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Silversea vs Seabourn: Ship Size, Entry Suites, Butlers and Inclusions Compared

Silversea vs Seabourn compared from the lines' own pages: ship size, entry suites, butler, inclusions and dress code, with Regent Seven Seas as the third column.

By Wijet Editors

At a glance

Silversea vs Seabourn at a glance

Silver Nova
728 guests, 544 crew
About 1.3 guests per crew member, computed from Silversea's ship page, 2026
Seabourn Encore
600 guests, 40,350 gross tons
Per Luxury Travel Magazine, November 2016, and a Seabourn charter brochure
Entry veranda suite, interior
301 sq ft vs 246 to 302 sq ft
Silversea Superior Veranda (Silver Nova) vs Seabourn Veranda Suite, per each line's site
Gratuities
Seabourn: not expected. Regent: included
Per seabourn.com and rssc.com, 2026; Silversea's page does not say

Silversea and Seabourn are close in price and philosophy, so the answer comes down to size and service style. Silver Nova carries 728 guests and 544 crew, while Seabourn Encore carries 600 guests, and Seabourn says tipping is neither required nor expected. Regent Seven Seas, the third name in this contest, says its fares cover gratuities and unlimited shore excursions.

This Silversea vs Seabourn comparison is built from each line’s own pages and named press. Fares move by sailing and date, so the price section shows what changes the gap rather than one headline number.

Silversea vs Seabourn at a Glance

Silversea (Silver Nova)Seabourn (Seabourn Encore)Regent (Seven Seas Splendor)Source
Guests728600Up to 746Silversea ship page; Seabourn charter brochure; Luxury Travel Magazine, 2024
Crew544Not published by the line548Silversea ship page; NCLH, April 2024
Guests per crew memberAbout 1.3 (computed)Not computedAbout 1.4 (computed)Computed from guests and crew above
Entry veranda suite, interior301 sq ft (Superior Veranda)246 to 302 sq ft, plus 68 to 83 sq ft veranda307 to 361 sq ft including balcony (Deluxe Veranda, Seven Seas Grandeur)Silversea; Seabourn suites page; Regent brochure
Butler“A dedicated butler” in Silversea’s all-inclusive linePersonal suite host and attendant from Ocean View upNot listedSilversea home page; Seabourn suites page
GratuitiesNot statedTipping neither required nor expectedIncluded, except spa servicesSeabourn site; Regent site
Drinks“Premium drinks”Premium spirits and fine wines at all timesPremium beveragesEach line’s site
Wi-FiIncluded, per the home pageComplimentary, StarlinkIncluded, allowance by suiteEach line’s site

Verdict: Seabourn publishes the clearer inclusions, Silversea publishes more ship detail, and Regent is the only one that states unlimited excursions as part of the fare.

Ships and Suites

Silversea: Nova Class and the Butler

Silversea’s page for Silver Nova lists 728 guests, 544 crew and 54,700 tons, with eleven restaurants. Its own blog lists eight distinct dining venues and ten bars and lounges, so count the restaurants on your ship’s page before you plan around them. The page names thirteen suite categories, from Classic Veranda up to the Otium Suite, which Silversea’s blog gives as 1,324 sq ft with a 270-degree view. Master Suites run 721 to 826 sq ft. The Superior Veranda Suite has a 301 sq ft interior, per the ship page. A Silversea press release says butler service covers every suite on Silver Nova, and the line’s home page names “a dedicated butler” in its all-inclusive promise.

Seabourn: Encore, Ovation and the Expedition Ships

Seabourn’s suites page gives sizes for each category. The Veranda Suite is 246 to 302 sq ft inside with a 68 to 83 sq ft veranda. The Ocean View Suite is about 295 sq ft with no veranda listed. Above that sit the Penthouse at 436 sq ft, the Owner’s Suite at 526 and 593 sq ft, the Signature Suite at 859 sq ft and the Wintergarden Suite at 989 sq ft with a 197 sq ft veranda. Luxury Travel Magazine reported at delivery in November 2016 that Seabourn Encore has 40,350 gross tons, 600 guests at double occupancy and 300 suites, each with a private veranda. That is about 67 gross tons per guest by our calculation, against about 75 on Silver Nova (54,700 tons, 728 guests). Seabourn names its expedition ships Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit on its suites page, which says shore excursions with Ventures by Seabourn are optional and carry a charge on those ships. Antarctica itineraries from both lines are covered in our best Antarctica cruise guide.

Seabourn calls its personal “suite host and attendant” part of the service from Ocean View suites upward, rather than a butler for every suite, per its suites page. That is a naming difference more than a gap, but the roles are not described identically.

Food, Service and Onboard Feel

Seabourn’s page says all dining venues are complimentary and that you can dine “where, when and with whom you wish.” It lists welcome Champagne, a stocked in-suite bar and complimentary caviar served daily. Silversea’s Silver Nova offers eight dining venues per the line’s blog, including Atlantide, S.A.L.T. Kitchen, Kaiseki and La Dame.

On dress, Silversea’s own guide says evenings are either Elegant Casual or Formal Optional. Voyages of seven days or fewer have only Elegant Casual evenings, voyages of eight to 14 days have up to two Formal Optional evenings, and 15 days or more have two or more. It adds that high-end denim is welcome but ripped, distressed or excessively casual denim is not. Seabourn’s inclusions page does not mention a dress code, so check the line before you pack.

What Changes the Price Gap

Three things move the gap more than the brand. The first is air: Regent sells roundtrip flights only in its Ultimate All-Inclusive fare tier, introduced for reservations from July 1, 2024, per Regent. The second is gratuities, which Seabourn says are not expected and Regent says are included, while Silversea’s page does not say. The third is shore excursions: Regent says its fare includes unlimited excursions, and Seabourn’s expedition ships price some excursions separately. Compare total cost, not the headline fare.

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Regent Seven Seas vs Silversea

Regent’s pages say its fares cover unlimited shore excursions in every port, specialty dining, premium beverages and Wi-Fi, free valet laundry and gratuities (except spa services). Wi-Fi allowance depends on the suite: two logins per suite in Deluxe Window, Veranda, Deluxe Veranda and Serenity suites, and four from Concierge suites up, per Regent. The Deluxe Veranda Suite on Seven Seas Grandeur is 307 to 361 sq ft in Regent’s brochure, which includes 55 to 108 sq ft of balcony.

Against Silversea, Regent leads on the stated inclusions, and Silversea leads on published ship detail. For the very top suite, the 2024 world cruise announcements show both: Regent’s Regent Suite at $839,999 per guest for 140 nights (Luxury Travel Magazine, March 2024), and Silversea’s two-bedroom Owner’s Suite at $568,400 per person for 149 days (Cruise Passenger, May 2024). Our best luxury cruise lines guide ranks the whole field, and luxury cruise suites lines up the suites.

Who Should Pick Which

If you also want a wider look at the field, see the most luxurious cruise ships, and for everything else on the water, the cruises and yachts hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for me, Seabourn or Regent Seven Seas?
Seabourn says tipping is not expected and all dining is complimentary, while Regent says its fares include unlimited shore excursions and gratuities. Choose Regent if excursions are a big part of your plan and Seabourn if you prefer a smaller ship of about 600 guests.
What is the average age of guests on Silversea?
Silversea does not publish an average guest age. Ask your travel advisor for the age profile of the sailing you are considering.
Can you wear jeans on Silversea?
Yes, in many cases. Silversea's own guide says high-end denim is welcome in indoor venues, including restaurants, but ripped, distressed or excessively casual denim is not allowed. Athletic shoes are also not permitted at evening dining.
Which cruise line is the wealthiest?
By fare level, Regent and Silversea sit at the top. Their 2024 world cruise announcements put a Regent Suite at $839,999 per guest and a Silversea Owner's Suite at $568,400 per person, per Luxury Travel Magazine and Cruise Passenger. That measures prices, not guests' wealth.

Sources

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