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February 10, 2025

Silversea’s newest luxury ship, Silver Ray, officially embarked on its first Grand Voyage on January 20th, departing from Fort Lauderdale.

This epic 71-day expedition will take guests on a complete circumnavigation of South America, highlighting its cultural, natural, and culinary wonders. The journey began with a special Bon Voyage dinner on January 19th at the historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, where guests enjoyed a curated South American-inspired gastronomic experience.

Over the course of 71 days, this immersive journey will take travelers through 38 destinations across 17 countries, with 11 overnight stays in some of the world’s most captivating locations. After passing through the Panama Canal, guests will explore vibrant cities such as Lima, Valparaiso, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Rio de Janeiro while also experiencing Chile’s fjords, the Garibaldi Glacier, and the Amazon Rainforest. A major highlight is a three-night stay in Rio de Janeiro, where guests will witness the world-famous Carnival celebrations from premium seating in the exclusive Frisas section at the Sambadrome. The voyage concludes with stops in the Eastern Caribbean, visiting Bequia, St. Lucia (Castries), St. John’s, Basseterre (St. Kitts), St. Thomas, and San Juan, before returning to Fort Lauderdale on April 1, 2025.

Bert Hernandez, President of Silversea, expressed excitement about the departure of Silver Ray on its Grand Voyage South America 2025. Emphasizing Silversea’s commitment to luxury experiential travel, he highlighted the brand’s dedication to crafting unforgettable moments for its guests. This exceptional journey will feature four exclusive events, offering travelers immersive experiences that capture the unique essence of South America—from wine tasting in Valparaíso to front-row seats at Carnival in Rio.

As part of the Grand Voyage South America 2025, guests indulged in a series of extraordinary cultural experiences, making their journey even more memorable. In addition to the Bon Voyage event in Fort Lauderdale, travelers took part in once-in-a-lifetime celebrations across South America and the Caribbean.

In Valparaíso, Chile, on February 8, guests visited the Kingston Family Winery, nestled in Chile’s picturesque Casablanca Valley. Established in the early 1900s, this family-run vineyard hosted an exclusive tasting of its finest organic wine blends, accompanied by local canapés, live music, and a traditional Chilean feast.

The journey continued to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 2-3, where travelers witnessed the world-famous Carnival in unparalleled style. With premium seating, guests experienced the dazzling spectacle of elite Samba schools, extravagant floats, and the vibrant rhythms that define this legendary celebration. A curated selection of local delicacies and refreshments enhanced this exclusive experience.

On March 23, 2025, in Bridgetown, Barbados, the historic St. Nicholas Abbey will set the stage for a truly immersive Bajan affair. Guests will savor a locally inspired meal, perfectly paired with house-distilled rum, while enjoying live music and an atmosphere brimming with island spirit and festivity.

Each of these unique experiences has been thoughtfully designed to immerse travelers in the rich cultures, flavors, and traditions of the destinations they visit, creating unforgettable memories along the way.

Following its South American voyage, Silver Ray will join Silver Moon and Silver Shadow in the Caribbean starting March 23rd, with Silversea offering nine immersive Caribbean voyages between March and May 2025, followed by 13 cruises in November-December 2025 and 19 sailings between January and February 2026, visiting notable destinations such as Bequia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Soufrière (St. Lucia), Little Bay (Montserrat), and St. John.

Silver Ray, designed for exploration, features a cutting-edge asymmetrical design that maximizes panoramic views from all suites and public spaces, making it an ideal vessel for navigating South America’s diverse landscapes. The ship offers a 1:1.3 crew-to-guest ratio, ensuring personalized service with butler service available for all suites, while also boasting the largest selection of bars, restaurants, and lounges in luxury cruising. Guests can indulge in the Otium Spa & Wellness Program, inspired by Roman relaxation traditions, and enjoy immersive culinary experiences through the Sea and Land Taste (S.A.L.T.) program.

Guests aboard Silver Ray’s Grand Voyage South America 2025 will enjoy unique S.A.L.T. shore excursions such as a sustainable fishing and cooking experience with a celebrated Ecuadorian chef in Manta, Ecuador, a market tour, olive oil tasting, and meze sampling in Arica, Chile, a gourmet experience in remote fishing villages in Ushuaia, Argentina, a masterclass in Argentinian asado grilling with breathtaking views in Buenos Aires, Argentina, an exploration of Amazonian flavors featuring a local seafood barbecue in Santarem, Brazil, and seaside foraging followed by a guided tasting menu in a 1920s-inspired venue in Valparaíso, Chile.

The Grand Voyage South America 2025 aboard Silver Ray offers a truly unparalleled experience, blending immersive cultural excursions, luxurious amenities, and breathtaking destinations. From the iconic sights of South America to the vibrant festivities of Rio’s Carnival, this journey promises to create unforgettable memories for every traveler. For more details on Silversea’s Grand Voyages, visit: Silversea Grand Voyages.

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Ronan Ryan

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