It’s said to be the most environmentally conscious ultra-luxury ship ever built. And now she’s got a name. We take a look inside what happened at the Silver Nova’s naming ceremony and take a leaf out of her godmother’s recipe book.
There were, of course, bagpipes. It’s a Royal Caribbean tradition after all. And after the last stirring notes filled the Silver Nova’s theatre, guests at her intimate naming ceremony were treated to an exclusive screening of a commemorative video celebrating Silversea’s 30th anniversary, which the brand celebrates in 2024.
The Nova way to travel
“After years of research, development, and collaboration, we are all incredibly proud to officially welcome Silver Nova into Royal Caribbean Group’s fleet,” the group’s president and CEO Jason Liberty said at the ceremony.
“Silver Nova is a game changer, a new vision for the ultra-luxury travel experience.”
With a space-to-guest ratio of 75 GRT (gross register tonne)-per-guest, Silver Nova is one of the most spacious cruise ships ever built and boasts a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.3, including butler service for all suites.
Her design incorporates approximately 4,000m2 of glass and every suite offers guests the use of a private veranda.
Silver Nova departed on her maiden voyage from Venice on August 14, 2023. Following her Naming Ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, she now undertakes her first Grand Voyage, the Grand Voyage South America 2024, during which she will circumnavigate the continent, calling in 38 destinations in 18 countries over 71 days.
Meet Silver Nova’s godmother
“Silver Nova will immerse guests into the world’s most enriching destinations, championing human connection and cultural discovery,” Silversea president Barbara Muckermann said.
“For this reason, Chef Nina Compton is the perfect fit for the ship’s godmother – her values perfectly align with those at the heart of our S.A.L.T. culinary program, and I have no doubt she will inspire our guests to engage meaningfully with the planet and its people.”
Compton is perhaps most famous for being the crowd favourite and runner-up of Season 11 Top Chef. Despite now living in New Orleans, she wasborn in St. Lucia and is a passionate advocate for the food of the Caribbean. She was even named a Culinary Ambassador for her home country of St Lucia, where her father served as the island nation’s first Prime Minister.
“I am honoured to have been named Godmother of Silver Nova,” said Compton.
“Throughout my life, I have explored the many ways in which the world’s cuisines – especially that of my home nation, St Lucia, and the Caribbean more broadly – strengthen human connections, facilitate cultural discovery, and honour heritage, tradition, and identity.
“I believe food and drink have the power to bond people, providing insight into a community’s customs as a unifying language. I hope that my journey inspires Silver Nova’s guests to connect meaningfully with the destinations they visit and their people, forging strong relationships, broadening horizons, and providing self-enrichment.”
Recipe for Nina Compton’s biscuits
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 Tbs + 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1+1/4 tsp salt
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 5 oz Butter, chilled and cubed
- 2 cups buttermilk
DIRECTIONS:
- Combine all the dry ingredients together.
- Use your hands to incorporate the butter, breaking it up into the size of a cranberry.
- Slowly add the buttermilk and mix until incorporated.
- Wrap the container and chill for 30 mins.
- Place on a floured surface and roll the dough out to 2 ½ inch thickness and cut into 2 ½ by 2 ½ inches.
- Bake at 190 (conventional oven or 170 in a fan forced) for 18 mins.
Recipe makes 25 biscuits. Compton typically serves the biscuits with ricotta cheese and seasonal jam or gravy and poached eggs over brunch. Fresh herbs and dried fruit can also be added.
Recipe from New Orleans Tourism.
Late last year, Silversea announced the addition of a Super Advantage tier on its group bookings for travel advisors.
For travel advisors seeking more information, visit mysilversea.com.