Tried & Tested: Silver Nova, Silversea
"Nova" means new, and this ship certainly shines. Silversea's newest fleet member has a number of innovations that are both unusual and remarkable for a cruise ship in the luxury segment. So is the Silver Nova a game changer? LuxuryWise tested this new maiden of the sea on a short trip from Palma de Mallorca to Casablanca.
As experienced by LuxuryWise's Senior Editor, Cathrin Lührs
The Ship
In the Silversea universe alone, the Silver Nova is a standout. By contrast to her shipmates she is not only longer at 244.2 meters (801ft.), she also has room for 728 passengers. That's 132 more than the capacity of her predecessors, Silver Moon and Silver Dawn. But does that mean it's cramped on board? Heavens no! With its newest fleet member the cruise brand has paid careful attention to a good passenger-space ratio, and even when the ship is fully occupied it really isn't crowded anywhere.
The Silver Nova isn't just a hot ticket though, it's the cat's meow as the Americans like to say. According to Silversea, the ship is one of the most sustainable cruise ships currently sailing the world's oceans. Excitingly, the Silver Nova will be the first ship to use fuel cells to supply its energy in port, thereby reducing emissions to zero. These have already been installed and are scheduled to go into operation in the first quarter of 2024. Actually, it was primarily these innovative technologies that determined the larger size of the ship.
The ship is the twelfth in the Silversea fleet and the first of the Nova class, which has a very good guest-to-crew ratio of 1:1.3. The Silver Nova will be sailing in the Mediterranean until the beginning of November, after which it will depart from Lisbon for New York. Then it's set to explore parts of North America until wintering in the Caribbean and in South American waters. There are a few U.S. voyages planned in springtime before it heads to the ice of Alaska starting in May.
The average age of guests on the Silver Nova – as on the other ships in the fleet – is 55, but there are no upper or lower limits. Children are welcome, but so far there's no special entertainment for them. As far as rates are concerned, Silversea estimates an average of 500 euros per person per day for the Silver Nova, and the demographics are a colorful mix of different markets. Americans are strongly represented, but British, Australians, Germans, and other Europeans are also among the regular guests.
The Suites
My home at sea for three nights is a chic Medallion Suite. In addition to a bed, there is a living area with a couch and table, a comfortable armchair with a footrest, a small desk, and a bar cabinet. Perhaps it goes without saying, but this cabin category also includes a walk-in closet. Visually, the suite should please anyone, because the colors are simple, elegant, and bright.
This also applies to the beautifully spacious bathroom, complete with a bathtub and a large shower. Speaking of the latter – despite its size, the shower and I had a love-hate relationship. I loved it, but it hated me – the hot water was fickle at first, even for the technicians. Most importantly though, my butler Rowena went above and beyond to get it fixed. She was always polite and courteous, but never obsequious. Tough balance to strike in this market sometimes, but artfully done.
As for the amenities, guests can choose between the standard Otium, Bulgari, or Sebamed. The suite also includes a terrace, which is a tad spartan with only two chairs and a large table, but at least it's spacious. There would be room for at least one sun lounger, but fortunately there are more than enough of these on the sundeck.
Here come the measurements. Silver Nova offers 13 suite categories, two of which are brand new – the Signature Suite is a comfortable 65 square meters (700sq. ft.), plus 16 square meters (172sq. ft.) of balcony, and the Otium Suite (pictured) sports a lofty 123 square meters (1,324sq. ft.) plus a 40-square-meter (430sq. ft.) terrace with its own jacuzzi and 270-degree view. There are two Otium Suites on board. As for my suite, it was extremely comfortable. The linens and towels were made in Italy and are nice and soft. If you don't like the pillows, just choose the one you like from the Pillow Menu. For that, the Suite Butler comes with a little box with five mini variations of the pillows. Nice touch!
Good to know: as on the Silver Dawn, there are Otium Experiences on the Silver Nova. In suite, these include a balcony experience, a movie night with truffle popcorn, and a bath and shower experience. With the latter, you can have your shower turned into a kind of steam bath and choose between invigorating or relaxing scents. LED candles and music add to the atmosphere. But take note – there are also suites without a bathtub. Instead there's more space in the bathroom and the marble bench in the shower can be heated. Interconnected accommodations are also available and are in the deck plan, and the Nova has more of them than on other ships in the fleet. One small drawback? Unfortunately, the Otium Suite cannot be directly combined.
The Design
Plainly speaking, Silversea has set new design standards for the Nova. Unlike on previous ships in the fleet, the suites are no longer located exclusively in the forward area, but can also be found aft. The horizontal design opens up the midsection of the ship for more public areas, and unlocks more possibilities. For example, it created space for a first-time atrium that spans over several decks, making her a "ship of light."
You can already see how asymmetry plays a big role on board. Instead of being in the center, the elevators are located on the sides and have – wait for it – ocean views through large glass panes. New standards also apply to the pool (pictured), which is situated on the starboard. The resulting unobstructed view of the sea is particularly nice, because there are no superstructures on this side of the ship to obstruct the view.
The Culinary
The extra space created by the smart design has been used for more food outlets. While the Italian restaurant Spaccanapoli (which serves excellent pizza by the way!) and The Grill were previously separate, they now share a space called The Marquee on deck 10 – and what a spectacular venue it is. They serve a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a charming, semi-al fresco atmosphere. One must? Recommend the Hot Rocks to your guests at The Grill, where they can sizzle their own top quality meat and fish themselves on hot lava stones. Fire!
But if you're on the hunt for some really good sushi and sashimi, visit the Kaiseki. It's included for lunch, but there's an extra charge in the evening, like the French restaurant La Dame. La Terrazza, with 340 seats, is the largest restaurant on board. The new layout has made it even more stylish, and it even has a nice outdoor area. I'll just say that its stairs are...very Instagrammable. The restaurant itself is admittedly a bit cramped inside, clearly due to the number of tables. But hey, it's got energy.
One more brand new feature on board is the Chef's Table (pictured), a new development from the S.A.L.T. program (Sea And Land Taste), which always offers dishes to match the current destination. To back up the cultural authenticity of this program, Silversea has brought in a so-called food anthropologist. The Chef's Table is 180 euros per person extra, and must be reserved – a fair rate for twelve unique dishes, which are prepared and presented by the chef directly in front of the guests. Of course there are high-end wines and cocktails to enjoy, and the experience accommodates a maximum of 16 people.
But don't worry, there are other alternatives that are included. S.A.L.T. Kitchen, for example, serves dishes from the Terrain Menus (which highlight the destination of the day), as well as from the Voyage Menus, which feature delicacies from all stages of the voyage. On the Silver Nova, this restaurant has been redesigned to have a bit more space. And if your clients want to get a seat in the Silver Note, they'll need to make reservations well in advance, as the 1920s jazz club style restaurant seats only 54 and is quite popular for its live music and chic bar. The Atlantide is open to all guests for both lunch and dinner for classic fine dining. To round it out, small snacks as well as coffee and tea specialties are available at the Arts Café early in the morning.
The Spa
The Otium wellness concept was first introduced on the Silver Dawn, and has found its way onto the Silver Nova. Reason enough for me to try it out, so I book the Otium Experience – a 100-minute massage that includes three massage techniques.
For more than an hour and a half it felt like I was floating in heaven thanks to Gabriel, the spa therapist. At the same time, I struggle to understand what exactly this treatment has to do with the Otium concept. Even after inquiring with a gentle curiosity it unfortunately remains a mystery, which is a pity since Silversea has a great asset here that can be sharply leveraged. After the massage, I head straight to dinner. Normally I'd chill out for a bit, but I guess that's just my luck with the timing on this one.
New day, new spa visit. This time I set my sights on the sauna and I'm pleasantly surprised. Ocean view! A dream on sea days, when there's not much going on. I would have liked to do an infusion, but unfortunately was too late that day. After a quick shower I then go to test the thermal pool and almost missed it – it's pretty small and not really that warm, but it also has an ocean view. Can't complain about that.
Overall, the publicly accessible spa area is well-organized and can quickly become crowded in the anteroom, especially on sea days. Since many guests arrive ready to go in their bathrobes, this is not too much of a problem though. If you want to take advantage of the daily yoga or Pilates offers, you have to search a bit. They can be found on the back pages of the Chronicles via the tablet or the TV in the suite.
The Excursions
My very first visit to Morocco lands me in Tangier. "Cooking Experience at the Blue Door" is the name of my excursion, which also takes the group to the medina and provides a good first impression of Morocco. Together with my fellow travelers, I chop ingredients for an original Moroccan tajine and knead my own bread.
While everything is simmering, we learn a lot about the traditional tea ceremony and of course are allowed to taste it and partake. Combined with the resulting lunch of our self-prepared dishes, the excursion gets an A+. Good to know: the cruise company also offers shuttle buses to the city center for Silver Nova guests in every port. So individual excursions are no problem.
The Common Areas
Psst, I'll let you in on a secret: before and after the Chef's Table, your guests should definitely have a cocktail at the S.A.L.T. Bar (pictured). And anyone who doesn't like alcohol will love the Silver Nova all the more, as the bartenders draw from a wealth of non-alcoholic gins, whiskies, wines, beers, and champagnes. That's something you can't find on land! There is no shortage of bars of course, whether you're on the pool deck or in the Panorama Lounge on deck 5. The outside deck has one of the most beautiful places on board the Silver Nova: a round seating area with an (artificial) fireplace that has a lovely view over the stern.
One charming surprise is that Silversea has given the Silver Nova a bonafide and well-stocked library (pictured). It's cozy during the day, and in the evening it's a real eye-catcher as the ceiling becomes an illuminated starry sky!
If you're a music lover you'll feel quite pleased on this ship. Most of the bars have live music during the day as well as in the evenings. At night, it's showtime in the Venetian Lounge, which has theater-style seating. Whether it's a magician, comedian, band, or pianist, Silversea is eager to showcase its variety during a cruise. The guest entertainers on my trip – Scotland's The MacDonald Bros – are local celebrities in their homeland and rocked the stage. What a thrill!
Of course, you should also tell your guests to check out the pool deck. The pool itself is a respectable size, and the setting is a real eye-catcher. But the real secret star is the infinity whirlpool one deck up. Wonderfully warm water with bubbles and an ocean view. Prima!
The Service
Honestly, I really can't say anything other than it couldn't have been better. Even when I boarded in the middle of the trip and was really only on board for a short time, I was always addressed by name and always treated in a friendly manner. If anyone enjoys their job, it's definitely the bartenders – at the Pool Bar or the S.A.L.T. Bar for instance. The pride with which they present the huge selection of non-alcoholic variants cannot be overlooked. The same goes for special cocktail challenges.
Nothing is too much, and everything is possible. Fancy a gelato at the pool bar? The response is, "Sorry we don't have it here, but I'll send someone right out. What kind would you like?" Yes, that's how luxury service ought to be.
Even the waiting times in the restaurants are pretty painless. It takes longer of course at peak times in the S.A.L.T. Kitchen, but that's easily forgiven since the anticipation of the special dishes makes up for it.
Maybe this should go without saying, but I can rely on my butler 100%. Every wish is promptly fulfilled. A yoga mat in the suite? Fetched immediately from the spa. Another pillow? Two minutes later a selection arrives. Even for my somewhat more difficult wishes her solutions are thoughtful. For example, I want to try the Otium bath experience, but I don't know when I'll be back after dinner. Rowena prepares everything and fills the tub halfway, making it easy for me to do the rest, just how I like it. Phenomenal.
In a Nutshell
Silversea's depth of knowledge as a luxury cruise company certainly permeates the experience. Despite the ship being new, it feels like everything is running like Swiss clockwork. With the Silver Nova the cruise brand has brought a ship to the oceans that, for the first time, feels more like a hotel at sea, and the amount of space is a huge plus. When it comes to the culinary arts, Silversea is sure to keep its guests excited and happy. While there's some room for improvement when it comes to incorporating the Otium concept, Silversea is otherwise positioned quite well. There's no question its newest fleet member will be able to win over new target groups and markets, especially with the all-inclusive concept that includes a butler for everyone.
Trade Contact: Andreas Nuessel, Managing Director Europe