What's new on Silver Nova

At 54,700gt with capacity for 728 passengers, this is Silversea's most spacious ship — which is saying something — with 75 gross tons per guest, or 5gt to 7gt more than the rest of the fleet.

Silver Nova had to be larger to accommodate the LNG tanks — but Silversea President Barbara Muckermann doesn't think guests will realize there are 100 more travelers aboard compared to the Muse-class ships.

That is because Nova has 'so many corners, so many spaces, that even when she is full you don't feel it because there is this incredible, incredible amount of space.'

Setting a new standard

'Silver Nova will do for ultra-luxury cruising what Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas did for contemporary cruising when it launched in 2009,' Jason Liberty, president/CEO Royal Caribbean Group, told European travel partners and media previewing the ship a few days before its inaugural cruise.

Many have come from seeing Explora I and the updated Crystal Serenity, and the chatter about all three of these vessels has been glowing.

Liberty asserted Oasis set the standard for mega-ships, and predicted Silver Nova's combination of innovative design, new technologies and commitment to sustainable cruising would set a new standard in the luxury category.

Suites

For the first time, Silversea has all veranda suites stretching the entire length of the ship on four decks and public spaces below or above them, allowing for greater ceiling heights throughout. An asymmetrical design — for example, the pool is on one side rather than in the center of the deck — gives a different look. And there is much more glass throughout in the public spaces.

The Venetian Lounge rises across two levels.

The pool deck has sweeping dimensions and big views.

Silver Nova's expansive pool deck

One corner holds a cozy seating around a faux orange tree with bowls of real oranges on the tables. The upper deck has abundant additional chaise lounges.

The orange tree

The Marquee

Aft of the pool, a new dining space, the alfresco Marquee, is stunning with its widely spaced tables, intimate banquettes and flowering trees. It incorporates Spaccanapoli (pizza) and The Grill (for hot rocks cooking in the evening). This is an alluring spot for lunch and, at night, soft lighting creates a romantic venue under the stars.

The Marquee

Aft of this, the new Dusk Bar swirls across and around the stern, with cushy sofas and big sea views.

The cascading aft decks below include the top suites. This location enable the enormous new Otivm Suites — named after the spa — to have terrace pools, something that wouldn't be comfortable in the forward part of the ship.

Seven new categories of suites will allow travel advisors to find the perfect configuration for each client, Muckermann said.

Champagne and chocolate in the spa

The Otivm Spa, introduced on Silver Dawn, went to a whole new level with Silver Nova, incorporating a pool. As before, Otivm's wellness concept doesn't require deprivation but affords pleasure and indulgence.

'You're still allowed to have both Champagne and chocolate in the spa, a first for Silversea because nobody ever lost weight on our ship,' Muckermann quipped. All suites also have Otivm amenities.

Seven restaurants

Among Silver Nova's seven restaurants, besides the new Marquee, a couple signature venues go to a new level.

Le Dame, the French restaurant, adds a wine pairing journey to Bordeaux and a couple other top wine regions of France. (And a new lounge, The Shelter, also provides a Champagne Bar developed with Moët and Chandon.)

The S.A.L.T. Lab test kitchen was relocated to a higher, larger location forward on the pool deck. This enables a new experience, the Chef's Table, a leisurely dinner that enfolds with details about the ingredients, the techniques and the culture of the regions visited.

'For the culinary buff, it's the ultimate,' Muckermann said.

She may be biased, but the Silversea chief thinks it's 'the coolest test kitchen in the world,' besting even Bon Appétit's in New York's World Trade Center.

Quirky art collection

Silver Nova's art, curated by Mariangela Capuzzo, aims to emulate the collection of a 'very sophisticated, worldly traveler who comes home and looks at the beautiful objects he collected during his travels,' Muckermann said. It's not about the cost but 'how interesting these pieces are and what kind of memories they represent for the traveler.

'They're quirky, interesting, weird and they're just sublime,' she continued. Plus, they 'allow us to show a splash of color over our signature whispered Italian luxury.'

Elevated crew areas

Though design is very important, the crew and service provide the core of the Silversea experience, according to Muckermann. So, on Nova, the crew facilities were enhanced — for example, the crew gym is larger than the passenger gym on some ships — 'because we want to continue to attract the absolute best crew. It's incredibly important.'

Liberty acknowledged Muckermann's role in birthing Silver Nova and gave a nod to Royal Caribbean Group Chairman Richard Fain and Meyer Werft CEO Bernard Meyer — both are on board — and to Harri Kulovaara, EVP maritime, Royal Caribbean Group.

64 ships and counting

Silver Nova is Silversea's 12th ship and brings the Royal Caribbean Group fleet to 64 vessels, soon to increase with this year's additions of Celebrity Ascent and Icon of the Seas.

Add Seatrade Cruise News to your Google News feed.