{{Short description|Ship built in 2023}} {{Infobox ship | display_title = ital |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = Silver nova.jpg | image_caption = ''Silver Nova'' at Meyer Werft }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | name = ''Silver Nova'' | owner = | operator = Silversea Cruises | registry = Nassau, {{nowrap|{{flag|Bahamas|civil}}}} | route = | ordered = | builder = Meyer Werft | original_cost = | yard_number = S.719 | way_number = | laid_down = | launched = 28 April 2023 | completed = | christened = 4 January 2024 by Nina Compton | acquired = | maiden_voyage = 14 August 2023 | in_service = | out_of_service = | identification = *Call sign: C6GA5 * {{IMO|9886213}} | fate = | status = In service | notes = }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = | type = Cruise ship | tonnage = {{GT|54,700}} | displacement = | length = {{cvt|244.2|m|ftin}} | beam = {{cvt|29.6|m|ftin}} | height = | draught = | draft = | depth = | decks = 9 total | deck_clearance = | ramps = | ice_class = | sail_plan = | power = | propulsion = | speed = {{convert|19|kn|lk=in}} | capacity = 728 passengers | crew = 556 | notes = }} }}

'''''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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-21 |title=Meyer Werft Delivers Silver Nova to Silversea Cruises |url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/meyer-werft-delivers-silver-nova-506717 |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=MarineLink}}</ref> The ship was built at a Meyer Werft in Germany, featuring a unique asymmetrical design.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Silversea's Reveals Details of Silver Nova's Asymmetrical Design |url=https://www.silversea.com/about-silversea/press-releases/2022/april/silversea-silver-nova-set-to-introduce-all-new-outdoor-venues.html |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=www.silversea.com}}</ref>

== Design and construction == 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Silversea Cruises eyes expansion with order of three new ships |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2018/10/08/silversea-cruises-orders-three-new-ships/1563658002/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=USA Today}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Silversea's new class of ships to use hybrid power system |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Silversea-plans-Project-Evolution-ships |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=www.travelweekly.com}}</ref> The ''Silver Nova'' is designed to operate emission-free in ports, with 4-megawatt fuel cell system as well as batteries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=LNG Prime |date=2023-07-21 |title=Meyer Werft delivers first LNG-powered ship to Silversea |url=https://lngprime.com/europe/meyer-werft-delivers-first-lng-powered-ship-to-silversea/86756/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=LNG Prime}}</ref> 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.<ref name="cold iron">{{Cite web |title=Innovative Silver Nova Cruise Ship Reaches the Sea |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/innovative-silver-nova-cruise-ship-reaches-the-sea |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en}}</ref>

The public space layout and design was primarily completed by notable cruise ship designers Wilson Butler Architects of Boston and GEM of Genoa.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-21 |title=Suite Innovation on Silver Nova |url=https://discover.silversea.com/ships/silver-nova/suites-design-architecture/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=Discover by Silversea}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Silver Nova - Interna|url=https://interna.it/it/silver-nova/188/prjd.php|website=Interna - Passion for Projects|access-date=}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Start of construction for Silver Nova |url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/press/press_detail/press_detail_7040.jsp |access-date=2023-08-12 |publisher=Meyer Werft}}</ref> The ship was floated out on April 28, 2023, and transited the Ems river for final fit out at Eemshaven, Netherlands, on 5 June.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/innovative-silver-nova-cruise-ship-reaches-the-sea|title=Innovative Silver Nova Cruise Ship Reaches the Sea|date=2023-06-09|accessdate=2023-09-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Caribbean Group's Executives Enjoy A Preview of Silver Nova |url=https://www.silversea.com/about-silversea/press-releases/2023/july/royal-caribbean-group-executives-enjoy-sneak-preview-silver-nova.html |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=www.silversea.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.noz.de/lokales/papenburg/artikel/meyer-werft-papenburg-ueberfuehrung-von-silver-nova-der-termin-44826999|title=Meyer Werft Papenburg: Überführung von Silver Nova – der Termin &#124; NOZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.silversea.com/de/uber-silversea/pressemitteilungen/2023/may/silver-nova-verlasst-werft.html|title=Silver Nova verlässt Werft|website=www.silversea.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.merkur.de/welt/kreuzfahrtschiff-silver-nova-kommt-auf-der-nordsee-an-zr-92324358.html|title=Kreuzfahrtschiff "Silver Nova" kommt auf der Nordsee an|date=June 6, 2023|website=www.merkur.de}}</ref> In the same month, she wraps up for her sea trials.<ref>https://www.offshore-energy.biz/lng-powered-silver-nova-wraps-up-sea-trials/</ref>

== Service history == [[File:Silver Nova docked in Auckland PA06.jpg|thumb|right|''Silver Nova'' docked at Queens Wharf, Auckland, New Zealand, on 12 December 2025]] The ''Silver Nova'' was delivered to Silversea cruises on July 20, 2023, at the 12th ship in the Silversea fleet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/press/press_detail/meyer_werft_hands_over_silver_nova.jsp|title=MEYER WERFT hands over Silver Nova|website=MEYER WERFT}}</ref> A preview press cruise was held beginning in Trieste, Italy, with the official maiden voyage schedule for August 14, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Silversea's Silver Nova Departs On Her Maiden Voyage |url=https://www.silversea.com/about-silversea/press-releases/2023/august/silversea-silver-nova-departs-maiden-voyage.html |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=www.silversea.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Silversea's Silver Nova departs on its first voyage |url=https://www.cruiseandferry.net/articles/silverseas-silver-nova-departs-on-its-first-voyage-1 |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=CruiseandFerry.net |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MEYER WERFT hands over Silver Nova |url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/press/press_detail/meyer_werft_hands_over_silver_nova.jsp |website=MEYER WERFT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Habibic |first=Ajsa |date=2023-08-16 |title=LNG-powered Silver Nova embarks on maiden voyage through Adriatic |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/lng-powered-silver-nova-embarks-on-maiden-voyage-through-adriatic/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}}</ref> The ship was officially christened in Ft Lauderdale, Florida on January 4, 2024, by godmother Chef Nina Compton.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-05 |title=Silver Nova named by Chef Nina Compton at Fort Lauderdale festivities |url=https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/silver-nova-named-chef-nina-compton-fort-lauderdale-festivities |access-date= |website=seatrade-cruise.com |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Silversea Officially Names Silver Nova |url=https://www.silversea.com/about-silversea/press-releases/2024/january/silversea-officially-names-silver-nova.html |access-date= |website=www.silversea.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2024, the was the ships maiden season in Alaska, that included a photographic exhibition installed on board that comprised 30 images by Steve McCurry.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silver Nova completes maiden Alaska season|url=https://latteluxurynews.com/2024/09/30/silver-nova-completes-maiden-alaska-season/|website=LATTE Luxury News|date=2024-09-30|access-date=|language=en-GB|last=latteluxurynews}}</ref> In fall of 2024, the ship repositioned to the Asia-Pacific for her inaugural season, based primarily in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silver Nova Wraps Up Inaugural Alaska Season - Cruise Industry News {{!}} Cruise News|url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/09/silver-nova-wraps-up-inaugural-alaska-season/|website=Cruise Industry News|access-date=|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2025, the ship would embark on a 47-day voyage circumnavigation of Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silver Nova Departs on 47-Day Circumnavigation of Australia - Cruise Industry News {{!}} Cruise News|url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2025/10/silver-nova-departs-on-47-day-circumnavigation-of-australia/|website=Cruise Industry News|access-date=|language=en-US|date=October 16, 2025}}</ref>

== Sister ship == 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Silversea Press Center|url=https://royalcaribbeangrouppresscenter.com/silversea/news/silversea-officially-names-silver-ray|website=royalcaribbeangrouppresscenter.com|access-date=2025-11-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=SILVERSEA TAKES DELIVERY OF SILVER RAY, THE SECOND SHIP IN ITS INNOVATIVE NOVA CLASS|url=https://royalcaribbeangrouppresscenter.com/silversea/news/silversea-takes-delivery-of-silver-ray|website=Silversea Press Center|access-date=}}</ref>

== External links == * [https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/ships/silver_nova.jsp Meyer Werft: Silver Nova] * [https://www.silversea.com/ships/silver-nova.html Silversea Cruises: Silver Nova]

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Cruise ships Category:Ships built in Papenburg Category:2023 ships