What first strikes you, as soon as you see her, is the sleek and modern design. The light grey hull and glass lifts greet you from outside and are just a teaser of what is to come. Silversea has designed this ship in a new way, with an infinity-style pool located to the side of the ship which gives everyone in the pool an equally impressive view of the stunning destination you are in. The majority of restaurants, bars and facilities are located on decks four and five, while suites occupy decks six to nine - this layout also means that the stunning new suites located at the aft of the ship have larger terraces and some even private pools.
This is Silversea but not as you know it. It has a younger feel throughout; the whole ship is lighter and airier; and there are more external views from restaurants and public spaces. It's more like a floating luxury hotel than it is a ship, but the signature Silversea touches are all still evident and the service is still second to none.
The sumptuous suites on board boast natural colour palettes with splashes of colour accents - ours was a lovely blue. The beds are divine and so comfortable, and the bathrooms are well laid out. For those who love a soak in the bath, the new Junior Grand Suites offer soaking tubs with windows to enjoy the view, and the new Otium Suite even has its own on-terrace plunge pool!
One of my favourite new additions on Silver Nova is the Marquee - a new outdoor dining area towards the aft of the ship, which is a combination of a grill restaurant, pizzeria and at night hot rock's dining. It's a foodie's dream! There are really lovely views to both sides of the ship and the most stunning blossom trees, so the setting is just as good as the food too. This is the perfect alfresco venue for day or night, offering the flexibility to really enjoy something more casual but still have a beautiful experience. It's joined by the new Dusk Bar located at the aft of the ship, serving creative cocktails which make for a perfect sundowner or an after-dinner drink whilst listening to the saxophonist.
I had not experienced S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) before so wanted to experience all that it has to offer on this trip. and I was not disappointed. We tried a most incredible excursion to a winery in Croatia where we got to experience a tasting menu of deconstructed local dishes that were simple but creative and bursting with flavour, paired with some of the wineries' best vintages. It was an experience I will remember forever. We also enjoyed a fabulous cooking class in the S.A.L.T. Lab on board. learning to prepare some local fish dishes and being presented with recipe cards to recreate them at home.
S.A.L.T. Kitchen is also one of the ship's main dining venues and was a real treat, with a menu that reflects the local cuisine of the destinations you will cruise to and accompanied by a daily changing menu of specials specifically inspired by your port. It's a really fun (and delicious) way to fully immerse you into the local culture of the destination.
This is just a small snapshot of what is special about Silver Nova, but there are so many more things to explore and experience. And the best way to do that is to get on board! I really loved my time on this ship, and I am sure you will too.