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January 5, 2024

Silver Nova, the most environmentally friendly ultra-luxury ship ever built, was officially christened in Fort Lauderdale with an intimate and traditional ceremony.

During the Naming Ceremony, in accordance with the Royal Caribbean Group tradition, Scottish bagpipes resonated triumphantly in the Silver Nova theater to mark the beginning of the ceremony. The festivities continued with a touching performance of the U.S. national anthem by Rachel York, followed by an exclusive projection of a commemorative video celebrating Silversea’s 30th anniversary in 2024. After the blessing by Reverend Sanford Sears and Rabbi Adam Watstein, godmother Nina Compton, a renowned chef, restaurateur, and television personality, accompanied by Captain Cosimo Pontillo, officially christened Silver Nova by breaking a bottle of champagne on the ship’s hull.

 

Nina Compton, born in Saint Lucia, residing in New Orleans, and trained at the Culinary Institute of America, is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, and television personality. Her values of integration, cultural discovery, and honoring tradition align with those of Silversea’s S.A.L.T. culinary program. As the owner of two restaurants in New Orleans, Compton is a leading practitioner and passionate advocate of Caribbean cuisine, having been named Culinary Ambassador for her homeland, Saint Lucia, where her father served as the island’s prime minister.

The chef expressed enthusiasm for the honor of christening Silver Nova, wishing guests to connect meaningfully with the destinations they visit and with people, fostering strong relationships, expanding horizons, and providing personal enrichment through food and beverages, representing a unifying language.

 

Jason Liberty, proud to welcome Silver Nova into the fleet after years of research, development, and collaboration, stated that this ship represents a new vision for ultra-luxury travel. The group will continue to push boundaries and innovate the experience in 2024 to transform a once-in-a-lifetime vacation into a lifetime of vacations for guests worldwide.

Barbara Muckermann then stated: “It is fitting that we have officially christened Silver Nova – a pioneering ship – in the same year that Silversea celebrates its 30th anniversary: the ship connects our history with our tomorrow, finding a perfect balance between the refined heritage of our brand and the future of ultra-luxury cruise travel.” “The launch of this pioneering ship would not have been possible without the valuable support of Jason Liberty and the entire Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea, and Meyer Werft. A strong expression of our brand, Silver Nova will immerse guests in the world’s most enriching destinations, supporting unity with local communities and cultural discovery. For this reason, Chef Nina Compton is the perfect choice as the ship’s godmother: her values align perfectly with those at the core of our S.A.L.T. culinary program, and I am confident that she will inspire our guests to interact meaningfully with the planet and its people.”

 

As the most environmentally friendly ship ever built, Silver Nova inaugurates a new era of luxury at sea, reinforcing the Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to offering the best vacations sustainably. Its innovative design, emphasizing symmetry and introducing extensive use of glass, immerses guests in the destination from practically every area and suite, with expansive views from every angle. The redesigned Pool deck, overlooking the sea on the starboard side, along with the Dusk Bar and Marquee, the new outdoor areas, are prime examples of its openness. Being one of the most spacious cruise ships ever built, it boasts a guest-space ratio of 75 GRT per guest, the highest in the Silversea fleet, and offers one of the most personalized service levels at sea with a crew-guest ratio of 1:1.3, including butler service for all suites. It accommodates up to 728 guests in 13 different suite categories, the largest variety of suites in Silversea’s history, and features among the most spacious accommodations of any cruise ship.

After the inaugural journey from Venice on August 14, 2023, and the Naming Ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Silver Nova now embarks on its first Grand Voyage, the Grand Voyage South America 2024. During this journey, it will circumnavigate the continent, making stops in 38 destinations in 18 countries over 71 days.

Stay tuned for further news, updates, and reviews of Silversea Cruises on Cruising Journal with photos, videos, and discounted cruises. 

Giorgia Lombardo

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