The epitome of ocean-going indulgence
For the discerning cruise guest seeking the pinnacle of luxury at sea, two names consistently dominate the conversation: Silversea and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Both promise extraordinary voyages where champagne flows freely, personal butlers anticipate your every desire, and exotic ports beckon just beyond your private veranda. Yet beneath these shared luxurious foundations lie distinct philosophies and approaches that define the experience aboard each fleet.
Silversea cultivates an intimate, yacht-like atmosphere with its smaller vessels and European sensibility, where bespoke service extends to every guest regardless of suite category. Regent Seven Seas, meanwhile, elevates the concept of inclusivity to an art form, with virtually every expense – from business-class flights to shore excursions – seamlessly integrated into a single fare. Both lines sail to the world’s most coveted destinations, yet each delivers the journey in its own distinctive style.
As the luxury cruise market grows increasingly competitive, with new challengers like Explora Journeys entering the fray and the revival of Crystal Cruises, understanding the nuanced differences between these established luxury stalwarts becomes essential for cruise guests seeking the experience that best aligns with their preferences.
Silversea vs Regent: Size and atmosphere
Silversea’s fleet size and capacity
There’s something undeniably alluring about the intimate scale of Silversea’s vessels. Their blue water ships epitomize this philosophy with capacity ranging from just 392 to 728 passengers. At no more than 244 metres (800 feet), these Italian-built vessels maintain a crew-to-guest ratio that creates an atmosphere more akin to a private yacht club than a conventional cruise liner – a sensation that becomes apparent the moment you step aboard and become aware that queuing has become as distant as the receding shoreline.
The line’s newer vessels, including Silver Muse (2017), Silver Moon (2020), and Silver Dawn (2021), accommodate around 600 passengers, while the newer Silver Nova and Silver Ray push the capacity to 728 guests. This restraint in size translates to abundant personal space and an atmosphere where staff members quickly learn your name and preferences.
Regent Seven Seas’ fleet size and capacity
Regent Seven Seas Cruises strikes a careful balance, operating ships that feel spacious yet intimate. Their vessels accommodate between 496 and 744 guests, making them, on average, somewhat larger than most Silversea ships, yet still firmly in the boutique category. These vessels – some built in France, others in Italy – measure around 224 metres (735 feet) and manage to preserve an intimate ambiance while offering more expansive public spaces. With an impressive crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.5, the service standard remains exceptional.
Across the Regent fleet, the smallest ship (Seven Seas Navigator) has a capacity of just under 500 guests, while most vessels welcome 700-750 passengers. The ships never feel crowded, with careful consideration given to the space-to-passenger ratio from bow to stern.
Accommodations
Both Regent Seven Seas and Silversea designate all their accommodations as “suites,” though layouts and inclusions vary depending on the category. What they share is a commitment to creating private sanctuaries of comfort and elegance.
Silversea accommodations
Step into a Veranda Suite aboard a Silversea vessel and you’re greeted by generous proportions and a private balcony perfect for contemplative moments of horizon gazing. The ships’ accommodation hierarchy ascends through Silver, Royal, Grand, and Owner’s Suites. A defining characteristic of Silversea is that every passenger, regardless of suite category, enjoys the attentions of a personal butler – those unobtrusive magicians who arrange restaurant reservations, refresh fruit bowls, polish shoes to a military shine, and perhaps most decadently, serve caviar in-suite at whim.
Silversea’s smallest Vista Suite measures between 27-31 sq.m. (290-333 sq.ft.) depending on the ship. Most suites come with private balconies, though guests can opt for picture windows instead, typically at a slightly lower price point. The bathrooms are invariably marble-appointed, with accommodations featuring luxurious touches like Pratesi linens and Bvlgari bath amenities.
Regent Seven Seas accommodations
Regent Seven Seas features an all-suite configuration that begins with Deluxe Veranda Suites. The Concierge Suites add thoughtful privileges like complimentary laundry service, while the Horizon Suites offer separate living areas and expansive terraces. For those seeking truly expansive quarters, the two-bedroom Signature Suite channels Park Avenue sophistication with dedicated butler service.
Regent’s entry-level suites measure approximately 28 sq.m. (301 sq.ft.), while their most opulent offering – the Regent Suite on Seven Seas Splendor and Grandeur – sprawls across an impressive 412 sq.m. (4435 sq.ft.) with two bedrooms, living space, an in-suite spa, marble bathrooms, and two balconies. Nearly all Regent accommodations feature private balconies, with only a handful of exceptions.
Connoisseurs of outdoor space will note that Regent’s newer ships feature notably generous balconies, with those on Seven Seas Explorer, Splendor, and Grandeur measuring approximately 88 square feet, compared to Silversea’s largest balconies on Silver Muse at 64 square feet – a distinction appreciated during long sea days.
Dining experience: Silversea vs Regent
Dining represents perhaps the most significant distinction between these two luxury cruise lines. As we have noted in our reviews, there are marked differences in culinary execution.
Silversea dining
Silversea’s culinary narrative reveals a landscape of occasional brilliance punctuated by inconsistencies. Their vessels house several established venues, including La Terrazza, The Restaurant, The Grill, and the French-inspired La Dame (which carries a USD60 per person supplement). La Dame stands as the ships’ gastronomic pinnacle, where the Grilled Rack of Lamb arrives perfectly rosé and succulent, while the Lobster Tail with Truffled Leeks presents an exercise in luxurious indulgence. Yet even here, a disappointing soufflé and service that lacks balletic precision suggest a culinary program lacking equilibrium.
Across the fleet, Silversea offers numerous dining options – newer ships like Silver Muse, Moon, and Dawn boast up to nine venues including Seishin and Kaiseki (both of which attract a USD40 per person supplement). On the other hand, the older ships typically have four restaurants. A distinctive feature of Silversea’s culinary program is its S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) gourmet program, which influences menus, onboard events, and excursions with a focus on local cuisines. The line also offers complimentary caviar on demand – a touch appreciated by connoisseurs of fine dining.
Regent Seven Seas dining
Regent Seven Seas transforms every meal into a celebration of culinary artistry. Chartreuse stands as the jewel in the fleet’s gastronomic crown, offering French cuisine executed with exceptional finesse. The escargots arrive perfumed with garlic and adorned with herb purée, anchovy, and Pommery mustard dressing – a presentation both visually stunning and palate-pleasing. Prime 7 delivers sophisticated chophouse fare, while even the main dining room, Compass Rose, exceeds expectations with offerings like white sturgeon caviar nestled atop smoked haddock parfait and perfectly executed seafood dishes.
Regent Seven Seas do, arguably, have the culinary edge. Unlike Silversea, all specialty dining on Regent is included in the cruise fare, with no supplementary charges – a philosophical distinction that speaks to the line’s comprehensive approach to luxury.
Entertainment and enrichment
Silversea entertainment and activities
Silversea offers intimate venues tailored to the ships’ scale. The Dolce Vita (or The Bar on smaller vessels) alternates between talented guitarists and piano vocalists, while the Panorama Lounge pulses with the rhythms of a four-piece band, inviting impromptu dancing. The show lounge presents productions featuring nostalgic tributes to musical legends, though the productions themselves remain somewhat forgettable. At least once per voyage, the ships host a deck party – an enchanting affair where passengers and crew alike abandon maritime hierarchy to dance beneath constellations.
Daytime aboard Silversea strikes a balance between intellectual stimulation and leisurely indulgence. Learned experts deliver lectures that illuminate upcoming ports of call, while the cruise director orchestrates spirited team trivia. For contemplative souls, the Observation Library offers a hushed sanctuary with panoramic vistas and a curated collection of books.
Regent Seven Seas entertainment and activities
Regent Seven Seas presents a constellation of intimate venues – each with its distinct personality – offering myriad ways to enjoy the evening hours. The Observation Lounge features a pianist whose repertoire provides the perfect soundtrack for cocktail hour. Later, the Stars Lounge pulses with energy as a charismatic vocal duo perform. In the Constellation Theater you can see stage shows, athought these are were not especially noteworthy. The Rock The Boat deck party stands as the entertainment highlight – an elegant affair where dancing beneath the stars feels like stepping into a private gala.
Days aboard Regent Seven Seas unfold with a rhythm of enrichment and relaxation. Intellectually curious passengers are drawn to expert-led lectures, while wellness seminars offer pathways to rejuvenation. Athletic pursuits range from pickleball to morning jogs along the outdoor track, with the generously proportioned pools providing ample space for proper swimming.
Shore excursions
The approach to shore excursions represents one of the most profound philosophical differences between the two cruise lines, with implications for both experience and value.
Silversea Shore excursions
Silversea’s shore excursion program ranges from panoramic tours to premium experiences that justify their additional cost. A visit to Matera – Italy’s extraordinary UNESCO-listed town of cave dwellings – proved enthralling for this writer, though my voyage’s apex was undoubtedly a day spent aboard a private yacht navigating Croatia’s archipelago with just four fellow passengers – exclusivity within exclusivity. Culinary enthusiasts can select food-focused excursions featuring olive oil tastings and market tours led by local gastronomic experts.
In general, Silversea tends to offer fewer excursion options per port compared to Regent, but with a greater focus on premium experiences. Numerous excursions still carry a surcharge. The advantage of this à la carte approach is the ability to select only the experiences that most intrigue you, potentially saving money for independent guests or those who prefer to explore ports on their own terms.
Regent Seven Seas shore excursions
Regent Seven Seas’ all-inclusive approach extends to shore excursions, with unlimited options included in the cruise fare. The distinction lies in scale and access: where the included excursions excel in breadth, by contrast the limited-attendance premium experiences (available for an additional charge) excel in depth, placing guests within the most coveted moments rather than merely adjacent to them.
Some experienced cruisers note that Regent’s included excursions occasionally feel more “mass market” than truly luxurious. However, the convenience of having most excursions included in the fare eliminates the psychological barrier of constant decision-making about additional expenditures – a liberating aspect of Regent’s philosophy.
Inclusivity and value
Both cruise lines market themselves as “all-inclusive,” though they interpret this term differently – a distinction with profound implications for both experience and value.
Silversea inclusivity
Silversea operates on a near-comprehensive all-inclusive model that eliminates many of the transactional elements that often intrude upon luxury experiences. Most alcoholic beverages – including champagne – flow without supplementary charges. Dining in all restaurants comes without additional cost, save for Seishin, Kaiseki and La Dame’s modest per person supplement. Gratuities are included in the fare, as is shuttle service to nearby town centers and self-service laundry facilities.
Additional inclusions on Silversea consist of 24-hour room service, in-suite mini-bar with daily restocking (including wines and spirits), enrichment programs, and laundry room use. Depending upon suite level, complimentary premium Wi-Fi (from one hour per passenger per day up to unlimited), pressing, laundry, ship-to-shore phone calls, and other perks may also be included.
Silversea typically offers lower base fares than Regent, making it potentially better value for passengers who prefer controlling their flight arrangements or those who enjoy exploring ports independently. However, Silversea also allow you to add round-trip airfares to the base cruise fare with a “Door-To-Door” option which promises a more relaxing and seamless journey.
Regent Seven Seas inclusivity
Regent Seven Seas takes the all-inclusive approach even further, eliminating virtually all transactional elements that could intrude upon the luxury experience. Everything from sophisticated meals and premium spirits in specialty restaurants to gratuities and most shore excursions are seamlessly integrated into the cruise fare.
Like Silversea, Regent lets you add round-trip airfares. Regent offer the ability to choose your preferred travel class, including first, business, premium economy and economy from most major U.S. cities. Also included are ground transfers between airport and ship, unlimited shore excursions (excluding premium options), and unlimited Wi-Fi. A one-night pre-cruise hotel stay is another perk for guests booked in a Concierge Suite or higher.
Regent’s fares are generally higher than Silversea’s, but once you factor in the additional inclusions the value proposition can shift depending on the itinerary and your personal preferences.
Passenger demographics
Both cruise lines attract a particular type of passenger – one who approaches luxury not merely as comfort, but as a platform for meaningful engagement with the world, though with subtle differences in clientele and atmosphere.
Silversea passenger demographics
The corridors and lounges of Silversea are populated by a sophisticated cohort, determined to elevate travel from mere tourism to artful exploration. A cosmopolitan passenger contingent primarily aged over 50 – cultured guests from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and South America – approach each port with purpose and curiosity.
These passengers tend toward the physically active and intellectually curious, appreciating the vessels’ dress code which shifts from resort casual by day to Elegant Casual or Formal Optional after nightfall.
Silversea maintains a more eclectic and European feel compared to Regent, with passengers more diverse in terms of outlook, age and nationality.
Regent Seven Seas passenger demographics
Regent Seven Seas attracts a similarly sophisticated demographic. Approximately two-thirds hail from the USA, with the remaining third representing a global tapestry: British couples celebrating milestone anniversaries, French connoisseurs critiquing the ship’s wine selection, and Australian raconteurs sharing tales from abroad.
The dress code includes “Elegant Casual” for standard evenings, while voyages exceeding 16 nights include “Formal Optional” evenings where traditional evening splendor is welcomed.
It’s fair to say that Regent attracts a somewhat more homogenous clientele than Silversea, with an atmosphere often described as more traditionally luxurious.
The final assessment
Silversea fleet assessment
To step aboard a Silversea vessel is to enter a realm where exclusivity is not merely promised but consistently delivered. Silversea embodies this with exceptional personal space, bespoke service, and a distinctly European sensibility that has earned the line its devoted following.
While dining experiences and service consistency occasionally falter, the fleet’s essential character – floating boutique sanctuaries that escape the algorithmic homogenization of modern travel – remains compelling for those who value exclusivity and intimacy. Indeed, one of Silversea’s primary strengths in providing a more intimate experience with fewer passengers, bespoke butler service for all suites, and a distinctly European feel.
Regent Seven Seas fleet assessment
Regent Seven Seas achieves that most elusive quality in luxury travel: effortlessness. The fleet consistently delivers excellence across nearly all aspects of the cruise experience, from exquisite cuisine and plush surroundings to attentive service and thoughtful inclusion of most expenses. Rather than merely transporting passengers between ports, Regent ships become destinations unto themselves – ones defined by sophistication, attentiveness, and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing precisely what discerning cruise guests desire.
Which is right for you?
Choose Silversea if:
- You prefer an intimate yacht-like experience with fewer passengers
- You appreciate butler service regardless of suite category
- You like using airline miles/points for flights and controlling your travel arrangements
- You enjoy exploring ports independently or on tailored private excursions
- You value destination-focused enrichment and cultural immersion
- You desire a more international passenger mix
Choose Regent Seven Sea Cruises if:
- Outstanding dining is a priority for your cruise experience
- You prefer a comprehensive all-inclusive approach with minimal additional expenses
- You value the inclusion of included shore excursions
- You desire slightly more spacious public areas and larger premium suites with generous balconies
- You appreciate extensive wellness facilities and sophisticated entertainment options
- You prefer a more traditionally luxurious atmosphere with opulent décor
Both cruise lines represent the pinnacle of luxury cruising, each with a distinct interpretation of what constitutes the ultimate experience at sea.
For the most accurate comparison, select similar itineraries from both lines and calculate the total cost including airfare and desired shore excursions to determine which offers better value for your specific needs.
The genius of the approaches taken by each cruise line lies in their recognition that luxury, like the passengers themselves, defies one-dimensional classification.
For more information visit the Silversea or Regent Seven Seas Cruises websites.
About the Author: Jason Kerr
