Live from Silver Nova - Lisbon to Barcelona Sept. 29 - October 7, 2023

[Dolcevita Diva]

A few first impressions.   As @TucsonGuy mentioned, this ship is simply gorgeous.  
There has been a tremendous amount of attention to detail in every area.  The artwork throughout the ship is stunning: virtually everywhere you look, your gaze will rest on a painting, sculpture or unique glass art.  
 

The elevators!!!!  Is it possible to fall in love with an elevator?  

The view of the sea from both inside and outside the elevator is mesmerizing, especially when at sea.  And so quick.  We’ve never needed to wait more than 1 or 2 minutes for an elevator.  Outside of each elevator bank is a digital display listing the day’s activities and their location, so it’s always easy to keep track of what day it is or where you were going if life onboard is beginning to blur (something similar at home might be useful!😆)

 

Videos of the veranda suites have been provided by others, but I wanted to note some of the additional attention to detail in the cabins.  The vanity opposite the bathroom has a jewelry tray in the drawer and there is also a closable jewelry tray in the safe.   Drawer dividers in the bathroom and desk drawers are a very simple but extremely useful addition for keeping your belongings organized.  In the bathroom, the drawers are deep, but the custom divider “shelf” adds another level. My friends are in the midst of remodeling the bathrooms in their home and immediately sent a photo and change order to their contractor. 

 

One oddity relates to the new OTIVM toiletries.  I was surprised to see the large bottle of conditioner on the bathroom counter - because the corner rack inside the shower isn’t large enough to hold shampoo, conditioner and shower gel bottles.  Oops! But there’s ample room on the bench inside the shower to place the third bottle. 

And the shower IS quite large; plenty of room for a shower a deux…😉
 

 

 

[fdnycruiser]

On 10/4/2023 at 10:25 AM, Dolcevita Diva said:

 

We landed in Lisbon on time and checked bags arrived quickly. Just a short taxi ride to the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade which is Silversea’s Grand hotel option.  I had booked this hotel because my friends were staying there, but I booked independently through American Express Platinum, which includes early check-in/late checkout, a room upgrade, breakfast and a $100 property credit.   My room was ready when I arrived at 3:00 pm and they informed me that my Deluxe River View room had been given a double upgrade to a family suite. 

 

The hotel location is excellent, on a beautiful avenue with leafy trees shading the sidewalk and an array of upscale shops within walking distance.  The hotel has a lovely lobby bar and a trendy rooftop bar offering a fantastic view of the city. The moon shone over Lisbon and a quick search revealed that it would be a full moon for our sail away on the 29th. 

 

Since this is Silversea’s Grand hotel, here are a few additional details.  The room was spacious and well appointed with very comfortable beds.  Service was excellent throughout the hotel, the breakfast buffet offered many options (including cooked-to-order omelettes) and the lobby bar had pleasant entertainment and a nice menu of light bites. The hotel also sent up a small bottle of port and a plate of Portuguese pastries. 

 

Huge plus - the spa is fabulous. My back and many other parts were a mess after travel so I called down for an appointment.  Although the masseuse was a bit lectury/negative (I know I’m a mess and you can’t fix it all 😂) - she did.  Using a combination of Thai and Swedish massage; she worked absolute miracles - and the price was only half of the price for a massage on Silversea. 

 

Quibbles: 

That “ double upgrade”?  Well, the room was large but had no view; the windows looked into an interior courtyard. Pretty sure I would have preferred the river view room was booked.   

 

This next one is hilarious.  The hair dryer wasn’t getting enough power to work properly in the bathroom, so I tried it with other outlets in the room. It would not work with any of them.   I asked the housekeeper for a new hairdryer.  As it turns out, these are new hairdryers for the hotel and the current in the bathroom is not strong enough to power this.   So you must plug the hair dryer into an outlet near the floor by your room door and lean over to dry your hair - with no mirrors.  I guarantee that no female was involved in these decisions!😂😂😂

 

 

 

 

PS - And alas, as you can see, the carpet really was quite dirty. Surprising for a hotel at this price point. 

 

[fdnycruiser]

We used out platinum card at that hotel last year, and I believe we got upgraded to that same room!  Courtyard family room, and same issue with hairdryer !   It is a nice hotel though, and we even had a nice dinner there one night.

[Lois R]

Well, tomorrow is disembarkation day......I am guessing Dolce is so busy enjoying herself she has not had time to post again.  Wishing you a safe flight home and hopefully you will be able to update us on your last few days on board what sounds like a magnificent vessel.😀 

[jpalbny]

Yes - the suspense is killing us. It is a tough task to keep up with a "Live From" thread though. Looking forward to the rest of the story.

[Stumblefoot]

7 hours ago, Lois R said:

Well, tomorrow is disembarkation day... 

Wow!  That was entirely too fast.

[Dolcevita Diva]

20 hours ago, Lois R said:

Well, tomorrow is disembarkation day......I am guessing Dolce is so busy enjoying herself she has not had time to post again.  Wishing you a safe flight home and hopefully you will be able to update us on your last few days on board what sounds like a magnificent vessel.😀 

Lois - You are soooo right. This “live” turned out to mean “hopefully she’s not dead.” 😂

The cruel ritual of disembarkation occurred earlier today, alas. 

 

So - let’s continue where we left off after embarkation.  A quick flurry of activity after boarding (meeting my butler Olivia, safety video, muster drill) and then met up with my friends who had also booked this cruise.  
 

Quick note re: muster drill. Silversea is using the same approach (watch safety video, then proceed to muster station without your life jacket at the designated time) we’ve all seen recently with one difference. There are no life jackets in your cabins on the Silver Nova. In the event of an emergency, life jackets will be distributed at the muster stations.      🤔 As someone who has been through a true emergency aboard a cruise ship many years ago and has seen enough disaster movies to spur the imagination, this approach is rather concerning.  Haven’t they seen how people attack the buffet in La Terrazza? Imagine what would happen to the staff handing out life jackets…
 

My friends’ travel to Lisbon did not go as smoothly as mine. Heavy rain delayed their first flight by several hours and despite wind sprints through Newark airport, they and a half dozen other passengers missed the flight to Lisbon by 15 minutes.  United routed them to Frankfurt for the night and then on to Lisbon the following morning; they went straight from the airport to the ship and were onboard by 1:30 or so.   Cautionary tale - seems like arriving 2 days pre-cruise is the minimum now. 
We had missed a planned dinner at Grenache in Lisbon for the evening before embarkation, so first decamped to the terrace of the Panorama lounge terrace to raise a toast, then on to dinner at SALT Kitchen. We ended up closing the restaurant…then went up to the Dusk Bar on Deck 10 for sail away at 11 pm under a gorgeous harvest moon.

 

 

 

Edited October 7, 2023 by Dolcevita Diva

[Dolcevita Diva]

A few comments about venues and some differences from the other ships.

The new location of the Arts Cafe close to the center of the ship and in the same area as Reception, Shore Concierge and Future Cruise Consultants creates a central hub. Despite the higher volume of passengers visiting the Arts Cafe, the team there, led by Tatiana, does a great job with thru-put and still provides that Silversea touch of remembering your favorites.
 

I do miss the Arts Cafe outdoor seating, but there are plenty of other options for outdoor seating on this ship, though.  There’s a wide variety of seating types in the Arts Cafe.  Be forewarned; if you choose the mustard-colored armchairs, your quads better be in good shape if you ever want to get up.   The most prevalent chairs are these odd-looking little round chairs that are guaranteed to improve your posture. 

 

One major change is that there is no alcohol served at the Arts Cafe and it closes down at 6 pm. I know some of you enjoyed stopping by the Arts Cafe after dinner for dessert or coffee with some Bailey’s or other liqueurs; that’s no longer an option.  This also means that there is no bar on this deck(4) for passengers to stop by before or after a show in the Venetian Lounge; you’ll need to go up or down a deck.  There didn't appear to be any beverage service in the Venetian Lounge on the occasions I visited, either. 

 

 

Edited October 7, 2023 by Dolcevita Diva

[Dolcevita Diva]

13 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

Wow!  That was entirely too fast.

Yes it was!!! 

[Dolcevita Diva]

The Dusk Bar on deck 10 is a terrific new venue.  I was initially concerned because one of the designated smoking areas on the ship is on the port side of the Dusk Bar and I often had to leave the veranda of the Arts Cafe on other ships because the smoke wafts over.  On the Silver Nova, the deck area is wide enough that unless you choose seating right next to the smoking area, you’re not likely to smell any smoke. 
 

There is a talented saxophone player on board who often plays at the Dusk Bar at, well, dusk 😉 and also later at night when there is a later sail away.  Chris also plays in the S.A.L.T. Bar some evenings.

 

I’d heard so much about the SALT Bar from so many of you and had to seek it out. Definitely go visit when you’re onboard the Nova - the bartenders need some company!!!   The SALT Bar is now on Deck 10 and is next to the SALT Lab.  Unfortunately, this new location is rather out of the way and seems to mainly be used as a pre-dinner meeting area for those who have reserved the Chef’s Table and other guests who are familiar with SALT Bar from the Moon and Dawn.  For those of you who felt the space on the Moon and Dawn was too small - there is plenty of room now! 

[Lois R]

Enjoying this very much😀 as for arriving 2 days early? Not this time. Hope things will go smoothly for me.

[boccenana]

Dolcevita Diva your detailed posts have been informative and very entertaining. Looking forward to your continuing observations about the Nova.

We sail on her in 6 days.

Between you and Lois you could write a book on Cruising with Silversea.

I do have a question for you.

Is there a place to purchase small items you may have forgotten, ran out of or just weren't allowed in baggage?

Thank you.

Elaine 😎 

 

[Lois R]

Hi Elaine, Dolcevita has writing skills that I will never have......but thank you anyway.

[Dolcevita Diva]

4 hours ago, boccenana said:

Dolcevita Diva your detailed posts have been informative and very entertaining. Looking forward to your continuing observations about the Nova.

We sail on her in 6 days.

Between you and Lois you could write a book on Cruising with Silversea.

I do have a question for you.

Is there a place to purchase small items you may have forgotten, ran out of or just weren't allowed in baggage?

Thank you.

Elaine 😎 

 

Thanks for the compliment, @boccenana, but I suspect many would wish my posts were more timely and less verbose 😉  They do have an assortment of "essentials" available on board; you can ask your butler for the list (had a feeling someone might ask; see below).

[Kalscruise]

22 minutes ago, Dolcevita Diva said:

Thanks for the compliment, @boccenana, but I suspect many would wish my posts were more timely and less verbose 😉  They do have an assortment of "essentials" available on board; you can ask your butler for the list (had a feeling someone might ask; see below).

Thank you for posting items available but .... Shampoo, conditioner, cotton swabs $????  etc... some of these item on this list ...aren't they

normally gratis?

[Dolcevita Diva]

 

The first day after sailaway was a sea day, which gave us time to explore the ship and relax after travel. The time had moved forward an hour during the night, which meant that many of us received polite phone calls 2 minutes after our spa appointment time.  A few learnings here: 1) if you're relying on Apple or other devices to automatically change the time, they aren't going to do so when you have them set on airplane mode...🤦‍♀️and 2) you will not be the only one and 3) the team in the spa very kindly does not deduct any time from your appt. due to tardiness. 

 

I don't always use the spa on board because in the past I've found the treatments to be fairly mediocre, but this time I had a great therapist.  On the Nova, the spa specials are not well-publicized (on other ships they typically put offers in the Chronicles). But since the Chronicles on the Nova are provided electronically - and are 79-80 pages long(!) - it's very easy to miss.  For example, apparently a drawing was held on the third day for a spa credit - only 3 people entered, so the prize was divided between the 3 of them.  My therapist also offered me 20% off any additional treatments for that week. 

 

This was also Formal Optional night - and it was a wonderful surprise to see what appeared to be the majority of passengers - across all ages - decked out in tuxedos, suits, gowns and cocktail dresses - really added a festive, fun touch to the evening. 

 

Edited October 10, 2023 by Dolcevita Diva

[Dolcevita Diva]

3 minutes ago, Kalscruise said:

Thank you for posting items available but .... Shampoo, conditioner, cotton swabs $????  etc... some of these item on this list ...aren't they

normally gratis?

Yes, there is an ample array of amenities in your suite - shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, sewing kit, cotton makeup pads, cotton swabs, nail file, shower cap, etc., as well as a clothing brush with shoehorn.   Have no idea why they are also offering the items you mentioned for sale.  

 

I "took one for the team" and used the new OTIVM line of shampoo, conditioner, etc. - my highlights survived, but I felt that the conditioner left my hair too dry.  

[Kalscruise]

20 minutes ago, Dolcevita Diva said:

 

The first day after sailaway was a sea day, which gave us time to explore the ship and relax after travel. The time had moved forward an hour during the night, which meant that many of us received polite phone calls 2 minutes after our spa appointment time.  A few learnings here: 1) if you're relying on Apple or other devices to automatically change the time, they aren't going to do so when you have them set on airplane mode...🤦‍♀️and 2) you will not be the only one and 3) the team in the spa very kindly does not deduct any time from your appt. due to tardiness. 

 

I don't always use the spa on board because in the past I've found the treatments to be fairly mediocre, but this time I had a great therapist.  On the Nova, the spa specials are not well-publicized (on other ships they typically put offers in the Chronicles). But since the Chronicles on the Nova are provided electronically - and are 79-80 pages long(!) - it's very easy to miss.  For example, apparently a drawing was held on the third day for a spa credit - only 3 people entered, so the prize was divided between the 3 of them.  My therapist also offered me 20% off any additional treatments for that week. 

 

This was also Formal Optional night - and it was a wonderful surprise to see what appeared to be the majority of passengers - across all ages - decked out in tuxedos, suits, gowns and cocktail dresses - really added a festive, fun touch to the evening. 

 

Are there showers in the spa area?... I have seen from photos and video the lockers, steam room and  indoor coed whirlpool..  but are there showers in the women's locker room?

 

[Dolcevita Diva]

1 minute ago, Kalscruise said:

Are there showers in the spa area?... I have seen from photos and video the lockers, steam room and  indoor coed whirlpool..  but are there showers in the women's locker room?

 

Not able to answer this, as I was taken straight from the waiting area to the treatment room.

[Dolcevita Diva]

Cadiz - The following morning we arrived before dawn into lovely Cadiz. Fabulous view of Cadiz from my veranda on the starboard side.  

 

My excursion for the day was Jerez De La Frontiera & Bodegas Osborne for sherry tasting. Prior to sailing, only one excursion time was listed, but I had learned through someone that there was a later time available. On this voyage, in some ports they apparently added new times and only published those in an excursion list onboard, so be sure to ask.  There were 15 people on our bus.  

 

The excursion and our guide were good, but we wished it had been at least an hour shorter.  The excursion began with a drive through Cadiz, with our guide pointing out key highlights, then we left the city en route to Jerez de la Frontiera. We had a "drive-by" of sites before the driver parked the bus and we walked to the courtyard at Bodegas Osborne, a producer of sherry and brandy since 1772.

 

The grounds are absolutely beautiful.  We were escorted into the caves and learned about the grapes used and had a very educational session about how sherry is produced.   Afterward, we were escorted through the museum into another room to taste 5 different types of sherry; the group had an enjoyable time getting to socialize with each other and tasting and sharing notes while a talented guitar player provided background music.  We were a bit startled when some dolorous singing began in the background and turned to watch a young lady (we later learned that she was only 13) sing and then dance the flamenco.  While this is enjoyable at first, when a third round of singing and dancing began, faces froze in polite smiles and the group became restless.   

 

My friends had signed up for the S.A.L.T. Rare Barrel Tastings & Gourmet Lunch at an 8-Generation Family-Owned Sherry Producer (Bodegas Hidalgo) which was priced at $439 US per person, so that  provided an opportunity to compare notes. They said there were 7 people including themselves who participated. Their excursion had much less "filler" time and took them to Bodegas Hidalgo, which is closer to Cadiz. The S.A.L.T. excursion included time in the vineyards learning about the grapes and harvest procedures. The discussion about how sherry is produced sounded similar to ours; but their group enjoyed tastings from rare barrels in the cave, followed by an 8-course lunch that they said was amazing.  

 

Edited October 10, 2023 by Dolcevita Diva

[Dolcevita Diva]

Photos of arrival in Cadiz and of Bodegas Osborne

[Dolcevita Diva]

Another difference of the Silver Nova (and presumably the Ray) is there are no plastic bottles. All passengers will receive a stainless water bottle to take with you on your shore excursions and use aboard the ship.  Your butler will keep it filled in the cabin, there is a filling station near the gangway and servers aboard the ship were proactive offering to refill your bottle. 

All the bottles are alike, however, which could easily result in mixups, especially since some people leave theirs on the excursion bus. Some passengers wrote their initials on the bottom.  

I happened to have a shoulder strap that came with my iPhone case with me and immensely enjoyed being told by other passengers how brilliant that was. 😎

 So if you wish to be known for your brilliance onboard, bring a strap or a carabiner clip to attach the handle to a tote bag, belt loop, etc. Those wine charms that are used at some parties would be useful too…(anyone with mfg. contacts, let me know…I have some ideas about those💡) 

 

[JSR]

3 hours ago, Dolcevita Diva said:

 

The first day after sailaway was a sea day, which gave us time to explore the ship and relax after travel. The time had moved forward an hour during the night, which meant that many of us received polite phone calls 2 minutes after our spa appointment time.  A few learnings here: 1) if you're relying on Apple or other devices to automatically change the time, they aren't going to do so when you have them set on airplane mode...🤦‍♀️and 2) you will not be the only one and 3) the team in the spa very kindly does not deduct any time from your appt. due to tardiness. 

 

I don't always use the spa on board because in the past I've found the treatments to be fairly mediocre, but this time I had a great therapist.  On the Nova, the spa specials are not well-publicized (on other ships they typically put offers in the Chronicles). But since the Chronicles on the Nova are provided electronically - and are 79-80 pages long(!) - it's very easy to miss.  For example, apparently a drawing was held on the third day for a spa credit - only 3 people entered, so the prize was divided between the 3 of them.  My therapist also offered me 20% off any additional treatments for that week. 

 

This was also Formal Optional night - and it was a wonderful surprise to see what appeared to be the majority of passengers - across all ages - decked out in tuxedos, suits, gowns and cocktail dresses - really added a festive, fun touch to the evening. 

 

Would you mind sharing the massage therapist’s name? 

[broker1217]

DD- could you please validate something? Is the SS water bottle the only water in the cabin?

I drink at least 2 liters a day so I would need t be carrying my bottle around to be refilled?

[sanne]

We are booked on the Nova next year. Please could you tell me which restaurants we will have to book on line before we go and which ones don’t take bookings. 
 

Thank you.