Is a luxury cruise worth it? Explora Journeys, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas compared

Short answer: a luxury cruise is worth it if you value space, calm, excellent food and service, and a fare that already covers most of the extras. Once you add up the drinks, tips, Wi-Fi and, on some lines, excursions that you would pay for separately on a mainstream cruise, the gap is often smaller than the headline price suggests. It is less likely to feel worth it if you want big-ship entertainment, waterslides and a lively family atmosphere.

Here is our practical guide to whether a luxury cruise is worth it, comparing three of the names we are asked about most: Explora Journeys, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Inclusions change and vary by fare and voyage, so we have linked each line's own pages, and we always confirm the details before you book.

The short answer: who a luxury cruise is worth it for

A luxury cruise tends to be worth it for:

• Couples and grown-up travellers who want a quieter, more spacious ship with fewer guests.

• Food and wine lovers who would otherwise be paying for speciality restaurants and drinks packages.

• Destination-focused travellers who want smaller ships that can reach smaller ports, and more time ashore.

• Anyone who hates extras on the bill and would rather know most costs up front.

It is usually less of a fit for families with young children looking for kids' clubs and big-ship attractions, or for travellers who rarely drink, rarely use Wi-Fi and prefer to explore independently, because those people get less value from the inclusions.

What's actually included on Explora Journeys, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas

All three describe their fares as inclusive, but the details differ. Based on each line's own website at the time of writing:

Explora Journeys

• Unlimited beverages including fine wines, champagne, premium spirits, speciality coffees, teas and soft drinks, with a reserve list of wines and spirits at extra cost (Explora inclusions).

• Onboard gratuities and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the ship.

• Shuttles from port to city centre where required and available.

• Shore excursions (Destination Experiences) are not included in the Journey Fare, and some dining experiences carry a fee (Explora booking terms).

Silversea

• Butler service in every suite, premium beverages including champagne, wine and spirits, complimentary Wi-Fi and onboard gratuities (Silversea all-inclusive).

• Shore excursions depend on the fare and voyage type: the All-Inclusive Plus fare adds a shore excursion credit on Classic voyages, and Expedition voyages include landings and excursions (Silversea All-Inclusive Plus).

• Flights and transfers vary by fare and market, so we will confirm what applies for UK departures.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

• Unlimited shore excursions, unlimited beverages including fine wines and cocktails, all speciality restaurants, pre-paid gratuities and unlimited Wi-Fi in every suite (Regent all-inclusive).

• Valet laundry and 24-hour in-suite dining, plus a one-night pre-cruise hotel package in Concierge Suites and higher.

• Personal butler service in Penthouse Suites and above, rather than in every suite.

• Regent offers an Ultimate All-Inclusive Fare that adds flights and transfers (Regent value comparison). The details vary by market, so we will confirm what is available from the UK.

Explora vs Silversea vs Regent: which one suits you?

There is no single best line. It comes down to what matters most to you:

• Explora Journeys suits travellers who want a contemporary, relaxed feel, like a stylish resort at sea, and are happy to choose and pay for excursions separately. Its own FAQs describe the evening dress code as elegant casual, with no formal nights required (Explora FAQs).

• Silversea suits travellers who love the idea of a butler in every suite, a slightly more classic atmosphere and the option of expedition voyages to more remote places.

• Regent Seven Seas suits travellers who plan to go ashore in most ports and want excursions bundled in, along with the widest list of onboard inclusions of the three.

If you are not sure, tell us how you like to spend a day in port, how much you drink, and how dressy you like your evenings, and we will tell you which line fits you best.

Where the value really shows: drinks, tips, excursions, flights and suites

To work out whether a luxury cruise is worth it for you, compare like with like. On many mainstream cruises, these are added on top of the fare:

• Drinks: included on all three lines, though premium or reserve lists can cost extra.

• Tips: onboard gratuities are included on all three, so there is no daily service charge on your account.

• Wi-Fi: included on all three.

• Excursions: the biggest difference. Unlimited on Regent, fare-dependent on Silversea, and extra on Explora.

• Flights: never assume they are included. It depends on the line, the fare and the market, and we confirm it in writing before you book.

• Suites: all three are all-suite ships, and higher suite categories add benefits such as butler service or extra in-suite drinks.

Add those up for a typical two-week holiday and the gap between a luxury fare and a mainstream fare plus extras often narrows. We are always happy to put the two side by side for you.

Luxury cruises from Southampton if you'd rather not fly

You do not always need to fly to enjoy a luxury cruise. Two examples for 2027:

• Explora Journeys, EXPLORA IV: a 16-night round trip from Southampton departing 25 May 2027, taking in Ireland, the Outer Hebrides, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Shetland and Edinburgh (sailing details).

• Regent Seven Seas, Seven Seas Voyager: Lisbon to Southampton from 29 April to 10 May 2027, calling at ports including Porto, Bilbao, Bordeaux, Jersey and Honfleur. You fly out to Lisbon and sail home (Regent voyage page).

Southampton sailings like these tend to be popular with UK travellers, so if you want to avoid flying altogether, it is worth asking early.

When to book a luxury cruise from the UK

Luxury ships carry far fewer guests than mainstream ships, so the best suites and the most popular sailings can go early. UK travellers already plan ahead: Marriott Bonvoy research found British holidaymakers book an average of 4.9 months in advance, the earliest in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (Marriott Bonvoy).

For a luxury cruise, we usually suggest looking further ahead than that, especially for school-holiday dates, specific suite types or no-fly Southampton sailings. For more on timing, our guide on when to book a Caribbean cruise from the UK covers what sells out first.

How Westaway Travel helps

We are an independent travel agency based in Northampton, helping clients across the UK. Planning is free, and we are not tied to any one cruise line, so we can compare Explora Journeys, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas and others honestly for you.

We book through our partners at Not Just Travel. Where your cruise is part of a package that includes flights, it is ATOL protected, and we will confirm exactly how your booking is protected before you pay anything.

Call 01604 926 464, email becky@westawaytravel.co.uk, or get in touch via our contact page to book a free planning appointment.

FAQs

Are drinks and tips included on a luxury cruise?

On Explora Journeys, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas, drinks and onboard gratuities are included in the fare, though some premium or reserve wines and spirits may cost extra. Inclusions vary by line, so we always confirm them for your sailing.

Which luxury cruise line includes shore excursions?

Regent Seven Seas includes unlimited shore excursions in every suite. On Silversea it depends on the fare and voyage type, and on Explora Journeys excursions are booked and paid for separately.

Can I take a luxury cruise from the UK without flying?

Yes, on selected sailings. Explora Journeys has a round trip from Southampton in May 2027, for example. Options change each season, so ask us what is available for your dates.

Is a luxury cruise a good choice for a first cruise?

It can be, especially if you prefer a quieter atmosphere and want most costs included up front. If you want lots of onboard entertainment or are travelling with young children, a larger ship may suit you better, and we are happy to talk it through.

Do luxury cruises have formal dress codes?

Less than you might think. Explora Journeys says no formal nights are required. Silversea and Regent Seven Seas have elegant casual evenings, with formal attire optional on some nights (Silversea dress code, Regent dress code).