Regent Seven Seas vs Silversea

Please Note: There may be additional inclusions and privileges for select stateroom and suite guests or select loyalty member tiers. Activities and entertainment vary by ship, itinerary and departure and are a guide only.

Which ships will suit me best?

Regent Seven Seas and Silversea both sail a luxury small ship fleet, with Silversea also boasting a handful of expedition ships. Expedition ships are designed for adventures to remote destinations, and come complete with Zodiacs for more time exploring outdoors than relaxing and taking advantage of the facilities on board. As Regent doesn’t offer expedition cruising, we’ll be focusing on the traditional small ship cruise experience between the lines in this comparison.

On Silversea’s traditional small cruise ships, you’ll find refined and timelessly elegant décor and ample facilities, from a library and spa to a pool deck and a selection of lounges to relax or socialise in the convivial atmosphere. Regent Seven Seas’ fleet offers similar venues and options for onboard enjoyment. You’ll find a sophisticated design and lavish touches throughout, complete with artwork from the likes of Picasso and Chagall, expanses of marble finishes and sparkling chandeliers.

Silversea Ships are Intimate

Silversea ships typically accommodate fewer passengers than those of Regent Seven Seas, making for a more intimate cruise experience. Four of the fleet have a capacity of roughly 600 guests, and two accommodate roughly 400 apiece. The last in the classic fleet, Silver Wind, welcomes fewer than 300 guests. She will also undergo a refurbishment in 2020 which will see her hull strengthened to ice-class, meaning she’ll be versatile enough to undertake Polar expeditions as well as classic cruises to popular destinations such as the Mediterranean.

Regent’s smallest ship has a capacity of just under 500 guests, while the other four in the fleet welcome 700 – 750 passengers apiece. Careful consideration has been given to the space to passenger ratio and there is a pleasant ambiance crafted from bow to stern. Despite a slightly higher capacity, you won’t feel crowded on board.

Of those who join you on either a Silversea or Regent cruise, the majority of guests will be in their fifties and over. Neither line is family-centric, although you will find some select holiday sailings with children’s programs, and on Silver Muse there is a dedicated space for children’s activities, whilst there is no specific program for children. Itineraries and onboard programs are primarily tailored for an older demographic and both lines attract cosmopolitan globetrotters who are interested in enjoying enriching experiences around the globe in a luxury setting.

Regent Ships Have (Almost) All Balconies

Both Regent and Silversea brand all their accommodation offerings as ‘suites’, although there are different layouts (from picture windows to grand multi-room options) and inclusions vary depending on the category of accommodation. Extra benefits are reserved for those cruising in the higher suite categories, rather than the standard inclusions that come with an entry level fare.

Except for a handful of Deluxe Window Suites on Seven Seas Navigator, every suite on every Regent ship comes equipped with its own private balcony. When cruising with Silversea, you can cruise with your own balcony in most suites. However, on every ship you can forgo the outdoor space and opt for a suite with picture windows which will usually bring down the cost a little.

The suites across both lines have a generous amount of space, with Silversea’s smallest Vista Suite coming it at 27 – 31 m² / 290 – 333 ft² depending on the ship. Regent’s entry level suite offers 28 m²/ 301 ft² of space, and the largest available on Seven Seas Splendor and Explorer – The Regent Suite – has a sprawling 412 m²/ 4,435 ft² spread across its two bedrooms, living space, an in-suite spa, marble bathrooms, and two balconies.

Who provides the best value - Regent Seven Seas or Silversea?

Both Regent and Silversea provide a luxury small ship cruise experience with plenty of bells and whistles. Both lines market elegant ships with all-suite accommodation, refined social spaces, sophisticated dining and a high service standard. The best value will come down to the two itineraries you are comparing, the deals on offer, and the most important items to you in your cruise fare.

Both Regent and Silversea position themselves as all-inclusive lines with gratuities, room service, Wi-Fi, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and several dining options included as standard in every cruise fare. However, the offering does differ slightly between these two chiefs of the luxury cruising world.

Regent Includes Shore Excursions

Guests cruising with Regent can take advantage of unlimited shore excursions included in the cost of their cruise fare, so there is no need to pay extra along the way. If there is time for more than one experience in port, guests can opt for multiple complimentary excursions to thoroughly explore their destination.

Regent’s collection of complimentary excursions provides more than just introductory tours, and you can look forward to experiences such as kayaking along Norway’s Geirangerfjord, whale watching in Alaska, watching a tango show in Buenos Aires, or enjoying beer and wine tastings at local venues around the globe. There is also the option to purchase for-fee Regent Choice excursions which may be of a specialist nature, provide an even more in-depth experience, or see you set off with a private driver and guide to truly tailor your shoreside exploration.

Comparatively, all excursions on Silversea classic small ship cruises incur a surcharge. The collection has been curated to explore the world the way you choose, and there is everything from sightseeing the iconic and historic sites, to local immersions, bespoke experiences, and even mid-voyage multi-night tours available for purchase.

All Dining is Complimentary with Regent

Wherever you decide to dine on board Regent Seven Seas, you can do so without paying any surcharge. You’ll find five or six dining venues on most ships, with four on Seven Seas Navigator. Whether you opt for an elegant steakhouse or prefer to dine on Italian specialties al fresco, your dining experience is complimentary.

Most dining is complimentary with Silversea, and you can enjoy menus curated by Michelin starred chefs. The line prides itself on its culinary excellence, and guests can sample varied menus in four – eight different restaurants, depending on which classic ship you’re sailing on. You will however have to pay a surcharge when dining in La Dame, found across the fleet, or in Seishin Restaurant and Kaiseki Restaurant on select ships.

Every Silversea Suite Comes with Butler Service

Every guest cruising with Silversea will enjoy butler service regardless of the suite category booked. They will be on hand to assist with your every need, from dining reservations to serving breakfast in your suite. The staff-to-guest ratio of nearly 1:1 on most ships makes for personalised and intuitive service throughout your voyage.

Staff on board Regent ships deliver friendly professional service and everyone from the stateroom attendants to the maître d’ are obliging of your every need. However, a butler service is only provided to guests cruising in Penthouse Suites and higher.

Every Silversea Mini Bar is Stocked with Spirits

Both Silversea and Regent Seven Seas include complimentary alcoholic beverages in their cruise fare, including premium wines and spirits. There is also an additional selection available for purchase if you choose, however, the complimentary offering is quite comprehensive.

When cruising with Silversea, your suite mini bar will also be stocked with your beverage preferences, including wines and spirits – these can be replenished upon request by your butler.

On a Regent cruise, your mini bar offering only extends to soft drinks, beer and bottled water (replenished daily). However, with free-flowing wines and spirits in the bars and lounges, this may not be a consideration for you.

Who will have the right itinerary for me?

Both Regent Seven Seas and Silversea visit a mix of popular destinations as well as exotic ports. The size of their vessels allows them to call into smaller, and often lesser-visit ports, as well as dock in the heart of all-time cruise favourites. You’ll find late evening departures and overnights on many itineraries across both brands, a feature that allows for deeper exploration.

If you are looking to linger even longer, Regent and Silversea both have a selection of overnight (or multi-night) land adventures. Instead of heading back to the ship after a day exploring what the banks of the Nile have to offer, perhaps stay a night in Luxor? Or if you are cruising around India, the iconic Taj Mahal is too far inland to visit in a single day – these multi-night trips make even more experiences possible.

Silversea boasts over 1,000 destinations across the seven continents. They have a strong offering in the Mediterranean and particularly excel in showcasing Italy – the home of Silversea. You’ll also find a comprehensive collection taking in USA and Canada and Australia and New Zealand, and you can visit Iceland on either a classic or expedition cruise. With so many destinations in their portfolio, there is no shortage in their offering around the globe.

Regent’s collection showcases the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Alaska, and is also a popular choice for Japan, the Baltic, Iceland and South America. They visit over 450 destinations worldwide and offer plenty of choice, albeit not as many ports of call as Silversea.

Whether you are cruising with Regent or Silversea, your options for onshore exploration are extensive (just remember, you’ll get a selection of them complimentary with Regent). On each line, choose from experiences that showcase history, culture, cuisine, the local life, and the incredible landscapes that you visit to further enrich your cruise voyage.