Stepping aboard the Silver Nova in Istanbul, I’ll admit I was a little apprehensive. My last cruise was 25 years ago, and it ended with a vow never to set foot on a ship again after a terrible bout of seasickness. However, when an opportunity came along to experience a Silversea cruise, it was simply too good to pass up. Safe to say, cruising has come a remarkably long way in a quarter of a century!
Between modern ship stabilisers, a trusted seasickness tablet, and the clever positioning of my midship suite—the ideal spot on the vessel for minimal movement—my worries vanished almost immediately.
Launched in 2023 as the first in Silversea’s Nova Class, the Silver Nova is a breathtakingly modern ship. Carrying a maximum of 728 guests with an impressive crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.3, the level of service and attention to detail on board is truly second to none.
Life Inside a Premium Veranda Suite
One of the standout features of the Silver Nova is that every single suite boasts a private veranda, giving you your own tranquil space to watch the world drift by. My Premium Veranda Suite felt effortlessly spacious, complete with a comfortable lounge area, a plush king-size bed, and a sleek bathroom featuring both a walk-in shower and a full-size bathtub.
Of course, part of the Silversea experience is the dedicated personal butler service included with every suite. Discreet, intuitive, and endlessly attentive, your butler is on hand to take care of everything—from unpacking and packing your suitcase to drawing you a relaxing bath after a long day exploring ashore.
They also ensure your in-suite minibar is always stocked with your preferred drinks, complemented by round-the-clock room service. Best of all are the thoughtful little touches—like returning to your suite after dinner to find a selection of your favourite sweet treats, quietly noted by your butler throughout the voyage
Dining Aboard
Dining aboard was a real highlight, offering an impressive selection of complimentary venues alongside three speciality restaurants that carry an additional cover charge. We tried all the complimentary options—for which reservations are recommended—and my standout favourite was Silver Note, where a talented jazz singer entertained us while we savoured each beautifully presented course.
Complimentary Restaurants
Atlantide: The spacious main dining room, serving upscale international fare, fresh seafood, and classic grilled meats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with no reservations required.
S.A.L.T. Kitchen: Silversea’s flagship destination-inspired venue, featuring rotating menus that reflect the specific ports and regions on your itinerary.
La Terrazza: An indoor-outdoor venue operating as a relaxed breakfast and lunch spot by day, transforming into a slow food, à la carte Italian restaurant by night (reservations required for dinner).
Silver Note: An intimate, 1920s-style jazz club offering small-plate international tapas accompanied by live piano and vocals during dinner (reservations required).
The Marquee / The Grill / Spaccanapoli: An open-air, casual pool-deck area where you can enjoy gourmet burgers, salads, and artisan pizzas (at Spaccanapoli) by day, or interactive "Hot Rocks" volcanic stone cooking by night.
Arts Café: A central social hub offering speciality coffees, teas, light bites, and pastries throughout the day.
Speciality Restaurants (Supplement Applies)
La Dame: A refined French fine-dining venue offering a gourmet tasting menu or à la carte dishes paired with fine wines (additional cover charge applies).
Kaiseki: Japanese-inspired dining featuring sushi, sashimi, and teppanyaki options (complimentary options are available at lunch, whilst evening dinner carries a cover charge).
S.A.L.T. Chef’s Table: An immersive, multi-course culinary and storytelling experience highlighting deep regional flavours and wine pairings (additional fee applies).
The S.A.L.T. Programme
Silversea is renowned for its ultra-all-inclusive dining, and their S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) programme is specifically designed to immerse guests in the local culinary culture of each destination. This includes a complimentary, hands-on cooking class at your own dedicated station under the guidance of expert chefs—a fun, interactive experience and a wonderful way to mingle with fellow guests. We made a beef kebab and sauce with homemade bread, which, having sailed from Istanbul the day before, was a fitting dish to make.
Entertainment
I loved how cleverly the ship’s public spaces are laid out. Whether you want to tuck yourself away in a quiet corner with a book or mingle in one of the 10 bars and lounges, there is a spot to suit every mood.
Evening shows are hosted in the Venetian Lounge, a lovely, tiered mini theatre. We had the pleasure of seeing Tom Seals (who has played alongside Jools Holland)—not only is he a phenomenal pianist, but he’s also very funny as well! Other highlights included a magician and a heartwarming finale show on our final night, put on by the crew to say goodbye.
Nightlife onboard was much livelier than I’d anticipated. The Halloween party was brilliant, with guests dressing up to dance the night away, and the chocolate extravaganza was incredible. That said, if you prefer a slower pace, it’s easy to find a peaceful spot for an after-dinner drink.
Each evening, your butler delivers the Silversea Chronicle during turndown. It’s your go-to guide for the next day, listing an hour-by-hour rundown of onboard activities and venues, as well as exact docking and sail-away times.
Because there’s always so much going on, staying onboard instead of taking an excursion never feels like missing out. And if you simply want to unwind in your suite, you can settle in with one of the latest films, order room service, or grab some delicious treats from the Arts Café.
PORTS OF CALL
Of all our ports of call, my absolute favourite was Syros, a stunning island in the heart of the Cyclades. As we sailed in, it felt as though we were arriving at a truly authentic Greek island—far more understated and relaxed than its glitzy neighbour, Mykonos. While there are organised excursions available and lovely beaches to visit, we chose to simply explore the port area on foot. We meandered through the labyrinth of winding, marble-paved streets lined with colourful buildings, vibrant flowers, and local shops, before stopping for a drink at a harbour-side café. Afterwards, we reboarded the Silver Nova to continue to Heraklion, ahead of our final stop in Athens.
I am so glad I took the plunge and gave cruising another try—and what a treat it was to sail with Silversea. From the moment I stepped onboard to my final farewell in Athens, it was a truly luxurious experience, defined by impeccable service, fabulous food, and remarkable attention to every little detail. As my adventure drew to a close and I gathered my thoughts on the trip, I kept coming back to something a fellow guest said to me onboard: "The beauty of cruising is that you get to unpack just once and see so many beautiful places in a single trip." I couldn't agree more—and the added luxury of travelling with Silversea is that, should you choose, your butler will even do the unpacking for you!
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