MONACO, 10 October 2018: Royal Caribbean Cruises and Silversea Cruises signed off on agreements to build three new ships for Silversea Cruises, the luxury and expedition cruise brand that recently joined the RCL family.
Silversea signed a memorandum of understanding with German shipbuilder, Meyer Werft, to build two new vessels in the new “Evolution Class.” The first Evolution-class ship is due for delivery in 2022.
Silversea also signed a contract with Dutch shipbuilder, Shipyard De Hoop, to construct a new expedition vessel named Silver Origin that will serve the Galapagos Islands itinerary currently sailed by Silver Galapagos. The new ship is due for delivery in March 2020.
“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. “We are pushing the boundaries of luxury and expedition cruising in the Galápagos Islands and beyond, redefining the concept of immersive travel.”
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd finalised its two-thirds acquisition of Silversea earlier this year, noting there was “tremendous potential in the ultra-luxury and expedition markets of the cruise industry.”
The agreements are subject to various contingencies, which are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2019.
