When you add luxury to the itinerary, a cruising vacation sails to the next level
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Cruising can be an ideal vacation, serving up something for everyone. The stunning sea. The fabulous food. And the exotic pleasures of a variety of ports of call.
But when you add luxury to the itinerary, a cruising vacation sails to the next level.
That was certainly our experience from the moment we boarded Silversea’s Silver Nova — and especially when we opened the door to our cabin for the first time. I and my best friend and travelling companion guffawed in awe. Having travelled on several cruise lines before, this was our first sailing in suite accommodations, and oh how sweet they were. But more on that shortly. First things first …
THE NOVA SHIPS
Launched in 2023, Silver Nova, along with sister ship Silver Ray, which began sailing this past summer, belong to the ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line’s new Nova class of ships. The idea, Silversea touts, is to bring passengers closer to their destinations than ever before thanks to innovative designs and curated experiences.
The Nova-class ships are asymmetrical, a first for Silversea and a construction that allows for most of the steel structure of the ship to be inside, giving way to larger window openings. How large? Well, the ships have more than 4,000 square metres of exterior glass — and that means plenty of incredible views from virtually every space.
In fact, the Nova ships want to put the focus on the destinations so much that 100% of the elevators are water-facing, a first for a cruise ship, says Silversea. I’m usually a take-the-stairs gal (helps balance all the vacation calories!), and the ship isn’t massive so it’s very easy to get around. But I opted a few times to take the elevator just for the views (and take it from me, it doesn’t take much to miss your floor as you’re gazing at the blue ocean and sky outside!).
The decor is “whispered luxury” — where the design disappears so that the guest can be at the centre — harkening to the cruise line’s Italian roots with soft and neutral tones complemented by ocean and earth-inspired accents. The spaces feel rich yet also bright and comfortable.
SWEET SUITES
The Nova ships are the largest yet for Silversea and have 364 suites — with 13 categories to choose from — each boasting private balconies with glass balustrades, walk-in closets, and the luxury of 24-hour butler service.
What amazed us about our Medallion Suite was that it felt more like we were in a five-star hotel room than on a cruise ship.
Open the cabin door and you enter into a hallway that accesses a powder room which links to a washroom with a large shower, separate deep tub and wide sink. Then there’s a central bedroom — that can be sealed off for privacy with sliding panels — with the walk-in closet that leads to the washroom, plus a desk area and also a sitting area with fridge, TV, couch, table and chair. All that PLUS the expansive balcony meant we never felt claustrophobic in our quarters.
And that fridge? It is stocked daily with our favourite choices thanks to our butler — did we mention Silversea is all-inclusive with around-the-clock in-suite dining?
The roomy suites are perfect for long voyages, which are part of Silversea’s diverse itinerary roster that hits more than 900 destinations on all seven continents (it wasn’t too bad for our too-short weekend cruise either!).
POOL TIME
Another bonus of asymmetrical ship design is that instead of having the outdoor pool in the centre on Deck 10, with lounge chairs surrounding it facing inward and blocking the view of the sea, the pool is built to the side so that you can look out at the ocean and the destinations while taking a swim. As a water fan, I love that because sea views, for me, are one of the best parts about cruising. Plus, the Nova pool deck seating mostly looks out to the horizon, which like the outfacing venues on board keep the destinations in focus, a key aspect of the ship design.
Though my favourite place to be during warm sailing days, the pool deck is far from the only space to enjoy on the Nova ships. Tops for me also includes the Venetian Lounge (theatre with cabaret-style seating to take in live performances, movies and more), the Panorama Lounge (for late-night dancing), the Observation Lounge (from which you can access the super-cool Library), and the Otium Spa (modern fitness area and treatment rooms plus an indoor pool and relaxation area inspired by Roman baths).
FOODIE FUN
“The truest way to experience a destination is through the indigenous bounty and the food and drink the place is known for” ~ Chef Nina Compton, godmother of Silver Nova
Spotlighting the spectacular ports of call continues with Silversea’s S.A.L.T. culinary program. Sea and Land Taste brings local food, wine and culinary expertise from every destination on board and offers shore excursions for passengers to delve deeper into the local cuisine. Part of the experience includes exclusive access to culinary experts, restaurateurs, food and drink producers, and authors.
In addition to the S.A.L.T. Kitchen restaurant and S.A.L.T. Bar, passengers can try their hand at crafting dishes in the S.A.L.T. Lab during the day (I was better than I would have imagined at making Johnny cakes!), while at night, the space on the Nova ships offers Chef’s Table, an interactive dining experience of 11 courses for a small group. Chefs prepare the meal right in front of you while explaining its origins and telling stories, guiding you along the way so that you get so much more than just a delicious meal — you walk away with an understanding of the culture, history and gastronomy of the destination.
And you know it’s legit because Silversea says it is the only cruise line to have a food anthropologist who checks all the menus and lab classes to make sure the details are right in what they talk about, where the ingredients are from or even how they are spelled.
The ship dining options aren’t limited to S.A.L.T., either, with a total of nine restaurants on board along with 10 bars and lounges that range from cozy to elegant. Highlights for us included Marquee, an outdoor space with soaring slated shades and tiled floor near the pool offering a pizzeria and a grill, the Dusk Bar with its relaxed outdoor space perfect for watching sunsets, and the gourmet meals served three times a day at elegant Atlantide.
RESPONSIBLE SAILING
The Nova-class ships were built with sustainability in mind and have hybrid power systems that parent company Royal Caribbean Group — which also includes Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean lines — says are a significant step towards a net zero future. Liquified natural gas (LNG) is the main fuel source, backed up by a bank of batteries, helping the ships be 40% more energy efficient than required international standards.
A heat waste recovery system harnesses excess heat to use elsewhere in the ship like the boilers, and a waste management system helps reduce air emissions and keep waste from landfill. Couple all that with increased use of LED lighting to lower power consumption and single-use plastics elimination, and Silversea says its Nova ships put safeguarding the oceans at the forefront.
IF YOU GO
Silversea has a dress code in indoor spaces after 6 p.m. (no jeans, shorts, sneakers or flip flops), with either elegant casual or formal wear as an option. Casual wear akin to five-star resorts is always OK in outdoor venues. If it sounds stuffy, it sure never felt that way. It’s relaxed luxury and we are here for it.
