Silver Nova
Silver Nova at Meyer Werft
| |
History | |
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Name | Silver Nova |
Operator | Silversea Cruises |
Port of registry | Nassau, |
Builder | Meyer Werft |
Launched | 28 April 2023 |
Christened | 4 January 2024 by Nina Compton |
Maiden voyage | 14 August 2023 |
Identification |
|
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]
Design and construction
[edit]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]
Service history
[edit]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]
Sister ship
[edit]The delivery of the sister ship Silver Ray is planned for 2024.[22][23]
References
[edit]- ^ "Meyer Werft Delivers Silver Nova to Silversea Cruises". MarineLink. 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ a b "Silversea's Reveals Details of Silver Nova's Asymmetrical Design". www.silversea.com. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Silversea Cruises eyes expansion with order of three new ships". USA Today. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Silversea's new class of ships to use hybrid power system". www.travelweekly.com. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ Staff, LNG Prime (2023-07-21). "Meyer Werft delivers first LNG-powered ship to Silversea". LNG Prime. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Innovative Silver Nova Cruise Ship Reaches the Sea". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Suite Innovation on Silver Nova". Discover by Silversea. 2022-02-21. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Start of construction for Silver Nova". Meyer Werft. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Innovative Silver Nova Cruise Ship Reaches the Sea". 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
- ^ "Royal Caribbean Group's Executives Enjoy A Preview of Silver Nova". www.silversea.com. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Meyer Werft Papenburg: Überführung von Silver Nova – der Termin | NOZ".
- ^ "Silver Nova verlässt Werft". www.silversea.com.
- ^ "Kreuzfahrtschiff „Silver Nova" kommt auf der Nordsee an". www.merkur.de. June 6, 2023.
- ^ https://www.offshore-energy.biz/lng-powered-silver-nova-wraps-up-sea-trials/
- ^ "MEYER WERFT hands over Silver Nova". MEYER WERFT.
- ^ "Silversea's Silver Nova Departs On Her Maiden Voyage". www.silversea.com. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ "Silversea's Silver Nova departs on its first voyage". CruiseandFerry.net. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ "MEYER WERFT hands over Silver Nova". MEYER WERFT.
- ^ Habibic, Ajsa (2023-08-16). "LNG-powered Silver Nova embarks on maiden voyage through Adriatic". Offshore Energy. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ "Silver Nova named by Chef Nina Compton at Fort Lauderdale festivities". seatrade-cruise.com. 2024-01-05.
- ^ "Silversea Officially Names Silver Nova". www.silversea.com.
- ^ Assies, Christoph (2024-04-21). "Kreuzfahrtschiff „Silver Ray" wird zur Nordsee überführt | SHZ". shz.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ "„Silver Ray": Neues Kreuzfahrtschiff der Meyer Werft steuert Nordsee an". nord24 (in German). Retrieved 2024-04-22.