Glass-walled suites, oysters in Hobart and shochu tasting in Kagoshima: Set sail on your most luxurious cruise yet

PICTURE THIS: YOU'RE HAVING YOUR favourite cocktail at an open-air sky bar and finally starting on that novel you've been meaning to get to all year. There is a low hum of activity in the background as fellow revellers enjoy their tipples but you can read in peace. But every now and then, you get distracted - not by the people around you, but by the views.

After all, from your vantage point on the stern of the Silver Nova, luxury liner Silversea's latest ship, you are afforded jaw dropping 270-degree, panoramic views of the ocean, and feel as though you are completely surrounded by nature's beauty. As sunset beckons, you make your way to the upper level sun deck for even more incredible views of the horizon and enjoy a rare moment of quiet.

Later, you proceed to enjoy an intimate meal at the Sea And Land Taste (S.A.L.T.) Chef's Table. The programme offers a culinary immersion through food, drinks and shore excursions that complement each destination, which means you are tasting the best of what each region has to offer as the luxury liner travels through the destinations.

On one day, you could be enjoying the freshest oysters from Hobart, Australia, and on another, mussels from Marlborough, in New Zealand, as you cruise down the South Pacific Ocean. Today, you are sampling some of New South Wales' freshest ingredients as you take in the views of Sydney Harbour.

Those who prefer an even more intimate introduction to the local cuisine can join a class at S.A.L.T. Lab, an interactive cooking laboratory that allows small groups of guests to participate in shared cooking sessions to learn local recipes and understand the food heritage of each ingredient.

From October 2024, the Silver Nova will embark on its Asia and Australia/New Zealand itineraries, with plenty of highlights that promise to delight the intrepid traveller.

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On the 34-day itinerary from Tokyo to Cairns, for example, guests can stay for the whole journey to discover the 13 ports through thoughtfully-curated shore excursions, or join shorter itineraries that interest them.

At Kagoshima in Japan, guests get to experience the making and tasting of bonito flakes at a traditional bonito flakes factory before a shochu tasting session. In Bali, a wellness journey that includes a meditation session and an indulgent two-hour spa journey will reinvigorate the mind and body.

There is also a stopover in Darwin, Australia, where guests can uncover the magnificent scenery and rich Aboriginal tradition of the Litchfield region on an invigorating hike through the Litchfield National Park.

Uninterrupted views, new dining experiences

Even when you are not out on excursions and expeditions, the new Silver Nova is designed to bring you closer to nature. An asymmetrical design - a first in the industry - affords spaces that open up to the destinations. A reimagined outward-facing pool deck and al fresco dining area boast panoramic views as you dine, while a liberal use of glass walls in all suites and most public spaces, including elevators, offers a sense of being fully immersed in your surroundings, no matter where you turn.

With wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows that seemingly melt the physical barriers between you and the great outdoors, you are never far from the vast ocean, even from the comfort of your own suite. For the aft suites, the views are 270 degrees, and even more magnificent.

But even with its new design, the Silver Nova still offers the same luxurious, intimate and all-inclusive cruise experience onboard that fans have come to expect of Silversea cruises.

A round-the-clock butler service, a key highlight on all Silversea cruises, is available to every guest in every suite and category of the Silver Nova, while the 1:1.3 crew-to-guest ratio promises a level of attention-to-detail that will help transform the ship to your home away from home.

In addition to the new S.A.L.T. programme, there are also signature epicurean experiences, such as French fine dining La Dame, where curated menus are paired with an exclusive selection of fine wines; and Kaiseki, where guests can experience Washoku, a UNESCO-listed Japanese cuisine.

For the ultimate pampering session, guests can head to the Otium Spa to indulge in an array of deeply relaxing beauty treatments. On the Silver Nova, the spa also features the brand's largest thermal suite, inspired by the ancient baths of Rome, as well as the very first spa-centric indoor pool. End off your massage with a dip in the pool, which is situated by floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the ocean, and feel all your tensions melt away.

Discover a new way of luxury travel

While Silversea's itineraries are curated with unparalleled destination knowledge, its Mediterranean roots means it is intimately familiar with tiny seaside towns and big cities alike within the region and can offer a wealth of unique experiences for travellers.

Think a three-hour hike along the The Old Postman's path to the ancient, terraced wine-growing village of Banyalbufar in Mallorca, Spain; an immersive, half-day Grand Mosque and Hamman excursion in Casablanca, Morocco; and a Game of Thrones-inspired discovery tour through Dubrovnik, Croatia.

If you are worried about the carbon footprint of such trips to far-flung destinations, you can take heart that Silversea is also taking efforts to make globetrotting sustainable.

The Silver Nova is Silversea's first sustainable ship and will rely on liquefied natural gas as its principle fuel source. The ship will also have three sources powering its engines, including the ability to plug into shore power while docked, which means zero emissions.

Mr Roberto Bruzzone, senior vice president of Marine Operations for Silversea Cruises, estimates the Silver Nova will reduce carbon emissions by 40 per cent compared to the line's other ships, the Silver Muse and the Silver Moon.

"At Silversea, we have always been very careful in reducing our impact and preserving the very remote and beautiful locations that we are visiting," he says.

"The cruise industry must take bold new steps, including enhancing collaboration with the communities we visit. With the Silver Nova, we will step forward with a new class of ship that is extraordinarily directed to sustainability."

Bookings for voyages on the Silver Nova are open. Visit https://www.silversea.com/ships/silver-nova.html for more information.