German shipbuilder Meyer Werft delivered Silver Nova to Silversea - a luxury brand company owned by Royal Caribbean Group/RCG.
The ship boasts a propulsion system that combines LNG, batteries and fuel cell technology making it a significant step towards climate-neutral cruising and reducing emissions. A fuel cell system supplements the LNG engines and can eventually power the entire hotel operation, eliminating pollutant emissions during berthing times in ports. Additionally, a battery system enhances the ship's efficiency by absorbing peak loads and reducing fuel consumption. The vessel also features a Micro Auto Gasification System (MAGS) that converts waste on board into thermal energy, further increasing efficiency.
Silver Nova has length 243 m (797 ft), width 30 m (98 ft), max passenger capacity 728, 11 decks, 363 staterooms across 13 categories (including premium suites on the ship's aft) marking the most suite categories in Silversea's history.
Jason Liberty (RCG's President and CEO) expressed excitement about the ship's innovative features, stating that Silver Nova represents an important milestone in their sustainability journey.
Silver Nova's maiden voyage is scheduled for August 14th, departing from Venice/Fusina on a 7-day roundtrip. After that, the ship will cross the Atlantic to the USA for voyages in the Caribbean and Central America.
On January 4th, 2024, Silver Nova will embark on a 71-day South American journey.