Silver Nova cruise review: The ultimate in luxury at sea

Silver Nova was designed to be bigger but better for ultra-luxe cruise brand Silversea. Quentin Long boards to find out if Silver Nova is a victory for style over substance where pre-cruise hype is all spin and no sing?

There are so many questions to be answered onboard Silver Nova. Will regular Silversea cruisers like any of the innovations and differences that define not just a new ship but an entire class? Will the bold choice of an asymmetrical design, where nothing feels quite habitual or expected, actually pay off? Or the increase in passengers by 22% be offset by the increase of 37% in size? Does that overcompensation in scale lose its sense of intimacy and cosy understated luxury? How about the deliberate effort to open up the interior of the ship to bring in more natural light and far more views and glimpses of the sea from within?

For three nights I kicked the tyres, ran the ruler and pushed the boundaries of Silver Nova to find out. Unfortunately, I was not able to review all eight restaurants and seven bars, so the complete review of all restaurants and bars and a comprehensive review of the 13 suite types will have to wait.

Suffice it to say I am thankful there is an incentive for a next time.

Silversea Cruises Overview

The ultra-luxe vessel is one of the most spacious ships ever built.

Renowned for its all-suite ships and outstanding butler service, Silversea has been the clear favourite in the ultra-luxe category for Australian cruisers for quite some time. When you outgrow Silversea cruises you are probably bound for superyachts.

To set the scene of just how ultra-luxe we are talking, a signature service is room service caviar. Delivery to your room one afternoon is the complete caviar experience: Calvisius caviar, blini, hardboiled egg (yolk and white separated), crème fraiche, shallots and onion.

In 2009 Silversea branched out into expedition ships and now runs itineraries across most of the sought-after expedition destinations including Antarctica, Galapagos and The Kimberley. The brand introduced its S.A.L.T (Sea and Land Taste) program in 2021. This at-sea and on-land culinary program focuses on delivering local food produce onboard and culinary experiences on land-based excursions.

In 2019 Silversea was purchased by Royal Caribbean Group, owners of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises who then offloaded their Azamara brand.

The current Silversea fleet is eight ocean and four expedition ships.

Silversea’s Silver Nova Overview

Silver Nova has aft suites that deliver stunning views.

Silver Nova is the founding vessel in the Nova class of ocean ships for Silversea. Entering service in August 2023, the Nova class was heralded as a new beginning for the brand (the internal project name Evolution suggests the mindset for the project).

At 728 guests this is the largest in the fleet and according to the Silversea team, one of the most spacious ships ever built with 75 GT-per-passenger (Gross tonnage per passenger is a somewhat simplistic measurement of size to passengers). For comparison, Ovation of the Seas, the largest ship to homeport in Australia is 40 GT-per-passenger. The closest direct competitive ships rate 69 (Seabourn Ovation and Explora 1 and 76 (Seven Seas Grandeur).

The Panorama Lounge morphs into a lively bar at night.

Silver Nova through the Silversea design playbook out the window in two major ways; asymmetry and clear delineation between suites and public areas. The ship’s design leaned into the idea of asymmetry in several areas. Public walkways do not traverse the centre spine of the ship but curve from starboard to port.

Alfresco dining at La Terraza and Panorama Lounge in the aft of the ship are across sweeping warped balconies. The glass lifts, with magnificent views of the sea by being set against the ship’s exterior, are located in opposition to each other; one in the aft starboard and the other forward port. The most prominent asymmetry is on the pool deck where the main oversized pool ‘hangs’ onto the starboard edge.

Think amber-lit date-night dinners at the La Terraza restaurant.

The second major departure for Silversea is all suites are across decks six to nine with no public areas. This sharp delineation between private and public is new. Silver Nova is powered primarily by LNG to greatly reduce emissions. Unfortunately, supply to ships in Australia is not possible so in Oceania cruises will be powered by traditional fuels.

Nova has shore power capability (this enables the ship to operate without burning fuel when docked, reducing emissions). If shore power is not available, innovative fuel cells and batteries will power the vessel again avoiding emissions.

Silver Nova – What we loved

There are plenty of al fresco areas to relax in. (Image: Quentin Long)

In short, there is a lot to love about Silver Nova. However, a quick confession. I journeyed with many travel writers on one of the many Sun Princess inaugural journeys in Europe in 2024 who then went onto Silver Ray, Silver Nova’s identical sister ship. Some of them reported back to me disappointment that the difference between the two was not as great as they would have expected despite the reputational and price difference.

So I did board with a sense of trepidation… was this all style and no substance? My first reaction was “Whatever they’re smoking, hand it around!” Chalk and cheese have more in common. That is not to disparage either but these are vastly different offerings that are suitable to different guest holiday expectations.

Here is what we loved on board Silver Nova in order of devotion, from infatuation to great affection.

1. The Marquee

Dine under the idyllic cherry blossom canopy.

Perhaps the prettiest indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar at sea, The Marquee is just gorgeous. Contemporary med styling with dusky pale blue tiles and soft furnishing with white timber chairs and louvres that provide some shading. Four cherry blossom trees create a magic garden vibe.

Open for breakfast, the lunch and dinner menu combines all things steak from The Grill and great pizza from Spaccanapoli. For something a little different, you can cook your own steak on a hot rock. This is a pure novelty, why risk it when the chefs are more than happy to do it and, let’s be honest, probably do a better job.

2. S.A.L.T Excursion with Annaliese Gregory and Michelle Crawford at The Bowmont

Feast on Tasmanian seafood platters. (Image: Quentin Long)

I hate the word unique, but this is truly unique. Annaleise Gregory and Michelle Crawford hosted a one-off, never-to-be-repeated lunch of the best of Tasmanian produce in the Huon Valley. So unique, right? And if travel is about special moments, then this goes into the history books. It was without a doubt the greatest onshore experience I have ever had when cruising.

Garden scallops cooked over the fire with wakame butter. (Image: Quentin Long)

Gregory, considered one of Australia’s most interesting young chefs and ex-Michelin-starred Le Meurice in Paris and Quay Sydney, teamed up with fellow Huon Valley local and food stylist Michelle Crawford to deliver an extravagant five-course lunch. Hosted at Crawford’s studio, event space and BnB, The Bowmont, it was an exquisite feast starting with ridiculously fresh Tasmanian seafood platters stacked high with oysters, lobster, periwinkles, kingfish ceviche and local vegetable crudites. Greogry then prepared over a fire in the garden scallops with wakame butter, grilled octopus with pickled currants and macadamias on hummus and leg of local lamb.

Oh, and just to finish it all off a whopping trifle.

3. S.A.L.T Lab

S.A.L.T Lab is an interactive cooking laboratory at sea.

Daniele Roberto is no slouch on the pots and pans either. He has worked in Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe including Copenhagen’s Noma and Turin’s 10-seat vegetable lead culinary adventure, Unforgettable. That is serious kitchen cred.

And he is teaching me and the other 14 participants in just one hour how to cook a salad of octopus and scallops with grapes, macadamias and salad leaves in a vinaigrette. Why this particular dish? Well, we are en route to Tasmania and as per the S.A.L.T mantra, it is all things local produce.

The result is so enjoyable I can’t believe I actually cooked it. (Truth is I finished the cooking as the octopus had been softened via four hours boiling away in stock).

Nonetheless, a great hour’s experience.

4. S.A.L.T Chef’s Table

Dishes are prepared in a classroom-style kitchen.

Another confession. I was not sure about this whole S.A.L.T thing. It smacked of a victory of style over substance; all spin and no sing. Obviously it works, and works brilliantly.

The Chef’s Table experience was 11 plus courses (Amuse Bouches and palate cleansers add to the course count) of locally inspired dishes set in the S.A.L.T Lab cooking school. While not every course would send the taste buds into ecstasy, (some absolutely did) this was a journey in cuisine and ingredients that work in that classroom-style kitchen.

Exotic local foods like finger limes, muntries, Davidson plum, wattleseed, pepperberries and lemon myrtle all made an appearance on the menu. The wait staff not only brought out examples of the ingredients to the table to really appreciate them but also a beautifully decorated DL-sized card with an explanation of the ingredients.

One must not only applaud the commitment to delivering interesting and hyper-local menus and sourcing the product but also the effort to deliver the complete experience with the cards and product in situ. That’s a depth of experience that takes a lot of commitment.

And by the way, the courses that made my taste buds sing: kingfish crudo with finger lime; lamb macadamia crust and river mint; poached lobster, lemongrass and fresh herbs; kangaroo fillet, pepperberry, wild rosella; Davidson plum sorbet with meringue.

5. Dusk Bar

Laze on the lounge chairs with a cocktail in hand.

The Dusk Bar on Deck 10 aft is an absolute pleasure to sail away from any destination. I would make it a habit to end every day here if I could.

6. Sauna

Work up a sweat in the charcoal sauna while taking in the view.

Best sauna with a view on land or at sea ever. No more words necessary.

7. Omkar and all the other butlers

Our egalitarian Australian spirit makes us naturally uncomfortable with such dedicated service. However, Omkar, my butler, was brilliant. Not obsequious but just keen to offer a service that made a difference to my experience. Give my shoes a drink of polish? Sure, that would be great. Change the bathroom products to my favourite Molton Brown? Yes, please. Prepare a soothing bath with Otium (the in-house spa brand) bath bombs and essential oils with candles and classical music? Why not. A slightly firmer or softer pillow? Actually, now that you mention it…

I couldn’t agree to him unpacking or unpacking my bags. No one needs to deal with my smalls except me.

8. Pool deck

As previously mentioned, the large but shallow infinity edge pool sits on the starboard (right) edge of the ship. This has opened up the entire pool deck and connected the pool area with the sea and created a light and open space.

9. The Library

Get your literature fix at The Library.

Step through the hidden door in the Observatory Lounge on Deck 10 into the serene quiet Library. The starry-sky ceiling sets the mood; this is the bolt hole to relax undisturbed. Having no windows does add to the surreal bookish atmosphere.

10. The Shelter

Slink into the Shelter for a glass of champagne.

You had me at champagne. The Shelter on deck 3 is a champagne bar serving more champagne by the glass, bottle and cocktails than any other cruise. Tucked into the atrium space gives a lot of natural light for pre-dinner drinks but intimate nooks for a nightcap.

Silver Nova – What we would change

To be a bit picky, here are some tweaks we would suggest.

1. Atmosphere in the lounges

The Observation Lounge has ample space for working or lounging.

All that space has created some dead zones at certain times. The lounges are wonderful however under-utilised – which I know is a plus point and luxury to have such space.

2. Keep the vibe going at Silver Note

Raise a glass while listening to classic jazz.

The Silver Note is the onboard jazz-led entertainment bar and diner. Heading here after a fantastic meal I was looking forward to a negroni and some classic jazz. Unfortunately, by our arrival, most of the guests had left and the party was wrapping up just as I was getting into the swing of things. The pianist and singer did entertain my requests for a classic.

3. The dress code

It is a trifle, particularly as Silversea have loosened the dress code to not be draconian (Formal Night is no longer mandatory) but if I am going to be relaxing on holiday, I want to wear what I want to wear. This was not a problem in practice as I met the standard naturally (that is not a reflection of my sartorial elegance but a show of the relaxed standards) nonetheless it is a little tedious to have to be reminded of how to dress.

4. The pool deck

The pool deck has an upper deck (which I jokingly call the ‘melanoma deck’) that has little shade and plenty of sun loungers. There is a great infinity-edge whirlpool, however, the entire space does make my Australian skin itch with concern. Full disclosure, my sister is Professor Georgina Long AO so I am a bit twitchy about these things.

Silver Nova – Who will love it

Wine lovers will be delighted to find the S.A.L.T bar stocked with an extensive drinks list.

Luxury lovers with a passion for immersive and cerebral travel who want to get exclusive access to experiences. The S.A.L.T program does add a great deal of value to food and wine lovers.

Silver Nova Itineraries

Silver Nova during its debut in Sydney. (Image: Quentin Long)

In 2025 Silver Nova will be sailing from Australia, through Asia and homeporting in Japan before moving to Vancouver to take guests through Alaska for the summer. She will return to Australia via Asia in October.

In 2026 she will leave Australia for a spring season in Japan and then on to the Eastern Med for summer before returning to Miami and the Caribbean from October.