Royal Caribbean Group, which bought a majority stake in 2018 and the remaining shares in 2020.

Are gratuities included on Silversea?

Yes. Gratuities are included in the fare, except for spa and salon services.

S.A.L.T. stands for Sea And Land Taste, Silversea's culinary program that ties onboard menus, cooking classes and shore experiences to the local cuisine of each destination.

Does Silversea go to Antarctica?

Yes. Silversea's expedition ships, such as Silver Endeavour, sail to Antarctica with Zodiac landings and expert guides.

Does every Silversea guest get a butler?

Yes. Butler service is included for every suite across the fleet.

Silversea Cruises: Honest Guide, Ships and Tips

Silversea was founded in Monaco in 1994 and is now fully owned by Royal Caribbean Group, which took a majority stake in 2018 and bought the rest in 2020. Its fleet of a dozen small ships splits into two styles: classic luxury ships, led by the Nova class (Silver Nova in 2023 and Silver Ray in 2024), and expedition ships such as Silver Origin in the Galápagos and Silver Endeavour in the polar regions.

Every guest stays in a suite with butler service, and the ships carry a few hundred guests each, so service is personal and public spaces rarely feel busy. Drinks, gratuities and Wi-Fi are included, and the newer ships feature S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste), a culinary program built around the local food of each region you visit. Expedition voyages add Zodiac landings, naturalist guides and remote destinations like Antarctica and the Galápagos.

Silversea suits luxury travelers who want small-ship intimacy, off-the-beaten-path itineraries and polished service, and adventurers who want expedition travel with luxury comforts. It is not suited to families with young kids, budget travelers or anyone who wants big-ship entertainment and nightlife.

The vibe: Quietly elegant and well-traveled, with butler-level service and a strong sense of place.

Great for

Luxury travelers who want small ships and personal service
Expedition travelers heading to Antarctica, the Arctic or the Galápagos
Food lovers interested in regional cuisine
Long voyages and world cruises
Couples and solo travelers who prefer intimate ships

Maybe not for

Families with young children
Budget-conscious travelers
Travelers who want nightlife and big production shows
Anyone looking for big-ship attractions

What Silversea does best

Butler service in every suite

Every guest has butler service, from unpacking help to in-suite dining arrangements.

Expedition fleet

Ships such as Silver Endeavour and Silver Origin take guests to Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galápagos with Zodiac landings and expert guides.

S.A.L.T. culinary program

On the newest ships, S.A.L.T. connects onboard menus, a cooking lab and shore experiences to the cuisine of each region.

Nova-class ships

Silver Nova and Silver Ray feature an asymmetrical design with more open-air space and wide sea views.

Inclusive fares

Drinks, gratuities and Wi-Fi are included, with options to bundle flights and excursions depending on the fare type.

Dining

Main dining and casual venues are included, with menus that change by region. Venues vary by ship and can include The Restaurant or Atlantide, La Terrazza (Italian), the Grill on the pool deck, and on the newest ships the S.A.L.T. Kitchen and S.A.L.T. Bar. Some premium venues, such as the French restaurant La Dame on certain ships, carry a surcharge. In-suite dining is available at any hour.

Entertainment and activities

Entertainment is understated: live music, cabaret-style performances, guest speakers and destination lectures. Expedition ships focus on daily recaps and talks by the expedition team. Some classic ships also have a small casino. Evenings center on dinner and conversation.

Families and kids

Children may sail, but Silversea has no kids' clubs or family facilities, and few children travel on its ships. Expedition voyages may have minimum age requirements.

Dress code

Most evenings are elegant casual, with optional formal evenings on longer classic voyages. Expedition voyages are casual throughout, with practical outdoor gear needed for landings.

Gratuities and drinks

Gratuities are included in Silversea fares, except for salon and spa services. (Published rates as of 2026-10-13; source. Lines change these, so we confirm the current amount in every quote.)

Most drinks are included, including select wines, Champagne, spirits, beer, soft drinks and specialty coffees, along with an in-suite minibar stocked to your preferences. Premium wines and spirits are available for purchase.

Loyalty program: Venetian Society. Tell us your number when you request a quote so past-guest offers and status perks are applied.

Specialist tips for booking Silversea

Compare fare types carefully. Silversea sells cruise-only and more inclusive fare options that can add flights, transfers and excursions, and the best choice depends on where you live.
On expedition voyages, the landings and Zodiac operations are included; spend your money on quality layers and waterproof gear instead.
Use your butler. They can arrange dinner reservations, pack and unpack, and set up special occasions without fuss.
On the Nova-class ships, book the S.A.L.T. Lab cooking experiences early; capacity is very limited.
Galápagos voyages on Silver Origin are an efficient way to see the islands in comfort, but book well ahead for school holiday periods.

Silversea Cruises