26th Mar 2025 | 14 nights | Silversea | Silver Nova
The ground-breaking 728-passenger Silver Nova is Silversea's first Nova Class ship. Featuring an all-new "horizontal" design for the line and all-balcony cabins, the eco-friendly vessel is powered by hybrid technology that includes using shore-side power when docked. Silversea says Silver Nova is the first cruise ship to be totally emission-free in port.
Silver Nova is the first Silversea vessel to be constructed at Germany's Meyer Werft shipyard. It is achieving a cruise industry first: emission-free operation in port by using fuel cells and batteries. Shore power allows the ship to shut down its main generators at select ports and plug into the onshore energy supply, thereby cutting onboard local emissions to zero. Silver Nova uses liquefied natural gas, the cleanest fossil fuel, as its main fuel. This hybrid technology allows the vessel to achieve an overall 40 percent reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions per double suite when compared with its previous Muse Class vessels. Other new features on Silver Nova—and all future Nova Class vessels—include technology to reduce the volume of onboard waste, resulting in lower incineration emissions. Additionally, the Nova Class ships are expected to achieve an Energy Efficiency Design Index rating that will be about 25 percent better than requirements set out by the International Maritime Organization. The ship has a large hydrodynamically designed hull to further reduce fuel consumption.
Silver Nova is 54,700 gross tons and carries 728 passengers at full capacity, with 556 crew members.
To create openness and spaciousness, large areas of glass are incorporated into the deck plan design, including lifts with glass walls overlooking the ocean. Instead of having an enclosed swimming pool traditionally situated in the middle of the pool deck, the pool is open to one side of the ship to create an area with unobstructed views.
Silver Nova has eight restaurants and includes the line's S.A.L.T. culinary programme that showcases the food and wine of destinations visited.
Silver Nova is the first ship in the Silversea fleet where every cabin has a balcony. Carrying 728 passengers, the ship is also the largest in the fleet -- the 608-passenger Silver Spirit is currently the biggest. Silver Nova is also the most spacious, with the highest tonnage-to-passenger ratio (75 gross tons per passenger) in the Silversea fleet, as well as a 1.3:1 passenger-to-crew ratio. With 364 cabins across 13 stateroom categories, Silver Nova offers the largest choice of suites. These include the new 270-degree view Otium Suite measuring 1,323 square feet and with a 431 square-foot balcony with a whirlpool. The suite is located in an aft corner position and has a living area, separate bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, and a bathroom with a whirlpool and shower.
Silver Nova is also the first ship in the fleet to feature a horizontal design. All of the current Silversea ships have cabins located towards the front of the ship and the public areas at the back. This was originally done because the line wanted to reduce noise by situating cabins farthest away from the engine room. New technology has solved this problem, and most modern ships are now built in a horizontal design with cabin and public areas spaced throughout the length of the ship.
Sophisticated international travellers who enjoy unusual destinations yet want a hint of traditional formality, complete with butler service
Young families and American-centric cruisers who like to be casual all the time
Silversea caters to Baby Boomers, affluent and often retired, with the leisure and the resources to make Silversea their cruise line of choice. Silversea Expeditions also appeals to that demographic, as well as younger professionals with a desire for active cruising that includes posh cabins and stellar service alongside Zodiac expeditions, snorkelling excursions and in-port hikes. Shorter classic voyages also tend to draw younger passengers. About 60 percent of passengers onboard come from the Americas, the rest from international markets.
Yes, if you are going on a classic cruise ship; no if you're sailing on a luxury expedition cruise. The classic ships divide evenings among casual resort wear, informal attire (for men, this means a jacket, tie optional, and women wear dresses or pantsuits) and formal nights when eveningwear for women is an evening gown or cocktail dress and men wear tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits, and a tie is required. The dress code is more casual on the expedition vessels, and there are no formal nights.
Silversea cruises are fairly inclusive, with the only extras being shore excursions (except on Silversea's expedition cruises on which they're included in the cruise price), shop purchases, spa and beauty treatments, and send-out laundry. Some speciality restaurants also cost extra (and caviar on the room service menu). Cruise fares include gratuities, unlimited beverages (soft and alcoholic), internet access and round trip transportation into town in most ports. Most itineraries also include transfers to/from the ship, and some even include complimentary round trip economy airfare.
Onboard, each Silversea cruise ship has a pool and hot tubs that see a lot of action, and the spa gets a lot of use, as well. Silversea cruisers also enjoy attending lectures on the culture and history of the destinations they visit, and like to spend time in the library. Evening shows, which range from opera-themed to swing-era classics, also draw a crowd. When in port, most Silversea cruisers opt for one of the line's many shore excursion offerings. Expedition cruises bring cruisers together with experts to lead hiking, Zodiac, snorkelling, diving and other small group excursions.