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With stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, picturesque towns, and exciting excursion opportunities, Alaska is a paradise for adventure seekers and wildlife enthusiasts, and it’s also located in the United States.
But even the largest towns are small, and most aren’t connected by road, and supplies are often hard to find. So if you’re sending a luxury traveler to the 49th state, especially an older or particularly anxious client, a cruise is your best bet.
Cruisers have a lot of options in this regard Alaska’s Busiest Season; Silversea Cruises Silver Nova is up to date. But it’s not just the new-boat smell that makes it stand out. The design team combined the latest trends—glass and light, open spaces, clean design, high ceilings and curved walls reminiscent of ocean waves—to create a ship that brings the state’s ice and snow to the center and wraps it in luxury.
“I didn’t expect it to be this beautiful,” said Victoria Page, a luxury travel consultant with Embark Beyond — which, of course, is exactly the point. When you can see the ocean lapping against snow-capped mountains at every turn, or spot whales or eagles, you want to be able to see it from the bar, the pool, even the elevator. And Silver Nova delivers on that.
We did learn I was invited to a family trip Yes, in Alaska, the first cruise of the season may be more suitable for adventurous travelers.
In late May, it was still cold and wet around Seward, with temperatures often in the 20s and rough seas that forced many people to take seasickness pills. Although the staff was happy and grateful for our presence, the salmon had not yet arrived at their breeding grounds to begin their annual migration.
The salmon will eventually cover the rivers, attracting more bears, eagles and whales to enjoy their own tasty meal. However, any time you cruise to Alaska aboard Silver Nova is an unforgettable experience.
Aboard Silver Nova
Unforgettable trip
The helicopter ride to the top of the Mendenhall Glacier was a trip of a lifetime; it was expensive at $429, but well worth it. The ride through the fjord was also stunning, and we did see a dozen whales while whale watching, hanging around for about half an hour, watching them dive and spray water into the air.
We’ve heard some people complain about the overcrowding at Skagway’s sled dog camp; if guests love animals as much as they do, they should opt to take the beautiful White Pass Scenic Railway. For active travelers, the 14-mile bike ride down the mountain is not to be missed (although warm, waterproof clothing is definitely important). Or guests can take the train back in comfort.
At the end of a long, cold day, the ship’s restaurant beckoned.
SALT cooking classes on board are free, fun and easy. Photo credit: Cheryl Rosen
Dining options
Aboard Silver Nova and her sister ships Silver Raythe full grill and pizza restaurant on the Muse-class ships has been merged into The Marquee and moved from the pool to a beautiful outdoor space.
While few guests took advantage of the outdoor seating in La Terrazza’s main dining room (perhaps because the floor-to-ceiling windows inside offer excellent views), many braved the open-air marquee to sit under electric heaters while staff wrapped diners in blankets on chilly evenings.
I found the most popular restaurant, SALT Kitchen, to always have a delicious, fresh, locally sourced dinner, including my favorite, black cod. One guest said the filet mignon at Atlantide was the best he had ever had.
The outdoor SALT Bar is also a favourite, with its English speakeasy décor and friendly staff who will tailor drinks to your personal taste.
Customers with onboard credit can consider the Chef’s Table, which is well worth the extra $180 per person. Or simply sign up for the free, fun and easy SALT cooking class, where you’ll learn how to make salmon patties, smoked salmon pate, wild mushroom soup and wild berry crisp, as well as knife skills and the best way to caramelize ingredients.
Tribute to the designer
Jennie McCalley of Savvy Journeys in San Diego, who is on her fourth Silversea cruise, was impressed by Nova’s asymmetrical design, which moves the traditional grand staircase and elevator to one side of the ship rather than making them central, and places all the public spaces and restaurants on the top and bottom decks, with all the staterooms in the middle.
The Medallion Suite living room aboard Silver Nova. Photo credit: Cheryl Rosen
There are only staterooms on decks 6 to 9, located on either side of a corridor. “It’s less confusing, and I get lost a lot less than usual,” McCully said.
Another result of the ship’s wave-like design is to “stimulate guests’ curiosity to seek out little nooks like the hidden library and the orange tree next to the SALT bar and try something new,” said Stephen Crimes, the hotel’s director.
Entertainment also tends to be individual performances on saxophone, violin and piano, but the band and production team are slightly larger than on other cruise ships.
But as always, when it comes to luxury, the details make the difference.
My Medallion Suite came with hidden plugs in the vanity, a bathtub, a laundry basket, and best of all, a housekeeper who emptied the basket every day and returned my clothes clean by 6 p.m.
My butler, Abhishek, sent me surprises: caviar from room service, a hot bath with candles and champagne after a long, cold day outdoors, and a clean pair of sneakers when he found them dirty.
I tried to hire him and bring him home, but apparently his loyalty, like that of many of the ship’s customers, was to Silversea.
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