If you're luxury cruise shopping, it's not surprising that at some point in your research you'd ask yourself, "Should I pick Oceania Cruises or Silversea?" While Oceania doesn't come to the table with the same all-inclusive cruise fare structure that Silversea does, it's a solid competitor in terms of ship choice, well-designed cabins and suites, exemplary dining venues, shore tours, spa services, and onboard activities and entertainment.
Which cruise line and ship you ultimately select will depend upon some personal choices like where you want to go, the size of the ship you prefer, whether you want an alcohol-inclusive experience, how many shore excursions you plan to take, and what sort of onboard activities you find rewarding. Read on to drill down into the nitty-gritty of each cruise line to determine which is the best match for your cruise style.
Fleet
Oceania CruisesThe Oceania Cruises fleet includes six ships: four 684-passenger R-class ships and two 1,250-passenger O-class ships that were built specifically for the cruise line. The smaller R-class ships include Regatta, Insignia, Nautica and Sirena. For those looking for larger ships with more bells and whistles, the O-class options are Marina, and Riviera.All of the Oceania ships have been or will be given recent refurbs, with the R-class ships getting major updates throughout 2019 and 2020. The refurb program, known as the OceaniaNEXT, is a complete modernization of the ships, with new design and color palette. While the refurb is less significant for the O-class ships, new suites have been or will be added. Oceania Cruises has announced plans to build two new ships, including its first new-build in a decade. The two Allura class ships will have 1,200 passengers and will be launched in 2022 and 2025. SilverseaSilversea's fleet is made up of luxury cruise ships and rugged expedition ships. For the purposes of this story, we'll focus on the line's five luxury cruise ships: the 596-passenger Silver Muse; the 608-passenger Silver Spirit, 382-passenger Silver Whisper, 382-passenger Silver Shadow, and 296-passenger Silver Wind.Silver Moon and Silver Dawn, sister ships of Silver Muse, are scheduled to join the fleet in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Under the Royal Caribbean umbrella since June 2018, Silversea has been revitalizing its ships and brand as part of Project Invictus. Silversea's expedition ships, all refurbed in recent years, include the100-passenger Silver Galapagos and 144-passenger Silver Explorer. The cruise line has also converted or plans to convert some of its cruise ships into ice-class expedition vessels. Silver Cloud, which has 254 passengers, was the first ship to undergo the process in 2017, with Silver Wind to follow in 2020. Capacity on Silver Wind, now at 296 passengers, will decrease to 254 after the transformation. The line is currently building a new, 100-passenger expedition ship, Silver Origin, to sail the Galapagos. When it launches in March 2020, the line will retire Silver Galapagos.Price
Oceania and Silversea offer a different bundle of inclusions in their fares so it's important to understand that you can't simply compare brochure prices on similar voyages. Instead, you'll need to dig a bit deeper to determine which line is a better value for your cruise style.In general, Silversea base cruise fares are higher for most voyages (though the gap narrows for itineraries in certain destinations such as the Mediterranean and Australia). That's because it generally includes more amenities in its cruise fares; on Oceania, you'll pay for extras including alcohol and gratuities. In addition, Silversea utilizes more expensive materials and ingredients onboard its vessels, creating a more luxe environment that demands a higher price point.Choose Oceania if you prefer a base fare with a la carte pricing on extras.
Itineraries
With multiple ships in both fleets, Oceania Cruises and Silversea sail myriad voyages across the planet. If you have your heart set on a specific destination, chances are that an Oceania or Silversea ship can take you there. Both focus on voyages of 10 days or longer, and both have dozens of "Grand Voyage" options, which last significantly longer. Both lines also offer world cruises. If you're looking for a basic seven-night cruise, you'll find a fair number available from both Oceania and Silversea to destinations including Alaska, the Baltic, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.Choose Oceania if you want to explore Alaska in-depth.
Shore Excursions
Oceania and Silversea excel when it comes to offering their cruisers intriguing and well-guided shore excursions. Neither line rolls up the cost of shore tours in its cruise fare; instead, you must pay a la carte for each excursion you wish to book. However, both lines do sometimes offer special promotions that offer complimentary shore excursions. Look to Oceania's OLife promo, where you can opt for free shore tours (the number of which depends on the length and itinerary of your cruise). On Silversea, a number of Asian cruises in 2019 are eligible for the "All-Inclusive Package" promo, which includes shore excursions (at least one in every port), airfare, pre- and post-cruise hotel, and free transfers.Choose Oceania if you'd like to buy a discounted shore excursion package.
Cabins
Oceania and Silversea have many things in common when it comes to accommodations, but there are some major differences as well. Both lines have beautiful, comfortable and well-maintained cabins and suites. Oceania offers its Prestige Tranquility Bed, with a heavenly two-inch-thick, gel-filled pillow top. Silversea tops its beds with sumptuous Pratesi linens. And while Oceania's R-class ships offer smaller staterooms, on average, than those aboard Silversea's smaller ships, top suites across both lines are very spacious.Choose Oceania if you want a suite decked out by a designer.
Dining
One of the toughest questions is: Which line is best for fine dining? That's because they both have a lot to be recommended. Oceania Cruises consistently gets excellent ratings for restaurants across its fleet -- and that includes its main dining rooms, specialty restaurants, buffets and poolside grills. On Oceania's larger ships, Marina and Riviera, you will be spoiled for choice by the range of free specialty restaurants, including options designed by famed French chef Jacques Pepin and a special Dom Perignon dinner.Silversea comes to the table with consistent fine dining offerings, including one of the best main dining rooms at sea. (Don't miss it at lunchtime!) It also has a fantastic alfresco steakhouse called Hot Rocks, an Italian restaurant devoted to the Slow Food movement, a fun supper club, an Asian fusion option, outdoor grill and more.Meals are complimentary at all Silversea restaurants except Kaiseki and La Dame by Relais & Chateaux (formerly Le Champagne), which are each $60 per person. Seishin, a specialty restaurant onboard Silver Spirit, carries a $40 per person fee. If you prefer room service, you have access to it 24 hours per day, and it's always complimentary. In the evening, you can even order selections from The Restaurant (main dining room) menu.Choose Oceania if you love fine dining and want access to a variety of complimentary restaurants.
Entertainment
When it comes to having fun onboard Oceania and Silversea ships, there's plenty to keep you busy on both lines.Choose Oceania O-class ships if you're interested in cooking or art classes.
Family
To be frank, neither of these lines is a perfect fit for families. They don't offer a lot of facilities for children nor do they normally organize activities that would keep little ones busy. Both lines are more suited for families traveling with young adults or kids who are happy entertaining themselves and enjoying adult company.Choose Oceania Cruises if you're sailing to Alaska with kids.
Bottom Line
Choose Oceania if you prefer a larger ship with various cabin categories, a la carte pricing on extras, complimentary dining, some free perks and kid-friendly cruises to Alaska.Choose Silversea if you prefer an all-inclusive experience aboard an intimate ship with spacious, butler-serviced cabins; appreciate pampering and personalized service; and want to experience special dining experiences in the slow food tradition and are willing to pay for them.Updated October 10, 2019
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