Silver Nova

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Silver Nova at Meyer Werft
History
NameSilver Nova
OperatorSilversea Cruises
Port of registryNassau, Bahamas
BuilderMeyer Werft
Yard numberS.719
Launched28 April 2023
Christened4 January 2024 by Nina Compton
Maiden voyage14 August 2023
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
TypeCruise ship
Tonnage54,700 GT
Length244.2 m (801 ft 2 in)
Beam29.6 m (97 ft 1 in)
Decks9 total
Speed19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph)
Capacity728 passengers
Crew556

Silver Nova is a luxury cruise ship, the 12th ship in service with Silversea Cruises. She was ordered in 2018 and completed in 2023. Nova is the first ship in the company's new Evolution-class, and designed with the intent of environmentally friendly cruising. It is the first hybrid luxury cruise ship, powered by a combination of liquefied natural gas (LNG), fuel cell system, and batteries, enabling it to be emissions free when in port.[1] The ship was built at a Meyer Werft in Germany, featuring a unique asymmetrical design.[2]

Design and construction

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The Silver Nova was ordered in October 2018 from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, under the name Project Evolution, the first of two ships. It was part of a new ship order under Royal Caribbean, who had acquired a two-thirds stake in the company from Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio earlier in the year.[3] The final ship design dimensions came to a gross tonnage: 54,700, length of 243 meters and 30 meters wide.

The ship features hybrid technology that enables the ship to achieve a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and is projected to achieve an Energy Efficiency Design Index rating approximately 25% better than applicable International Maritime Organization requirements.[4] The Silver Nova is designed to operate emission-free in ports, with 4-megawatt fuel cell system as well as batteries.[5] The fuel cells and batteries are designed to supply enough electricity in port to power the hotel operations when the ship is not using shore power.[6]

The public space layout and design was primarily completed by notable cruise ship designers Wilson Butler Architects of Boston and GEM of Genoa.[7][8] The layout features a unique asymmetrical design, offsetting the engine casing, and allowing for wider connected views to the ocean on the open decks and in public venues.[2] The final ship design has accommodations for 728 passengers in 364 suites and has a crew of 556.

Construction on Silver Nova began in 2021, with the traditional steel cutting ceremony on November 18 in Papenburg at the Meyer Werft shipyard.[9] The ship was floated out on April 28, 2023, and transited the Ems river for final fit out at Eemshaven, Netherlands, on 5 June.[10][11][12][13][14] In the same month, she wraps up for her sea trials.[15]

Service history

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The Silver Nova was delivered to Silversea cruises on July 20, 2023, at the 12th ship in the Silversea fleet.[16] A preview press cruise was held beginning in Trieste, Italy, with the official maiden voyage schedule for August 14, 2023.[17][18][19][20] The ship was officially christened in Ft Lauderdale, Florida on January 4, 2024, by godmother Chef Nina Compton.[21] The christening was conducted in the Venetian Lounge, and began with the Royal Caribbean Group tradition of bagpipes, along with Broadway actress/singer Rachel York performed the national anthem. The event also coincided with Silversea's 30th Anniversary.[22]

In 2024, the was the ships maiden season in Alaska, that included a photographic exhibition installed onboard that comprised 30 images by Steve McCurry.[23] In fall of 2024, the ship repositioned to the Asia-Pacific for her inaugural season, based primarily in Australia.[24] In 2025, the ship would embark on a 47-day voyage circumnavigation of Australia.[25]

Sister ship

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The sister ship of the Silver Nova, the Silver Ray, was launched in February 2024. She was delivered in May and christened on 12 June in Lisbon.[26][27]

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References

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  1. ^ "Meyer Werft Delivers Silver Nova to Silversea Cruises". MarineLink. 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  2. ^ a b "Silversea's Reveals Details of Silver Nova's Asymmetrical Design". www.silversea.com. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  3. ^ "Silversea Cruises eyes expansion with order of three new ships". USA Today. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  4. ^ "Silversea's new class of ships to use hybrid power system". www.travelweekly.com. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  5. ^ Staff, LNG Prime (2023-07-21). "Meyer Werft delivers first LNG-powered ship to Silversea". LNG Prime. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  6. ^ "Innovative Silver Nova Cruise Ship Reaches the Sea". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  7. ^ "Suite Innovation on Silver Nova". Discover by Silversea. 2022-02-21. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  8. ^ "Silver Nova - Interna". Interna - Passion for Projects.
  9. ^ "Start of construction for Silver Nova". Meyer Werft. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  10. ^ "Innovative Silver Nova Cruise Ship Reaches the Sea". 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  11. ^ "Royal Caribbean Group's Executives Enjoy A Preview of Silver Nova". www.silversea.com. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  12. ^ "Meyer Werft Papenburg: Überführung von Silver Nova – der Termin | NOZ".
  13. ^ "Silver Nova verlässt Werft". www.silversea.com.
  14. ^ "Kreuzfahrtschiff "Silver Nova" kommt auf der Nordsee an". www.merkur.de. June 6, 2023.
  15. ^ https://www.offshore-energy.biz/lng-powered-silver-nova-wraps-up-sea-trials/
  16. ^ "MEYER WERFT hands over Silver Nova". MEYER WERFT.
  17. ^ "Silversea's Silver Nova Departs On Her Maiden Voyage". www.silversea.com. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  18. ^ "Silversea's Silver Nova departs on its first voyage". CruiseandFerry.net. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  19. ^ "MEYER WERFT hands over Silver Nova". MEYER WERFT.
  20. ^ Habibic, Ajsa (2023-08-16). "LNG-powered Silver Nova embarks on maiden voyage through Adriatic". Offshore Energy. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  21. ^ "Silver Nova named by Chef Nina Compton at Fort Lauderdale festivities". seatrade-cruise.com. 2024-01-05.
  22. ^ "Silversea Officially Names Silver Nova". www.silversea.com.
  23. ^ latteluxurynews (2024-09-30). "Silver Nova completes maiden Alaska season". LATTE Luxury News.
  24. ^ "Silver Nova Wraps Up Inaugural Alaska Season - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News.
  25. ^ "Silver Nova Departs on 47-Day Circumnavigation of Australia - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News. October 16, 2025.
  26. ^ "Silversea Press Center". royalcaribbeangrouppresscenter.com. Retrieved 2025-11-29.
  27. ^ "SILVERSEA TAKES DELIVERY OF SILVER RAY, THE SECOND SHIP IN ITS INNOVATIVE NOVA CLASS". Silversea Press Center.