Silver Nova

Silver Nova at Meyer Werft
History
Name	Silver Nova
Operator	Silversea Cruises
Port of registry	Nassau,  Bahamas
Builder	Meyer Werft
Yard number	S.719
Launched	28 April 2023
Christened	4 January 2024 by Nina Compton
Maiden voyage	14 August 2023
Identification	Call sign: C6GA5 IMO number: 9886213
Status	In service
General characteristics
Type	Cruise ship
Tonnage	54,700 GT
Length	244.2 m (801 ft 2 in)
Beam	29.6 m (97 ft 1 in)
Decks	9 total
Speed	19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph)
Capacity	728 passengers
Crew	556

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]

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] 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.^[8] The ship was floated out on April 28, 2023, and transited the Ems river for final fit out at Eemshaven, Netherlands, on 5 June.^{[9][10][11][12][13]} In the same month, she wraps up for her sea trials.^[14]

The Silver Nova was delivered to Silversea cruises on July 20, 2023, at the 12th ship in the Silversea fleet.^[15] A preview press cruise was held beginning in Trieste, Italy, with the official maiden voyage schedule for August 14, 2023.^{[16][17] [18] [19]} The ship was officially christened in Ft Lauderdale, Florida on January 4, 2024, by godmother Chef Nina Compton.^[20] 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.^[21]

The sister ship of the Silver Nova, the Silver Ray, was launched in February 2024.^{[22][23][24][25]} She was delivered in May^{[26][27][28][29]} and christened on 12 June in Lisbon.^[30][31][32]

• Meyer Werft: Silver Nova
• Silversea Cruises: Silver Nova