Cruise Specialists Senior Vice President, Teresa Tennant, was invited to participate in the pre-inaugural sailing of the new Silversea Silver Nova. The 728-guest all-suite, all-balcony ship is Silversea’s largest and most revolutionary. Teresa shares her review below.
The real “wow factor” for Silver Nova comes from the ship’s first-of-its-kind asymmetrical design and horizontal layout. The smokestack has been moved from its traditional central location to the port side of the ship, opening up more space on the Pool Deck than any other luxury vessel. The largest pool in Silversea’s fleet is on the starboard-side, surrounded by deck chairs, facing the ocean with nothing blocking the view.
The new Marquee dining area on the same deck combines two familiar Silversea restaurants, The Grill (where guests cook their own entrée on hot rocks) and Spaccanapoli (Naples-style pizzeria), under one al fresco setting.
The Observation Lounge forward provides a comfortable viewing area inside and the aft-facing Dusk Bar is the perfect place to take in the sunset with musical accompaniment from one of the ship’s musicians.
Walking throughout the lower public-area decks, there is a light-filled spacious feeling throughout – from the three-story glass-walled atrium to the glass elevators on either side, to the numerous window-lined restaurants and lounges.
My Superior Veranda Suite made a great first impression with all the features you would expect from an ultra-luxury product. The suite is well-appointed with a muted color palate and accents of color throughout – flowers on the marble-topped table, the throw pillows and the artwork. The spacious bathroom with double faucets, large vanity, full-sized bath and separate shower is stocked with Otium spa amenities. The walk-in closet, in-room vanity area and writing desk unit offer plenty of storage space. A welcome bottle of champagne and a small silver box with chocolates completed the scene and both my suite attendant and butler greeted me within a few minutes of my arrival. The veranda has comfortable chairs and a table with a glass wall below the railing for unobstructed viewing. There are plenty of electrical outlets and USB ports at bedside and throughout the suite. The custom-made luxury bed mattress and bedding are extremely comfortable. With this larger ship, Silversea has added several new suite categories, ranging from 357 sq ft to 1324 sq ft including the veranda, giving guests more options to find the perfect fit for their needs. Butler service is provided for all suite categories and the overall crew-to-guest ratio is 1:1.3 for a very high level of personalized service on board. Click here to watch a quick video tour.
Guests will enjoy the wide variety of dining and lounge options (in addition to those mentioned above) including:
- Atlantide – Signature Fine Dining from caviar to lobster
- Kaiseki – Japanese
- La Dame – French
- La Terrazza – Italian
- Silver Note – Gourmet Tapas
- S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) Kitchen – Menus inspired by the current ports and voyage itinerary
- S.A.L.T. Chef’s Table – Small plates highlighting regional flavors paired with unique beverages
- 24-hour In Suite Dining – delivered with a smile by your Butler
Coffee, fine tea and small bites are offered at the popular Arts Café, and drinks at The Shelter champagne bar, Dolce Vita, Panorama Lounge, Connoisseur’s Corner, Pool Bar, S.A.L.T. Bar and Observation Lounge. Both the menu selection and service were excellent at each venue I enjoyed. A quick note regarding the S.A.L.T. program – Silversea also offers S.A.L.T. Experiences in port. These unique shore tours focus on food and wine of the local region.
The Otium Spa is a welcoming retreat with thermal pool, sauna, steam room and treatment rooms with champagne on ice and a selection of chocolates to indulge your tastes. There is also a well-equipped fitness center and beauty salon. The Boutique was not yet open for business during my visit, but a few displays showcased a selection of luxury brands and some specialty items from Italy. Guests can also try their luck in the small casino. Entertainment on board included a well-received singer, violinist, piano player, saxophone player, jazz duo and a small band. The two-story Venetian Lounge offers comfortable seating for 370 guests to enjoy live theatrical and musical performances, film screenings and enrichment seminars.
I had the opportunity to participate in a S.A.L.T. Lab class in Trieste, Italy. With the simple-to-follow instructions provided, we created two traditional deli/aperitivo snacks: “Baccala Mantecato”, a creamed cod dip, and “Sarde in Sao”, fried sardines in a sweet-n-sour marinade. These classes, with recipes changing for each port, are very popular and can only be booked on board.
While 95% of Silver Nova’s public areas have amazing outdoor views, one hidden gem does not – the library off the Observation Lounge on Deck 10. This little oasis has a starlit ceiling and wide selection of books to draw your attention.
Throughout the ship, there is an extensive and impressive collection of art from over 60 artists from 25 countries. Silversea President Barbara Muckermann informed us that in addition to the investment made in the suites and public areas, the company invested heavily in upgrading the crew areas. They understand the importance of attracting and retaining the best staff in order to provide the level of service Silversea guests expect. Venetian Society members as well as those sailing on Silversea for the first time are sure to love this gorgeous new ship.
