Think Cruise Ships Can't be Eco-Correct? Think Again.
Small expedition ships going to remote, fragile environments already have strong eco creds. Silversea’s new Silver Nova, however, is an industry pioneer: a standard luxury ship that has been built from the hull up with sustainability in mind. Its defining feature: It is fueled by multiple power sources, like a hybrid car—and it has sleek new design elements to match (like suites with 431-square foot balconies and private whirlpools—see image above). For all you early adopters, the maiden voyage is July 2023, Southampton to Lisbon.
1
A BETTER POOL
Design elements first: The Silver Nova’s pool is not in the center of the deck, as is usual, but off to one side, giving swimmers and loungers more or less direct ocean views. (Feel as if the pool is tipping into the water? Perhaps one cocktail too many…)
2
FOREVER VIEWS
Cabins have extra-large windows, and there are glass walls on the exteriors of public spaces—even panoramic elevators. “We want the entire ship to project an openness to the sea,” says Roberto Bruzzone, SVP of marine operations.
3
CHOICE CABINS
The two 1,324-square-foot, wellness-themed Otium suites have 270-degree views from inside their staterooms. The mood: just you out there, sailing the sea.
4
POWER SOURCES
In addition to conventional marine fuel, the Silver Nova is powered by liquid natural gas (a fossil fuel but cleaner burning) and hydrogen fuel cells, which produce electricity with zero emissions and are ideal for when the ship is in port. No belching fumes.
THE FUTURE
One challenge to running ships on cleaner power sources like LNG and hydrogen is infrastructure. Many ports worldwide don’t offer LNG refueling, and virtually none offer hydrogen, which is notoriously flammable and hard to store. For now the Silver Nova will produce limited amounts of hydrogen onboard from LNG. Importantly, though, its battery pack has been engineered to double in size in the future. Consumer pressure and new regulations will increasingly require ships to limit emissions. “The moment ports see that there are enough ships to justify organizing the infrastructure, they will do it,” says Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s CEO. “Cruise lines can help drive that change.” The Silver Nova is a big first step.
T&C TIP
Aurora’s soon-to-launch Sylvia Earle (named for the renowned marine biologist) has, in addition to expedition ship eco-cred, an X-BOW design (which allows for smoother sailing even in rough seas, like the Drake Passage to Antarctica) and virtual-anchoring technology (which protects the sea floor).
This story appears in the Summer 2022 issue of Town & Country. SUBSCRIBE NOW
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