Silver Nova

The all-suite Silver Nova offers 13 categories of accommodation, three of which are brand new for Silversea. There are 364 suites in total, all with a private balcony, and every guest enjoys a minimum of 357 square feet of living space, butler service, a walk-in closet, a minibar stocked with their preferred beverages, and an array of amenities depending on the category booked. The suites’ décor takes its cues from the ship’s overall design, with textured fabrics in neutral hues and spacious marble bathrooms.

Beginning with the new suite categories, couples seeking the ultimate indulgence at sea can book one of the two Otium Suites. Located aft on decks 6 and 7, these suites offer 1,324 square feet of living space, including a 431-square-foot balcony with a private whirlpool, and feature 270-degree ocean views from both the living room and bedroom areas. The spacious bathroom features a large walk-in shower and a whirlpool tub. In addition to welcome Champagne, a fully stocked minibar and complimentary laundry and pressing, couples receive one Otium Spa treatment per guest and complimentary dinner for two at La Dame, Silver Nova’s exclusive, French fine-dining restaurant.

The other new suite categories on Silver Nova are the six master suites and the 16 signature suites, all located on decks 6, 7, 8 and 9. Master suites are 721 to 826 square feet, including a 230-square-foot balcony, and like the Otium suites offer 270-degree aft-corner views from the living and sleeping areas and a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower and whirlpool tub. These suites can accommodate a third guest on a sofa bed or become a two-bedroom when connected to a neighboring premium veranda suite or classic veranda suite. The new Signature Suites are 700 square feet, including a 172-square-foot balcony, and feature a separate bedroom and adjoining bath with a walk-in shower and whirlpool tub.

Silversea guests will be familiar with several other suite categories, such as the two owner’s suites, available on deck 8 as a 1,055-square-foot one-bedroom (including a 172-square-foot balcony) or a 1,412-square-foot two bedroom (when connected with an adjacent verandah suite). Another classic suite option is the grand suite. There are two of them, located at the front of the ship on deck 7. They can be booked as either a one-bedroom (915 square feet, including the balcony) or a two-bedroom (1,272 square feet) and they feature both a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower and whirlpool tub as well as a separate powder room and a sofa bed that accommodate a third guest.

The 14 silver suites, available as a 678-square-foot one-bedroom or a 1,033-square-foot two-bedroom (in both cases, including the balcony), are located on decks 6, 7 and 8 and feature a spacious dining area, a bathroom with a walk-in shower and whirlpool tub, and an enclosed bedroom with pocket doors, which when open allows for ocean views. The four junior grand suites, like the larger grand suites, are located at the front of the ship (on decks 6 and 7) and are 521 to 684 square feet, with a 64 square-foot balcony off the living area, a secluded bedroom with a spacious windowed bathroom, and a separate powder room. These can accommodate a third guest on a sofa bed or be booked as a two-bedroom measuring 936 to 980 square feet.

Silver Nova features two categories of medallion suites. There are 38 medallion suites (527-square-foot one-bedroom suites, including an 86 square-foot balcony) located on decks 6, 7, 8 and 9) and six premium medallion suites. The latter are the same size, but are located at the ship’s aft.

The majority of Silver Nova’s accommodations are in four veranda suite categories, all of which offer 357 square feet of living space (including a 56 square-foot balcony). The only difference is where the suites are located (forward, aft or midship). There are 64 classic veranda suites, 87 superior veranda suites, 93 deluxe veranda suites, and 42 premium veranda suites. All categories feature identical amenities and can be booked with a connecting verandah suite to create a two-bedroom configuration. A sofa bed can also accommodate a third guest. One thing to note: Some suites in these categories feature just a walk-in shower while others have a bathtub/shower combo, so choose your preference when booking (look for the indicator on the deck plan) or make your preference known to your travel advisor.

Two additional caveats when it comes to Silver Nova’s suites: Each is equipped with a tablet, where guests can access a digital version of the Chronicle, which lists the day’s activities. It’s also available on the in-room TV, but if you prefer a printed copy you’ll have to ask for one via your butler or at guest services and it will be delivered daily. Also, bathroom doors in the suites are unusually heavy and slam loudly if not held until almost closed. On the plus side, the bathroom floors are even with the rest of the suite, so there’s no trip-hazard step up or down to navigate as there is on many other ships.

There are six wheelchair accessible suites onboard Silver Nova. Four are specially designed premium veranda suites and two are silver suites. Elevators and ramps offer access to all public areas of the ship, from deck 3 to deck 11.

Silver Nova features nine dining venues and takes great pride in its culinary offerings. Guests can dine at six complimentary restaurants, although some do require reservations, as well as pay extra to enjoy a more lavish experience at three others. This is also the third Silversea ship to feature the S.A.L.T. program, designed for culinary immersion via locally-inspired dining, regional cooking classes and special food-and-wine focused shore excursions.

One of the six included restaurants, La Terrazza on deck 5 is a buffet option for breakfast and lunch, with indoor and outdoor seating and multiple food stations offering both hot and cold options: omelets, pancakes, bacon, yogurt, sliced fruit, smoked salmon, freshly baked croissants, etc. for breakfast, while lunch options range from pasta, grilled fish and regionally inspired dishes to flatbread, salads, soups, and more. The preparation and flavor profiles are several rungs above typical buffet fare and La Terrazza is popular with guests who like to sample a variety of dishes. In the evening, after the staff has fancied up the tables with tablecloths and wine glasses and dimmed the lights, La Terrazza transforms into an a la carte Italian restaurant with a menu that changes several times during each voyage. Reservations are required.

The Marquee, a photogenic al fresco space on deck 10, is another option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests dine a la carte beneath a pergola while enjoying a fresh sea breeze that rustles the delicate petals on several decorative flowering trees. The breakfast menu focuses on healthy options (no scrambled eggs or bacon here), with smaller portions and unusual preparations that may not be to everyone’s liking. The more extensive lunch menu, however, has something for everyone, from creative salads and poke bowls to burgers and deep-fried fish ‘n chips. You can also order one of the dozen or so Neapolitan-style pizza options from the Spaccanapoli menu. At dinnertime, pizzas are also available or guests can opt for The Grill and cook their own Kobe beef or fish over “hot rocks” placed on their table.

Also included in the cruise fare is Atlantide, a spacious and beautifully-designed contemporary restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a more formal setting than La Terrazza and The Marquee. Another complimentary dinner option is convivial S.A.L.T. Kitchen, where the destination-immersive Terrain Menu changes nightly based on the port of call and the Voyage Menu celebrates the flavors and cuisines of the overall region. Reservations aren’t required for either venue.

Rounding out the free dinner options is Silver Note, a Silversea signature experience inspired by 1920s jazz clubs and featuring a tapas-style menu as guests enjoy live music. Reservations are required. Guests can also stop by Arts Café on deck 4 to enjoy an espresso and a selection of light bites such as small sandwiches, pastries, and yogurt parfaits.

Foodies and couples open to a special-occasion splurge can reserve a table at one of three extra-charge specialty restaurants. La Dame occupies an elegant and formal space featuring contrasting bright-and-dark décor, Lalique crystal panels and a Hirondelles crystal chandelier. The menu focuses on the best of traditional French fine dining. The cost? $180 per person. Guests who prefer Japanese cuisine can book a table at the serene and intimate Kaiseki, where a multi-course omakase dinner costs $80 per person. Another indulgent option is the S.A.L.T. Chef’s Table, a new concept launched on Silver Nova that serves a maximum of 18 people in the S.A.L.T. Lab, a space that also hosts cooking classes. The tasting menu, featuring as many as 11 courses, is themed to the region the ship is sailing and the presentation is interactive, with a chef/host guiding guests through the ingredients and preparation as the food is cooked and plated on the central counter. The cost is $180 per person and includes unlimited white and red wines chosen to accompany the dishes.

For a ship of her size, Silver Nova has an abundance of bars—10 in total. One of the liveliest is Dolce Vita, an ideal spot on deck 5 for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail and live piano music. Guests can also enjoy a live musical performance in S.A.L.T. Bar on deck 10, where bartenders serve both classic cocktails and creative libations based on a guest’s flavor preferences. If anyone has energy left at 11 p.m., the aft Panorama Lounge on deck 5 features a DJ, a dance floor and an outdoor space with chairs and sofas for enjoying a breath of fresh nighttime air.

Two other outdoor hangouts are the aft-facing Dusk Bar, a new venue that’s a perfect spot to enjoy a sail away in warmer climates, and the Pool Bar, a daytime social hangout overlooking the ship’s splendid pool, as well as the ocean for relaxing views.

Rounding out the spots to sip a preferred beverage are The Shelter, a cozy spot tucked into a space on deck 3 beneath the soaring Atrium; the Silver Note Bar, where you can enjoy a cocktail while listening to live jazz; the Observation Lounge on deck 10, where you can sip a drink from the S.A.L.T. Bar in quieter surroundings; and The Connoisseur’s Corner, a smoking lounge with gentleman’s club-style Chesterfield chairs.

Small ultra-luxury ships aren’t known for offering high-octane entertainment—no Broadway musicals, rockin’ cover bands or daring aerialists—but Silver Nova does a commendable job of offering live performances nightly that cater to its mostly 60-plus demographic.

The main production shows take place at 10 p.m. in The Venetian Lounge, which accommodates 370 guests on two levels, so guests need to arrive early for popular performances if they want a seat. Shows by the ship’s ensemble of singers and dancers include the usual roster of popular Broadway tunes and Motown hits, while guest acts range from Broadway and West End performers to classical musicians and comedians. Beyond the Venetian Lounge, the ship features live music by pianists, cellists and other resident talents in the various bars and lounges.

Daytime activities are equally subdued and include trivia contests, bridge instruction and tournaments, and shopping in the on board boutiques.

The Otium Spa concept, inspired by the bathing rituals of ancient Rome, was introduced on 2022’s Silver Dawn. Here, with the spa space moved to the front of the ship, the concept has an ancient-meets-contemporary spin with a reception area leading to the Rotunda, where eight treatment rooms are located. Dusky lightning and natural stone materials pair with special lighting that replicates rippling water to create a sensorial experience as guests enjoy treatments that include luxurious facials, soothing massages, revitalizing body treatments, medi-spa skin rejuvenating treatments and acupuncture. A selection of 100-minute Otium Experiences blend Mediterranean-inspired ingredients and techniques for the ultimate in indulgence.

If exercise is a priority, guests can also hit the array of treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals in the fitness center or sign up for on board classes, such as yoga, Pilates, and circuit training.