A Silversea cruise from the UK is about as close as cruising gets to staying in a boutique hotel that happens to move. Every guest has a suite, every suite has a butler, and almost everything you would normally pay extra for onboard is already included. The ships are small enough to reach harbours the big ships cannot, and quiet enough that you will never queue for a sun lounger.
We sell a lot of Silversea holidays, especially as Cruise & Tour packages, and the same questions come up every time. What is actually included? Which ship should I choose? Is it stuffy? This guide answers all of them.
What is Silversea?
Silversea is an ultra-luxury cruise line founded in 1994 and now part of the Royal Caribbean Group. Its fleet is split into two halves: classic ocean ships sailing to destinations all over the world, and expedition ships built for polar regions and remote coastlines. Guest numbers are small across the board, with most ocean ships carrying somewhere between roughly 400 and 730 guests, and the expedition ships far fewer.
The Silversea fleet
Ocean ships
- Silver Nova and Silver Ray: the newest and most modern ships, with an asymmetrical design that gives more open space and sea views, plus the S.A.L.T. culinary programme.
- Silver Muse, Silver Moon and Silver Dawn: elegant, spacious ships with a wide choice of restaurants, regularly sailing the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
- Silver Spirit, Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper: slightly smaller and very intimate, often on longer and more unusual itineraries.
Expedition ships
- Silver Endeavour, Silver Cloud and Silver Wind: ice-class ships for Antarctica, the Arctic and other remote regions, carrying Zodiacs and expert expedition teams.
- Silver Origin: built specifically for the Galapagos Islands.
Ships move between regions each season, so the best ship for you often depends on where you want to go. We can check which ships are sailing your chosen route and when.
What’s included on a Silversea cruise?
This is where Silversea really stands out. On the ocean ships, your fare generally includes:
- A suite for every guest, most with a private veranda
- Butler service in every suite category
- Drinks throughout the ship, including fine wines, spirits and champagne
- A well-stocked in-suite minibar
- Gratuities
- Wi-Fi
- Most restaurants, with a small number of speciality venues at an extra charge on some ships
Depending on the fare type, flights, transfers and shore excursions can be included too, and expedition voyages normally include guided Zodiac landings and lectures. Inclusions vary by fare and change over time, so we will always spell out exactly what your booking includes before you commit. If you are weighing up the luxury lines, our comparison of Explora Journeys vs Silversea vs MSC Yacht Club sets them side by side.
Can you take a Silversea cruise from the UK without flying?
Yes, on selected sailings. Silversea runs voyages from Southampton and other UK and Irish ports, including British Isles circumnavigations, Northern Europe and Norway itineraries, and occasional sailings towards the Mediterranean or Iceland. These are not as frequent as the big mainstream lines, so they are well worth looking at early.
Most Silversea holidays from the UK involve a short flight to join the ship in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or further afield. That is where a Cruise & Tour holiday really comes into its own, pairing a Silversea voyage with hotel stays and touring so the whole trip is handled for you. Our guide to luxury no-fly cruises from the UK covers the other high-end lines sailing from British ports.
Silversea expedition cruises: Antarctica and the Arctic
Silversea is one of the best-known names in luxury expedition cruising. A Silversea cruise to Antarctica usually starts in South America, crossing the Drake Passage or flying over it on some itineraries, then spending several days landing by Zodiac among penguin colonies and icebergs. In the northern summer, the expedition ships head to Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland and the Canadian Arctic. You get the adventure of a remote expedition with the comfort of a suite, a butler and excellent food when you get back onboard.
What is life onboard like?
- Relaxed, not stuffy: days are casual, and evenings are elegant casual. Some voyages have optional formal evenings, but a jacket is usually enough.
- Space: a high space-per-guest ratio means quiet pools, lounges and decks.
- Personal service: a high crew to guest ratio, and staff who learn your name and your drink within a day or two.
- Food: a big focus on quality, with regional cooking through the S.A.L.T. programme on the newer ships.
- Entertainment: lower key than the big ships, think live music, guest speakers and a show lounge rather than Broadway productions.
Who does Silversea suit?
Silversea is a great fit if you:
- Want a genuinely all-inclusive holiday without signing up for drinks packages
- Prefer a small ship and a quieter, more grown-up atmosphere
- Care more about destinations, food and service than waterslides and big production shows
- Fancy an expedition to Antarctica or the Arctic, but in real comfort
It is less suited to families with young children, as there are no dedicated kids’ clubs, or to anyone who wants a lively, resort-style ship. If you are not sure where Silversea sits against other lines, our guide to which cruise line is right for you is a good starting point.
Silversea cruise FAQs
Is Silversea all-inclusive?
Yes. Fares generally include your suite, butler service, drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and most dining. Some fares also include flights, transfers and shore excursions, so it is worth checking exactly which fare you are booking.
Does Silversea sail from Southampton?
Yes, on selected voyages, usually around the British Isles, Northern Europe and Norway. Most other Silversea itineraries start overseas, with a flight to join the ship.
How many passengers are on Silversea ships?
The ocean ships carry roughly 400 to 730 guests, depending on the ship, and the expedition ships carry far fewer. That is a fraction of the numbers on a mainstream cruise ship.
Does Silversea have formal nights?
Some voyages include optional formal evenings, but the everyday dress code is elegant casual. Our guide on what to wear on a cruise explains what that means in practice.
Are Silversea cruises worth it?
If you value space, service and having everything included, yes. Once you add up drinks, tips, Wi-Fi and dining on a mainstream line, the gap is often smaller than people expect, and the experience is in a different league.
Are Silversea cruises child friendly?
Children can sail, but there are no kids’ clubs and the atmosphere is aimed at adults. Families with younger children are usually better suited to other lines.
Booking a Silversea cruise from the UK with Need That Cruise
Choosing the right Silversea ship, suite and fare makes a real difference, and that is exactly where we can help. Whether you want a no-fly sailing from Southampton, a Mediterranean voyage with a hotel stay, or an expedition to Antarctica, our team will put the whole holiday together and look after you from the first call to the day you get home. Call us on 01724 808800 and speak to someone who knows Silversea inside out.
