Ships
Ultra-luxury & expedition fleet
Guests
Intimate small-ship
Destinations
Including Antarctica & Arctic
Royal Caribbean Group
Ultra-luxury division
If you’re searching for Silversea Cruises, you’re looking at the pinnacle of ocean travel — a cruise line where every cabin is a suite, every guest has a personal butler, and the all-inclusive fare covers everything from vintage champagne to shore excursions. Silversea reserves many of its best promotions and suite upgrades for travel advisor partners, and Phoenix Voyages, as a TICO-registered agency and Travel Leaders Network member, has direct access to those offers.
This guide covers everything Canadian travellers need to know about Silversea — from the intimate classic fleet to world-leading expedition ships, itineraries spanning all seven continents, and how to book at the best possible price with full consumer protection.
About Silversea Cruises
Silversea occupies the ultra-luxury tier of the cruise market — a category shared with only a handful of competitors. Acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 2018, Silversea has maintained its independent identity while benefiting from the parent company’s investment in new ships and technology. The result is a fleet that’s simultaneously expanding and staying true to the intimate, all-inclusive ethos that Silversea was built on.
What sets Silversea apart from every other cruise line:
- All-suite, all-inclusive: Every cabin on every Silversea ship is a suite — the smallest starts at approximately 300 square feet, larger than most competitors’ balcony staterooms. The all-inclusive fare covers premium wines and spirits, gratuities, butler service, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and — on select sailings — shore excursions and business-class airfare.
- Butler service in every suite: Silversea is one of the few cruise lines that provides a dedicated butler to every guest, not just those in top-tier suites. Your butler unpacks your luggage, arranges in-suite dining, books shore excursions, and anticipates your preferences throughout the voyage. The crew-to-guest ratio (nearly 1:1) ensures genuinely personalised attention.
- Expedition leadership: Silversea operates the most extensive expedition cruise program in the ultra-luxury segment, with purpose-built ice-class ships reaching Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galapagos, and remote destinations that no other luxury line visits. Each expedition ship carries a team of 10–20 specialists — marine biologists, glaciologists, ornithologists, and historians — who deliver lectures, lead Zodiac excursions, and transform every landing into an educational experience.
- Culinary programme: Silversea partners with the SALT (Sea and Land Taste) culinary programme, which integrates local food traditions into the onboard dining experience. On each itinerary, the SALT Kitchen, SALT Lab, and shore excursions connect guests with regional ingredients, cooking techniques, and local food artisans. Combined with the signature La Dame restaurant (by Relais & Châteaux) and multiple open-seating venues, Silversea’s dining is among the finest at sea.
- Intimate scale: With ships carrying between 274 and 596 guests, Silversea vessels feel more like private yachts than cruise ships. This scale allows access to smaller ports that larger ships cannot enter — from the narrow channels of the Greek Islands to the fjords of Norway and the harbours of the South Pacific.
Who is Silversea best for? Experienced travellers who value destination immersion over onboard spectacle. Couples celebrating milestone occasions. Expedition enthusiasts drawn to Antarctica, the Arctic, or the Galapagos. Travellers who have outgrown mainstream cruise lines and want a genuinely all-inclusive experience where nothing is a surcharge. Silversea attracts a well-travelled, typically 50+ demographic, though the expedition ships increasingly draw adventurous travellers of all ages.
Classic Fleet vs. Expedition Fleet
Silversea operates two distinct fleet types, each designed for a fundamentally different style of travel. Understanding the difference is essential for choosing the right voyage.
Classic Fleet
The classic fleet — Silver Moon, Silver Dawn, and Silver Nova — represents Silversea’s ultra-luxury ocean cruising experience. These ships sail traditional itineraries in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, Asia, and on world cruises.
- Silver Moon & Silver Dawn (596 guests): Sister ships launched in 2020 and 2022 respectively. The Muse class introduced the SALT culinary programme, eight dining venues, a pool deck with whirlpools, and Silversea’s largest standard suites at 334 square feet. These are the workhorses of the classic fleet, covering the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and transatlantic routes.
- Silver Nova (728 guests): Launched in 2023 as the first of the Nova class — Silversea’s largest ship and the first to feature an asymmetric design with outward-facing public spaces. Nova introduced the Marquee deck (an open-air entertainment area), an expanded SALT programme, and panoramic suites with floor-to-ceiling windows. Despite the larger guest count, the crew-to-guest ratio remains near 1:1.
Expedition Fleet
Silversea’s expedition fleet is purpose-built for remote destinations, carrying Zodiac inflatable boats, kayaks, and expert expedition teams. These ships go where traditional cruise ships cannot.
- Silver Endeavour (200 guests): The crown jewel of Silversea’s expedition fleet. Originally built as Crystal Endeavor, this Polar Class 6 (PC6) vessel is the most luxurious expedition ship afloat. She sails Antarctica, the Arctic, and remote destinations with the highest ice classification of any expedition cruise ship in the luxury segment. Every suite has a balcony, and the ship carries 18 Zodiacs, kayaks, and a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) for underwater exploration.
- Silver Cloud (254 guests): Converted from a classic ocean liner to an expedition ship in 2017 with a strengthened ice-class hull, Zodiac loading platforms, and an expanded expedition lounge. Silver Cloud sails Antarctica in the southern hemisphere summer and the Arctic/Northern Europe in northern summer. Her intimate size makes her ideal for smaller, more remote landings.
- Silver Wind (274 guests): The line’s heritage expedition vessel, sailing diverse expedition itineraries including the Galapagos, Central America, and the Mediterranean’s less-visited coastlines. Silver Wind offers the expedition experience at a smaller scale with the full Silversea suite experience.
- Silver Origin (100 guests): Purpose-built exclusively for the Galapagos Islands, Silver Origin is Silversea’s most intimate ship. With a maximum of 100 guests, two naturalist guides per Zodiac, and all-suite accommodation, she represents the definitive Galapagos cruise experience. Sailings operate year-round from Baltra Island, Ecuador.
Classic or Expedition? If you want the classic ultra-luxury cruise experience — elegant dining, refined service, Mediterranean ports or Caribbean beaches — choose the classic fleet (Silver Moon, Silver Dawn, or Silver Nova). If you want life-changing destination immersion — walking among penguin colonies in Antarctica, kayaking alongside whales in the Arctic, or snorkelling with sea lions in the Galapagos — the expedition fleet is the way to go. Many Silversea guests do both over time, starting with a classic voyage and eventually graduating to an expedition.
Popular Silversea Itineraries
Silversea sails to over 900 destinations across all seven continents — more than virtually any other cruise line. For Canadian travellers, the most sought-after itineraries include:
Mediterranean
The Mediterranean is Silversea’s signature region, with both the classic and expedition fleets deployed here from April through November. Seven- to twelve-night itineraries cover the Western Mediterranean (Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Portofino, Amalfi Coast), the Eastern Mediterranean (Venice, Dubrovnik, the Greek Islands, Istanbul), and combination voyages. Silversea’s small-ship advantage is most apparent here — the classic fleet can dock in harbours like Portofino, Kotor, and Taormina that mega-ships must bypass. Sailing the Mediterranean on a 596-guest ship versus a 5,000-guest vessel is an entirely different experience.
Antarctica
Silversea operates one of the most respected Antarctica programmes in expedition cruising. Silver Endeavour and Silver Cloud sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, on 10- to 22-night itineraries that cross the Drake Passage and explore the Antarctic Peninsula. Guests make multiple Zodiac landings per day, walking among penguin colonies, observing whales and seals at close range, and standing on a continent visited by fewer people annually than summit Everest. The expedition team includes glaciologists, marine biologists, and polar historians. Antarctica season runs November through March — booking 12 to 18 months ahead is essential, as Silversea’s small ships sell out quickly.
Arctic & Norway
During northern hemisphere summer (May through September), Silversea’s expedition ships reposition to the Arctic. Itineraries cover Svalbard (polar bears, walrus colonies, and 24-hour daylight), Iceland’s volcanic coastline, Greenland’s remote fjords, and Norway’s coastline from the Lofoten Islands to the North Cape. These sailings combine natural spectacle with cultural landings in fishing villages, Inuit communities, and Viking heritage sites. The Arctic is increasingly popular with experienced expedition cruisers as a counterpart to Antarctica.
Galapagos
Silver Origin operates year-round seven-night Galapagos itineraries from Baltra Island, Ecuador, with connecting flights from Quito or Guayaquil. With only 100 guests and Galapagos National Park-certified naturalist guides, this is the most luxurious way to experience the archipelago. Itineraries alternate between northern and southern island loops, with Zodiac landings, snorkelling with marine iguanas and sea lions, and wildlife encounters that define bucket-list travel. The Galapagos is regulated and capacity-limited — Silversea’s allocation sells out 12 to 18 months in advance.
World Cruise
Silversea offers an annual world cruise of approximately 120 to 140 days, circumnavigating the globe on one of the classic fleet vessels. World cruises typically depart in January and visit 50+ countries across five continents, with extended port stays and overland excursion options. For Canadian snowbirds with the time and budget, Silversea’s world cruise is the ultimate extended voyage — and segments can be booked individually if the full circumnavigation is too ambitious.
Canadian departure tip: Most Silversea sailings require a flight to the embarkation port. For Mediterranean itineraries, look for sailings departing from Barcelona, Rome, or Athens — all served by direct or one-stop flights from Toronto and Montreal. For Antarctica, you’ll fly to Buenos Aires and connect to Ushuaia. Silversea often includes charter flights and pre/post hotel stays in the cruise fare for expedition voyages — ask our advisors for the full package details. On select sailings, door-to-door business-class air is included in the fare.
Explore Silversea’s Voyages with an Expert Advisor
Our TICO-registered advisors specialise in ultra-luxury and expedition cruising and can match you with the right ship, itinerary, and suite category — at no extra cost to you. We’re paid by the cruise line, so our service is completely free.
The All-Inclusive Difference
Silversea’s all-inclusive pricing is among the most genuinely comprehensive in the cruise industry. Unlike mainstream lines that advertise “all-inclusive” but then charge for specialty dining, premium drinks, and Wi-Fi, Silversea includes virtually everything in the base fare. Here’s what’s covered:
| Included in Fare | Details |
|---|---|
| Suite accommodation | All suites, from Veranda to Owner’s Suite, with butler service |
| Premium beverages | Premium wines, champagne, spirits, cocktails, specialty coffee — available throughout the ship, in-suite, and at all restaurants |
| Gratuities | All onboard gratuities are included — no tipping required or expected |
| Multiple dining venues | All restaurants, including La Dame by Relais & Châteaux and SALT Kitchen — no surcharges, no reservations required |
| Wi-Fi | Unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the ship |
| In-suite dining | 24-hour in-suite dining service, including from the full restaurant menus |
| Shore excursions* | Included on expedition voyages; included on select classic sailings (Silver Endeavours programme) |
| Transfers & flights* | Door-to-door transfers and economy or business-class air included on select fares |
*Shore excursions and flights are included on specific fare types and itineraries. Our advisors will confirm exactly what’s covered for your selected voyage.
The real value of Silversea’s all-inclusive: On a mainstream 7-night cruise, a couple can easily spend $2,000–$3,500 on drink packages, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and gratuities on top of the base fare. Silversea’s sticker price is higher, but when you factor in everything that’s included — especially premium beverages, all dining venues, butler service, and gratuities — the gap narrows significantly. For travellers who would spend freely on a mainstream ship, Silversea can represent comparable or better value.
Current Silversea Deals
Below are current Silversea promotions available through Phoenix Voyages. These rates include our Travel Leaders Network preferred pricing — exclusive amenities and suite upgrades that aren’t available when booking directly with the cruise line.
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Don’t see what you’re looking for? Our advisors can search Silversea’s full inventory and often uncover unadvertised suite upgrades, onboard credit, and door-to-door fare packages. Call 1-855-383-5771 or email us with your preferred dates and destinations.
Why Book Silversea Through Phoenix Voyages
You can book a Silversea cruise directly on their website — so why go through an agency? At the ultra-luxury level, the answer is even more compelling than it is for mainstream lines:
TICO Consumer Protection
Phoenix Voyages holds TICO registration #50028032, which means your payments are protected by the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund. At Silversea price points — where a single voyage can cost $10,000 to $50,000+ per person — this protection is significant. Booking directly with any cruise line or through an unregistered website does not provide this safeguard.
Travel Leaders Network Preferred Rates
As members of Travel Leaders Network — one of North America’s largest travel agency consortiums — Phoenix Voyages has preferred partner status with Silversea. This translates into exclusive amenities that aren’t available to the general public: complimentary suite upgrades, additional onboard credit, spa credits, pre-cruise hotel stays, and access to unadvertised promotions. At Silversea’s price level, these perks can represent $1,000–$5,000+ in added value per booking.
Ultra-Luxury Expertise
Booking ultra-luxury cruising requires a different level of knowledge than booking a mainstream line. Suite categories on Silversea range from Veranda Suites to the 1,389-square-foot Owner’s Suite, with meaningful differences in location, layout, and butler service level. The difference between the right suite and the wrong one — or the right itinerary and one that doesn’t match your expectations — can define the entire voyage. Our advisors know the ships, the suites, and the itineraries from firsthand experience.
Personal Advisor Service
At the ultra-luxury level, you deserve a service experience that matches the voyage you’re booking. A dedicated travel advisor who knows Silversea’s fleet, suite categories, and itinerary nuances can save you money, secure hard-to-get suites, and ensure every detail is handled. If something goes wrong before or during your cruise, you have a real person to call — not a chatbot or a hold queue.
No Extra Cost
Our service costs you nothing. Travel advisors are commissioned by the cruise lines — meaning you pay the same price (often less, with our preferred rates and suite upgrades) and get a layer of expertise and protection on top.
| Feature | Book Direct | Book with Phoenix Voyages |
|---|---|---|
| TICO fund protection | No | Yes |
| Travel Leaders Network rates | No | Yes |
| Complimentary suite upgrades | Rarely | Frequently |
| Bonus onboard credit | Sometimes | Frequently |
| Ultra-luxury expertise | Website filters | Specialist advisor |
| Problem resolution | Call centre | Personal advisor |
| Service cost | $0 | $0 |
Get the Best Rate on Your Silversea Voyage
Our advisors compare all current Silversea promotions and layer in Travel Leaders Network exclusive perks — at no cost to you. Same voyage, better value, full TICO protection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Silversea Cruises
What’s included in a Silversea cruise fare?
Silversea’s all-inclusive fare covers your suite with butler service, all dining venues (including La Dame by Relais & Châteaux and SALT Kitchen), premium wines, champagne, spirits, and cocktails throughout the ship, gratuities, unlimited Wi-Fi, and in-suite dining 24 hours a day. On expedition voyages, Zodiac excursions and expedition activities are included. Select fare types also include door-to-door transfers and economy or business-class airfare. Spa services and some premium shore excursions on classic voyages are additional. Our advisors will detail exactly what’s included for your specific sailing.
What’s the difference between an expedition cruise and a classic Silversea voyage?
A classic Silversea voyage (Silver Moon, Silver Dawn, Silver Nova) offers the traditional ultra-luxury ocean cruise experience — elegant dining, refined service, and port calls in established destinations like the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Asia. An expedition voyage (Silver Endeavour, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Origin) focuses on remote, often uninhabited destinations — Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galapagos — with daily Zodiac landings, wildlife encounters, and onboard lectures from expedition specialists. Both fleet types maintain Silversea’s all-suite, all-inclusive standard. Expedition ships are smaller, more rugged, and carry specialised equipment. The onboard atmosphere is more casual and educational compared to the classic fleet’s refined elegance.
When is the best time to visit Antarctica, and how do I get there?
Antarctica season runs from November through March, with the peak wildlife viewing window between December and February. January typically offers the most stable weather and longest daylight hours. Most Silversea Antarctica voyages depart from Ushuaia, Argentina (the world’s southernmost city), with a two-day Drake Passage crossing each way. Some itineraries include a charter flight over the Drake Passage to reduce transit time. Guests typically fly to Buenos Aires and connect to Ushuaia, with Silversea offering pre-cruise hotel packages. Booking 12–18 months in advance is essential — Silversea’s small expedition ships carry only 200–254 guests, and demand far exceeds capacity.
What is the dress code on Silversea?
Silversea maintains a more traditional dress code than many competitors. Evenings alternate between “casual” (resort casual, no shorts or jeans in the dining room) and “elegant” (cocktail attire, dark suit or tuxedo for men, cocktail dress or formal separates for women). On expedition voyages, the dress code is significantly more relaxed — daytime is entirely casual and practical, and evenings are smart casual with no formal nights. Most Silversea guests enjoy the opportunity to dress up; the small ship setting and elegant dining venues create a natural occasion for it. Your butler will press garments and arrange laundry service.
Is Silversea suitable for solo travellers?
Silversea is one of the best ultra-luxury lines for solo travellers. The line regularly offers reduced or waived single supplements on select sailings, making solo booking more accessible than on most luxury competitors. The intimate ship size (274–596 guests) means it’s easy to meet fellow guests in the lounges, at communal dinner tables, and during shore excursions. On expedition voyages, the shared adventure experience naturally creates connections among passengers. Our advisors can identify sailings with the most favourable solo pricing and recommend the best suite categories for individual travellers.
How far in advance should I book a Silversea cruise?
For expedition voyages (Antarctica, Arctic, Galapagos), book 12–18 months in advance — these small-ship itineraries sell out quickly, particularly peak-season Antarctica departures and all Galapagos sailings on Silver Origin. For classic Mediterranean and Caribbean voyages, booking 6–12 months ahead secures the best suite selection and early-booking promotions. Silversea’s annual Early Booking Bonus (released in the autumn for the following year’s sailings) offers the strongest combination of pricing and perks. World cruises sell out years in advance for the top suites. Contact our advisors to discuss availability for your preferred dates and destinations.
Ready to Book Your Silversea Voyage?
Phoenix Voyages is a TICO-registered travel agency (registration #50028032) and Travel Leaders Network preferred partner with Silversea Cruises. Our advisors compare all current promotions and layer in exclusive perks — at no cost to you.
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