Silversea celebrated the official naming of its groundbreaking ultra-luxury ship, Silver Nova, in a ceremony held in Fort Lauderdale on January 4. The 728-guest vessel, recognized as the most environmentally conscious in its class, strengthens Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to responsible vacationing. Renowned chef Nina Compton was honored as the ship’s Godmother.

The naming ceremony featured bagpipes, blessings, and the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle. Silversea’s President, Barbara Muckermann, and Royal Caribbean Group’s CEO, Jason Liberty, addressed the gathering. Compton, accompanied by Captain Cosimo Pontillo, performed the ceremonial naming and christening.

Muckermann, President, Silversea, and Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, addressed members of the Brand’s extended family and announced the ship’s Godmother: celebrated chef, restaurateur, and television personality Nina Compton. Rounding out the ceremony, Compton – accompanied by Captain Cosimo Pontillo – officially named Silver Nova and triggered a magnum-sized bottle of champagne to smash on the ship’s hull, before Liberty led guests in a toast to mark the momentous occasion.

“After years of research, development, and collaboration, we are all incredibly proud to officially welcome Silver Nova into Royal Caribbean Group’s fleet. Silver Nova is a game changer, a new vision for the ultra-luxury travel experience,” said Liberty. “We will continue to push boundaries and innovate the vacation experience in 2024 with our three global brands that, together, turn the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations for our guests around the world.”

“It is fitting that we officially named Silver Nova – a truly pioneering ship – in the same year Silversea celebrates its 30^th anniversary: the ship connects our history with our tomorrow, striking a perfect balance between our Brand’s refined heritage and the future of ultra-luxury cruise travel,” said Muckermann. “Launching this pioneering ship would not have been possible without the invaluable support of Jason Liberty, and all involved at Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea, and Meyer Werft. A strong expression of our brand positioning, Silver Nova will immerse guests into the world’s most enriching destinations, championing human connection and cultural discovery. For this reason, Chef Nina Compton is the perfect fit for the ship’s Godmother – her values perfectly align with those at the heart of our S.A.L.T. culinary program, and I have no doubt she will inspire our guests to engage meaningfully with the planet and its people.”

Silver Nova, a symbol of Silversea’s refined heritage and the future of ultra-luxury cruise travel, boasts innovative design and environmental considerations. With a focus on openness and spectacular views, the ship offers a unique and spacious experience, featuring a variety of suites, personalized service, and departure on her maiden voyage from Venice on August 14, 2023. Following the ceremony, Silver Nova embarked on her first Grand Voyage, exploring 38 destinations in 18 countries over 71 days in South America.