By
Amber Hickman |
Silver Nova, the newest ship from Silversea, embarked on its maiden voyage on 14 August 2023, leaving Venice, Italy, for a seven-day round trip through the Adriatic that called at Piran in Slovenia, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Split, and Rovinj in Croatia, and Kotor in Montenegro.
After a summer in the Mediterranean it will be sailing in the Caribbean and Central America from 18 November 2023, starting with a 31-day voyage from New York to Lima, Peru.
On 4 January 2024, Silver Nova will embark on the 71-day tour of South America that will see the ship visit 38 destinations in 18 countries. It will leave Fort Lauderdale in Florida and take guests to a variety of destinations.
“The ‘Grand Voyage South America’ is for those looking to embrace the true soul and energy of Latin America,” says Justin Poulsen, vice president of itinerary planning and destination development at Silversea. “Highlights on the itinerary include sailing down the Amazon River, visiting the breathtaking Ushuaia and impressive landscapes of the Chilian fjords, immersing in the culture of Lima; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Montevideo, Uruguay, before heading over to vibrant Rio de Janeiro.”
Guests will also have the opportunity to engage with a variety of events that celebrate South American culture. These include a traditional folklore show in Panama; a heritage tour of the hub of art and culture that is Callao Monumental in Lima; an evening at the Amazon Opera House in Manaus, Brazil; and an exclusive trip to the Barbados Polo Club where guests can mingle with Bridgetown’s top polo players, followed by an intimate dinner. Furthermore, when Silver Nova reaches Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 12 February, guests will be able to experience the Rio Carnival, with access to a VIP section close to the parade with seating, buffet and a full bar.
In addition to cultural experiences and events, when it comes to planning itineraries and experiences Silversea also considers how the architecture of Silver Nova will play into the destinations the ship visits.
“We specifically chose itineraries where the destination can come alive onboard through the generous visibility from anywhere on the ship thanks to the expanse of glass and asymmetrical, horizontal design,” says Poulsen. “For example, sailing the Inside Passage in Alaska will be an extremely vivid and engaging experience.”
Onboard offerings such as the S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) culinary programme, also play a part in the ship itineraries. The S.A.L.T. Kitchen offers an immersive restaurant option for guests, with a menu inspired by the local cuisine of whichever region Silver Nova is visiting at the time. Guests onboard Silver Nova can also take part in the S.A.L.T. Lab, an interactive cooking laboratory where guests can get practical experience cooking local recipes.
The S.A.L.T. experience continues onshore too, with several excursions that allow guests to gain hands-on experience with the food and culture of the destinations they visit. For example, guests on voyages that stop in Cartagena, Colombia, will have the opportunity to take part in the S.A.L.T. Modern Columbian Cuisine experience, in which they will visit the Bazurto Market before travelling to the neighbourhood of Getsemani for a five-course meal prepared by award-winning Colombian chefs.
“Our itineraries are designed to deliver a carefully curated journey through a destination, leveraging our deep knowledge and expertise to craft the right experiences that support the overall itinerary narrative.” says Poulsen.
This article was first published in the 2024 issue of Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed. Subscribe to Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning for FREE to get the next issue delivered directly to your inbox.