Silver Nova brings bliss to life at sea

If your idea of cruising is akin to hell afloat, Silver Nova is out to change your mind. On its inaugural Asia voyage, Stephenie Gee discovers the charms of spending a blissful six days at sea 

I must confess at the outset that I am not, and never have been, a cruise person. For starters, the idea of residing on a large vessel with hundreds (or perhaps thousands) of strangers with whom you have little – nay, nothing – in common as it sails across an exponentially larger ocean paradoxically feels too claustrophobic and vast to me. A solo explorer by temperament, I also hate being herded and rushed. And don’t get me started on the food. 

But here on Silver Nova, there is none of that. We’re somewhere off the coast of Hong Kong en route to Ho Chi Minh City and I’m having a perfect breakfast moment. My poached egg is perfectly done, the sea is glittering, and sunlight filters through the slatted shades around me. There are no crowds, no intrusions and no noise. Only light, peace and space. Lots of it. 

The first vessel in ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea’s new Nova class series, Silver Nova is pitching a point of difference with an entirely new asymmetrical deck plan. This revolutionary layout allows for the capacious space-to-guest ratio of 75.14, meaning
that even with a full capacity of 728 passengers it feels sumptuously spacious. It also enabled designers to eliminate most structures on the upper decks so that the sea and landscapes could tell their story. The concept was to give passengers an experience of being immersed in the ship’s destination, rather than imposing on it. Silver Nova is
the destination. To take just one example, the swimming pool doesn’t sit on the ship’s centreline as is common. Instead, it unspools along the starboard side, yielding an openness that is unprecedented on ocean liners. It also means there is always both plenty of shade or plenty of sun to be had, as per your mood. 

And then there’s all that glass – over 43,000 square feet, if you’re counting, of crystal-clear panes to see the sea and rugged coastlines. Two banks of glass elevators that are, of course, asymmetrically placed fore and aft, port and starboard, whisk guests between floors while also providing extraordinary views. Their doors are glass too, allowing you to take in the scenery as you wait, short as that time is. But for the greatest openness and natural light, stand within the three-deck-high atrium that connects various gathering places. 

Below deck there are new technologies as well. The Nova runs on hybrid power, with liquefied natural gas, a fuel cell system and batteries combining to make this Silversea’s most sustainable ship to date and up to 40% more efficient than its predecessors. Plus, the ship can connect to shore power, meaning it doesn’t have to run its engines when in port. Noise and vibrations emanating from the engine room are significantly reduced, making the repositioning of suites and public spaces work on this vessel – rather than mixing accommodations and public venues on the same level, decks six through nine are solely for suites. 

Spanning 13 categories (seven of them new), cabins are all suites with verandas. Entry-level begins with a 357 sq ft Classic Veranda. Pricier Superior, Deluxe and Premium Veranda Suites differ from Classic only by location. Medallion and aft-located Premium Medallion suites offer 527 sq ft of space. Perks at this level and up include separate bedrooms; two televisions; complimentary laundry, pressing and wet cleaning; and espresso machines. Soothing shades of stone and pale gold predominate, with pops of colour. 

Every suite features queen or king beds with custom mattresses dressed in silken Italian linens, a mini-bar and fridge stocked with passenger favourites, walk-in closet, large vanity, writing table, marble bathroom and Otium (Silversea’s branded spa) toiletries. Wall-mounted USB-C mobile device chargers are plentiful and particularly handy bedside. No matter which suite is selected, all passengers receive attentive butler service. In fact, service, with a robust crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.3, is at an impeccable level all throughout the ship. My butler, Aleksandra, is a particular standout, always anticipating what I’ll need for the coming day – two extra bottles of still water early on, then a fresh juice later. 

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Eight restaurants and 10 bars keep dining and drinking interesting and varied – most of which are included in the cruise fare. And the best thing about eating on a cruise is that you can pretty much eat what you want at any given time with zero judgement or expectation. At lunchtime, Kaiseki is complimentary (dinner costs US$80 per person) and delicious. La Terrazza offers a tasty daytime buffet and evening à la carte Italian fare – and is one of the best spots to watch the wake. Indoor-outdoor Marquee behind the pool hosts The Grill – great for burgers and self-prepared “hot rock” steaks – and Spaccanapoli, an Italian pizzeria. 

Atlantide overflows with opulence, and the menu is brimming with classic dishes like caviar and Dover sole. Open for dinner only, Silver Note combines creative tapas with live piano and jazz music under a gold curvaceous ceiling, while La Dame indulges guests in an enhanced dining experience that fuses French culinary heritage with modern innovation for US$160. You never go hungry outside mealtimes, either. Centrally located on deck four and loaded with natural light, Arts Cafe serves TWG teas, coffees, cakes and fresh fruit all throughout the day. 

My favourite, though, is the Sea and Land Taste programme. Designed to be as immersive as the vessel, S.A.L.T. features local ingredients, authentic recipes, and spirits and wines drawn from the destination – in this case, Vietnam. The programme runs via a well-orchestrated chef’s table experience at S.A.L.T. Chef’s Table, cooking classes at S.A.L.T. Lab (where I learn to make Vietnamese shaking beef Bò Lúc Lac, named for the way the steak is shaken when cooked), and food-related shore excursions in port. S.A.L.T. Kitchen, a separate restaurant on deck three, has two menus: Voyage, which changes daily, reflecting the port; and Terrain, which connects more generally to the region. And S.A.L.T. Bar serves regional wines, beers and spirits, and mixes wicked cocktails integrating local flavours. 

When you’ve had enough sun, there is much to do indoors. During my six days onboard, that includes shuffleboard tournaments, trivia nights, golf putting, enrichment lectures, a solo traveller get-together with dance hosts Ken and Kevin, and more. Hidden in the Observation Lounge on deck 10, the secret library is the perfect nook to get lost
in literature. I also take in a photography exhibition commemorating Silversea’s 30th anniversary, featuring 30 images by renowned photographer Steve McCurry that narrate the line’s most important destination milestones over the past three decades and celebrate the spirit of immersive discovery that defines the Silversea experience. 

And then there’s the Otium Spa, housing 3,638 sq ft of treatment rooms, changing areas, steam rooms, dry saunas and a therapy pool overlooking the ocean, along with a beauty salon and a fitness centre. I book myself in for the signature Otium massage, which involves being rubbed with an oil of my choice (the calming one, since you ask) and pummelled with bamboo, salt stones and a wooden pestle. The Otium concept, which draws from the traditions of ancient Rome, expands well beyond the spa – to in-suite sleeping, bathing, balcony and comfort food experiences. My selection of comfort food is salted popcorn, truffle cashews and chocolate truffles for a luxurious in-room movie night. 

When we finally dock five days later, there are multiple excursions available to book, including café hopping (the coffee culture in Saigon is a lively tapestry woven with a long history), a street food experience and a guided tour to the city’s war relics. I sign up for the Saigon Discovery tour, where we are shown around the city’s iconic landmarks, culminating in a stop off at the Bê n Thành Market, one of the earliest surviving structures in Ho Chi Minh City and an important local symbol. 

But as wonderful as days spent exploring can be, the real draw in this instance is the ship itself. Lazing the day away on the pool deck, watching the sun dip below the sea in the evenings from my cabin balcony, the sound of the waves lulling me to sleep – these are my overriding memories from the trip. Usually, the journeying part of travelling is tedious – even the chicest first-class cabin feels oppressive after 14 hours – but my time on shore isn’t half as exciting as that spent on board. I disembark in Ho Chi Minh City with a renewed appreciation for cruising – and a reminder that the journey itself is as important as the destination, in one of the loveliest ways possible. 

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