This stunning new luxury cruise ship offers guests an unforgettable journey through the Mediterranean, filled with culinary discovery.

As Lisbon celebrated St. Anthony's Day, marking the saint's death anniversary, the cruise industry witnessed the christening of a new luxury vessel, Silversea Cruises' Silver Ray, in the heart of the vibrant Portuguese city.

The 544-passenger Silver Ray is the 12th addition to the Silversea fleet and mirrors the design of its sister ship, Silver Nova, which made waves last year with a unique look that distinguishes it from other ships in the line.

Like its twin, Silver Ray features over 4,000 square meters of glass to maximize outdoor views, with a top deck designed to showcase the vastness of the sea and sky. The ship's spacious design boasts a 75 gross register tons per passenger space-to-guest ratio and a 1:1.3 crew-to-guest ratio, offering guests expansive suites, generous public spaces, a crowd-free atmosphere, and exceptional service.

Silver Ray follows Nova's legacy of world-class culinary offerings both on board and ashore, with a variety of fine-dining options and Silversea's exclusive S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) program, designed by Adam Sachs, former editor-in-chief of Saveur Magazine. Guests can immerse themselves in local food and wine through hands-on cooking classes at the S.A.L.T. Lab, savor regional dishes and craft cocktails at S.A.L.T. Kitchen and S.A.L.T. Bar, and explore shore excursions that highlight local flavors and the artisans behind them.

Silversea embraces the ancient Roman philosophy of 'otium,' a concept of leisure and self-care, which is evident throughout the ship. The Otium Spa offers not only revitalizing treatments, but also complimentary amenities like a sauna, steam room, and spa pool. After your massage, indulge in chocolate truffles or spa-inspired cocktails. In-room services under the Otium brand include aromatherapy showers, luxurious snacks, movie night treats, and a dining menu with indulgences like lobster and caviar. A dedicated butler is always on hand to bring the ultimate in comfort and luxury.

Silver Ray focuses on connecting with both the land and the sea, offering stunning panoramic views from most public spaces, as well as immersive shore excursions and culinary adventures. The ship’s christening ceremony was led by Dr. Maria Josefina Olascoaga, a professor of ocean sciences at the University of Miami, who will also be co-leading Royal Caribbean Group's OceanScope program. This initiative equips ships with specialized equipment and labs to gather important ocean health data for academic research.

Dr. Olascoaga shared her hopes for the ship, saying, 'I hope this vessel inspires guests to forge a deeper connection with the ocean.' She then performed the ceremonial christening by smashing a bottle of Champagne against the ship’s hull.

Also attending the christening was Bert Hernandez, the new president of Silversea, marking his first ship launch with the company. With a distinguished career at Royal Caribbean Group and its upscale brand Azamara, he remarked, 'It is a perfect moment to introduce such an innovative ship during this milestone year for Silversea, celebrating our 30th anniversary.'

Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, emphasized the company's commitment to innovation and guest satisfaction, which extend across all its brands, including Silversea. He recalled how Royal Caribbean's acquisition of Silversea aimed to expand the brand, and since 2018, Silversea has welcomed six new ships – five newly built and one purchased from another cruise line.

Silver Ray is set to embark on its maiden voyage from Lisbon to Barcelona on Saturday, with stops in Cadiz, Malaga, Valencia, and Palma de Mallorca in Spain. The ship will spend the summer and fall navigating the Mediterranean before heading to South America in December, wrapping up its inaugural year with an impressive 71-day South American journey.

For its second season, Silver Ray will once again sail the Mediterranean during spring, summer, and fall, before heading to the Caribbean and Central America for the winter of 2025-2026.