Cruise Frog guide
Silversea Cruises
Silversea is a luxury cruise line with executive offices in Monaco and operations offices in Miami. It was founded in 1994 by Antonio Lefebvre d'Ovidio of Rome and V-Ships of Monaco, former co-owners of Sitmar Cruises, and it launched all-inclusive fares with its first ship, Silver Cloud. Royal Caribbean bought a majority stake in 2018 and the rest of the company in 2020.
Style
Luxury
small ships, a high crew-to-guest ratio, most extras included
Best for
- Couples
- History and culture
- Adventure seekers
- Food lovers
Fleet rating
No ships rated yet.
About Silversea Cruises
The 12-ship fleet runs from the 100-guest Silver Origin to the 728-guest Evolution-class Silver Nova and Silver Ray, which use LNG, fuel cells and batteries. Classic ships include Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Spirit and the three Muse-class ships, while Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Endeavour and Silver Origin form an expedition fleet, a line of business Silversea started in 2007, that sails to Antarctica, the Arctic, the Kimberley and the Galápagos.
Most voyages run port to port rather than round trip from a fixed base, with Grand Voyages and world cruises for longer trips. Fares are all-inclusive, and the line highlights butler service in every suite, its S.A.L.T. culinary program and the Otium wellness program.
What Silversea Cruises is known for
Silversea is known for all-suite ships with a lot of space and crew per guest, all-inclusive fares and butler service, and its expedition fleet, including the polar-class Silver Endeavour, is one of the established luxury options for Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galápagos. The Evolution-class ships added a distinctive asymmetrical design and hybrid power intended to cut emissions.
The main criticism is price: fares sit at the top of the market, even with drinks and gratuities included. The experience also varies by ship, since the classic ships from 2000 and 2001 have fewer venues than the newest builds, and some older ships were reconfigured for expedition use. Silver Shadow drew attention in 2013 when she failed a surprise US public-health inspection after crew reported food being hidden from inspectors.
Who it's for
Silversea suits experienced travelers, mostly couples, who want small ships, port-rich itineraries and an all-inclusive luxury fare, and who value food, service and space over onboard attractions. Its expedition ships appeal to adventurous travelers heading to Antarctica, the Arctic or the Galápagos who still want suites and fine dining, and its Grand Voyages and world cruises suit those with time for long trips.
Families with young children, travelers on a budget and anyone looking for water slides, big production shows or a lively nightlife scene will find better matches on mainstream or premium lines. Travelers who want a fixed home port for an easy round trip should check itineraries carefully, since most Silversea voyages are one way.
- Couples
- romantic dining, quiet spaces, balcony cabins
- History and culture
- port-intensive itineraries, lectures, included excursions
- Adventure seekers
- active excursions, remote places
- Food lovers
- dining is a reason to sail
How it rates
None of Silversea Cruises's ships has been rated yet. A line's rating is the average of its ships' scores.
Where Silversea Cruises sails
Ships
Silver Cloud1994 · 17,400 GT · 254 guests · Antarctica · South PacificSilver Cloud was Silversea's first ship, entering service in April 1994 after her hull was built at the Visentini yard near Venice and finished by T. Mariotti in Genoa. She was…
Silver Dawn2022 · 40,700 GT · 596 guests · Northern Europe · MediterraneanSilver Dawn, the third Muse-class ship, was delivered by Fincantieri at Ancona in November 2021 and welcomed her first guests in spring 2022; she was christened in Lisbon on 31…
Silver Endeavour2021 · 20,649 GT · 220 guests · Antarctica · Northern EuropeSilver Endeavour was built by MV Werften in Stralsund, Germany, for Crystal Cruises and sailed her maiden voyage as Crystal Endeavor on 17 July 2021, a ten-night trip around…
Silver Moon2021 · 40,700 GT · 596 guests · Asia · Australia and New ZealandSilver Moon, the second Muse-class ship, was built by Fincantieri and delivered in 2020, but the pandemic held back her first cruise until 18 June 2021, when she sailed from…
Silver Muse2017 · 40,791 GT · 632 guests · AsiaSilver Muse, built by Fincantieri in Genoa, joined Silversea in April 2017 as the lead ship of the Muse class, later followed by Silver Moon and Silver Dawn. Her first voyage…
Silver Nova2023 · 54,700 GT · 728 guests · Mediterranean · South AmericaSilver Nova, delivered by Meyer Werft in July 2023, is the first Evolution-class ship and Silversea's largest. Her asymmetrical layout offsets the engine casing to open up wider…
Silver Origin2021 · 5,800 GT · 100 guests · GalápagosSilver Origin is a 100-guest expedition ship built by Shipyard De Hoop in the Netherlands for year-round cruising in the Galápagos Islands. Planned as a sister to Celebrity…
Silver Ray2024 · 54,700 GT · 728 guests · Mediterranean · CaribbeanSilver Ray, the second Evolution-class ship, was delivered by Meyer Werft at Eemshaven in May 2024 and, after a naming ceremony in Lisbon with ocean scientist María Josefina…
Silver Shadow2000 · 28,258 GT · 392 guests · Mediterranean · CaribbeanSilver Shadow entered service in September 2000 as the first of two enlarged versions of Silversea's original ships, carrying about 100 more guests than Silver Cloud and Silver…
Silver Spirit2009 · 39,519 GT · 636 guests · Northern Europe · CaribbeanSilver Spirit, built by Fincantieri, entered service in December 2009 with a maiden voyage from Barcelona to Lisbon and became Silversea's sixth ship. In a two-month project in…
Silver Whisper2001 · 28,258 GT · 392 guests · South Pacific · AlaskaSilver Whisper, the sister of Silver Shadow, joined Silversea in 2001 after construction at the Mariotti yard in Genoa. She has 194 outside suites, most with teak balconies, and…
Silver Wind1995 · 17,400 GT · 274 guests · Antarctica · Northern EuropeSilver Wind is the sister of Silver Cloud, built in Italy and in service with Silversea since 1995 as the line's second ship. After years of classic voyages she moved to…Former ships
| Ship | Sailed | Gross tons | Left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Explorer | 2008–2023 | 6,072 | November 2023 |
| Silver Galapagos | 2013–2021 | 4,200 | January 2021 |
Where to fly in
- Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)1 Silversea Cruises ship sails from Piraeus, Greece9 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT)1 Silversea Cruises ship sails from Papeete, French Polynesia
- San Cristobal Island (SCY)1 Silversea Cruises ship sails from San Cristóbal, Ecuador1 lounge on Lounge Frog
Quick answers
What is Silversea Cruises known for?
Silversea is known for all-suite ships with a lot of space and crew per guest, all-inclusive fares and butler service, and its expedition fleet, including the polar-class Silver Endeavour, is one of the established luxury options for Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galápagos. The Evolution-class ships added a distinctive asymmetrical design and hybrid power intended to cut emissions.
Who is Silversea Cruises best for?
Silversea suits experienced travelers, mostly couples, who want small ships, port-rich itineraries and an all-inclusive luxury fare, and who value food, service and space over onboard attractions. Its expedition ships appeal to adventurous travelers heading to Antarctica, the Arctic or the Galápagos who still want suites and fine dining, and its Grand Voyages and world cruises suit those with time for long trips.
Where does Silversea Cruises sail?
Silversea Cruises's ships in service sail Mediterranean (6 ships), Caribbean (4 ships), Northern Europe (4 ships), Transatlantic (4 ships), Asia (4 ships), Antarctica (3 ships), South Pacific (3 ships), Alaska (2 ships), Australia and New Zealand (2 ships), Canada and New England (1 ship), South America (1 ship) and Galápagos (1 ship).
How many ships does Silversea Cruises have?
Silversea Cruises has 12 ships in service on Cruise Frog: Silver Cloud, Silver Dawn, Silver Endeavour, Silver Moon, Silver Muse, Silver Nova, Silver Origin and Silver Ray, and 4 more.
Who owns Silversea Cruises?
Silversea Cruises is part of Royal Caribbean Group.
Where is Silversea Cruises based?
Silversea Cruises is headquartered in Fontvieille, Monaco. It has operated since 1994.
What is Silversea Cruises's loyalty program called?
Silversea Cruises's past-guest loyalty program is Venetian Society.
What is the largest Silversea Cruises ship?
Silver Nova is Silversea Cruises's largest ship at 54,700 gross tons, carrying 728 guests.
Cruising with children
Silversea’s classic and expedition voyages should be evaluated separately for a family. Check both the child’s entry requirements and the activities you want to share.
Read the Silversea Cruises family guide →