With its spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, picturesque towns and active excursion opportunities, Alaska is a paradise for adventure seekers and wildlife lovers with the added bonus of being in the U.S.
But even the biggest towns are small and most are not connected by roads, and provisions often can be hard to find. So if you're going to send a luxury traveler to the 49th state, particularly an older or particularly anxious client, a cruise ship is the way to go.
Cruisers have many options in this busiest of Alaska seasons; Silversea's Silver Nova is the newest. But it's more than just the new-ship smell that makes it stand out. The design team has combined the latest trends -- glass and light, open spaces, clean design, high ceilings and curved walls reminiscent of the waves themselves -- to create a ship that brings the ice and snow of this state front and center and wraps it in luxury.
"I didn't realize it was going to be this beautiful," said Embark Beyond luxury travel advisor Victoria Page -- and that's just the point, of course. When every turn presents views of the sea lapping against snow-capped mountains or carries the promise of whale or eagle sightings, you want to be able to watch it from the bars, the pools and even the elevators. And Silver Nova delivers on that front.
One thing we did learn on the fam trip I was invited on is that, in Alaska, the very first sailing of the season is potentially more suited to the adventurous traveler.
In late May, it was still cold and damp around Seward, with temps often in the 20s, and the seas were rough enough that many reached for their Dramamine. And while the staff was excited and grateful to see us, the salmon had not yet arrived on their annual trek to their breeding grounds.
The salmon will eventually cover the tops of the rivers and draw out many more bears, eagles and whales for their own version of fine dining. Still, sailing on the Silver Nova in Alaska is an unforgettable experience, no matter when you do it.
Embarking on the Silver Nova
Memorable excursions
The helicopter ride to the top of the Mendenhall Glacier is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of excursion; pricey at $429 but worth it. Sailing through the fjords also was amazing, and we did see a dozen or so whales on our whale watch, hanging out for about half an hour watching them dive and shoot water spouts into the air.
We heard complaints from some about crowded conditions at the sled dog camp in Skagway; if clients are animal lovers like they were, they should opt instead for the beautiful ride on the White Pass Scenic Railway. And for active travelers, the 14-mile bike ride back down a mountain is not to be missed (though warm and waterproof clothing really is important). Or guests can just ride the train back in comfort instead.
At the end of a long, chilly day, our ship's restaurants beckoned.
The S.A.L.T. cooking classes aboard the ship are free, fun and easy. Photo Credit: Cheryl Rosen
Multiple dining options
On the Silver Nova and her sister ship the Silver Ray, the full grill and pizza restaurants of the Muse-class ships have been combined into The Marquee and moved away from the pool to a beautiful outdoor space.
While few guests took advantage of the outdoor seating at the main La Terrazza restaurant (perhaps because indoors the floor-to-ceiling windows offered great views) many braved the open-air Marquee, sitting under electric heaters while the staff wrapped diners in blankets on cold nights.
I found the most popular restaurant, S.A.L.T. Kitchen, was home to consistently amazing, fresh and locally sourced dinners, including my favorite: black cod. One guest said the filet mignon at Atlantide was the best he had ever tasted.
The S.A.L.T. Bar outside was a favorite, as well, with its British speakeasy decor and friendly staff who build customized drinks based on your individual tastes.
Clients with onboard credit might consider The Chef's Table, well worth the upcharge of $180 per person. Or just sign up for the free, fun and easy S.A.L.T. cooking classes to learn how to make salmon cakes, smoked salmon spread, wild mushroom soup and wild berry crumble, along with knife skills and the best way to caramelize ingredients.
Kudos for the designers
On her fourth cruise with Silversea, Jennie McCalley of Savvy Journeys in San Diego was impressed with Nova's asymmetrical design, which moves the traditional grand staircase and elevators to the side of the ship rather than making them the central focus and puts all the public spaces and restaurants on the top and bottom decks and all the staterooms in the middle.
The living room area of a Medallion Suite aboard the Silver Nova. Photo Credit: Cheryl Rosen
Decks 6 to 9 have nothing but guestrooms, laid out on either side of a single hallway. "It's less confusing, and I've gotten lost a lot less than I normally do," McCalley said.
Another result of the ship's wavy design is that it "drives guests to become inquisitive, to seek out the little corners like the hidden library and the orange tree by the S.A.L.T. Bar, and try something new," said hotel director Stephen Crimes.
The entertainment, too, leans toward individual artists on sax, violin and piano, though the band and production crew are slightly larger than on other ships.
But as always when it comes to luxury, it's the details that make the experience.
My Medallion Suite featured hidden plugs in the shelf in the dressing table, a bathtub, a laundry hamper and, best of all, a butler who emptied it daily and brought my clothes back clean by 6 p.m.
My butler, Abhishek, surprised me with caviar from room service; a hot bath with candles and Champagne after a long, cold day outdoors; and clean sneakers when he noticed mine were soiled.
I tried to hire him and take him home, but apparently his loyalty, like that of many customers onboard, is to Silversea.