Everything You Need to Know About the New Silver Nova
Doing something well is commendable; doing something new and doing it well defines vision. Silver Nova, Silversea’s new 728-passenger ship carrying 556 crew is not only a continuation of a legacy in luxury voyages but also represents a bold way forward for the brand.
Nova, from “new” in Latin, marks a commitment to innovate and push the boundaries of shipbuilding and sustainability and to provide an unparalleled cruise experience. The ship is the 12th in the Silversea fleet. Silversea executives took delivery of the ship July 20; her first voyage began Aug. 14.
“Silver Nova introduces an industry-leading approach to sustainability, an unprecedented openness to the world and an entirely new take on luxury at sea,” says Barbara Muckermann, the president of Silversea, who called Nova “the future of ultra-luxury cruise travel,” adding, “She is a beauty.”
Silver Nova is different, from her design to her emphasis on sustainability. Nova even has a change in the dress code aboard ship. Here is a guide to your next-generation Silver Nova and what sets her apart.
What makes Silver Nova so different?
Beginning with its basic structure, Nova’s difference extends to its steel frame. This ship, the first in the new Nova Class for Silversea, will become the largest and most spacious of the Silversea fleet, thanks to a “horizontal” design.
This breakthrough in layout means more square footage to accommodate the plush lounges and extraordinary bars and restaurants. Silver Nova is the first Silversea vessel to be constructed at Germany’s Meyer-Werft shipyard.
The design difference of Silver Nova also extends to its all-balcony suites, which will include some of the best views. A contemporary aesthetic is paired with additional open-air spaces, creating Silversea’s strong connection between the ship and guests’ surroundings.
Below deck, revolutionary design also applies to technology and engineering; Silver Nova is designed to achieve low-emission operation.
Let’s take a closer look at the new elements that make Silver Nova unique.
Asymmetrical design makes Nova different
Employing asymmetrical design, Silver Nova confines accommodations to the front of the ship and entertainment spaces to the back of the vessel. Silver Nova will have venues that run the length of the ship, allowing expansive vistas and long, continuous stretches of space.
Bringing key structural elements toward the inside of the ship also allows more seamless integration between the outside elements and interior of Silver Nova. Floor-to-ceiling glass will form many of the structural but see-through “barriers” around the decks, which means unimpeded views.
Enhanced technology means noise and vibrations from the engine room on this first Nova-class vessel are no longer an issue, allowing latitude in the placement of suites and public spaces.
New and redesigned public spaces
The renderings of Silver Nova’s 1,400-square-foot pool area make it clear that this is a different concept for a ship. The horseshoe-shaped area features the largest pool in the fleet. Also on the outer decks: an infinity-style Cliff Whirlpool on Deck 11 and the all-new Dusk Bar, one deck below.
Premiering on Silver Nova: The Shelter, an intimate, evening-only bar with a maximum capacity of 32. This Deck 3 venue is ideal for a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap, opening to the Atrium with Atlantide and S.A.L.T. Kitchen on either side.
The Venetian Lounge has a capacity of 370 guests, who can listen to lectures or attend performances in this two-story space. The S.A.L.T. Lab and S.A.L.T. Bar have been relocated from their midship position on other Silversea ships to Deck 10 for views that integrate the outside into the spaces. They also are larger.
The Otium Spa aboard Silver Nova features the brand’s largest thermal suite, inspired by the ancient baths of Rome. Guests will find a steam room, sauna, decorative water fountain and floor-to-ceiling windows. It will be the first Otium Spa to have a spa-centric indoor pool.
Inventive suites
Silver Nova will have 13 suite categories that contain a choice of 364 suites. The ship’s interior designers strove for premium, residential touches, including decorative lighting, fluted mirrors and plush furniture. The concept is described as “whispered luxury.”
The crown jewel of any Silversea suite at sea will be the Otium Suites, a new category that has eye-catching “walls of windows” offering a 270-degree view. Again, the ship’s design allows this unique space at the aft starboard corner at the back of the ship. Guests in Otium Suites, at 1,324 square feet, will be treated to premium amenities as well as a large living room.
Master Suites, also a new concept, offer accommodations of 721 to 826 square feet and has balconies that wrap around the back of the ship and bathrooms that offer views to the outside. Medallion Suites are 50 percent wider than a standard veranda suite and also have a larger balcony.
Re-imagined dining concepts
Five decks’ worth of restaurants, bars and entertainment spaces will create a lively hub on Silver Nova. Ten bars and lounges and eight distinct dining venues create a bounty of choices. These venues will be spread across the ship, allowing easier social connections in a more open-concept floor plan.
Returning restaurant concepts include Atlantide and S.A.L.T. Kitchen, along with new design concepts, including the Marquee. This light-filled space on Deck 10 incorporates the existing Grill and Spaccanapoli authentic pizzeria into one casual but elegant dining venue.
Specialty dining venues Kaiseki and La Dame are more luxe than ever. Wine plays an important role at La Dame. where exclusive pairings will be offered.
On Silver Nova, art is at the heart
Guests will find more than 1,700 pieces of artwork onboard Silver Nova, making it a veritable floating gallery. You’ll find sculpture, collages, photographs, tapestries (and pieces that look like tapestry). You’ll find antique maps and even a muraled ceiling in the library that beckons you to look up and revel in the piece painted specifically for this spot.
Silver Nova’s new on-board dress code
During the day, guests can don casual wear “similar to five-star resort sportswear,” a note from Silversea President Barbara Muckermann says, and also suggests wearing flats or low heels on desk.
After 6 p.m. , the ask is for elegant casual for casual evenings. Women may wear slacks and blouses or skirts or a causal frock. Men may wear a collared shirt and slacks, but a jacket is optional. If you would like to wear dressier garb, you are welcome to do that too. Note that on formal optional nights, men must wear a jacket indoors.
Based on the length of the cruise, you may not need formal attire. A seven-day cruise is elegant casual every evening, unless you wish to go dressier; an eight- to 14-day cruise will have one or two formal optional nights, and a cruise of 15 days or more will have at least two formal optional nights.
An emphasis on sustainability
Our impact on the environment directly affects our ability to enjoy Earth’s wonders and waterways for generations to come. Silversea recognizes that reducing its carbon footprint is imperative, and the cruise line is wasting no time by introducing sharpened sustainability efforts with its Nova Class ships.
Beginning with Silver Nova in 2023, Silversea has unveiled its first LNG (liquid natural gas)-powered cruise ship. Silver Nova will have three sources powering its engines, including the ability to plug into shore power while docked. This means that in each destination, this forward-thinking vessel aims to emit zero emissions.
The new technology fits into Royal Caribbean Group’s broader Destination Net Zero campaign, which aims to achieve net zero emissions across its cruise brands, including Silversea, by 2050.
For future Nova Class vessels, sustainable materials will be incorporated into the ships’ interior design.
The debut of Silver Nova
The inaugural sailing of Silver Nova was Aug. 14 departing from Venice (Fusina). The week-long public debut cruised the Mediterranean, calling on six ports across Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro before returning to Fusina — the port for Venice just across the Venetian Lagoon.
Where will Silver Nova sail?
Silver Nova, scheduled through spring 2025, and will sail to five continents in its first two years of operation.
Silversea’s flagship will kick off its inaugural season in the Mediterranean, cruising along the Dalmatian Coast, before alternating among the European cities of Rome, Barcelona and Lisbon, Portugal, for the rest of the fall.
On Nov. 7, 2023, Nova will reposition to New York from Portugal to begin Caribbean and Central American itineraries for the winter season.
East Coasters can take advantage of a Nov. 18 departure from Manhattan to sail to San Juan, Puerto Rico (nine days); Bridgetown, Barbados (16 days); or stay on to transit the Panama Canal and sail all the way to Lima (Callao), Peru, after 31 days onboard.
Silver Nova will spend the summer 2024 season plying the waters of Alaska and Canada, with seven-day sail dates through mid-September. Choose from Vancouver, Canada, to Seward, Alaska, or the reverse.
On Sept. 12, 2024, Silver Nova will relocate to Asia on an 18-day voyage from Vancouver, Canada, to Tokyo. The ship will then sail two October cruises from Tokyo before departing Singapore for Cairns, Australia, on Oct. 31. For the winter season, Silver Nova will make inaugural calls throughout the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand.
Voyages available to book in late 2024 into 2025 include a variety of 16-day cruises from Cairns to Sydney; Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand; Auckland to Sydney; Auckland to Melbourne, Australia; and an 18-day cruise from Melbourne to Singapore.
Silver Nova will sail four Asia cruises between Feb. 24 and April 23, 2025, before the vessel embarks on a transoceanic passage to Alaska, arriving May 8, 2025.
How do I book a voyage on Silver Nova?
Silver Nova is open for bookings right now. Highly coveted top-tier suites are already wait-listed on many of Silver Nova’s initial itineraries.
What’s next for Silversea?
Silver Nova is open for bookings now. Being the first in this class means that more ships, including the already announced Silver Ray, are to follow. Stay tuned.