Doing something well is commendable; doing something new and doing it well defines vision. Silver Nova, Silversea’s newest 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 11th in the Silversea fleet. Silversea executives took delivery of the ship in July 20; her first voyage was August 14, 2023.

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. Silver Ray is the second and also is the second Nova-class ship. It celebrated its float-out Feb. 25 and looks to debut in June.

The design difference of Silver Nova also extends to its all-balcony suites, which includes 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.

Two new buzzwords in design for Silversea

As the first of its Nova-class ships, Silver Nova, now joined by Silver Ray, is unique for Silversea in that its design is horizontal rather than vertical (in which all suites are located forward while public rooms are toward the aft). The benefit with a horizontal layout is that the designers ensure that public room decks feature higher ceilings for a more spacious ambience and a better guest flow.

And, conversely, on Nova and Ray, all suites are grouped together on four different decks. The advantage here is that, with suites stretch from forward to aft Silversea is offering more variety in layouts. For instance, an entirely new category of suites is built around the ship’s aft section, and feature great wake 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

Silver Nova’s 1,400-square-foot pool area makesit 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 has 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 is 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 have 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 create a lively hub on Silver Nova. Ten bars and lounges and eight distinct dining venues create a bounty of choices. These venues are 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 of sculpture, collages, photographs, tapestries (and pieces that look like tapestry). Guests will find antique maps and even a muraled ceiling in the library that beckons passengers 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. The revision to the dress code also notes that guests should wear 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 has one or two formal optional nights, and a cruise of 15 days or more will have at least two formal optional nights.

The debut of Silver Nova

The inaugural sailing of Silver Nova was Aug. 14, 2023, 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 Silver Nova sails

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.

In September 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. Highly coveted top-tier suites are already wait-listed on many of Silver Nova’s initial itineraries.

What’s next for Silversea?

Being the first in this class means that more ships, including Silver Ray, are to follow. Its inaugural cruise is set for June 2024.