Live from the Silver Nova 8-21-23 to 9-1-23 Venice to Rome!!

[highplanesdrifters]

7 hours ago, A Tucson Guy said:

I think a review from a paying passenger gives a different perspective than somebody who did not have to pay for the cruise

Hear hear! Rather tired of seeing ads and posts on social media from all the millennial influencers. Thanks for your excellent review.

[gaspari]

17 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Hear hear! Rather tired of seeing ads and posts on social media from all the millennial influencers. Thanks for your excellent review.

Quite agree. We join on 18 November too, and have really enjoyed your insights and balanced reviews. Have just returned from Crystal Serenity, which we enjoyed, but the CC forum for that line almost seemed like a ‘cult’ where all was wonderful, no criticism could possible be warranted, and Crystal was in another league to other ‘lesser’ luxury lines 😂

[Lois R]

I have also enjoyed reading this and compliment the OP for writing it. I will be sailing her on the Nov 7th crossing and she looks fabulous🙂.

[donutman]

Who is the current cruise director on the Nova?

 

[toseaornottosea]

Vicky Van Tassel 

[A Tucson Guy]

Let me post a few final thoughts on this Nova cruise. I first have to say that I am NOT a SS cheerleader nor for any other line. We frequent mainly RSSC and SS. We have sailed Seabourn and it comes in as third for us. These are just our opinions and others may gladly disagree. I will start with the end of the trip. We did the 2 day post extension to Florence and everything was perfect!! With 2 large (60 to 70 pounds each) suitcases, two carry-ons and two backpacks, we would never do port to port. The door to door transfers were a must for us as it was seamless. Trying to go from the ship to the railroad station, transferring the luggage and then from the rail station to Old Town Florence  and then taken to the airport and have our hands held until going through security was as good as possible for us. The Hotel Bernini Palace was great. Good rooms but not a suite. First-day lunch and dinner was included, second day breakfast and dinner or lunch were included and the last day we left at 3:30 AM but they did bring coffee to the room very early and no charge. After all the fabulous meals on the Nova, we were not expecting much in the way of food- WRONG!! The lunches and dinners were fabulous and we almost thought we were back on the Nova, it was just that good. Wines were included and I thought we got good value for our money.

 

Some random thoughts on the ship, some of which have already been mentioned in prior posts. The main event was certainly the ship itself. I could go on and on but you just have to to "try it, you will like it". Veranda cabin was great with tons of storage. The decorating and artwork was over the top.   The two-story Venetian showroom was a pleasure and never full! We loved the entertainment and a real step up from the "Voices of Silversea". The lectures were great! Outdoor seating in sun or shade was never a problem as there are so many lounges. The dusk bar is a great place to just watch the wake and the stars. One night around 10 PM, my Princess and I went to just sit and chill. I remember having my head messaged by my Princess and then falling asleep for about 25 minutes- priceless!

 

All the restaurants were great and the Marquee (I think my spelling may be off) was so much larger than even the Moon and Dawn that it was great eating outdoors. We did eat at the Chef's Table for $360 a couple and had a great time and it was maybe too much food for us. Unless I have shipboard credits, we probably will not do this one again. Similar feelings about La Dame- the menu is almost the same as the Dawn and Moon last year but instead of costing $120 per couple, it is now $320 per couple. On our Nov. 2023 cruise, we have La Dame booked twice at the $120 price per couple as we had made the ressie before the price went up. Same comment, if we have shipboard credits to use, we will go back. After the Nov. cruise, we will probably skip La Dame unless we have shipboard credits. Since we book early, we normally don't get the big $1,000 ship board credits. I have been on 8 SS cruises and this was my wife's third SS cruise. My wife's comment says it all for me- she said on the last day "Honey, I don't want to get off of this ship!" She never said that on the 2 prior SS cruises on the Moon and the Dawn. We can hardly wait for Nov. 18, 2023 to board this beautiful ship.

 

I also want to mention that the transfers from the airport to hotel and then to the ship in Venice would have been a nightmare without the SS transfers. I have to say that we got excellent value for our investment. After the Nova, we would never go on the older ships and would only go on the Moon and Dawn if we can't find a cruise on the Nova or the Ray. For us now, the ship is as important as the itinerary. If anybody has any questions, I will try and answer them.

 

Happy trails to you..............

[zship]

A Tucson Guy, glad you had a great time.
How would you compare the Nova with the new ships of Regent ?

Who do you think has better quality and choice of food options ?

Who do you think offers better service, lectures and entertainment ?

[A Tucson Guy]

40 minutes ago, zship said:

A Tucson Guy, glad you had a great time.
How would you compare the Nova with the new ships of Regent ?

Who do you think has better quality and choice of food options ?

Who do you think offers better service, lectures and entertainment ?

Hi zship,

We have not yet been on Regents newer ships. We have two cruises on the Splendor in 2025. We have been sticking close to SS because the prices with Bus. Air were lower with similar cruises than Regent.

[FengShui@Sea]

A Tuscon Guy ~ thank you so much for taking us along on you journey.  We won't be on the sister ship (Silver Ray) until Spring of 2025, but your posts helped me imagine how wonderful it is going to be.  I have what may be an odd question but I was wondering if when you enter your suite (#6011) was the bed on the left side or the right side?  I ask because I have a particular direction I like to sleep so try to choose a suite with the bed on the right side.  Depending on your response I should be able to figure out the layout of other suites.  Thanks again, and happy cruising come November!

 

[A Tucson Guy]

30 minutes ago, FengShui@Sea said:

A Tuscon Guy ~ thank you so much for taking us along on you journey.  We won't be on the sister ship (Silver Ray) until Spring of 2025, but your posts helped me imagine how wonderful it is going to be.  I have what may be an odd question but I was wondering if when you enter your suite (#6011) was the bed on the left side or the right side?  I ask because I have a particular direction I like to sleep so try to choose a suite with the bed on the right side.  Depending on your response I should be able to figure out the layout of other suites.  Thanks again, and happy cruising come November!

 

When we walked into 6011, the bed was on the left side. I hope this helps.

[jollyjones]

If you look at the deck plans, there is some sort of indent from the corridor to the cabin. 
This is the door, each pair of cabins is usually a mirror image, the door should lead you to the corridor past the bathroom and closet and foot of the bed to the desk. 
Looking at the Nova plan, there is a little indent at 6011 showing where you walk in and, indeed, the bed will be to your left with the head of the bed more for’ard, the foot more aft. 

[Hermitage]

On 9/5/2023 at 11:03 AM, jollyjones said:

If you look at the deck plans, there is some sort of indent from the corridor to the cabin. 
This is the door, each pair of cabins is usually a mirror image, the door should lead you to the corridor past the bathroom and closet and foot of the bed to the desk. 
Looking at the Nova plan, there is a little indent at 6011 showing where you walk in and, indeed, the bed will be to your left with the head of the bed more for’ard, the foot more aft. 

Thanks much jollyjones. This information was very helpful. Our group is small and because we are doing just the short cruise in November, we could not get cabins all together on the same floor. But, it is kind of nice to know how your cabin will be situated. 

 

Also, thanks to A Tuscan Guy for the information on La Dame. Some of us are booked for our second night on board after we leave New York. I am so excited about the food and wine choices as they have been described. Nice to feel as though we are getting real value for our coins. I found some of the complimentary wine selections currently on the Nova online. Very impressive. I can hardly wait. I will be the one sipping for the entire trip.

[A Tucson Guy]

2 hours ago, Hermitage said:

Thanks much jollyjones. This information was very helpful. Our group is small and because we are doing just the short cruise in November, we could not get cabins all together on the same floor. But, it is kind of nice to know how your cabin will be situated. 

 

Also, thanks to A Tuscan Guy for the information on La Dame. Some of us are booked for our second night on board after we leave New York. I am so excited about the food and wine choices as they have been described. Nice to feel as though we are getting real value for our coins. I found some of the complimentary wine selections currently on the Nova online. Very impressive. I can hardly wait. I will be the one sipping for the entire trip.

Are you on the Nova NYC to Bridgetown this Nov. We are back on for that cruise also.

[Hermitage]

On 9/18/2023 at 7:01 PM, A Tucson Guy said:

Are you on the Nova NYC to Bridgetown this Nov. We are back on for that cruise also.

Hi A Tuscan Guy. Yes! But we are only doing the leg from New York to Bermuda.  It's pretty cool how they have sold the cruise in small sections. We are doing it as a friends' post birthday weekend girls' trip'. 

 

 

[A Tucson Guy]

We may see up on board- Bon Voyage!!

[hppytrvlr]

Thanks Tuscon Guy for your thoughts on the Nova we are now even more excited to be cruising on it. See you November 18 we will be joining you in New York! Can hardly wait.

[ronrick1943]

nice report, refreshing to hear the good and the so so.  Thanks for taking the time.

[Klapka]

I will be on the Nova in a couple of months and this narrative has been really helpful in the planning. 

 

One issue: if I take my laptop, is the safe large enough to accommodate it?