New ‘ship of light’ features ground-breaking asymmetrical design
By Lee Tulloch
They call her “the ship of light” and Silversea’s newest addition to the now 12-strong fleet, Silver Nova, certainly lives up to that name.
Ship of light: the Silver Nova.
Embarking from Venice on her inaugural voyage on August 14, the first Nova Class ship from the ultra-luxury cruise line, part of the Royal Caribbean group, features a groundbreaking asymmetrical design that the company sees as a “game-changer”, says Silversea president Barbara Muckermann.
Radically altering the concept of a ship, where the swimming pool usually runs down the middle, the new design places the pool to the starboard side, optimising outdoor space for warm-weather cruising.
The pool is to the starboard side.
The concept, says a Silversea spokesman, is to immerse the vessel in the destination.
The 728-guest ship features 4600 square metres of glass, as well as two banks of all-glass elevators, allowing for unobstructed views, even when moving from deck to deck. All suites have private verandah and butler service.
The ship’s flowing interior space accommodates what Silversea claims is the largest selection of bars, lounges and restaurants in its luxury category, with an elegant, understated interior design that doesn’t distract from the expansive views.
That lightness extends to the ship’s environmental footprint. Silversea’s aim is for Nova to be one of the most environmentally conscious ultra-luxury ships ever built, based on four pillars of sustainability – emission reduction, destination stewardship, responsible sourcing and waste reduction.
Fuel cells and batteries will allow emission-free operation in port where possible.
Deckside on the Silver Nova.
Using as its primary fuel liquefied natural gas, the cleanest fossil fuel, along with hybrid technology, the ship aims to achieve a 40 per cent reduction in greenhouse emissions per suite compared to the company’s Muse Class ships. The ship’s blunt nosed hull allows for a dramatic increase in fuel efficiency. Even the glass elevators generate energy to power their own operation.
Silversea has enhanced its Sea and Land Taste (S.A.L.T) program with a magnificent test kitchen for the S.A.L.T Lab, which hosts the onboard cooking classes in a light-filled room with floor-to-ceiling glass doors behind the cooking stations, and outdoor tables when the weather is good.
Light and airy spaces.
There’s a new 11-course Chef’s Table offering for dinner, the S.A.L.T bar which serves local wines and cocktails blended with local ingredients, and an extensive program of chef-led tours, all emphasising the cuisine of the destination.
Silver Nova is designed to bring the outside in, to respect and celebrate its destination and create a sense of lightness of being onboard.
Silver Nova will embark on a 71-day grand Voyage visiting 38 destinations in 18 countries, from January 4, 2024. See silversea.com
The writer travelled as a guest of Silversea.
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