The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection vs Silversea Cruises

The core difference

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Silversea Cruises represent ultra-luxury cruising’s sharpest contrast between disruption and depth — the youngest fleet afloat against the most comprehensive.

Ritz-Carlton entered the market in 2022 with Evrima, a 298-guest superyacht that brought the Forbes Five-Star hotel standard to the ocean for the first time. Ilma followed in 2024 (448 guests) and Luminara in 2025 (452 guests) — three ships, all brand-new, all designed as floating extensions of the world’s most recognised luxury hotel brand. The fleet averages 2.3 years old. Every ship was purpose-built to Ritz-Carlton’s specifications. The water sports marina — a hydraulic platform lowering to the ocean for paddleboarding, kayaking, Seabobs, and swimming — has no equivalent on any competitor. The atmosphere is contemporary, with no formal nights, no cruise director, no casino, and no public announcements. Marriott Bonvoy integration means hotel loyalists earn elite night credits and points at sea. Plans for eight to ten yachts are confirmed, with ships four and five in the planning phase.

Silversea was founded by the Lefebvre family of Rome in 1994 and has spent three decades defining Italian ultra-luxury cruising. Acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 2018, the line now operates twelve ships — eight ocean vessels and four dedicated expedition ships — reaching every continent and more than 600 destinations. The S.A.L.T. culinary programme (Sea And Land Taste) integrates destination cuisine into the voyage through a dedicated restaurant, bar, cooking lab, and culinary shore excursions. Butler service in every suite — including the smallest Vista category and all expedition ships — is unique in the segment. Silver Endeavour carries PC6 ice class to Antarctica. Silver Cloud runs annual Kimberley expeditions from Darwin and Broome. Silver Origin is the only purpose-built ultra-luxury Galapagos ship afloat.

For Australians, this comparison hinges on three questions. First, do you want expedition capability? Silversea has four expedition ships; Ritz-Carlton has none. Second, can you reach the ship? Silversea has 20-plus Australian departures annually; Ritz-Carlton’s nearest port is Singapore. Third, what kind of luxury do you value — the newest hardware and a hotel-brand atmosphere, or the broadest programme with butler service and culinary immersion?

What is actually included

The inclusion models overlap significantly but diverge on three critical points.

Ritz-Carlton includes: premium spirits, wines, cocktails, and champagne throughout the ship; high-speed Wi-Fi via Starlink; all gratuities; Personal Concierge service in every suite category; 24-hour in-suite dining; the complimentary water sports marina (all equipment and activities); four of five dining venues without surcharges; enrichment programming; and port-to-city shuttle services in select ports.

Silversea includes: butler service in every suite on every ship; premium spirits, wines, cocktails, and champagne; unlimited Wi-Fi; all gratuities; 24-hour in-suite dining; daily minibar replenishment including alcoholic beverages; and most dining without surcharges. On expedition ships, all Zodiac excursions, expert-guided landings, expedition gear (parka and boots on polar voyages), and — on certain itineraries — charter flights and pre/post hotel stays.

The three critical differences:

Butler service. Silversea assigns a dedicated butler to every suite — unpacking luggage, managing the wardrobe, making reservations, drawing aromatherapy baths, and remembering your preferred gin. Ritz-Carlton offers Personal Concierge service, which is helpful and professional but not the same dedicated relationship. For experienced luxury cruisers, the distinction matters.

Shore excursions. Neither line includes standard shore excursions in the base fare. Silversea’s All-Inclusive Plus fare adds a shore excursion credit, and all expedition landings and Zodiac activities are included. Ritz-Carlton offers no excursion credits or included activities beyond the marina.

Dining surcharges. Silversea charges supplements at two restaurants — La Dame (USD 60–100 depending on the ship) and Kaiseki (USD 40–80). Ritz-Carlton charges a single surcharge at its signature restaurant — Seta su Ilma by Fabio Trabocchi or S.E.A. by Sven Elverfeld on Evrima — at USD 250–260 per person, significantly steeper than Silversea’s.

Dining and culinary experience

Silversea offers more venues and a culinary programme without parallel. Ritz-Carlton offers celebrity chef brand partnerships and contemporary dining on brand-new ships.

Silversea’s culinary centrepiece is S.A.L.T. — Sea And Land Taste, overseen by three-time James Beard Journalism Award winner Adam Sachs. The S.A.L.T. Kitchen changes its menu every three days based on the ship’s current region — dishes you eat sailing the Aegean will not appear in the Norwegian fjords. The S.A.L.T. Lab offers hands-on cooking classes for 22 guests at a time. S.A.L.T. Bar serves destination-inspired cocktails with local spirits. S.A.L.T. Shore takes guests to local markets, artisan producers, and family kitchens. The programme is available on Silver Moon, Silver Dawn, Silver Nova, Silver Ray, and Silver Muse (added in the December 2025 refit), with Silver Spirit receiving it during 2026 refurbishment. Beyond S.A.L.T., Nova-class ships offer eight to ten dining venues including La Terrazza (Italian), Kaiseki (Japanese fine dining), Silver Note (jazz supper club), and the main restaurant. Most dining is included; La Dame (French tasting menu, USD 60–100) and Kaiseki (USD 40–80) carry supplements.

Ritz-Carlton offers five restaurants per ship on Ilma and Luminara. Tides is the included main dining room with destination-inspired seasonal menus. Beach House by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina delivers pan-Latin and Caribbean cuisine with live music. Memori is a 12-seat sushi bar with modern pan-Asian dishes. Mistral serves poolside Mediterranean. The pinnacle experience is Seta su Ilma by Fabio Trabocchi — modern Italian fine dining with a seven-course tasting menu for 28 guests at USD 250 per person (wine pairings USD 80–160 extra). On Evrima, S.E.A. by three-Michelin-star chef Sven Elverfeld serves European tasting menus at a similar surcharge. Four of five restaurants are included; one is not.

The culinary verdict: Silversea wins on breadth, destination integration, and programme uniqueness — S.A.L.T. has no equivalent anywhere in cruising. Ritz-Carlton wins on the contemporary quality of its included restaurants and the brand recognition of its chef partnerships. But Silversea’s minor surcharges (USD 60–100) are dramatically more accessible than Ritz-Carlton’s USD 250-plus for the pinnacle experience.

Suites and accommodation

The comparison here is counterintuitive: Silversea offers larger suites, but Ritz-Carlton offers more space per guest in public areas.

Ritz-Carlton’s entry-level Terrace Suite on Ilma is approximately 294 square feet plus a 52–108-square-foot private terrace. The Signature Suite rises to 409 square feet plus terrace. The Owner’s Suite on Ilma spans 1,033 square feet with an expansive terrace and private hot tub. On the smaller Evrima, the unique two-storey Loft Suite (611 square feet plus 81-square-foot terrace) is a design feature no other ultra-luxury ship offers. Every suite has a terrace.

Silversea’s entry-level Classic Veranda Suite on Nova-class ships is approximately 357 square feet including a 60-square-foot veranda — meaningfully larger than Ritz-Carlton’s entry level. The Medallion Suite reaches 527 square feet. The Otium Suite on Nova-class spans 1,324 square feet with 270-degree panoramic views. On Muse-class ships, the Classic Veranda is 334–387 square feet. Every suite except the Vista on Muse-class (Deck 4, no balcony) has a private veranda.

Silversea wins on suite size at every category level. But Ritz-Carlton wins decisively on space-per-guest ratio in public areas — Ilma achieves approximately 104 gross tonnes per guest versus approximately 75 on Silver Nova and 68 on Silver Moon. This translates to wider corridors, less crowded pool decks, more intimate public spaces, and an atmosphere of exceptional spaciousness throughout the ship.

Pricing for Australians

Ritz-Carlton per-diems run approximately USD 700–1,100 per person per night on Ilma and Luminara for Mediterranean sailings. Caribbean sailings run USD 700–900. Some repositioning voyages drop to approximately USD 420 per night. A 7-night Mediterranean Terrace Suite voyage costs roughly USD 5,000–7,000 per person.

Silversea per-diems run approximately USD 700–1,000 per person per night on Nova-class for Mediterranean sailings, and AUD 780–1,200 per night for Australian and New Zealand sailings. Kimberley expeditions on Silver Cloud run approximately AUD 850–1,700 per night (10 days from AUD 8,500). Silver Endeavour Antarctic voyages start from approximately USD 10,600 per person.

Total cost for an Australian couple on a 10-night Mediterranean voyage:

Ritz-Carlton Ilma (Terrace Suite): approximately AUD 22,000–32,000 for the cruise fare (drinks, Wi-Fi, marina included). Add business-class flights from Sydney to Europe (AUD 10,000–18,000), shore excursions (AUD 1,500–3,500), one Seta dinner for two (AUD 800), and transfers (AUD 500–1,000). Total: approximately AUD 34,000–55,000.

Silversea Silver Moon (Veranda Suite, All-Inclusive): approximately AUD 20,000–30,000 for the cruise fare (butler, drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities included). Add business-class flights from Sydney to Europe (AUD 10,000–18,000), shore excursions beyond any included credit (AUD 500–2,000), one La Dame dinner for two (AUD 200), and transfers (AUD 500–1,000). Total: approximately AUD 31,000–51,000.

The total cost comparison is broadly similar for Mediterranean ocean voyages. But two factors swing the equation. First, Silversea’s included butler service and lower dining surcharges represent AUD 1,000–3,000 in additional value per couple. Second — and far more consequentially — Silversea’s Australian departures eliminate the AUD 10,000–18,000 cost of business-class flights entirely. A Silversea sailing departing Sydney costs more per night than a Ritz-Carlton Mediterranean voyage, but the total holiday cost overwhelmingly favours Silversea for Australians who value convenience and cost efficiency.

Ritz-Carlton’s strongest value proposition for Australians is the Singapore departure. Luminara from Singapore requires only a 7.5-hour direct flight (approximately AUD 3,000–6,000 per couple in business class on Singapore Airlines or Qantas), dramatically reducing the total cost compared to European embarkation.

Spa and wellness

Both lines offer premium spa facilities, with different strengths.

Ritz-Carlton’s spa carries the hotel brand’s name and pedigree. Ilma and Luminara each feature 11 treatment rooms, including five with outdoor treatment options. Products are by ESPA, 111SKIN, and Pisterzi. The fitness centre uses Technogym equipment. The pool deck on Deck 10 features a main pool and two jacuzzis with panoramic views. Luminara’s treatments are themed to its Asia-Pacific itineraries — Awakening Bamboo Massage and Detoxifying Wellness Poultice Treatment among them. There is no complimentary thermal spa area.

Silversea’s Otium Spa on Nova-class ships spans 3,638 square feet (8,500 square feet on Silver Dawn — the largest in the fleet) and includes an indoor relaxation pool, experiential showers, panoramic sauna, and steam room. The Otium concept extends to suites — butlers draw aromatherapy baths using signature Otium products. Zagara Beauty Spa on Muse-class and older ships is smaller but functional. Products are by Otium. Silver Dawn’s spa is the clear standout in the combined fleets.

Both lines charge for hands-on treatments at similar prices. The meaningful difference is Silversea’s complimentary thermal spa area on Nova-class ships and the extension of the wellness concept into the suite through butler-drawn baths — an integration Ritz-Carlton does not offer.

Entertainment and enrichment

These lines share a philosophy of understatement but differ in execution.

Ritz-Carlton deliberately avoids cruise conventions. There is no cruise director, no public-address system, no casino, and no production shows. The Living Room features a resident pianist and visiting musicians. The Observation Lounge hosts late-night dancing and cocktails with panoramic views. La Rumba on Ilma and Luminara provides Latin-influenced poolside music with DJs. Entertainment is curated rather than programmed — themed evenings like En Blanc and Havana Nights, wine tastings, culinary demonstrations, and art-focused experiences. A Johanna Ortiz fashion designer collaboration sails on Ilma in 2026. A Sotheby’s auction voyage launches in winter 2026–2027. The atmosphere rewards guests who enjoy making their own entertainment.

Silversea takes a broader approach. Silver Note on Nova-class ships is a dedicated jazz supper club. The S.A.L.T. programme provides built-in enrichment through cooking classes, culinary lectures, and destination talks. Guest lecturers include historians, naturalists, and destination specialists. On expedition ships, the enrichment is the destination itself — daily Zodiac excursions, wildlife encounters, and expert-led landing briefings. Nova-class ships also feature a casino, which Ritz-Carlton does not offer.

For enrichment depth, Silversea wins through S.A.L.T. and the expedition programme. For a contemporary, convention-free social atmosphere, Ritz-Carlton offers something genuinely different from any other cruise line.

Fleet and destination coverage

The fleet comparison is extreme: twelve ships against three.

Silversea operates twelve ships spanning three decades and two product lines. The ocean fleet includes Silver Nova (2023, 728 guests) and Silver Ray (2024, 728 guests) — the newest ultra-luxury ocean ships alongside Ritz-Carlton — plus Silver Dawn (2022, 596 guests), Silver Moon (2020, 596 guests), Silver Muse (2017, refitted 2025, 632 guests), Silver Spirit (2009, refurbishing 2026, 608 guests), Silver Shadow (2000, 388 guests), and Silver Whisper (2001, 388 guests). The expedition fleet — Silver Endeavour, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, and Silver Origin — reaches Antarctica, the Arctic, the Kimberley, and the Galapagos. In any given week, Silversea has ships in a dozen different regions simultaneously.

Ritz-Carlton operates three ships — Evrima (2022, 298 guests, 25,400 GT), Ilma (2024, 448 guests, 46,750 GT), and Luminara (2025, 452 guests, 46,750 GT). Plans call for eight to ten yachts within the coming years, with ships four and five in the planning phase on a new platform. The fleet covers the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, and — from 2025 — Asia-Pacific from Singapore and French Polynesia from 2026–2027.

Fleet breadth matters for Australian travellers because it determines how many options exist in any given month. Silversea’s twelve ships mean multiple concurrent Australian deployments, Asian itineraries accessible via short flights, Mediterranean options, expedition choices, and annual world cruises. Ritz-Carlton’s three ships mean choosing from a smaller selection, with no Australian or expedition options — yet.

Ritz-Carlton’s advantage is consistency: every ship was built to the same modern standard within a three-year window. Silversea’s fleet ranges from the cutting-edge Silver Nova to the 32-year-old Silver Cloud — the experience varies significantly by ship.

The expedition gap

This is the comparison’s most one-sided dimension — and for many Australian travellers, it is decisive.

Silversea operates four dedicated expedition ships. Silver Endeavour (2021, 200 guests, PC6 ice class — the highest certification for passenger vessels) is the Antarctica and Arctic specialist, widely regarded as the most luxurious expedition ship afloat with a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. The Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise programme bypasses the Drake Passage entirely. Silver Cloud (1994, expedition conversion 2017, 254 guests, Ice 1A class) is the Kimberley and polar workhorse — multiple annual Kimberley seasons from Darwin and Broome between May and August, with 10-day voyages featuring Zodiac landings at King George Falls, Montgomery Reef, and Horizontal Waterfalls. Silver Origin (2020, 100 guests) is the only purpose-built ultra-luxury Galapagos ship, operating year-round from Baltra with a 1:1.16 crew-to-guest ratio. Silver Wind (1995, expedition refit 2020, 274 guests) covers multi-destination expeditions with 24 Zodiacs.

Ritz-Carlton has no expedition ships, no ice-class vessels, no Zodiacs, and no expedition team. The brand has acknowledged exploring possible expansion into expedition space, but no concrete plans have been announced.

What Ritz-Carlton does have is the water sports marina — a genuinely unique warm-water recreation platform. But the marina and an expedition fleet serve fundamentally different desires. One is about leisure at anchor in calm seas. The other is about reaching the most remote places on earth. For Australians interested in Antarctica, the Kimberley, the Galapagos, or the Arctic, Silversea is the only choice from this pairing.

Where each line excels

Ritz-Carlton excels in:

• Fleet modernity. The youngest fleet in ultra-luxury cruising — every ship built between 2022 and 2025. No ship-class lottery; the experience is consistently contemporary.
• Space per guest. Ilma achieves approximately 104 gross tonnes per guest — among the highest ratios of any cruise ship afloat, exceeding even Hapag-Lloyd’s EUROPA 2. Public spaces feel exceptionally uncrowded.
• The water sports marina. The only ultra-luxury ocean line offering direct ocean access for paddleboarding, kayaking, Seabobs, electric foiling, and swimming. Transforms the day at anchor.
• Forbes Five-Star recognition. Ilma is the first cruise ship to receive the Forbes Five-Star rating — a distinction that carries immediate trust for hotel-oriented travellers.
• Marriott Bonvoy integration. Five points per dollar on cruise fare, elite night credits counting toward status, and redemption at 180,000 points per USD 1,000 off a future fare. For Australians in the Marriott ecosystem, this adds genuine value.
• Contemporary atmosphere. No formal nights, no cruise director, no announcements, no casino. A floating luxury hotel rather than a cruise ship.

Silversea excels in:

• Expedition capability. Four dedicated expedition ships reaching Antarctica, the Arctic, the Kimberley, and the Galapagos. PC6 ice class on Silver Endeavour. Annual Kimberley seasons from Darwin and Broome. Ritz-Carlton has no equivalent.
• Butler service universality. Every suite, every ship, every sailing — including the smallest Vista category and all expedition ships. A qualitative difference that experienced guests consistently cite as transformative.
• S.A.L.T. culinary programme. Destination-changing restaurant menus, hands-on cooking classes, culinary shore excursions, and regionally crafted cocktails. No competitor — including Ritz-Carlton — has anything comparable.
• Australian accessibility. Twenty-plus sailings from Australian ports annually, Kimberley expeditions from Darwin and Broome, a dedicated Sydney office, and a full Australian trade team. The most accessible ultra-luxury line for Australians alongside Regent.
• Fleet breadth. Twelve ships in twelve regions simultaneously. More itinerary choice, more departure dates, and more flexibility than three ships can offer.
• Cross-brand loyalty. The Venetian Society’s integration with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity through Points Choice creates a loyalty pathway from domestic cruising to ultra-luxury that Marriott Bonvoy cannot replicate for cruise-focused travellers.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Ritz-Carlton

Luminara: Singapore departures (7–10 nights, from 2025) — The most accessible Ritz-Carlton sailing for Australians. Fly Sydney to Singapore direct (7.5 hours), embark the brand-new Luminara, and cruise through Southeast Asia with the marina deployed at tropical anchorages. No long-haul flight required.

Evrima: French Polynesia (7–10 nights, from winter 2026–2027) — Ritz-Carlton’s debut in the South Pacific. Accessible via Auckland and Papeete on Air New Zealand or Air Tahiti Nui. The intimate 298-guest Evrima with marina deployed in lagoon waters.

Ilma: Mediterranean (7–10 nights, summer 2026) — The flagship in its signature territory. Seta su Ilma by Fabio Trabocchi, the water sports marina at Croatian and Greek anchorages, and the Forbes Five-Star experience in the Adriatic and Aegean.

Silversea

Silver Moon: Sydney to Auckland (approximately 14 nights, December 2026) — The easiest entry to Silversea for Australians. No international flight required. Full S.A.L.T. programme featuring Australian and New Zealand regional cuisine. Butler service from embarkation.

Silver Cloud: Kimberley expedition (10 days, May–August 2026 and 2027, Darwin to Broome) — Butler service meets Zodiac landings along one of Australia’s most spectacular wilderness coastlines. King George Falls, Montgomery Reef, Horizontal Waterfalls. From approximately AUD 8,500 per person. Domestic flights only.

Silver Endeavour: Antarctica (6–18 days from Ushuaia, 2026–2027 season) — The most luxurious expedition ship afloat. PC6 ice class, 200 guests, 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, butler service. The Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise programme bypasses the Drake Passage entirely.

Silver Nova: Australian circumnavigation (47 days, 2026–2027 season) — The flagship on a comprehensive coastal voyage with the full S.A.L.T. programme, butler service, and the Otium Spa.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Ritz-Carlton

Ilma (448 guests, 2024) — The Forbes Five-Star flagship. Five restaurants, the largest Ritz-Carlton spa at sea, and the water sports marina at its most refined. The recommended ship for a first Ritz-Carlton experience.

Luminara (452 guests, 2025) — Near-identical to Ilma with treatments themed to Asia-Pacific itineraries. The best option for Australians due to Singapore embarkation. Choose Luminara for Asia-Pacific; choose Ilma for the Mediterranean.

Evrima (298 guests, 2022) — The original yacht and the most intimate. The unique two-storey Loft Suite. S.E.A. by Sven Elverfeld (three Michelin stars). Best for guests who prioritise small-ship intimacy and European or Caribbean itineraries. The marina on Evrima is smaller than on the newer ships.

Silversea

Silver Nova (728 guests, 2023) — The flagship and the best introduction to Silversea. Full S.A.L.T. programme, Otium Spa, asymmetric design. Deployed to Australian waters. The most modern hardware and the fairest comparison point against Ritz-Carlton.

Silver Ray (728 guests, 2024) — Near-identical to Nova. Choose based on itinerary.

Silver Moon (596 guests, 2020) — The primary ship for Australian and Asian deployments with full S.A.L.T. programme. The recommended ship for AU/NZ sailings.

Silver Endeavour (200 guests, 2021, PC6 ice class) — The most luxurious expedition ship afloat. Butler service, 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. Choose for Antarctic and Arctic expeditions.

Silver Cloud (254 guests, 1994, expedition conversion 2017) — The Kimberley workhorse. Butler service meets Zodiac landings. Choose for Australian Kimberley expeditions.

Silver Origin (100 guests, 2020) — Galapagos only. Purpose-built. The most elegant ship in those waters. No Ritz-Carlton equivalent exists.

For Australian travellers specifically

The Australian-specific considerations in this comparison are stark.

Silversea’s Australian proposition is the strongest of any ultra-luxury line alongside Regent. A dedicated Sydney office. Twenty-plus sailings from Australian ports annually including roundtrip Sydney departures, trans-Tasman crossings, and Melbourne departures. Silver Cloud operates Kimberley expedition seasons from Darwin and Broome every year. Silver Nova’s 47-day Australian circumnavigation is a showcase sailing. The Venetian Society’s cross-brand integration with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity means Australians who cruise domestically build status that carries into ultra-luxury — a pathway uniquely valuable given both mainstream lines’ extensive Australian deployments.

Ritz-Carlton’s Australian proposition is nascent but intentional. The Asia-Pacific headquarters opened in Sydney’s Australia Square Tower in June 2025, led by VP Seb Seward with plans for up to twelve staff and a five-year lease. Australian Dollar pricing has been implemented. Luminara sails from Singapore — 7.5 hours direct from Sydney and Melbourne on Singapore Airlines or Qantas. Evrima debuts in French Polynesia from winter 2026–2027, accessible via Auckland. Seward has confirmed the itinerary planning team is actively analysing potential Australian destinations. But as of early 2026, there are no announced Australian sailings.

For Australians wanting to board an ultra-luxury ship without an international flight, Silversea is in a different category. For Australians willing to fly to Singapore for a luxury yacht experience with the newest ships in the segment and the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem, Ritz-Carlton offers something Silversea cannot — genuine novelty.

The onboard atmosphere

Both lines attract affluent travellers seeking refinement over spectacle, but the texture differs.

Ritz-Carlton’s atmosphere is a floating luxury hotel — contemporary, understated, and self-assured. Wide corridors, quiet public spaces, no buffet. The median passenger age is 53 — younger than most ultra-luxury lines, with many still working. Approximately half the guests have never cruised before, drawn by the Ritz-Carlton brand name rather than cruise industry marketing. The demographic includes doctors, lawyers, and financial professionals who would otherwise book villa rentals in Tuscany or African safaris. The dress code is “Yacht Sophisticated” — not enforced, no formal nights, sportcoats optional. The absence of traditional cruise conventions (no cruise director, no announcements, no casino) creates an environment that feels more like a private members’ club than a cruise ship.

Silversea’s atmosphere is refined Italian elegance — polished, anticipatory, and warm. The passenger base averages 55–65, predominantly American and British with strong Australian representation on southern hemisphere sailings. Nova-class ships feature sculptural contemporary design in crisp neutrals, polished marble, and structured forms. The dress code is “Elegant Casual” most evenings with one to two “Formal Optional” nights on longer sailings. Butler service adds a personal dimension that shapes the entire experience — someone who knows your preferences, anticipates your needs, and creates continuity across the voyage. Silver Note jazz club and Dolce Vita bar keep evenings lively. The S.A.L.T. programme provides a social anchor that Ritz-Carlton lacks — cooking classes and culinary events create connections between guests.

If you want the feeling of checking into the world’s best hotel and finding it moves, Ritz-Carlton delivers. If you want Italian hospitality, a dedicated butler, and a culinary programme that connects you to every destination, Silversea delivers.

The bottom line

Ritz-Carlton and Silversea are both exceptional, but they optimise for fundamentally different things.

Choose Ritz-Carlton if you want the newest ships in ultra-luxury cruising, the highest space-per-guest ratio on the ocean, a water sports marina that transforms days at anchor, Forbes Five-Star recognition, and the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem working for you at sea. Choose it if you prefer the contemporary hotel-at-sea atmosphere, no formal nights, and an intimate yacht scale. Accept that the fleet is three ships with no expedition capability, no Australian sailings (yet), no butler service equivalent, and a pinnacle dining surcharge of USD 250-plus. For Australians, start with Luminara from Singapore — the 7.5-hour flight is manageable and the ship is brand-new.

Choose Silversea if you want the broadest ultra-luxury programme available from Australia — ocean voyages departing Sydney, Kimberley expeditions from Darwin, Antarctic voyages on the most luxurious expedition ship afloat, and Galapagos expeditions on the only purpose-built ultra-luxury ship in those waters. Choose it for butler service in every suite, the S.A.L.T. culinary immersion programme, and the cross-brand loyalty pathway from domestic Royal Caribbean or Celebrity cruising. Accept that the fleet spans three decades and the experience varies significantly by ship — Silver Nova is cutting-edge; Silver Shadow is 26 years old. Start with Silver Nova or Silver Moon for ocean, Silver Cloud for the Kimberley, and Silver Endeavour for Antarctica.

For most Australians, Silversea is the more complete proposition — more ships, more Australian departures, expedition capability, butler service, and S.A.L.T. Ritz-Carlton is the more exciting proposition — the freshest hardware, the marina, the hotel pedigree, and a feeling of genuine newness. Silversea offers everything today. Ritz-Carlton offers a compelling glimpse of where ultra-luxury cruising is heading.