Silversea officially names Silver Nova, announces celebrity chef Nina Compton as Godmother

Silversea officially names Silver Nova, announces celebrity chef Nina Compton as Godmother
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Silversea has officially named Silver Nova during an intimate ceremony in Fort Lauderdale on January 4, honouring maritime traditions to welcome the ‘Ship of Light’ to its fleet.

    The 728-guest Silver Nova is part of Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to delivering the world’s best vacations, responsibly.

    Emotions ran high as bagpipes — a customary tradition of Royal Caribbean Group — resounded through Silver Nova’s theater to mark the commencement of the ceremony. A performance of the U.S. national anthem by Rachel York followed, as well as an exclusive screening of a commemorative video to honour Silversea’s 30th anniversary, which the Brand celebrates in 2024. Reverend Sanford Sears and Rabbi Adam Watstein blessed Silver Nova. Barbara Muckermann, president of Silversea, and Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, addressed members of the brand’s extended family and announced the ship’s Godmother: 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 Jason 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.”

    Silver Nova naming ceremony (Supplied)

    Muckermann added: “It is fitting that we officially named Silver Nova – a truly pioneering ship – in the same year Silversea celebrates its 30th 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.

    “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 (Supplied)

    Compton commented: “I am honoured to have been named Godmother of Silver Nova.

    “Throughout my life, I have explored the many ways in which the world’s cuisines – especially that of my home nation, St. Lucia, and the Caribbean more broadly – strengthen human connections, facilitate cultural discovery, and honor heritage, tradition, and identity. I believe food and drink have the power to bond people, providing insight into a community’s customs as a unifying language. I hope that my journey inspires Silver Nova’s guests to connect meaningfully with the destinations they visit and their people, forging strong relationships, broadening horizons, and providing self-enrichment.”

    Silver Nova departed on her maiden voyage from Venice on August 14, 2023. Following her Naming Ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, she now undertakes her first Grand Voyage, the Grand Voyage South America 2024, during which she will circumnavigate the continent, calling in 38 destinations in 18 countries over 71 days.

    Find out more about Silver Nova here.

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