The ultra-luxury and expedition cruise company Silversea Cruises, which recently joined the Royal Caribbean Cruises family, has unveiled its intention to order three new cruise ships.
Silversea signed a memorandum of understanding with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft to build two new vessels in a new Evolution Class. The first Evolution-class ship is expected to join its owner in 2022.
The company 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 100-guest ship would be delivered in March 2020.
“There is tremendous potential in the ultra-luxury and expedition markets of the cruise industry, and we believe discerning travelers will embrace the exciting designs Silversea is imagining for them,” said Richard D. Fain , Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, which finalized its two-thirds acquisition of Silversea earlier this year .
The agreements are subject to certain contingencies which are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2019.