Strolling through a lovely Japanese garden and admiring Amani Island-style, hand-made kimono artistry in Kagoshima, Japan, Luxury Travel Advisor "dived deeply" into the soul of Asia during a recent Silversea voyage. Sailing on the 728-passenger Silver Nova, we traveled from Tokyo, Japan, to Singapore on the ultra-luxury line's 16-day, annual Venetian Society Reunion cruise. Fellow travelers included 156 of the line’s loyal past guests, top Silversea executives and other travelers.
Check out our first article about the pre-cruise hotel experience, boarding, our #6092 premium veranda aft suite, butler service and our initial time aboard. Beyond enjoying the first port of call in Kagoshima, guests sailing on this cruise ventured ashore at Incheon, South Korea (overnight); Hong Kong (overnight); and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (overnight). Silversea's shore excursions provided an authentic look at Asian culture, heritage, cuisine and lifestyle.
At a wet market in Kowloon, Hong Kong, we gazed at eels and lobsters swimming in tanks and live fish flopping across sales display tables. In Incheon, South Korea, we and other Silversea guests explored Wolmi Park, once a military zone but now transformed into a recreational and cultural zone. There, cruisers walked through traditional Korean gardens and eyeballed historic attire and a reproduced family home reflecting the Joseon Dynasty era.
Enrichment & Activity Snapshot
But this itinerary was much more than simply exotic port days. It also included eight sea days. That gave luxury travelers maximum time to participate in enrichment programming, spa services, pool play, fitness classes, other onboard activities and dining. So, here's a snapshot look at Silver Nova's onboard enrichment and activities.
First, it's worth noting that on embarkation day, Silversea hosted a solo traveler get-together with dance hosts Ken and Kevin, plus an international get-together with international hostess Denise. Several travelers told us that those helped make them feel “included” from the start of the voyage and provided a segue to making a few new friends with which to enjoy onboard activities.
As for enrichment lectures, the line offered multiple talks by experts in Silver Nova's Venetian Lounge. That's the ship's two-level venue with comfortable theater-style seating. Here's a sampling of some speakers and their topics.
- Linda Walker: “Kagoshima: The Naples of the Eastern World” and “Incheon, South Korea: A Major Port City and Gateway to Seoul”
- Dennis Mammana: “In Search of Our Cosmic Roots” and “Seven Wonders of the Universe”
- Carol Klein: “Shopaholics Anonymous: Crafting Your Perfect Day in Hong Kong” and “Crafting Your Perfect Day in Ho Chi Minh City.” (FYI, Klein, a long-time Hong Kong resident and former hospitality executive in the city, also operated a hospitality desk on the ship to assist guests one-on-one with creating their journey ashore in Hong Kong, based on their personal interests.)
- Sir Alistair MacDuff, former English High Court judge: “Royal Scandals: 1850 to 1950” and “Escape from Sydney”
- Author and Chef Luke Nguyen: “Secrets of the Red Lantern”
- Dr. Harold Minkowitz: “Dreaming of Getting Enough Sleep” and “Pain: New Therapies in Pain Management”
In addition, two other kinds of enrichment activities proved a huge hit with luxury guests on our sailing. The first was the "Smartphone Photography Class" as well as a second, more advanced version of that. Travelers learned easy tricks and tips for taking the best travel photos. A few guests we encountered couldn't stop raving about these photo-assistance sessions.
Also highly popular were the many creative art classes led by instructor Shelley Ocana. For instance, she guided guests in making their own Korean-Style beaded necklaces and traditional Japanese art, to name a few of the offerings. Most popular was the chance to learn about watercolor shadowing while painting Hong Kong harbor’s junk boats. In fact, late in the cruise, many of those guest-created "masterpieces" were displayed on a public table for other guests to peruse. The artistry was incredible -- particularly given that many guests were novice painters.
Throughout the cruise, Silversea also fielded other fun activities including these:
- Boatbuilding (with supplies provided)
- Culinary demonstrations
- Table tennis, cornhole and shuffleboard tournaments
- Cocktail demonstrations, sake tasting with Japanese canapes, and a Champagne presentation and tasting
- An origami class (In Japanese, "oru" means ‘to fold’ and “kami” means "paper" -- hence the craft of "folding paper")
- Beginner or intermediate bridge lessons, as well as duplicate bridge play
- “Total Body Conditioning” with the ship’s fitness instructor
- S.A.L.T. Lab Classes including “East Meets West: Hong Kong’s Unique Breakfast Diners,” “Celebrating the Moon: East Asia Moon Festivals,” and “Slurping Your Way Through Japan: The World of Ramen”
- Golf putting
In addition, guests could head out for the ship's ballroom dance classes, or to play bingo, team trivia or “Name that Tune." Other onboard diversions included a small casino, plus bocce, croquet and more.
Given the many sea days on this voyage, many guests booked treatments in Silver Nova's Roman-indulgence-inspired Otium Spa. Options included a 75-minute “Roman Bliss Massage,” a “Black Pearl Hydra-Pure Ritual” for hair, or a 100-minute “Golden Radiance Facial," among dozens of other pampering treatments. In addition, Dr Claudine Deiparine consulted with guests about medi-spa treatments including acupuncture.
As for pool play, Silver Nova's large pool atop the ship is creatively designed with a horizontal layout. Because it's thus positioned close to one side of the ship -- rather than in the middle of the top deck as on most ships -- it offers superior landscape views while in port or ocean views on the high seas. Another enticing area with great views is the Cliff Whirlpool on Deck 11.
Asian Culture and Dining
Silver Nova will sail from Asia to Australia/New Zealand and operate a series of "down under" region voyages this winter. That said, the ultra-luxury ship will be back in Asia between late February 2025 and April 2025. So, with that in mind, we thought it appropriate to look at the ship's Far East culinary options for those who desire a complete, immersive Asian experience.
First, there’s Kaiseki, the line’s Japanese specialty restaurant, which is found not only on Silver Nova but also on Silver Ray, Silver Moon, Silver Muse and Silver Dawn. We briefly discussed Kaiseki in our first article. Simply put, don't miss the bao bun and savory sushi or sashimi at lunchtime, when dining is complimentary; an added fee applies for a different dinner menu.
Beyond Kaiseki, Silversea shines with its creative S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program, designed to spotlight local food-and-beverage offerings in the region of sailing. The complimentary S.A.L.T. Kitchen offers a two-part menu. Its "Voyage" offerings encompass regional specialties while the "Terrain" menu drills down into the specific cuisine and drinks popular in that day’s port of call.
While overnighting in Ho Chi MInh City, we dined at S.A.L.T. Kitchen and ordered the Voyage menu's "Parcels of Joy" appetizer, a colorful veggie dumpling feast. From the Terrain menu, we chose Cha Kho, a favorite Mekong Delta entree of caramelized monkfish braised with soy sauce, chili and coconut juice.
Guests who choose to "dine in" their suite can call for 24-hour room service. Sailing in Asia, the line offered a savory laksa lemak which is Malaysian seafood and coconut broth. We were enchanted with the laksa and ordered it three times. Also available was a tasty sesame ginger noodle salad with cashew nuts as well as Asian braised beef and potato curry. Many American favorites such as burgers, hot dogs, wraps, salads and other dishes were also offered via room service.
New Chef’s Table Experience
Most of interest, though, based on inquiries we've had the past few weeks from several travel advisors, is Silversea's new Chef's Table experience at the S.A.L.T. Lab. It's currently offered on Silver Nova and sister Silver Ray. Reservations aren't accepted prior to embarkation. So, interested guests are urged to sign up immediately upon boarding. This intimate, multi-course tasting and fine beverage experience costs $180 per person. That said, from our perspective after the dinner was over, it was worth the cost.
While the S.A.L.T. Lab is home to daytime cooking classes, at night it transforms into the Chef's Table for a much more intimate, interactive dining experience. Guests can expect an inventive tasting menu paired with fine wines and cocktails. Dishes highlight the ship's region of sailing. Best of all, only 18 guests maximum are accepted for any seating. In fact, we dined with only seven other guests.
Our group was seated on high-top chairs at a semi-circular dining bar surface that faced the spacious demonstration kitchen. So, we had great views of the culinary prep action. Luxury guests can expect plenty of one-on-one interactions here with several chefs, a sommelier and other culinary crew members. Service was friendly and finely orchestrated.
But the true "wow" moment was realizing that we wouldn't simply receive five, six or even seven tasting dishes -- but instead a robust, 11-course tasting menu experience. Our dinner started with “torched otoro tuna, crispy rice, wasabi and sea grape.” Among the many other courses were a savory “lobster summer roll with lemongrass and Vietnamese herbs” and “duck goreng, spice crisp, and sambal.”
Check out the full 11 courses we experienced by viewing the menu photo below. It gives a sense of what guests can expect. Just keep in mind that on a non-Asian voyage, the Chef’s Table tasting options will differ -- customized to the specific region of sailing. The experience may also vary within a region.
More Dining Choices
Of course, guests who don't fancy Asian cuisine have plenty of other dining choices on Silver Nova. In our first story, we briefly discussed Atlantide, the lovely main dining room with rich red décor and superb service. Guests are greeted by name and their favorite drinks or dining preferences are noted by Atlantide's servers. That makes the guest's return visit highly personable from the service side.
Atlantide's cuisine is a mix of traditional dishes such as fresh fish, seafood, steak, pasta and other favorites as well as international cuisine. While aboard, we did not dine at La Dame, the ship's elegant fine dining specialty restaurant, which carries a $160 per person charge. But that gastronomic experience includes curated tasting menus as well as a la carte selections paired with fine wine selections.
We did, however, dine for our first time on any Silversea ship at Silver Note. From the outset, we loved the ambience of this intimate dining venue, which mimics an upscale supper club; it's not a large dining room. But it offers a small bar, superb blue-and-pink mood lighting and live nighttime entertainment. During our dinner, we listened to live jazz and blues standards by a soulful female singer, accompanied by a pianist. After a day of touring ashore, Silver Note was a great way to wind down and relax.
La Terrazza, Silver Nova's prime casual restaurant, has a large amount of interior seating as well as a terrace for al fresco dining. At breakfast and lunch, guests just walk in (no reservations needed) to discover a substantive buffet plus a few table-served dishes. One lunch buffet highlight that truly wowed guests during our voyage was the buffet's cold feast of steamed/cooked lobster, crab and mussels. Many guests went back for "seconds." In fact, one traveler unabashedly stated, "I'm heading back for 'thirds,' " with a chuckle.
At night, La Terrazza transforms into a lovely Italian restaurant with table service; reservations are needed. In fact, upon boarding, we'd suggest immediately make any restaurant reservations for the rest of the voyage, if that's not been done in advance, based on loyalty status. We waited until the day after arrival, booked on our in-suite stateroom TV system, and got some reservations. But others were already booked up.
For instance, Silver Note continually showed "not confirmed" on our stateroom TV system. So, we spoke to our suite butler who was able to get our reservation confirmed one evening. Others too said their butler was successful at making reservations and getting a confirmation.
News about The Marquee
One news tidbit we learned during our voyage surfaced within the Venetian Society’s onboard Q&A session with Bert Hernandez, Silversea’s president, and Michael McCarthy, the line's vice president of operations and brand utilization. The news is positive and involves Deck 10’s casual Marquee and Grill. That venue serves light culinary fare and also offers Spaccanapoli's freshly made pizzas.
Right now, a roof protects some parts of that Marquee space from rain. But that’s not the case for the eatery’s central core. Instead, that area is topped by a slatted, gazebo-like covering. Thus, when it rains, as we observed firsthand, water drips profusely onto the centrally located tables, chairs and flooring. That area is then blocked off by crew members.
So, one Venetian Society guest asked Hernandez about what could be done about that. Both he and McCarthy answered that Silversea plans to add a magradome (a sliding roof covering) above that Marquee dining area. Look for it by sometime next spring, according to McCarthy. From that point forward, rain or shine, diners will be able to sit in The Marquee's central area, which has some comfortable, couch-like seating as well as tables.
Another casual dining option for guests is the Arts Cafe, a popular “grab and go” spot. Simply put, this is the heart of the ship with comfortable seating and display cases brimming with fresh fruit, cheese plates, pastries, cakes, cookies, wraps, sandwiches and other light treats. Guests just tell crew members what they want, and waiters circulate to offer drink service -- coffee, teas, soft drinks and more.
Meanwhile, guests truly enjoy socializing here. It's where we met many strangers who became fun compatriots on our great Asian cruise adventure. A plus? The shore excursion and reception desks are close by, very handy for any inquiries.
That's Entertainment
As for Silver Nova's entertainment, the pre-dinner showtime in Tokyo on embarkation day included a local program, “The Power of Core,” by Japan’s first drum performance group formed in Yokohama. That same day, guests also gathered in the Venetian Lounge with Cruise Director Grace Caudle for “Emotions,” an introduction to the singers, dancers and other entertainers that guests would encounter throughout their cruise.
Later in the cruise, during one day in Hong Kong, guests were treated to a performance of the Ned Kelly Band; the group has a full-time residency at Ned Kelly’s Last Stand, one of the oldest jazz pubs in Hong Kong. It’s a good example of how Silversea brings on local entertainers that reflect the culture of the ports of call.
One of the most memorable night-time entertainment options in Hong Kong was actually outside the ship. Because Silver Nova is smaller than many ships calling in the city, it's able to dock in the heart of Kowloon. We enjoyed sitting on our aft balcony with a glass of wine and gazing to the destination's skyscrapers -- illuminated in a razzle-dazzle light show.
While guests shouldn’t expect night-time Venetian Lounge production shows aboard Silver Nova to be the large, licensed Broadway-style shows that they’d possibly see on a mega-ship, we did feel that the ship’s smaller-scale showtime performances were quite entertaining. In particular, we liked “Casino” with iconic casino music of Elvis Presley, the Rat Pack and James Bond, as well as “Motown,” with live music by the Silver Nova Band, a few dancers and superb singers belting out hits by the Temptations, Supremes and others.
That band of at least seven members that we counted, also entertained in various lounges throughout the week, as did individual musicians including a superb violinist, two different pianists and a saxophone player. A late-night DJ (starting at 10 p.m.) played songs for those wanting to dance in the Panorama Lounge, while late-night comedy entertainer, Toby Daro, well-known from New York’s comedy scene, also performed.
Venetian Society Sailing
Hernandez joined Silver Nova halfway through this cruise. He came aboard in Hong Kong to mix and mingle with the Venetian Society's loyal past guests. He also hosted an exclusive event for those guests at Hong Kong’s Wine & Dine Festival; that event was set up in partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
Who are the Venetian Society members? While Silversea views the total number of those past guests as proprietary, it did tell Luxury Travel Advisor that most are Baby Boomers or Generation X travelers, although they span a range of ages. Typically, the line's guests are affluent, educated and either travel solo or as couples. They originate from throughout the world.
Next year’s annual Venetian Society Reunion Cruise will be on board Silver Spirit, departing October 17, 2025, from Fusina (Venice), Italy, and Piraeus (Athens), Greece. That 2025 Mediterranean itinerary was selected by Venetian Society members who voted for their preferred itinerary. Ports of call will include Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Santorini, Crete and Rhodes, Greece, among others.
Goodbye to Asia
As for Silver Nova's recently completed Venetian Society Reunion Cruise in Asia, we greatly enjoyed our time aboard and in the exotic ports of call. During one memorable shore day, we and fellow guests “braved” crossing Ho Chi Minh’s bustling streets to enter a traditional Buddhist temple. The street crossing was a nail-biting experience as hundreds of scooters and motorcycles zipped everywhere amid a sea of cars, trucks and motorcoaches.
Concluding our voyage in Singapore, we took a small boat cruise along the Singapore River to see contrasting Colonial-era buildings and modern skyscrapers. By motorcoach, we then drove by the historic Raffles Hotel en route to the 56-story Marina Bay Sands Hotel, where a speedy elevator whisked us upward to the Skypark Observation Deck for breathtaking land-and-sea views.
From start to finish, Silver Nova's service on all fronts as well as onboard cuisine were exceptional. While on board, we also had a chat with Hernandez, so we'll also publish highlights of that one-on-one interview later this month.