Silversea Cruises® and the Meyer Werft shipyard celebrated the float out of the new ship Silver NovaSM on April 28, 2023, in Papenburg, Germany. 

After the drydock had been filled with water, tugboats manoeuvred the vessel from one of the world’s largest enclosed construction halls into the neighbouring port. Silver Nova, which will be the 12th ship in the fleet of the world’s premier ultra-luxury cruise line when she debuts in summer 2023, will be the most environmentally conscious ultra-luxury cruise ship ever built.

Onlookers at the Meyer Werft shipyard were ecstatic when the doors of the construction hall opened in preparation for the ship’s repositioning. Silver Nova was positioned alongside the pier in the nearby harbour basin in a matter of hours, where the fitting out process would proceed.

Captain Cosimo Pontillo welded a unique coin to a wall on the pool deck to commemorate the momentous milestone and symbolise good luck for the ship’s future guests.

Meyer Werft’s skilled craftspeople cleaned the ship’s hull, mounted her funnel, and erected her LNG and radar masts. Silver Nova’s next voyage, slated for the end of May, will involve a 32km (roughly 20 miles) trek down the tight Ems River to the sea.

“With her float out at the Meyer Werft shipyard, anticipation is building among our guests, travel partner community, and the extended Silversea family for the launch of our 12th ship, Silver Nova,” said Barbara Muckermann, President and CEO of Silversea Cruises. “Silver Nova embodies our cruise line’s vision and the evolution of our fleet.” She was designed specifically for ocean cruising, ushering in an evolution of Silversea’s industry-leading, ultra-luxury cruise experience. We at Silversea and the entire Royal Caribbean Group are excited to welcome her to the fleet.”

“Silver Nova is unlike anything we have seen in the luxury cruise industry so far,” stated Roberto Bruzzone, SVP of Marine Operations at Silversea Cruises. “The float out completes the first construction phase, and we will now focus on installing the ship’s beautiful interiors.” Silver Nova will introduce our guests to a new level of comfort, with some of the industry’s most spacious accommodations; the most bars, lounges, and restaurants of any ultra-luxury ship; and a slew of unprecedented innovations for our cruise line.”

“With the float out of Silver Nova, we have reached another important milestone in the construction process.” Because of its numerous technical innovations, as well as its excellent environmental compatibility and energy efficiency, this ship is a significant step towards green cruising. “Aside from that, Silver Nova has a particularly innovative interior design,” remarked Jan Meyer, Managing Director of Meyer Werft.

The 728-guest Silver Nova, now under construction in Papenburg as the first of two Nova class ships, is intended to become the most sustainable ultra-luxury ship ever constructed when she joins Silversea’s service in the summer of 2023.

Silver Nova will be the next iteration of Silversea’s unique take on luxury, with the most bars, restaurants, and lounges in ultra-luxury cruising; some of the most spacious guest suites at sea; and a range of innovative features—including an asymmetrical design and horizontal layout—unprecedented for the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise line.