Silversea Cruises, majority owned by Royal Caribbean, has announced agreements to build three new ships.
These include two luxury vessels, as well as a Galapagos expedition ship.
Silversea has signed a memorandum of understanding with Meyer Werft to build two new vessels in a new ‘Evolution Class’ series. The first ship is expected to enter service in 2022.
The company also signed a contract with Dutch shipbuilder Shipyard De Hoop to build the expedition vessel, ‘Silver Origin’, that will serve the Galapagos Islands itinerary currently served by ‘Silver Galapagos’.
She is expected to be delivered in March, 2020, the company revealed.
“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 Galapagos 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 Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, which finalised the two-thirds acquisition of Silversea earlier this year. “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, Meyer Werft Managing Director.
“We are excited and proud to receive this order,” said Patrick Janssens, 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, Royal Caribbean said.
