Age Policy
Silversea Cruises has specific age requirements depending on the ship, the itinerary, and the activity (such as drinking or gambling). While Silversea is a luxury line geared toward adults, they do allow children, provided certain rules are met.
Minimum Age to Sail
The minimum age to board a Silversea ship depends on whether it is a standard luxury cruise or an expedition cruise.
- Standard Ships (e.g., Silver Dawn, Silver Spirit): Infants must be at least 6 months old on the day of sailing.
- Expedition Ships (e.g., Silver Endeavour, Silver Origin): Infants must be at least 1 year old.
- Special Itineraries: For transatlantic, transpacific, and other long-haul voyages, the minimum age is usually 12 months.
- Note: For infants between 6 months and 1 year, Silversea often requires a signed and notarized waiver from the parents.
Traveling as a Minor (Under 18)
Silversea does not allow 18-year-olds to book a cruise alone.
- Supervision: Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or a responsible adult who is at least 21 years old.
- Staterooms: The minor must stay in the same or a connecting suite as the accompanying adult.
- Programs: There are generally no dedicated children’s programs, kids’ clubs, or babysitting services on Silversea ships.
Alcohol & Gambling
The rules for adult activities vary based on where the ship is sailing:
Shore Excursions & Expedition Rules
- Zodiac Boats: Children under 6 years old are generally not permitted to board Zodiacs used for expedition landings.
- General Tours: Children under 8 years old may be restricted from certain shore excursions if the transportation (buses/vans) does not have appropriate safety harnesses or seating for small children.
- Supervision: An adult must remain on the ship with any child who is too young to participate in a specific excursion.
Dining Information
Silversea is renowned for its culinary offerings, which are almost entirely all-inclusive. Whether you’re looking for a casual poolside pizza or a multi-course French degustation, the experience is designed to be seamless.
Key Dining Venues
While specific restaurants vary by ship, these are the staples across the fleet:
- The Restaurant: The main dining room offering contemporary, international cuisine with open-seating (no assigned times or tables).
- La Terrazza: Authentic Italian dining. It serves as a casual buffet for breakfast and lunch and transforms into an intimate, reservation-only venue at night.
- S.A.L.T. Kitchen: (Available on Silver Moon, Silver Dawn, Silver Nova, Silver Ray) A Sea and Land Taste concept where the menu changes daily to reflect the local flavors of the destination you are visiting.
- The Grill: Features Hot Rocks dining at night, where you cook your own meat or seafood on heated volcanic stones at your table.
- La Dame: The signature French fine-dining venue. This is one of the few places that requires a per-guest reservation fee.
- Silver Note: A supper club style venue with small tapas-style plates and live jazz.
- Kaiseki / Seishin: High-end Japanese cuisine. Kaiseki is often complimentary for lunch but carries a fee for dinner.
Dining Policies & Reservations
- All-Inclusive: All meals are included in your fare. Fine wines, spirits, and specialty coffees are also complimentary throughout the ship.
- Reservations: You do not need reservations for The Restaurant, Atlantide, or S.A.L.T. Kitchen. However, reservations are highly recommended (and often required) for specialty spots like La Dame, Silver Note, and La Terrazza (evening).
- 24-Hour Room Service: You can order from a dedicated in-suite menu at any time. During dining hours, your butler can also serve a multi-course meal from The Restaurant menu in your suite.
- Dietary Needs: Silversea is excellent with restrictions (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Low-Sodium). It’s best to notify them at least 75 days before sailing, though chefs can usually accommodate requests on the fly.
Dress Code
Silversea has recently updated its dress code policy for voyages departing on or after June 1, 2026, making it significantly more relaxed:
- Daytime: Casual resort wear (shorts and t-shirts) is fine in all areas.
- Evening (After 6:00 PM): The standard is Elegant Casual.
- Ladies: Trousers, refined denim (no rips), casual dresses, or skirts.
- Gentlemen: Collared shirts and dress pants or refined denim. Jackets are now optional in almost all venues, including La Dame.
- Formal Optional Nights: On these nights, guests can choose to wear tuxedos or gowns, but it is no longer mandatory. Dark suits or even button-down shirts with slacks are acceptable.
Note: Ripped jeans, flip-flops, and baseball caps remain prohibited in indoor lounges and restaurants after 6:00 PM.
S.A.L.T. Program
If you are a foodie, look for ships with the S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program. Beyond the restaurant, it includes:
- S.A.L.T. Lab: A hands-on kitchen where you can learn to cook regional dishes.
- S.A.L.T. Bar: Features cocktails made with local spirits and botanicals from the ports of call.
Fuel Surcharge Policy
Silversea’s fuel surcharge policy is similar to most major cruise lines: they generally do not charge one, but they explicitly reserve the right to do so if oil prices spike significantly.
The Brent Crude Trigger
Silversea’s standard passage contract typically includes a clause regarding fuel supplements. While they rarely exercise this right, it is officially on the books:
- The Threshold: Silversea reserves the right to charge a per-person, per-day fuel supplement if the price of Brent crude oil exceeds $80.00 per barrel.
- The Timeline: This can be implemented at any time prior to sailing, up to and including the day of embarkation.
Key Policy Details
- Fare Guarantee: Under normal conditions, your cruise-only fare is guaranteed once you book. However, the fuel supplement is one of the few legal exceptions to that guarantee found in the fine print.
- Refusal to Pay: According to their terms, if a surcharge is implemented and a guest refuses to pay it, Silversea reserves the right to cancel the booking or refuse transportation.
- Notification: If they were to implement a surcharge, they are required to notify you (or your travel agent) in advance of your departure.
What This Means for Your Bill
If a surcharge were triggered, you could typically expect:
- A charge ranging from $10 to $35 per person, per day (based on historical industry standards and recent competitor moves).
- The fee is usually capped at a certain amount per voyage.
Payments / Refunds
Deposits & Payments
Standard reservations require a percentage-based deposit of 25% of the total cruise fare. Final payment is due exactly 150 days prior to departure for standard Classic & Expedition Voyages, and 180 days prior for World Cruises and Grand Voyages. Bookings made inside these deadlines require immediate full payment. Standard deposits are not fully refundable in cash. If cancelled more than 150 days prior to sailing, standard Classic and Expedition bookings are assessed a flat administrative fee of $250 USD / AUD 250, which is automatically converted to an FCC valid for 12 months, with the remaining deposit refunded. German, Austrian, and Swiss residents have a custom progressive payment schedule. Promo fares can carry non-refundable deposit terms.
Cancellation & Refunds
Cancellation fees are assessed based on standard and Grand/World timetables.
Smoking Policy
Designated Smoking Areas
If you wish to smoke, you must use the specific areas designated for it. These areas vary slightly by ship class:
- The Connoisseur’s Corner: This is the primary indoor lounge for smokers. It is a dedicated space where guests can enjoy cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Many ships also have a partitioned outdoor section of the Connoisseur’s Corner.
- Outdoor Areas:
- Silver Nova & Silver Ray: Generally restricted to the Connoisseur’s Corner or specifically marked sections of the Dusk Bar area.
- Silver Muse, Moon, & Dawn: Designated tables on the starboard side of the Panorama Lounge (outdoor) and the Pool Grill.
- Silver Spirit, Cloud, & Wind: Designated tables on the port side of the Panorama Lounge (outdoor) and the Pool Grill.
- Silver Origin: A designated area on Deck 4 aft (near the Fire Pit).
Strict Prohibitions
To avoid heavy fines or safety issues, be aware of where smoking is strictly forbidden:
- Guest Suites & Balconies: Smoking of any kind (including vapes) is 100% prohibited in your suite and on your private veranda.
- Dining Venues: All restaurants (indoor and outdoor) are non-smoking, except for very specific designated tables at the Pool Grill on certain ships.
- Public Lounges: Areas like the Venetian Lounge (theater), the Observation Library, and the Arts Café are strictly smoke-free.
- Jogging Tracks: Smoking is prohibited on or near the fitness tracks and spa areas.
Penalties
Silversea takes balcony smoking very seriously due to the significant fire risk it poses at sea.
- Cleaning Fee: If smoke is detected in a suite or on a balcony, a minimum cleaning fee (typically $250 to $500) will be charged to your shipboard account.
- Disembarkation: Persistent violations of the smoking policy can result in being asked to leave the ship at the next port of call at your own expense.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
The same rules for traditional cigarettes apply to e-cigarettes and vaporizers. They are not permitted in suites, on balconies, or in non-smoking public areas. You must use the designated smoking zones mentioned above.
Note: On expedition cruises (like those to Antarctica or the Galápagos), smoking may be further restricted during shore landings or Zodiac transfers to protect the local environment.
Travel Protection
Silversea offers its comprehensive Travel Protection Program, underwritten by Allianz Partners. The program covers Trip Cancellation & Interruption (100% cash reimbursement for covered emergencies), Baggage Protection ($3,000 loss, $500 delay), Sickness Medical, and Emergency Medical Evacuation. The plan premium is calculated as a tiered percentage of the total vacation cost. To cover pre-existing medical conditions, the plan must be purchased and paid in full by the final payment due date (150 or 180 days prior), which is much more flexible than standard 14-day booking limits.
Tipping Policy
Silversea operates on a strict 100% all-inclusive gratuity policy. All tips and gratuities for the ship’s crew—including suite attendants, dedicated butlers, dining room servers, and bartenders—are built directly into the base fare. The daily automatic service charge added onboard is exactly $0. Discretionary personal cash tips are permitted but never required or expected. Guests can make voluntary contributions to the collective Crew Welfare Fund. Notable exceptions: optional spa and salon services carry an automatic service charge/gratuity (typically 18%). Local shoreside tour guides, drivers, and ground staff are independent contractors and are tipped at the guest’s discretion.
Dress Code
Daytime is casual resort wear. Evening wear falls into three categories: Casual (open-neck shirts, slacks), Informal (dresses/pantsuits for women; jackets with optional ties for men), and Formal.
Formal Nights
- Silversea features “Formal Nights” (2 nights for cruises of 8 days or less; 3-4 nights for longer voyages). Men are required to wear tuxedos, dinner jackets, or dark suits; ladies wear evening gowns or cocktail dresses. On formal nights, guests dining in La Terrazza may wear casually elegant attire.
Excursions
- Enhance your cruise vacation by pre-booking your excursions (recommended for most savings and to guarantee availability) via the cruise line app or book while onboard. Space is limited and popular excursions sell out fast!
Why Silversea?
- All-suite accommodations with personalized butler service
- One of the most inclusive luxury cruise experiences at sea
- Intimate ships with exceptional space-to-guest ratios
- Globally immersive itineraries across all seven continents
- Award-winning expedition cruises with expert-led exploration
- Gourmet dining with regionally inspired cuisine
- High staff-to-guest ratio ensuring attentive service
- Elegant yet relaxed onboard atmosphere
- Enrichment programs led by destination experts
- Exceptional value in ultra-luxury cruising
FAQ
What is included in a Silversea cruise fare?
Silversea fares typically include luxury suite accommodations, gourmet dining, premium beverages, gratuities, onboard entertainment, and enrichment programs.
Does Silversea offer butler service?
Yes, every suite includes personalized butler service to assist with dining, unpacking, reservations, and in-suite dining.
Are drinks included on Silversea cruises?
Yes, premium spirits, fine wines, champagne, and non-alcoholic beverages are included.
Does Silversea include Wi-Fi?
Complimentary Wi-Fi is included, with upgraded options available depending on itinerary and ship.
Are shore excursions included?
Select shore excursions may be included, particularly on expedition voyages. Additional excursions are available for purchase.
What is the dress code onboard?
The dress code is elegant casual, with optional formal attire on select evenings.
Are Silversea ships large?
No, Silversea operates small to mid-sized luxury ships designed for comfort, space, and destination access.
Is Silversea suitable for expedition cruising?
Yes, Silversea is a leader in luxury expedition cruising, offering voyages to Antarctica, the Arctic, Galápagos, and other remote regions.
Can special dietary needs be accommodated?
Yes, Silversea accommodates special dietary requirements with advance notice.
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