like Zimbabwe and South Africa. All crew members, from suite attendants and butlers to servers, are polite, friendly, and well-trained—which I didn’t experience on Silver Nova when it first debuted. Suite attendants keep accommodations spotless. When passengers walk down hallways, the crew steps aside, smiles, and says hello. My butler, who was from Bali, never acted rushed, even if she handled 10 or so other suites. Restaurant servers I encountered were competent and personable. Sommeliers clearly explained complimentary nightly selections.

What food and drink options are available on board?

Eight beautiful restaurants plus 24-hour suite service make it impossible for cruisers to face foodie boredom. One major Silversea perk: Passengers can relish complimentary Calvisius caviar, buckwheat blinis, and other accoutrements whenever they like. How easy to make it an evening ritual ensuite pre-dinner, accompanied by a favorite cocktail or the ship’s complimentary Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve champagne. FYI: The room service menu doesn’t mention caviar service.

No reservations are needed for complimentary breakfast or lunch anywhere, or for complimentary dinners in main dining room Atlantide, and S.A.L.T. Kitchen where dishes reflect the sailing route. Reservations are required for dinner at complimentary venues La Terrazza, The Marquee, and Silver Note, so book as far in advance as possible. Scoring a reservation at the intimate Silver Note supper club is most challenging; cruisers mentioned long waiting lists on board.

La Dame, Kaiseki at dinner, and the Chef’s Table are extra-fee restaurants requiring reservations. Note that Kaiseki is free at lunchtime while it’s $80 per person for dinner. Pricey extra-fee eateries like La Dame ($160 a person) and the Chef’s Table ($180 per person) are usually the easiest reservations to obtain. The Chef’s Table is only bookable on board.

Atlantide, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, is busiest at dinnertime and quiet during the day. Servers happily bring as many courses (or tastes) as you like—including complimentary caviar, an exquisite foie gras terrine, and lobster tails.

Sommeliers pour complimentary quaffing wines, typical to luxury ships. If you don’t like the evening red and white selections presented (such as 2023 Montagne Noire Viognier), request another choice. Wines available for purchase roam the globe. Prices are fair; I found a bottle of my favorite Italian red wine (Antinori Tignanello) that cost just $40 more than what I pay at home.

La Terrazza is also open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The elaborate midday buffet is impressive. The array of quality dishes amaze; chefs stand ready to slice roasts like prime rib and prepare pastas to order. Help yourself to delicious Indian vegetarian dishes, freshly rolled sushi, sandwiches, charcuterie, smoked salmon, pizza, and a varied assortment of composed salads. At the house-made gelato counter, a server offers big scoops and toppings. On one sea day, La Terrazza offered a lavish seafood buffet starring cracked crab claws and lobster.

Come dinnertime, La Terrazza leans modern, rather than the prior all-traditional, Italian. The welcoming charcuterie board includes pillowy focaccia and roasted garlic. Highlights include pasta alla Norma and fish of the day with lemon herb dressing. Props to the fine extra-fee Italian wine list.

The alfresco Marquee combines the Grill (grilled seafood and meats) and Spaccanapoli (Napoli pizza) from older ships. Both-side ocean views mesmerize, yet Marquee lacks a full cover for many tables on sweltering, windy, or rainy days. Snappy hotdogs and onion rings rule; burgers aren’t as juicy as prior. The pizza has morphed into a less chewy crust, albeit with excellent toppings.

S.A.L.T. Kitchen (Sea and Land Taste), open only for dinner, presents menus reflecting the cruise itinerary. The chef often goes ashore to select special ingredients, like fava beans. Dining here feels more casual and fun than at Atlantide. Fresh herb plants grace tables and cruisers munch on breads baked in mini clay pots. I devoured a juniper-marinated fall-off-the-bones goose. Arts Café is more of a bar counter than an actual café as on older ships, but it’s a great go-to for superb flat whites, muffins, and yogurt in the morning, and nibbles like irresistible glazed loaf cakes in the afternoon.

At Kaiseki, the sushi and sashimi satisfy, although the lunchtime shredded brisket bao is doughy. The dinner menu veers modern Japanese, with plates like Wagyu beef and lobster with miso and yuzu butter. Silver Note is a stunning supper club, serving edgy, mostly delicious small plates on innovative tableware. At 9 p.m., an engaging jazz duo performs. If you can’t score reservations, grab a seat at the bar post-dinner to enjoy the show.

La Dame’s prices make some cruisers grumble, but this spot is a revelation. Think multi-course Michelin star experience, from an exquisite table setting, white-gloved service, and superb cuisine made with luxury ingredients in sophisticated, labor-intensive preparations such as Limousin beef (one of the world’s finest) with green béarnaise sauce, or a palate-cleansing sorbet of champagne, rosewater, and lychee. The bread alone–flaky fougasse, perfuming the table with a luscious buttery scent—is worth the admission price. Plus, the wines poured complimentarily are a higher caliber than those served in other venues. I also highly recommend the Chef’s Table, offered occasionally in the S.A.L.T. Lab (cooking school). Mine was an 11-course (tiny plates); highly interactive and educational marvel with luscious tastes like braised red onion with French lentils and Reblochon fondue.

With 10 bars onboard, Silver Ray comes alive at nightfall. Although the large Pool Bar is the daytime hangout, the outdoor Dusk Bar lures passengers at sunset. S.A.L.T. Bar serves amazingly creative cocktails concocted by mixologists emphasizing local ingredients. La Dolce Vita on Deck 5 draws huge crowds, particularly when popular vocalist and pianist Alfredo is on board. On my sail, the cozy indoor Shelter Bar was the quietest.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

Otium, devoted to lengthy, über-pampering treatments, conjures up ancient Roman times, when indulgence often equaled wellness. Otium debuted with a big splash and more lavish spa on Silver Dawn. Here, the spa is far smaller and subdued in design, although treatments are the same. I indulged in a delightful 75-minute deep-tissue massage, a 50-minute facial with that left my face glowing (loved the high-end serums she used, Grown Alchemist), and a half-hour deep-conditioning hair treatment. The latter saved my heat and humidity-ravaged hair, making the frizz and dryness vanish. Post-massage, I found a butler-drawn bath waiting ensuite, replete with battery-lit candles, a macaron, and an Otium loofah and soap.

What about activities and entertainment?

On most luxury ships, I quickly slip out of shows as singers and dancers usually perform at high school musical levels. (Luxe ships generally put their money elsewhere.) However, every production I saw was knockout. Silversea’s new entertainment direction, with many performers from South Africa, is a mega-hit and cruisers pack the theatre for shows. Special guest performers, like England’s Roger Wright (the original adult Simba in the West End’s The Lion’s King) moved passengers to dance by their seats.

The casino is small, with one blackjack and a roulette table, and slots. Still, it’s bustling most nights. Shopping is always an activity; upscale brands I saw in boutiques include Roberto Coin and Louis Vuitton. Other notable activities include terrific hands-on cooking classes in professionally equipped S.A.L.T. Lab, and mixology classes in S.A.L.T. Bar. Guest lecturers, like Lt. Col. Rick Francona, delivering a primer on the US intelligence covert action, captivated.

How was the experience for families?

Silver Ray vibes best for adults or parents traveling with adult children. If younger families sail, they board during summer breaks and school holidays. I did see some young families on board and the kids were well-behaved. The ship doesn’t offer youth programming, but the onboard team says they cater to passengers of all ages. Babies younger than six-months-old are not allowed to board.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

My 11-day cruise sailed from Venice (Fusina) to Athens. We mostly visited Croatia and touched on Greek islands. I didn’t take many excursions due to the extreme summer heat. I did walk around Trieste, Italy and discovered a delicious pasta restaurant, and in Zadar, Croatia, took a morning walking tour. The latter was awesome, as I saw Roman ruins and the wondrous Sea Organ with underwater pipes that makes music as the waves ebb and flow.

Are there any standout sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

Silver Ray reduces carbon emissions by by using dual-fuel LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) hybrid engines and a hull designed to reduce fuel consumption. Butlers place refillable water bottles ensuite that passengers can fill with purified still and sparkling water in their refrigerators, or at filling stations around the ship to use on board and ashore. Daily information, menus, reservations, and activity schedules appear on interactive televisions and in-suite iPads, and can be downloaded to smartphones, minimizing paper use.

Anything we missed?

Longtime Silversea devotees will notice subtle changes, such as smaller charcuterie boards and dinner menus at La Terrazza. The menu is also smaller at Atlantide. Silversea-branded chocolates at turndown and as premium suite amenities replace Pierre Marcolini. Butlers no longer offer a choice of aromatherapy salts for post-spa baths. That said, new-to-Silversea cruisers won’t feel any reduction in luxury.

Finally, give me a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

Silver Ray offers an upbeat, energetic vibe rarely felt on ultra-luxury ships. Indulge in unlimited caviar, pampering butlers and bespoke suites, while relishing high-tech amenities and evenings that come alive in bars, lounges, and entertainment venues.