The Silver Ray departed from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 20 for its first-ever Grand Voyage — a 71-day circumnavigation of South America.

To mark the start of the cruise, Silversea invited guests for an exclusive Bon Voyage dinner at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 19 that included a curated gastronomic showcase of South American specialties.

As the newest ship in the Silversea fleet, the Silver Ray entered service in the Mediterranean in mid-2024.

“The entire Silversea team bids bon voyage to our guests traveling onboard the Silver Ray – our newest ship – for the Grand Voyage South America 2025,” said Silversea’s President Bert Hernandez.

“This 71-day voyage will incorporate four once-in-a-lifetime events, curated by our team exclusively for guests on our Grand Voyage, to showcase the authentic soul of the destinations they’re visiting, including wine tasting among the vines in Valparaiso, front-row seats at the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, and a sophisticated evening spent celebrating Bajan culture in Bridgetown,” he added.

Sailing to South America and the Caribbean, Silver Ray’s Grand Voyage will visit 38 destinations in 17 countries.

According to Silversea, the itinerary was designed to take in South America’s diverse highlights and includes a transit of the Panama Canal, as well as visits to iconic cities, including Lima, Valparaíso, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro.

Guests will also be able to explore natural wonders, the company added, such as Chile’s fjords, the Garibaldi Glacier and the Amazon Rainforest.

The Silver Ray will spend three nights docked in Rio de Janeiro, where guests will be able to attend Brazil’s Carnival celebrations.

Ahead of arriving back in Fort Lauderdale on Apr. 1, 2025, travelers will call at several destinations in the Caribbean, such as Bequia, Castries (St. Lucia), St. John’s, St. Kitts (Basseterre), St. Thomas and San Juan.

Other highlights of the Grand Voyage are the exclusive Silversea immersion events, which included the Bon Voyage celebration in Fort Lauderdale.

According to the company, the event was designed to evoke the romance of bygone days on the beachfront estate of Bonnet House.

Guests were able to sip on cocktails once served on the estate by heiress, socialite and traveler Evelyn Bartlett, before sitting down to an elegant dinner of South American specialties.

In addition to the Bon Voyage reception, travelers will enjoy access to a selection of curated events that will showcase the customs and traditions of the local culture.

In Valparaíso, Chile, the offering includes an excursion to Kingston Family Winery, which was founded in the early 1900s by Carl John Kingston.

Guests will also be able to experience the Carnival in Brazil with an exclusive visit to Rio de Janeiro’s Sambadrome.

In Barbados, passengers will spend an evening at St. Nicholas Abbey, a historic plantation that dates back to 1658, for a meal paired with the island’s rum.

After completing its Grand Voyage, the Silver Ray joins the Silver Shadow and the Silver Moon for cruises in the Caribbean.