Best for
Where the food is genuinely worth the fare: Oceania, Silversea, Regent, Seabourn and Explora compared for restaurants, inclusions and the kind of traveller each suits.
Every luxury line claims the best food at sea; our job is to say which claims hold up and for whom. Oceania's reputation is deserved and its price is lower; Silversea and Regent are excellent and inclusive; Seabourn's grill is a draw; Explora wins on variety for a family week.
| Criterion | Oceania Cruises | Silversea | Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Seabourn | Explora Journeys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oceania Cruises | Several speciality restaurants included, culinary centre with classes. Upper-premium price, adult atmosphere. | ||||
| Silversea | Excellent, with butlers to arrange it and a formal option on classic ships. Inclusive. | ||||
| Regent Seven Seas | Speciality dining included, strong wine programme. Elegant. | ||||
| Seabourn | Thomas Keller-partnered grill, intimate dining. Inclusive. | ||||
| Explora Journeys | Nine or so venues, no fixed seatings. Best variety for a family. |
Stars are Blackbury's editorial opinion, not independent ratings or customer reviews.
For a couple who travel to eat and want value, Oceania Vista from Lisbon to Barcelona. For a couple who want to be looked after, Silversea. For a family that will eat somewhere different every night, Explora.
Tell us who's travelling and what matters most. We'll say which of these we'd book for you, and why.
The lines
Food-led, country-club casual ships of around 670 to 1,200 guests at an accessible luxury price.
Butler-served suites, serious destinations, and one of the strongest expedition fleets afloat.
The most inclusive fare at sea, on all-suite ships that take elegance seriously.
Small, sociable, quietly luxurious ships, with a sister expedition fleet.
Modern, relaxed, generous with space, and genuinely happy to see children.
Keep reading
Explora and Silversea are both luxury, both largely inclusive, and suit quite different parties. We compare ship size, formality, children, food, destinations and price, then say which we would choose for whom.
Regent and Seabourn both sell small-ship luxury with most things included. Regent includes more and is a little grander; Seabourn is smaller, warmer and more sociable. We say which we would choose for which couple.
Both are relaxed, modern and welcome children — one is a ship of around 900 guests and the other a yacht of 300 to 450. We compare space, price, children's programmes and where each goes.
Tell us who's travelling, where you'd like to go and what matters most. We'll recommend the ships we'd actually consider.