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

[goldengatecruisers]

Dolcevita Diva - I am thoroughly enjoying your report.  I appreciate your style of writing and please continue the elaborate descriptions of your time on board Nova. We will board in a month and to say we are excited is an understatement!  I don't have any questions or requests, simply wanted to poke my head in to say 'thank you' for taking the time.  I hope there are more posts to come from your voyage.

Edited October 11, 2023 by goldengatecruisers

[Stumblefoot]

21 hours ago, Kalscruise said:

Thank you for posting items available but .... Shampoo, conditioner, cotton swabs $????  etc...

I’m more interested in knowing how many condoms and how much personal lubricant are they selling?
 

9 hours ago, sanne said:

Please could you tell me which restaurants we will have to book on line before we go and which ones don’t take bookings.

There are no dining venues across the entire SS fleet that require you to book online before you go.

[Tothesunset]

2 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

I’m more interested in knowing how many condoms and how much personal lubricant are they selling?
 

 

Rather less than joint relief cream and denture fixative, I expect. 

[Dolcevita Diva]

19 hours ago, broker1217 said:

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?

There was a glass bottle of still water and one of sparkling water in the refrigerator. The main change is there are no plastic bottles handed out when you leave the ship or arrive back from an excursion. 

 

13 hours ago, sanne said:

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. 

As @Stumblefoot mentioned, you don't have to reserve any restaurants.  That said, the one you definitely should reserve is it is of interest, is Silver Note. It's a very small venue and was fully booked all week.   Atlantide and S.A.L.T. Kitchen do not take bookings; all of the other restaurants do.  So if you have your heart set on a particular restaurant, go ahead and make a reservation. The Marquee (which combines Hot Rocks and Spaccanapoli) was very popular on this voyage, so would recommend pre-reserving this as well. 

 

In addition, the S.A.L.T. Chef's Table tasting dinner held in the S.A.L.T. Lab only takes bookings on board.  On my voyage last week, bookings for that experience were very light. My friends booked it on the same evening that I had reserved Silver Note; otherwise I would have gone too.  As it turns out, my friends ended up having a very special personalized experience - because they were the only people who had booked the tasting dinner that night. 

[Dolcevita Diva]

3 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

I’m more interested in knowing how many condoms and how much personal lubricant are they selling?

 

1 hour ago, Tothesunset said:

Rather less than joint relief cream and denture fixative, I expect. 

Interestingly enough, the demographics on this voyage definitely had a younger skew. I'd hazard a guess that at least 30% of the passengers were under 40. 

[Lois R]

1 hour ago, Dolcevita Diva said:

 

Interestingly enough, the demographics on this voyage definitely had a younger skew. I'd hazard a guess that at least 30% of the passengers were under 40. 

WOW! For SS, that is a young demographic.

[spinnaker2]

23 hours ago, Dolcevita Diva said:

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💡) 

 

I like the water bottle idea. What is of concern is the refilling station. People put the water bottle right up to the refill area and its contamination time!!!

[sanne]

1 hour ago, Dolcevita Diva said:

There was a glass bottle of still water and one of sparkling water in the refrigerator. The main change is there are no plastic bottles handed out when you leave the ship or arrive back from an excursion. 

 

As @Stumblefoot mentioned, you don't have to reserve any restaurants.  That said, the one you definitely should reserve is it is of interest, is Silver Note. It's a very small venue and was fully booked all week.   Atlantide and S.A.L.T. Kitchen do not take bookings; all of the other restaurants do.  So if you have your heart set on a particular restaurant, go ahead and make a reservation. The Marquee (which combines Hot Rocks and Spaccanapoli) was very popular on this voyage, so would recommend pre-reserving this as well. 

 

In addition, the S.A.L.T. Chef's Table tasting dinner held in the S.A.L.T. Lab only takes bookings on board.  On my voyage last week, bookings for that experience were very light. My friends booked it on the same evening that I had reserved Silver Note; otherwise I would have gone too.  As it turns out, my friends ended up having a very special personalized experience - because they were the only people who had booked the tasting dinner that night. 

This particular voyage we are traveling by ourselves…unusual for us. We like to eat early. So are you saying that apart from Silver Note, if we turn up at any of the dining rooms when they open we will be able to get a table for 2 without having booked it ( apart from Alanttide and S.A.L.T Kitchen which don’t accept reservations)

[sanne]

2 minutes ago, spinnaker2 said:

I like the water bottle idea. What is of concern is the refilling station. People put the water bottle right up to the refill area and its contamination time!!!

We had these bottles or similar on a Silver Explorer cruise many years ago. We saw the butler take them away with others from adjacent cabins to refil. Who knows which one we got back! I don’t like this. 

[Tothesunset]

2 minutes ago, sanne said:

We had these bottles or similar on a Silver Explorer cruise many years ago. We saw the butler take them away with others from adjacent cabins to refil. Who knows which one we got back! I don’t like this. 

It's the free of charge Silversea inoculation program. All part of the service. 

[Lois R]

12 minutes ago, sanne said:

This particular voyage we are traveling by ourselves…unusual for us. We like to eat early. So are you saying that apart from Silver Note, if we turn up at any of the dining rooms when they open we will be able to get a table for 2 without having booked it ( apart from Alanttide and S.A.L.T Kitchen which don’t accept reservations)

Suggestion.....if you know you want to eat early, I would go ahead and pick a few nights and your other options are LaTerrazza and The Grill......you could make reservations for the early slots in those 2 venues.  If you don't really want to do that, then go right at 7 to whichever place you are interested in and hopefully they will have a table for 2 available😀 

 

[sanne]

2 hours ago, Lois R said:

Suggestion.....if you know you want to eat early, I would go ahead and pick a few nights and your other options are LaTerrazza and The Grill......you could make reservations for the early slots in those 2 venues.  If you don't really want to do that, then go right at 7 to whichever place you are interested in and hopefully they will have a table for 2 available😀 

 

Thanks for your suggestions. Actually I’m happy to make an early reservation at every restaurant I’m able to on line. What I would find a problem is turning up at 7 at a restaurant and not being able to be seated at a table. So I can book every restaurant on line except Atlantide and S.A.L.T Kitchen? 

 

We’re seasoned luxury cruisers but not on the newer SilverSea ships with different dining to what we’re used to. That is the attraction, something new and different. We’ve cruised and travelled all over the world, now staying closer to home and the ship becomes the destination. 

[Lois R]

3 minutes ago, sanne said:

Thanks for your suggestions. Actually I’m happy to make an early reservation at every restaurant I’m able to on line. What I would find a problem is turning up at 7 at a restaurant and not being able to be seated at a table. So I can book every restaurant on line except Atlantide and S.A.L.T Kitchen? 

 

We’re seasoned luxury cruisers but not on the newer SilverSea ships with different dining to what we’re used to. That is the attraction, something new and different. We’ve cruised and travelled all over the world, now staying closer to home and the ship becomes the destination. 

Hi, yes you can book them on line. It gives you 3 choices. Early, mid and late. And you are correct, Salt and Atlantide are not set up for on line reservations.

[sanne]

3 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Hi, yes you can book them on line. It gives you 3 choices. Early, mid and late. And you are correct, Salt and Atlantide are not set up for on line reservations.

Thanks very much … I’ll make a note in my diary. 

[boccenana]

Dolce, since you have been aboard the Nova, would you have a suggestion for a good spot for our Cruise Criticers to meet?

[TakingFlight]

2 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi, yes you can book them on line. It gives you 3 choices. Early, mid and late. And you are correct, Salt and Atlantide are not set up for on line reservations.

Early, Mid and Late? So what times would equate to those descriptions?

[Stumblefoot]

3 hours ago, TakingFlight said:

Early, Mid and Late? So what times would equate to those descriptions?

7, 8, and 9.

[boccenana]

Anyone who has been on the Nova have a suggestion of a good place for our Cruise Critic acquaintances to meet next week. With a bar, of course. 

Elaine 😎 

[Dolcevita Diva]

On 10/11/2023 at 4:43 PM, Lois R said:

WOW! For SS, that is a young demographic.

Definitely a younger skew, but did not see kids, teens or passengers in their 20s.  A better way for me to frame that would have been that at least 30% of the passengers appeared to be between 30 and mid-40s and there was a healthy percentage in the mid-40s to mid-50s as well.  It was also noticeable that many of the more physically demanding excursions seemed to fill up quickly. 

 

On 10/11/2023 at 4:50 PM, sanne said:

This particular voyage we are traveling by ourselves…unusual for us. We like to eat early. So are you saying that apart from Silver Note, if we turn up at any of the dining rooms when they open we will be able to get a table for 2 without having booked it ( apart from Alanttide and S.A.L.T Kitchen which don’t accept reservations)

If you plan to dine early, you should have an easier time getting into most venues. But if there is a particular restaurant that you would be disappointed not to get into, definitely reserve that ahead of time. Someone else who was on the same voyage has said that she could not get into many of the restaurants without a reservation (partially because some passengers booked ahead and did not cancel).   That was not my experience - but I wasn't trying to get into La Dame or Silver Note.  We were able to dine at La Terraza on two different evenings when we did not have a reservation.  The Marquee was a challenge if not reserved ahead of time and others were definitely turned awaya; I saw a long queue form shortly after 8 pm. 

 

On 10/11/2023 at 7:58 PM, boccenana said:

Dolce, since you have been aboard the Nova, would you have a suggestion for a good spot for our Cruise Criticers to meet?

Go to the S.A.L.T Bar!  The wonderful bartenders there are lonely on this ship.  

Edited October 13, 2023 by Dolcevita Diva

[Dolcevita Diva]

Alright, I'm back. The Reentry to Reality phase post-cruise really reinforces the need for Silversea to adopt my recommendation from several years ago for a post-cruise butler service option. 😉 Hear me out - you arrive home in your Blackstone vehicle. The lights are on and a Silversea butler is standing outside your front door with a Welcome Home sign.  Inside, candles are aglow, there is a chilled bottle of Pommery and some canapes at the ready and a therapist is on hand to work out the travel knots while your butler unpacks for you.  He/she has ordered dinner for you from your favorite local restaurant and serves it plated on your china, while music from your favorite artists aboard the ship plays in the background.    After enjoying the delicious chocolates left at your bedside, you nod off to sleep that evening to the white noise sound of ocean waves. 

 

The following morning, you awaken to wonder if that was all just a dream - until you go to the kitchen and find freshly brewed coffee or tea in a thermos, with an array of pastries and other breakfast goodies on the counter, including the necessary fixings for a bloody mary or a mimosa.  Your laundry has been taken care of, your shoes are polished and there's a note letting you know that necessary perishable and pantry items have been ordered and will be delivered that morning - and that your luggage has been cleaned with an ecologically friendly cleaner.   And of course, tucked under that note is a Silversea brochure for you to peruse and plan your next voyage...

[mchell810]

I like this plan! 😜

[boccenana]

2 hours ago, Dolcevita Diva said:

Alright, I'm back. The Reentry to Reality phase post-cruise really reinforces the need for Silversea to adopt my recommendation from several years ago for a post-cruise butler service option. 😉 Hear me out - you arrive home in your Blackstone vehicle. The lights are on and a Silversea butler is standing outside your front door with a Welcome Home sign.  Inside, candles are aglow, there is a chilled bottle of Pommery and some canapes at the ready and a therapist is on hand to work out the travel knots while your butler unpacks for you.  He/she has ordered dinner for you from your favorite local restaurant and serves it plated on your china, while music from your favorite artists aboard the ship plays in the background.    After enjoying the delicious chocolates left at your bedside, you nod off to sleep that evening to the white noise sound of ocean waves. 

 

The following morning, you awaken to wonder if that was all just a dream - until you go to the kitchen and find freshly brewed coffee or tea in a thermos, with an array of pastries and other breakfast goodies on the counter, including the necessary fixings for a bloody mary or a mimosa.  Your laundry has been taken care of, your shoes are polished and there's a note letting you know that necessary perishable and pantry items have been ordered and will be delivered that morning - and that your luggage has been cleaned with an ecologically friendly cleaner.   And of course, tucked under that note is a Silversea brochure for you to peruse and plan your next voyage...

Just call me Maaadaahm.🫠

[Dolcevita Diva]

On 10/11/2023 at 4:57 PM, Tothesunset said:

It's the free of charge Silversea inoculation program. All part of the service. 

Ah, this could be the reason I've been sick the past few days! I thought it was due to all of the people coughing and sneezing during my travels back. 

Either that...or I'm allergic to being home? In withdrawal from copious quantities of champagne?

[Dolcevita Diva]

Since @boccenana will board in a few days, let me first add a few more overall comments about specific facets of this ship/cruise experience before covering additional details of our ports and excursions to wrap up.  None of these comments are intended as a complaint, just a few differences from other Silversea ships or oddities they may want to consider sorting out.

 

Follow-up note re: the Cadiz excursion and sherry tasting - unless you book the first group time, eat a hearty breakfast! Our excursion left at 9:45 a.m. and it was around 1-1:30 when the tasting portion began. So we'd not had lunch before we began tasting 5 different types of sherry😄. 

 

Electronics - The Silver Nova is much more advanced on the tech front, but there are a few areas that could still stand improvement.   The Chronicles, restaurant descriptions, daily menus and yourbefore we began tasting 5 personal agenda for the day are all handled electronically, either on the tablet provided in your suite, your television or your personal phone/tablet (after you download and connect to Silversea wifi and the mycruise app).   As you look through daily activities in the Chronicles, you can click on activities that you'd like to add to your agenda for the day.  

 

Really liked having this information available electronically, but some aspects are a bit cumbersome, too.  You can make restaurant reservations electronically, but you're not able to change the number in party or cancel a reservation through these tools (!?).   In fact, cancelling restaurant reservations was rather a pain on this voyage, as you cannot call to cancel until the venue is open or someone there in mid-afternoon, when you might be out on an excursion.  So you need to rely on your butler or ask the reception desk to cancel those reservations and in practice, they are so busy they sometimes forget.  And as mentioned, your agenda is available on your own phone/ap, but in my experience, that was only when connected to Silversea wifi.  Which means only when you're onboard the ship. 

 

Suite Numbering - The number scheme is disorienting on this ship. Although they followed the usual approach of even numbers on one side and odd numbers on the other, because there are so many different suite configurations interspersed with each other on a deck, the suite numbers on the opposite side of the hallway may be very different. For example, I had booked 6051, a deluxe midship veranda. After boarding the ship and going to deck 6, I quickly found suites 6052 and 6054. But the odd-numbered suites across the hall were numbers 6071 and 6073 and my suite was 10 doors down.    The elevator banks on opposite sides of the ship add to the disorientation once you get to your home deck (or was that the champagne? 😄).  So count the doors till your cabin from each bank of elevators. 

S.A.L.T. Lab  - As others have mentioned on the Dawn and the Moon, these classes can only be booked onboard and are very popular, so they book up quickly.  I inquired about the classes at reception immediately after boarding. They gave me the list (two different classes were offered that week) but told me that these needed to be booked on the television or tablet in my suite.  That didn't seem to be an option on my tablet, though.  Tried again at reception later that evening and they all classes were fully booked until the final day so I grabbed that spot.  I did try to stand by for an earlier class and the chef that day said that there was a spot available, but then far more people than there were places poured in so I left. 

 

The lady who runs the program was ill/quarantined that week and so the overall organization needed help - the chef was great with the cooking instruction but they really needed someone else there at least at the start of each class to manage the passengers.  They book reservations on the basis of two people at each cooking station, but most of the couples were taking two stations until another passenger pointed out "there are two aprons there, which means two people per station".  There were also clearly more people showing up than had reserved - when my friends took their first class, there was a third person added to their station and a few others.   So - a bit chaotic but loved the  class itself.  And the venue is gorgeous.  I've only seen pictures of the S.A.L.T Lab on the Moon and the Dawn, but this space on the Nova is quite beautiful with a full wall of windows. 

 

Entertainment/Activities - Although there was only 1 sea day on this itinerary, there were more  activities scheduled on port days than I ever remember seeing. From dance classes with the entertainers to table tennis competitions, golf-putting challenges, enrichment lectures every day and of course team trivia, there was a lot happening on the ship every day. There was also entertainment in each of the bar/lounge areas every evening, so you could listen to Alfredo in Dolce Vita, Chris on the saxophone at S.A.L.T. bar or Dusk Bar or Violinist Annet depending on which venue you went to at that time. And during the early evening from 6 to 8, it was a bit like "season" where I live - multiple invitations all at the same time, so you'd have to flip a coin or stop by each for a short bit.

 

The Venetian Lounge on the Nova is two-story which gives it even more of a feel of a  theatre/performing arts centre.  There was a much wider variety of entertainment - from the "new" singers/dancers to a comedian, the MacDonald Brothers and acts you may know from other lines like Chris Watkins the violinist.  And even (gulp) karaoke.   The new primary entertainment troupe consists of 4 singers and 5 dancers, plus the Silver Nova Band. The singers are phenomenal and include the gentleman who was the original Simba in The Lion King.  The dancers....hmmm. My opinion was that they're superfluous. They were energetic but didn't add anything to the show and the choreography seemed rather high school musicalish.  So - a LOT more variety than the Voices of Silversea.  

 

One major drawback? The cruise director is the fabulous and talented Ms. Vicki von Tassel. But if you adore her show "Ship Happens" (who doesn't !!!!???), you will not see it onboard. Silversea has deemed it not in keeping with the approach they are seeking for entertainment on the Silver Nova.  If  you're sailing soon, please write in the comments that you miss that show!  

 

As for the Karaoke?   Heard that it was very well attended and a lot of fun, although no major new talent was unearthed.  I'm ashamed to admit that I rolled my eyes when I read that Karaoke was an  option, because as I realized later - on Silversea you never know who might be a passenger onboard.  And remembered that way back when I used to cruise with my parents on other lines several decades ago, my dear mother used to bring down the house belting out "The Birth of the Blues" during those passenger talent nights...because when she was in her late teens, she used to sing with one of the big bands in Miami...

 

Edited October 14, 2023 by Dolcevita Diva
typo

[Lois R]

Hi, so there are no paper Chronicle's on the Nova? It is all electronic??? Call me old or maybe just old school but I love reading the paper in a hard copy.