I was lucky to be invited to sail on Silversea’s Silver Nova out of Venice just prior to her first official sailing, cruising on her while the final touches were completed. She is a fantastically designed and open plan ship. Silver Nova has abundant natural light pouring in everywhere you go. The lifts look out to the ocean with glass exteriors and are placed midship on both port and starboard side, either side of the Art café. This café, is also near the Tour and Concierge desk and serves specialty coffees, teas and light snacks throughout the day - it was a handy place to orient yourself with early.

Then I checked into my suite, my personal butler, Rowena, was there to greet me and walk me through the spacious cabin, complete with king size bed, sofa, walk in robe and a great ensuite with glass door shower and double vanity - it was a very roomy bathroom. Rowena then poured me a glass of champagne from the complimentary bottle provided and while I watched the safety video on the TV, she unpacked my case and put my clothes away. What a treat!

Dinner on the first night was at La Terrazza. The restaurant is one of the many complimentary restaurants aboard. It offered a four-course menu with wine that was very good. This also where a very sumptuous and broad selection breakfast buffet is served with specialty coffees provided at no extra charge also. Atlantide also has an alternative breakfast option. (The plates alone are US$35 each).

Silversea are noted for their dining and excursions as part of their S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) program. To this end, they have excursions (extra cost) where small groups can book and go ashore with the chef to local markets to select food for that night’s menu in the S.A.L.T restaurant. So local foods and wines, from the country you are sailing in are provided on board, making for a more immersive experience.

There is the S.A.L.T. Lab, where you can get a cooking class and prepare a dish yourself, and the S.A.L.T. Bar alongside, giving you the opportunity to sample local wines and beverages also. The Marquee Grill and Spaccanapoli restaurant is well recommended for the pizza offerings, along with a great selection of Mediterranean dishes. It had a lovely open air space and feel to match the rest of the ship, with trees and plants, creating a great ambience.

I was lucky enough to be invited to dine in La Dame, one of the two specialty restaurants onboard that has a surcharge. You can just pay a set cover charge for the meal or for an extra US$90 for a wine pairing. Everything about this restaurant exudes opulence, from the décor to the amazing wine glasses, which are specially made for Silversea (don’t ask the price!) The service was excellent with a very knowledgeable sommelier combined with a sensational menu.

With Silversea, many of your shore excursions are included in your fare, so you can select these from the programme provided, prior to sailing. I did a walking tour of Venice with a very knowledgeable local guide. I also took a tour in Zadar, Croatia. We travelled to Krka National Park. I have never seen so many waterfalls in one place. Again, expert local guides and their local knowledge made the excursion very enjoyable. On both excursions lunch or morning tea was included.

The whole experience was absolutely fantastic and I felt privileged to have had the opportunity to experience such a great offering and to be one of the first aboard. I would have no hesitation in recommending Silversea and this ship to anyone seeking the finer things and wanting to holiday in absolute luxury.