I boarded Silver Ray in Monte Carlo, on August 30, 2026. A birthday cake was waiting in our suite. Our luggage was not. It went missing on our flight from Minneapolis to Nice, and it never reached us for the entire sailing to Barcelona.
That's not the review I planned to write. It turned out to be the most honest test of a cruise line I could ask for, because any ship looks good when everything goes right.
The short answer: Silver Ray is a 728-guest Silversea ship launched in 2024. It suits travelers who want space, excellent food and genuinely personal service, without a stiff, formal atmosphere. Below are the questions my clients ask most, answered from what I saw onboard.
Sailing reviewed: Silver Ray, Monte Carlo to Barcelona, August 30 to September 5, 2026. Ports: Toulon, Palamós, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante and Valencia. Written by Heni, founder of Dream Travels by Heni and a Silversea Academy certified travel advisor based in Minnesota.
What is Silver Ray?
Silver Ray is Silversea's second Nova-class ship, launched in 2024. She carries 728 guests, every suite has a veranda and butler service, and she runs mainly on liquefied natural gas, with fuel cells, batteries and shore power in port. Her sister ship, Silver Nova, is nearly identical.
The design is built around glass. All six elevators are open glass, and riding one gave me my first real look over Monaco's harbor. Suites sit on Decks 6 to 9, with the restaurants, spa and lounges above and below them.
What's included in a Silver Ray cruise fare?
Your fare includes butler service in every suite, most dining, drinks including wine and cocktails, gratuities and Wi-Fi. Three restaurants charge extra for dinner: Kaiseki, La Dame and S.A.L.T. Chef's Table. Silversea is reorganizing its suite categories and benefits for 2027, so confirm inclusions for your specific sailing.
On my sailing, Basic Wi-Fi covered up to four devices per suite. Highly recommended to upgrade to Premium Wi-Fi for stronger signal, voice calls, video chat or streaming.
Which Silver Ray restaurants are included, and which cost extra?
On my August 2026 sailing, three restaurants charged extra for dinner: Kaiseki ($80 per person), La Dame ($100 per person, or $160 for the tasting menu) and S.A.L.T. Chef's Table ($180 per person). Everything else was included.
| Restaurant | What it is | Cost (Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| La Terrazza | Italian, with a large breakfast selection | Included |
| S.A.L.T. Kitchen | Destination-inspired menu that changes every 2 to 3 days | Included |
| Atlantide | The largest dining room onboard | Included |
| Silver Note | Small plates with live piano and vocals | Included |
| The Marquee | Open-air, home of Hot Rocks dining | Included |
| Arts Café | Coffee, pastries and light bites | Included |
| Kaiseki | Japanese | Lunch included, dinner $80 per person |
| La Dame | French | $100 per person, tasting menu $160 per person |
| S.A.L.T. Chef's Table | 11-course tasting menu for 18 guests | $180 per person |
I'm a foodie, and the food was the best part of this trip for me. We loved the breakfast selection at La Terrazza. Our first night we tried S.A.L.T. Kitchen, and I loved the tuna so much we went back the next evening. Lunch at Kaiseki, and the interactive Hot Rocks dinner at The Marquee in the open air, were highlights too.
I'm not usually a sweets person, but I couldn't resist the desserts. After lunch we often sat at the café, and that's where we started talking with fellow cruisers. And if you're craving something, within reason, the crew will find a way to get it for you. Drinks too.
Do you need dinner reservations on Silver Ray?
Tables aren't assigned on Silver Ray, and there are no fixed dinner times. You choose where and when to eat. Specialty restaurants and Silver Note take reservations, and those fill quickly on popular nights. Atlantide is the biggest dining room onboard.
My advice: book the dinners that matter most to you early in the voyage.
Is Silver Note worth it?
Yes. Silver Note has limited seating, and each table is seated only once per evening, because the evening is about the whole experience, not just the food. A pianist and a singer perform while you dine.
I almost skipped it. I canceled my first reservation to go back to S.A.L.T. Kitchen for that tuna. Then fellow travelers kept raving about Silver Note, and rebooking was nearly impossible. When we finally got a table, we planned on a few appetizers, saw what was arriving at other tables, and ended up ordering everything on the menu. No regrets.
My highlight was meeting the chef. Even at the busiest point of the evening, he came to our table when I asked, and we got to chat for a bit.
What is the Silversea dress code in 2026?
For voyages from June 1, 2026, evenings after 6pm are Elegant Casual or Formal Optional. Sailings of seven nights or less have no Formal Optional night. Dark jeans without holes are now fine in the evening, and jackets for men are optional. Casual wear is fine outdoors, but swimwear after 6pm is not.
I learned both sides of this firsthand. Without our luggage, Silversea notified every restaurant about our situation, and we were excused from the dress code until we bought a few dresses later in the trip. One evening we stayed at the pool after sunset in our swimwear and were asked to change, most likely because guests were arriving for dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Many travelers feel you can look elegant without formal wear, and the 2026 update reflects that.
Is laundry free on Silver Ray?
The self-service launderettes are complimentary, with one on each suite deck, Decks 6 to 9. Laundry service, where the ship washes and returns your clothes, is complimentary in every suite category except Veranda Suites, as of 2026.
Because our luggage was lost, Silversea offered us complimentary laundry service every day. Our clothes went outside the door by 8am and came back the same day. We also had to rebuy the basics, from sunscreen to mascara.
What happens if your luggage is lost on a Silversea cruise?
A cruise line can't recover bags an airline has lost, but a good crew can make the trip work without them. On my sailing, Silversea provided daily laundry service, notified every restaurant so we were excused from the dress code, and treated the situation with real care.
What I love most about Silversea is the crew. They learn your name, treat you like family, and the personal touches make you feel looked after. That mattered more than ever on this trip.
As of November 2026, I'm still working through the airline claim. It's exactly why every client of mine either buys travel insurance through me or signs a waiver. Lost luggage is the situation a good policy is made for.
How do you get from Nice airport to Monte Carlo for a cruise?
The easiest option is a car. We took an Uber from Nice airport to Monte Carlo for about €50. We arrived in Nice the night before embarkation, which leaves a buffer if a flight or a bag goes wrong.
Does Silver Ray dock or tender in the Mediterranean?
On my itinerary, Silver Ray docked at all five ports: Toulon, Palamós, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante and Valencia. We never needed a tender. Itineraries vary, so check yours port by port.
What time do you disembark Silver Ray in Barcelona?
On my sailing, we had to be out of our suite by 8am and were off the ship by about 9:30am. I'd book a flight home no earlier than 1pm.
Who is Silver Ray right for?
Silver Ray suits couples, friends traveling together and anyone celebrating a milestone who wants an unhurried trip with excellent food and personal service. It's probably not the right ship if you're looking for waterslides, big crowds or a theme-park feel.
I went in planning a birthday trip and came home with a story about lost luggage. What stays with me is how the crew turned that into a voyage I'd happily take again.
If you're considering Silver Ray, her sister Silver Nova, or another Silversea voyage in 2027, I'd love to help you choose the right ship, suite and sailing, especially with the new suite categories arriving. Reach out through dreamtravelsbyheni.com and tell me what you're dreaming of.
