Executives from Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea and Fincantieri Shipyard celebrated the milestone with a gala dinner. Silver Dawn becomes the cruise line’s third new ship to debut in nine months.

After a customary bagpipe performance, which opened the formal naming event, the newly named godmother of Silver Dawn, Nilou Motamed – a food and travel editor, tastemaker, and television personality – then cut the ribbon to trigger a champagne bottle to smash on the ship’s hull.

Roberto Martinoli, president and chief executive of Silversea Cruises, said: "An evolution of our unique take on luxury, Silver Dawn is the third Silversea ship to be named in the last nine months.

"She really is magnificent. I extend my gratitude to Jason Liberty and all involved at Royal Caribbean Group, as well as to the team at Silversea, Fincantieri and Captain Failla and his crew – our most valuable asset."

The vessel will depart on its inaugural voyage on 1 April, sailing from Lisbon to Barcelona. It is scheduled to sail the Mediterranean until November, when it will cross the Atlantic Ocean, via the Canary Islands, to offer Caribbean and Central America sailings.