The vessel was handed over on 14 May in a ceremony in Dutch port Eemshaven attended by Royal Caribbean Group’s president and chief executive Jason Liberty and Silversea president Bert Hernandez.

Silver Ray is the second Nova class ship after Silver Nova and was built with a focus on energy efficiency. Silver Ray features 4,000m2 of glass around the exterior.

Following the delivery ceremony, the ship will operate its maiden cruise from Lisbon on 15 June and spend the rest of the summer in the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic to the Americas in December 2024.

Liberty said: “We are thrilled to take delivery of Silver Ray, the newest ultra-luxury and expedition jewel in Royal Caribbean Group’s game-changing fleet. 

“Delivering the best vacation experiences responsibly is at the heart of everything we do. We are fortunate to have the best people working together to dream and create unforgettable experiences for our guests, including the Meyer Werft shipyard team, whose partnership has enabled us to continue pushing boundaries.” 

Hernandez, who took up the role of Silversea president last month, added: “Silver Ray beautifully encompasses Royal Caribbean Group’s vision for the future of innovative ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel.

“In addition to being one of the most energy efficient ships ever built, Silver Ray’s game-changing, outward-facing ship design enables greater access and connection for our guests to the incredible destinations we visit.”