🌟 Regent vs. Silversea: Which Luxury Cruise Line Is Right for You?
- Janette Jahoda
- Nov 18, 2025
- 5 min read
As a trusted luxury cruise advisor who has sailed many times on both lines, I can say that Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises are my two favorites. I adore them almost equally — and here’s why: both offer a mostly all‑inclusive luxury cruise experience, superior fine dining, and attentive service that makes every voyage feel effortless.
What makes them even more special is their unique itineraries. These ships are small enough to visit boutique ports that big ships cannot, they often stay longer in port, and they frequently offer overnight calls. This means more time to explore, more authentic experiences, and itineraries that feel far from cookie‑cutter.
If you’re considering booking a luxury cruise and wondering which line is right for you, here’s my expert breakdown.
🔹 Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Fare Types & Inclusions
All‑Inclusive Cruise Fare
Refundable Deposit*
Unlimited shore excursions in every port
All specialty dining venues included
Unlimited Fine wines, premium spirits, specialty coffees, minibar stocked daily
24‑hour in‑suite dining
1‑night pre‑cruise hotel (Concierge suites+)
Butler service (Penthouse suites+)
Unlimited Wi‑Fi
Valet laundry service
Pre‑paid gratuities
Ultimate All‑Inclusive Fare
Adds roundtrip flights, airport transfers, chauffeur credits
Extra Costs: Regent Choice excursions, spa, salon treatments, premium wines/rare spirits
*Regent Deposits are refundable* if cancelled before penalities begin see cancellation policies for details.
👉 Regent Seven Seas Cruise Fare Comparison
🔹 Silversea Cruises – Fare Types & Inclusions
All‑Inclusive Plus Fare
*Refundable deposit
*Fare guarantee
Shore Excursion Credits
Specialty Dining is included, but two venues at dinner have a surcharge as they are a "Experiential Dining": La Dame (French Dining Experience) on all ships and Kaiseki (Japanese Teppanyaki & Kaiseki Tasting Experience) on some ships.
Unlimited Fine wines, premium spirits, specialty coffees, minibar stocked daily
24-Hour in-suite dining
Butler Service in every suite (not just Penthouse+)
Unlimited Wi‑Fi
Self-Service Laundrettes
Pre‑paid gratuities
All‑Inclusive Fare
Same onboard inclusions, but excursions are à la carte; non‑refundable deposit
Last‑Minute Fare
Discounted, full payment upfront, excursions/air/hotels purchased separately
*Refundable Deposits if cancelled before penalities begin see cancellation policies for details.
Extra Costs: Spa treatments, premium wines/rare spirits, La Dame French fine dining, Kaiseki Japanese restaurant (on select ships), depending on fare, excursions and private tours
👉 Silversea Benefits and Fares
🚢 Ocean Fleet Overview (Newest to Oldest)
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seven Seas Prestige (2026) – ~850 guests
Seven Seas Grandeur (2023) – ~754 guests
Seven Seas Splendor (2020) – ~754 guests
Seven Seas Explorer (2016) – ~754 guests
Seven Seas Mariner (2001, refurb. 2018) – ~708 guests
Seven Seas Voyager (2003, refurb. 2016) – ~706 guests
Seven Seas Navigator (1999, refurb. 2019) – ~490 guests
Silversea Cruises
Silver Ray (2024) – 728 guests
Silver Nova (2023) – 728 guests
Silver Dawn (2021) – 596 guests
Silver Moon (2020) – 596 guests
Silver Muse (2017) – 596 guests
Silver Spirit (2009, refurb. 2018) – 608 guests
Silver Whisper (2001, refurb. 2018) – 392 guests
Silver Shadow (2000, refurb. 2019) – 388 guests
🏡 Suites & Service Comparison
Larger‑than‑average suites, most with verandas or higher categories
Butler service: Silversea in every suite; Regent in Penthouse+
Nearly 1:1 crew‑to‑passenger ratios ensure personalized attention
No waiting, no lines, no crowds — embarkation and disembarkation are seamless
🎭 Entertainment & Daytime Activities Comparison
🔹 Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Daytime Activities
Destination lectures and enrichment talks
Cooking demonstrations and wine tastings
Fitness classes
Creative workshops (bracelet‑making, card‑making, needlepoint)
Social games: bridge, mahjong, card, trivia contests
Small casino with table games and slots
Evening Entertainment
Main Theatre: Broadway‑style revues (Divos & Divas, Piece of My Heart, Motor City Moves, Red, White & British, Sailing: The Yacht Rock Concert)
Guest entertainers: comedy, magic, vocalists, and cultural acts (flamenco in Spain, folkloric dance in Greece)
Guest speakers: cultural historians, naturalists, diplomats, professors, and TV personalities
Themed dance parties with live orchestra; dancing before dinner
Live music across multiple lounges (jazz, piano, dance band)
Social events: Captain’s Cocktail Party, Crew Talent Show, Guess That Tune, karaoke nights, passenger talent show, trivia contests
Social Meetups Onboard
Friends of Bill W. – Alcoholics Anonymous support meetings.
Friends of Dorothy (LGBTQ+) – Social meetups for LGBTQ+ guests and allies.
Solo Travelers Meet & Greet – Informal gatherings for solo cruisers to connect.
Atmosphere: Structured and lively, with a mix of big‑stage productions, cultural enrichment, and interactive events that encourage dancing and guest participation.
Differentiator: Strong emphasis on cultural immersion through excursions, enrichment programs, and destination‑specific performances.
🔹 Silversea Cruises
Daytime Activities
Enrichment lectures and destination talks
Culinary immersion via the S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) program: cooking classes, workshops, and destination‑inspired menus
Wine tastings, cocktail‑making sessions, and trivia contests
Shuffleboard and bridge sailings with formal programs
Small casino on most ships
Evening Entertainment
Main Theatre: Cabaret‑style revues (ABBA Night, British Pop, Motown & Soul, Rock Legends)
Guest entertainers: comedy, magicians, vocalists, and cultural acts (e.g., Fado Ao Centro in Portugal)
Themed dance parties with orchestra, Masquerade Parade, Captain’s Cocktail Party
Modern options: DJ dance parties, silent disco
Film screenings and new release movies on the big screen
Evening cocktail lectures on culture and history
Live music across multiple lounges (jazz, piano, dance band)
Late‑night Chocolate Extravaganza and after‑show mingling in lounges
Atmosphere: More intimate but structured, blending cabaret shows with lively dance parties and modern social events like silent discos.
Differentiator: Unique focus on culinary immersion through the S.A.L.T. program, tying food and culture directly to the destinations visited.
Social Meetups Onboard
Friends of Bill W. – Alcoholics Anonymous support meetings.
Friends of Dorothy (LGBTQ+) – Social meetups for LGBTQ+ guests and allies.
Solo Travelers Meet & Greet – Informal gatherings for solo cruisers to connect.
These are subject to change and not always the same on each ship and sailing.
🚫 Who These Lines Are Not For
Travelers seeking Vegas‑style entertainment with giant casinos, waterparks, or high‑energy discos
Families wanting kid‑centric programming (children are welcome but not catered to)
Guests looking for late‑night, high‑energy nightlife
👥 Who You’ll Find Onboard
Primarily retirees, professionals, and seasoned travelers
Mostly Couples, Friends Traveling and Solo Travelers
Focus on long, leisurely culinary dining, meeting new friends, and engaging in good conversation before and after dinner
Evenings are relaxed: some dancing in lounges, or enjoying jazz/blues and intimate entertainment options
✅ Bottom Line
Both Regent and Silversea deliver extraordinary luxury cruise experiences with spacious suites, attentive service, and itineraries that go beyond the ordinary. Regent is perfect if you want simplicity and unlimited excursions built into every fare, while Silversea appeals to those who enjoy flexibility and culinary immersion.
And when I say I love them, it’s not just because they’re beautiful ships. I’ve sailed them, studied them, and lived them through every stage of life. So when I recommend Regent or Silversea, it’s not just as your advisor — it’s as someone who’s been there, done that, and still feels the excitement of stepping onboard like it’s the very first time.
Do you need help selecting a cruise that is the best fit for you? Call me I'm like you're cruise matchmaker. I find out what is your style, and what you want in your cruise vacation and narrow the options best for you!
Call me at 623-748-4527 and we can geek out together on what cool about the cruises.
Janette Jahoda, Luxury Cruise Advisor
Specializing in Luxury Cruises and Custom Vacations
Phone: 623-748-4527
More About Me And Luxury Cruises Available for You!
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