"Not knowing how authoritative the information you received I am a little suspicious as to the accuracy of which locks the Silver Ray will use. Often times the people who are on the customer service end don't always have the most accurate info. I completely understand your concerns and preferences to use the original locks."
Thank you for the reply! I heard from two different sources at Silversea that said the canal authorities have designated them to transit via the new locks. I don't know any better so took that at face value. The Nova has transited a few times now and used the original locks each time. Thus, I know the Ray will be fine in the original locks.
No one at Siversea will tell me whether the canal authorities have ever designated the new locks for any of their ships before and if so, the % of times they changed their minds.
I'm now wondering if Silversea just hedges and says they use the new locks just in case they have to?
By the way, the asymmetrical design means they put the common areas to the sides vs middle of the ship. So the pool is off to one side where everyone faces it and the sea vs sitting around a pool in the middle. The theater is also along one side and has two floors of windows. Same with many of the restaurants.