Silver Ray Drops Madeira Stop for Weather, Adds Leixoes

Silversea Cruises has altered the itinerary for Silver Ray’s current transatlantic crossing, cancelling a planned two-day stop in Funchal, Madeira, because of forecast bad weather in the North Atlantic.

Guests were told the overnight Madeira visit would be replaced with a call in Leixoes, Portugal, on the final full day of the voyage. In a letter signed by the ship’s master, Captain Giovanni Schiaffino, the line told guests: “Considering this, in the interest of your safety and comfort, we will no longer call at Funchal.”

What changed on Silver Ray’s transatlantic crossing

Silver Ray departed Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on March 10, 2026, on a 14-night repositioning sailing to Europe ahead of the ship’s Mediterranean season. The original plan included an overnight call at King’s Wharf in Bermuda and an overnight stay in Funchal scheduled to run from March 21–22.

Instead of calling in Madeira, the ship will stay at sea during that window and then visit Leixoes on March 23, a mainland Portuguese port commonly used as a gateway to Porto and Northern Portugal.

• Cancelled call: Funchal (Madeira) was scheduled for March 21–22, 2026, as a two-day visit with an overnight stay, but has been dropped due to expected conditions affecting safe docking and the onboard experience.
• Added call: Leixoes (Northern Portugal) has been added for March 23, 2026, with the port stay scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving guests an alternative day ashore and access to nearby Porto.
• Voyage endpoint: The crossing remains bound for Lisbon, Portugal, with arrival and guest debarkation scheduled for March 24, 2026, according to onboard communications shared in the itinerary update.

Silversea’s notice said the decision followed a “careful review” of forecast conditions, with guest well-being as the priority.

Why Madeira calls can be vulnerable to weather

The change was tied to deteriorating forecasts around the time the ship would have reached Madeira. Forecasts from the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere indicated a high likelihood of rain, and the company also cited the risk of adverse conditions that can affect safe docking.

Madeira’s exposed, open-ocean setting can make approaches sensitive to wind direction, swell, and wave action. Even when conditions are mainly unpleasant ashore, those factors can narrow safe operating windows at the pier and lead cruise lines to adjust plans.

How guests were notified, and how plans are being adjusted onboard

Guests were notified via onboard announcements and a letter delivered to staterooms once the change was confirmed. One guest described an added personal touch, saying Captain Schiaffino “hand-signed” letters for all 344 suites, rather than using printed signatures that are more typical for operational notices.

With Leixoes added on short notice, Silver Ray’s onboard concierge and Shore Concierge Team began coordinating updated shore plans and excursion options, with details expected to be shared ahead of the March 23 call. Passengers onboard said the adjustment process was handled smoothly by the crew.

Ship details and what comes next in Europe

Silver Ray is the newest ship in Silversea’s fleet, measuring 55,051 gross tons and designed to accommodate 728 guests. The vessel is LNG-powered.

After the transatlantic crossing ends in Lisbon, Silver Ray is scheduled to offer two departures from the Portuguese capital before repositioning to Barcelona to begin its Mediterranean season. The ship’s published deployment runs through November 2026 with itineraries sailing from ports that include Barcelona, Monte Carlo, and Rome, before returning to Florida for winter Caribbean operations.

Weather disruptions across the region

Silver Ray was not the only cruise ship affected by North Atlantic conditions during the same period. Renaissance, operated by Ambassador Group, also dropped a scheduled visit to Ponta Delgada in the Azores on March 19, 2026, then continued to its next port of call.

For Silver Ray guests, the immediate focus is the revised plan for March 23 in Leixoes, followed by arrival in Lisbon later in March as the ship completes its repositioning voyage into the Mediterranean season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why was Silver Ray’s call at Funchal, Madeira canceled?

Silversea cancelled the planned overnight stop after tracking “inclement weather developing in the region.” In a letter signed by Captain Giovanni Schiaffino, the line told guests it made the change “in the interest of your safety and comfort” following a careful review of forecast conditions.

What port is Silver Ray visiting instead of Madeira, and when?

Silver Ray will call at Leixoes, Portugal, on March 23, 2026. The port stay is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Leixoes is commonly used as a gateway for visiting Porto and Northern Portugal.

Will Silversea offer shore excursions for the new Leixoes stop?

Yes. Silver Ray’s Shore Concierge Team has been working to organize tour options for guests, with excursion and planning details expected to be provided ahead of the March 23 call.

How were guests informed about the change?

Guests were notified through onboard announcements and a letter delivered to staterooms once the change was confirmed. A guest also reported that Captain Schiaffino hand-signed letters for all 344 suites.

What is Silver Ray scheduled to do after arriving in Lisbon?

After the crossing concludes in Lisbon, Silver Ray is scheduled to offer two departures from the Portuguese capital before repositioning to Barcelona to begin its Mediterranean season, with sailings planned from ports that include Barcelona, Monte Carlo, and Rome through November 2026.