Hapag-Lloyd Cruises vs Silversea Cruises

The core difference

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Silversea Cruises share something no other pairing in the ultra-luxury segment can claim: both operate dedicated expedition fleets alongside luxury ocean ships, both have deep European heritage, and both are vying for the same Antarctic waters, the same Arctic passages, and — from 2028 — the same Kimberley coastline. This is not a comparison between an expedition line and an ocean line. This is the ultra-luxury segment’s most direct expedition rivalry.

Hapag-Lloyd traces its lineage to 1847 and claims the first pleasure cruise in history — the Augusta Victoria in 1891. Today it operates under TUI Cruises (a joint venture between TUI Group and Royal Caribbean Group) with a deliberately constrained five-ship fleet: two luxury ocean ships (EUROPA and EUROPA 2) and three purpose-built HANSEATIC expedition vessels. Every ship holds the maximum five-star rating from Insight Guides, with EUROPA and EUROPA 2 maintaining the only five-stars-plus distinctions ever awarded for over two decades. The philosophy is German precision — meticulous service, The Globe by three-Michelin-star chef Kevin Fehling, 890 original artworks on EUROPA 2, and expedition ships carrying PC6 ice class and scientific teams from the Alfred Wegener Institute.

Silversea was founded by the Lefebvre family of Rome in 1994 and has defined Italian ultra-luxury cruising for three decades. Acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 2018, the line now operates twelve ships — eight ocean vessels and four expedition ships — reaching every continent and more destinations than any ultra-luxury competitor. The philosophy is Italian warmth: butler service in every suite as standard, the S.A.L.T. culinary immersion programme connecting food to destination, two brand-new Nova-class ships with asymmetric design, and an expedition fleet that includes Silver Endeavour (formerly Crystal Endeavor, the most luxurious expedition ship afloat) and Silver Origin (purpose-built for the Galapagos).

For Australian travellers, the comparison hinges on three questions. First, expedition priority: if you want the highest ice class and scientific depth in Antarctica, Hapag-Lloyd’s HANSEATIC fleet is unmatched, but if you want the Kimberley now rather than in 2028, Silversea is the only option. Second, inclusion philosophy: Silversea includes butler service, premium drinks, and Wi-Fi in every fare; Hapag-Lloyd does not include alcohol and charges for extended Wi-Fi. Third, accessibility: Silversea deploys multiple ships to Australian waters every season with 20+ sailings; Hapag-Lloyd does not arrive until 2027.

The expedition rivalry

This is the heart of the comparison and the dimension where both lines make their strongest case.

Hapag-Lloyd’s expedition fleet comprises three near-identical HANSEATIC-class ships — HANSEATIC nature (2019), HANSEATIC inspiration (2019), and HANSEATIC spirit (2021). Each carries 230 guests (199 in Antarctic waters), with PC6 ice class — the highest certification available for passenger vessels — enabling navigation through first-year ice up to 120 centimetres thick. Each ship carries 17 Zodiacs (including electric-powered E-Zodiacs) and a 16-person expedition team of marine biologists, glaciologists, ornithologists, and historians. The partnership with the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research enables genuine citizen science — guests contribute to data collection alongside professional researchers. The Ocean Academy onboard science centre features microscopes and specimens. Destinations include Antarctica (including the rarely visited Weddell Sea), the Arctic and Svalbard, Greenland, the Northwest Passage, Papua New Guinea, the Great Lakes of North America, and from 2028, Australia’s Kimberley coast.

Silversea’s expedition fleet comprises four ships, each with a distinct role. Silver Endeavour (2021, 200 guests, PC6 ice class) is the Antarctica and Arctic specialist — formerly Crystal Endeavor, purchased during Crystal’s 2022 bankruptcy, and widely regarded as the most luxurious expedition ship afloat with an industry-leading 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. Silver Cloud (1994, converted to expedition 2017, 254 guests) is the Kimberley and polar workhorse — multiple annual Kimberley seasons from Darwin and Broome. Silver Wind (1995, expedition refit 2020, 274 guests) covers multi-destination expedition itineraries. Silver Origin (2020, 100 guests) is the only purpose-built Galapagos ship in the ultra-luxury segment, operating year-round from Baltra. All expedition ships carry Zodiac fleets and full teams of naturalists and expedition specialists. Butler service is included in every suite on every expedition ship.

The expedition comparison by dimension:

Antarctica: Both lines deploy PC6 ice-class ships. Hapag-Lloyd offers multiple departures annually across three ships with 20-22-day voyages from Ushuaia, including the Weddell Sea expedition — among the most ambitious Antarctic voyages available. Charter flights to Ushuaia are included in the fare. Pricing starts from approximately EUR 18,190 per person (22 days). Silversea concentrates Antarctic operations on Silver Endeavour with voyages of 6-18 days including fly-cruise options that bypass the Drake Passage entirely. Pricing starts from approximately USD 10,600 per person. Hapag-Lloyd offers more Antarctic departures across a larger expedition fleet; Silversea offers the more luxurious single-ship experience and the Drake Passage fly-cruise bypass.

The Kimberley: Silversea has the established programme — Silver Cloud operates multiple 10-day voyages between Darwin and Broome each season (May-August), with Zodiac landings at King George Falls, Montgomery Reef, and Horizontal Waterfalls. Expert naturalists and indigenous cultural programming. From approximately AUD 8,500 per person (USD 8,500). An optional 17-day itinerary combines the Kimberley with the Western Australian coast. Hapag-Lloyd’s Kimberley debut is HANSEATIC spirit in February 2028 — an 18-day expedition featuring King George River, Montgomery Reef, and the Houtman Abrolhos archipelago. Hapag-Lloyd brings a 16-person scientific expedition team and PC6 ice class to a destination that does not require ice class — the scientific rigour, not the ice capability, is the differentiator. For Australians wanting a Kimberley expedition in 2026 or 2027, Silversea is the only choice from this pairing. From 2028, Hapag-Lloyd offers a compelling alternative with a different expedition character.

The Galapagos: Silversea wins by default. Silver Origin is a purpose-built 100-guest ship operating year-round from Baltra with a 1:1.16 crew-to-guest ratio — widely regarded as the most elegant ship in Galapagos waters. Hapag-Lloyd does not operate in the Galapagos.

The Arctic: Both lines deploy to the Arctic, Svalbard, and Greenland. Hapag-Lloyd offers more Arctic departures across three ships with scientific expedition teams. Silversea deploys Silver Endeavour and Silver Wind. Both provide excellent Arctic experiences; the choice is between Hapag-Lloyd’s scientific depth and Silversea’s butler-service luxury.

Expedition atmosphere: This is where the lines diverge most. On a HANSEATIC ship, the atmosphere is scientific, educational, and egalitarian — daily lectures from researchers, citizen science activities, and an expedition team integrated into the social fabric of the voyage. On Silversea’s expedition ships, the atmosphere is luxurious expedition — butler service, fine dining, premium drinks, and expert naturalist guidance, but with less emphasis on scientific data collection and more on curated wildlife encounters. Hapag-Lloyd’s expedition culture feels like joining a research expedition with luxury accommodation. Silversea’s feels like a luxury cruise that happens to go to extraordinary places.

The ocean ship comparison

Beyond expedition, both lines operate luxury ocean vessels — and the comparison here is equally revealing.

Hapag-Lloyd’s ocean fleet comprises EUROPA (1999, refurbished 2024, 408 guests, 28,890 GT) and EUROPA 2 (2013, 516 guests, 42,830 GT). EUROPA is the world’s highest-rated cruise ship according to Insight Guides — a 27-year-old ship impeccably maintained to hold its five-stars-plus distinction. EUROPA 2 achieves a space-per-guest ratio of 83 gross tonnes per guest — among the highest in the industry. The ships are small, intimate, and distinctly European.

Silversea’s ocean fleet comprises eight ships spanning three generations. The newest — Silver Nova (2023, 728 guests) and Silver Ray (2024, 728 guests) — introduced asymmetric design, the S.A.L.T. culinary programme, and the Otium spa concept. Silver Dawn (2022, 596 guests) and Silver Moon (2020, 596 guests) are Muse-class ships with S.A.L.T. added during refits. Silver Muse (2017, refitted December 2025, 632 guests) received S.A.L.T. in its recent refit. Silver Spirit (2009, 608 guests) is being refurbished with S.A.L.T. in 2026. Silver Shadow (2000, 388 guests) and Silver Whisper (2001, 388 guests) are smaller Millennium-class ships without S.A.L.T.

Dining comparison: EUROPA features five restaurants headlined by The Globe by Kevin Fehling — the only three-Michelin-star chef’s restaurant at sea, where Fehling personally cooks on eight cruises per year. The rebuilt Pearls restaurant offers 15 innovative vegetarian caviar compositions using spherification. EUROPA 2 offers seven restaurants including French brasserie Tarragon, Asian-fusion Elements, and sushi counter Sakura. Every restaurant on every Hapag-Lloyd ship is included without surcharges, reservation caps, or cover charges.

Silversea’s culinary centrepiece is the S.A.L.T. programme — S.A.L.T. Kitchen (destination-changing menus), S.A.L.T. Lab (hands-on cooking classes), S.A.L.T. Bar (regional cocktails), and S.A.L.T. Shore (culinary excursions to local markets and producers). Beyond S.A.L.T., Nova-class ships offer eight to ten dining venues including La Terrazza (Italian), Kaiseki (Japanese fine dining, USD 40-80 surcharge), and Silver Note (jazz supper club). Most dining is included; La Dame (French tasting menu, USD 60-100 surcharge) and Kaiseki carry supplements.

The culinary verdict: Hapag-Lloyd offers the higher peak dining experience (Fehling’s three Michelin stars) with completely surcharge-free access to every restaurant. Silversea offers a more comprehensive culinary programme (S.A.L.T. has no equivalent) with greater variety across a much larger fleet, but minor dining surcharges at two venues. If a three-Michelin-star meal at sea is your priority, only Hapag-Lloyd delivers. If destination-integrated culinary immersion matters more, Silversea’s S.A.L.T. is unique.

Suite comparison: EUROPA 2’s entry-level Veranda Suite is 301 square feet with a 75-square-foot private veranda. The Owner Suite reaches 1,066 square feet plus 161-square-foot veranda. Butler service for Penthouse and above — roughly the top 15 per cent of cabins.

Silversea’s entry-level Classic Veranda Suite on Nova-class is approximately 357 square feet including a 60-square-foot veranda. On Muse-class ships, 345 square feet. The Otium Suite on Nova-class spans 1,324 square feet with 270-degree panoramic views. Every suite on every Silversea ocean ship has butler service as standard — including the smallest Vista — a qualitative difference that experienced guests consistently cite as transformative.

Silversea wins on fleet modernity (ships built 2020-2024 versus 1999 and 2013), suite-level butler service, and variety. Hapag-Lloyd wins on space-per-guest ratio (83 GT per guest on EUROPA 2 versus approximately 60 on Nova-class), design character (890 original artworks), and surcharge-free dining access.

What is actually included

This is the area of sharpest divergence — and it materially affects the total cost for Australians.

Silversea includes: butler service in every suite on every ship; premium spirits, wines, and cocktails throughout the ship; unlimited Wi-Fi; all gratuities; 24-hour in-suite dining; most dining without surcharges; and all enrichment programming. 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 are included.

Hapag-Lloyd includes: all dining at every restaurant on every ship without surcharges — including The Globe and all expedition ship restaurants; champagne on arrival; daily-replenished minibar (non-alcoholic beverages in standard categories, spirits in higher tiers); complimentary soft drinks throughout the day from January 2026; gratuities; 60 free minutes of Wi-Fi daily via Starlink; and on expedition ships, all Zodiac excursions and polar gear.

Hapag-Lloyd does not include: alcoholic beverages at bars and restaurants — the most significant gap versus Silversea and every other ultra-luxury competitor. A beverage package is available for EUR 44 per person per day. Wi-Fi beyond 60 minutes costs EUR 19-225 depending on the data package; unlimited Wi-Fi is complimentary only for Grand Penthouse and Owner Suite guests. Butler service is not available in standard suites on EUROPA 2. Flights are not included on ocean voyages, though Antarctic expedition fares include charter flights to Ushuaia.

The practical cost impact for Australians: On a 14-night voyage, a couple who enjoys two cocktails before dinner and shares a bottle of wine each evening would spend approximately EUR 1,200-1,800 on beverages that Silversea includes. The beverage package at EUR 44 per person per day adds EUR 1,232 per couple for 14 nights — a more predictable option. Add Wi-Fi packages (EUR 119-225 per person) and the effective cost of a Hapag-Lloyd voyage climbs EUR 1,500-2,300 above the headline fare per couple. On Silversea, every drink, every Wi-Fi session, and every butler interaction is already covered.

Pricing for Australians

Hapag-Lloyd per-diems: EUROPA 2 ocean voyages run approximately EUR 500-800 per person per night depending on season and itinerary. The Singapore-to-Perth Australian sailing (January 2027) starts from approximately EUR 791 per night. HANSEATIC expedition Antarctic voyages run EUR 830-1,185 per night (20-22 days from approximately EUR 18,190-23,690 per person, charter flights to Ushuaia included).

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

Total cost for an Australian couple on a 14-night Mediterranean voyage including flights:

Hapag-Lloyd EUROPA 2 (Veranda Suite): approximately AUD 22,000-35,000 for the cruise fare. Add business-class flights from Sydney to Europe (AUD 10,000-18,000), onboard beverages (AUD 2,000-4,000 for the beverage package or a la carte), Wi-Fi packages (AUD 300-700), shore excursions (AUD 2,000-5,000), and transfers (AUD 500-1,000). Total: approximately AUD 37,000-64,000.

Silversea Silver Moon (Veranda Suite, All-Inclusive): approximately AUD 24,000-36,000 for the cruise fare. Drinks, butler service, Wi-Fi, and 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), La Dame dining (AUD 200), and transfers (AUD 500-1,000). Total: approximately AUD 35,000-57,000.

Silversea’s included beverages, butler service, and Wi-Fi typically deliver AUD 3,000-6,000 in additional value per couple compared to Hapag-Lloyd on a 14-night voyage.

The Australian departure advantage: Silversea’s 20+ sailings from Australian ports annually eliminate the cost and inconvenience of long-haul flights entirely. A Silversea sailing departing Sydney may cost more per night than a Hapag-Lloyd Mediterranean voyage, but the total holiday cost — once flights, transfers, and jet lag recovery are factored in — overwhelmingly favours Silversea for Australians who value convenience.

Language and onboard atmosphere

This is the factor that will determine whether you thrive or merely survive on a Hapag-Lloyd ship — and it requires honest assessment.

Hapag-Lloyd’s language environment: From January 2026, all five ships operate fully bilingual in German and English. Menus, daily programmes, announcements, shore excursion briefings, enrichment lectures, and crew interactions are all available in English. EUROPA 2 has been bilingual since its launch in 2013 and is the most comfortable for English speakers, with a dedicated International Hostess who organises cocktail parties and dinners for non-German-speaking guests. However, German remains the primary onboard language. German-speaking passengers constitute the overwhelming majority on most sailings — international guests historically comprise approximately seven per cent of the passenger base. You will be impeccably served in English by crew whose language skills are consistently praised, but socialising over dinner and at the bar will largely be in German. On expedition ships, shared Zodiac adventures and wildlife encounters tend to transcend language barriers.

Silversea’s language environment: English is the primary language with Italian flair. Buongiorno greetings, Italian wine recommendations, and the warmth of Italian crew create a continental texture that enhances rather than complicates the experience. The passenger base is internationally diverse — approximately 50 per cent American, with significant British, European, and Australian representation. On Australian deployments, strong Australian representation creates a familiar social dynamic. An Australian will never feel like a linguistic outsider on Silversea.

The atmosphere contrast: Hapag-Lloyd EUROPA 2 feels like a European design museum — 890 original artworks by Gerhard Richter, Damien Hirst, and Olafur Eliasson, no formal nights (“21 knots without a tie”), piano bar, jazz club, and late-night Sansibar lounge. Guests wear expensive European labels — Bogner and Escada by day, designer slacks and sports jackets by evening. EUROPA is more formal with gala evenings and jacket-required dining. The HANSEATIC expedition ships create a third atmosphere — the camaraderie of shared adventure.

Silversea’s atmosphere is refined Italian elegance — polished, anticipatory service with European reserve, the S.A.L.T. culinary programme connecting food to place, Silver Note jazz club, and Dolce Vita bar keeping evenings lively. 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. The atmosphere is convivial and cosmopolitan.

If you want immersion in European culture at sea and are comfortable as an English-speaking minority, Hapag-Lloyd offers a genuinely unique experience. If you want the comfort of your own language in a cosmopolitan atmosphere with Italian warmth, Silversea is the natural choice.

Australian accessibility

The accessibility gap between these lines is the widest in any expedition comparison — and it overwhelmingly favours Silversea.

Silversea’s Australian proposition is the strongest of any ultra-luxury line alongside Regent. A dedicated Sydney office. A full Australian reservations and trade team. Twenty-plus sailings from Australian ports between 2026 and 2028, including roundtrip Sydney departures, trans-Tasman crossings, Melbourne departures, and one-way sailings to Asia. Silver Cloud operates Kimberley expedition seasons from Darwin and Broome every year (May-August) — 10-day voyages with Zodiac landings, expert naturalists, and indigenous cultural programming, accessible via domestic flights from any Australian capital. Silver Nova’s 47-day Australian circumnavigation is a showcase sailing. Silver Moon deploys to Japan and Australia/New Zealand. The Venetian Society’s cross-brand integration with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity means Australians who cruise domestically build status that carries into ultra-luxury.

Hapag-Lloyd’s Australian proposition is emerging. The line joined CLIA Australasia in April 2025, signalling a deliberate push into the Australian market. EUROPA 2 makes its Australian debut in January-March 2027: Singapore to Perth (17 days), Perth to Auckland (19 days, visiting Busselton, Albany, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney), and a New Zealand circumnavigation (18 days from Auckland). HANSEATIC spirit’s maiden Kimberley expedition is confirmed for February 2028 — an 18-day voyage with Zodiac adventures on the King George River and at Montgomery Reef. Australian booking is handled through a Perth-based representative agency. The Emirates partnership (announced April 2025) will enable fly-cruise packaging from Australian gateways from the 2026/27 season.

For Australians wanting to sail these lines without long-haul flights, Silversea offers immediate and extensive options. Hapag-Lloyd requires patience — 2027 for the first ocean visit, 2028 for the first Kimberley expedition.

Loyalty programmes

Silversea’s Venetian Society is free to join with milestone-based rewards including complimentary voyages at 350 and 500 sailed days. The decisive advantage for Australians is cross-brand integration through Royal Caribbean Group’s Points Choice programme, launched for sailings departing from 30 January 2026. Existing Crown & Anchor Society (Royal Caribbean) or Captain’s Club (Celebrity) members receive one-for-one status matching into the Venetian Society. Points earned on any Royal Caribbean Group brand can be allocated to whichever loyalty programme the guest chooses. For Australians who cruise domestically on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity — both of which have extensive Australian deployments — this creates an immediate pathway from mainstream to ultra-luxury recognition.

Hapag-Lloyd’s Cruises Club requires a paid membership with sign-up and annual renewal fees — unusual in the ultra-luxury segment where loyalty programmes are typically free. Three tiers (Member, Gold at 15,000 bonus miles, Platinum at 50,000 bonus miles) offer benefits primarily in the form of bonus miles redeemable for onboard credits on beverages, laundry, Wi-Fi, and spa services. The programme is functional but modest compared to the Venetian Society’s cross-brand ecosystem.

For Australians with existing Royal Caribbean or Celebrity loyalty — and many Australian cruisers do, given both lines’ extensive domestic deployments — Silversea’s programme creates a value chain that Hapag-Lloyd simply cannot match.

Fleet growth and future outlook

Silversea is growing. Silver Nova (2023) and Silver Ray (2024) represent the most recent additions — the newest ultra-luxury ocean ships afloat. Silver Muse received a comprehensive refit in December 2025 adding S.A.L.T. and modern fitness. Silver Spirit is being refurbished in 2026 with S.A.L.T. and suite upgrades. The existing fleet of twelve ships provides dramatically more itinerary choice in any given month — Silversea has multiple ships in multiple regions at all times.

Hapag-Lloyd has no new builds on order. The five-ship fleet — EUROPA (1999), EUROPA 2 (2013), and three HANSEATIC ships (2019-2021) — is the fleet for the foreseeable future. EUROPA was comprehensively refurbished in 2024, but the ship is 27 years old. The deliberate constraint maintains quality standards (every ship holds five stars) but limits itinerary choice. In any given week, Hapag-Lloyd has five ships in five places; Silversea has twelve ships in twelve places.

The contrast is stark for Australian travellers. Silversea’s fleet size means Australian deployments, Asian deployments accessible via short flights, Mediterranean and Caribbean options, and expedition choices across four ships — all available simultaneously. Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet size means choosing between a small number of itineraries, often with limited Australian accessibility.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Silversea

Silver Moon: Sydney to Auckland (approximately 14 nights, December 2026) — The easiest entry to Silversea for Australians. Departs Sydney, comprehensive New Zealand itinerary with S.A.L.T. featuring Australian and New Zealand regional cuisine. No international flight required.

Silver Cloud: Kimberley expedition (10 days, May-August 2026, Darwin to Broome or roundtrip Darwin) — 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 from east coast cities.

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 Australian coastal voyage with the full S.A.L.T. programme.

Silver Whisper: French Polynesia (September 2026-May 2027, from Papeete) — Twenty-six voyages across 118 islands and atolls. Air Tahiti Nui operates direct Sydney-Papeete flights (8 hours).

Hapag-Lloyd

EUROPA 2: Singapore to Perth (17 days, January-February 2027) — Hapag-Lloyd’s first Australian deployment. Via Semarang, Bali, Lombok, Komodo, Broome, Exmouth, Geraldton, and Fremantle. From approximately EUR 13,440 per person. Fly Sydney to Singapore (7.5 hours) and cruise to Western Australia.

EUROPA 2: Perth to Auckland (19 days, February 2027) — The most accessible Hapag-Lloyd itinerary for Australians. Embark Fremantle (domestic flight), sail via Busselton, Albany, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland. The entire voyage operates in Australian time zones.

HANSEATIC spirit: Kimberley expedition (18 days, February 2028) — Hapag-Lloyd’s maiden Kimberley voyage. King George River, Montgomery Reef, Houtman Abrolhos Islands. Adults-only HANSEATIC spirit with PC6 ice class, 17 Zodiacs, and 16-person expedition team.

HANSEATIC: Antarctic expeditions (20-22 days from Ushuaia, 2026-2027 season) — Multiple departures across three ships. The 22-day Weddell Sea expedition on HANSEATIC spirit is a standout — one of the most ambitious Antarctic voyages available. Charter flights to Ushuaia included. From EUR 18,190 per person.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Hapag-Lloyd

EUROPA 2 (516 guests, 2013) — The recommended ship for English-speaking Australians. Bilingual from launch, dedicated International Hostess, seven surcharge-free restaurants, 890 original artworks, the 10,764-square-foot OCEAN SPA, no formal nights. The ship deployed to Australia in 2027. If you are an Australian considering Hapag-Lloyd for the first time, start here.

EUROPA (408 guests, 1999, refurbished 2024) — The German flagship and the world’s highest-rated cruise ship. Five restaurants including The Globe by Kevin Fehling. More formal, more culturally German. Bilingual from January 2026, but the social atmosphere remains distinctly German. Choose only if you speak German or specifically want the Fehling dining experience.

HANSEATIC spirit (230 guests, 2021) — The newest expedition ship and the only adults-only vessel in the fleet. Confirmed for the 2028 Kimberley deployment. Best for Australian couples wanting expedition without children. PC6 ice class, 17 Zodiacs.

HANSEATIC inspiration (230 guests, 2019) — The family-friendly expedition option with Young Explorers Program for ages 10-17. Bilingual from launch. The Nikkei restaurant (Japanese-Peruvian fusion at sea). Choose for expedition voyages with children.

HANSEATIC nature (230 guests, 2019) — Now bilingual from 2026. The Hamptons restaurant (East Coast USA cuisine). Choose based on itinerary rather than ship preference.

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 for the 2025-2026 season. The most modern hardware and design.

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

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

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

Silver Cloud (254 guests, 1994, expedition conversion 2017) — The Kimberley and Antarctic workhorse. Butler service meets Zodiac landings. Choose for Australian Kimberley expeditions. The smallest expedition ship with the most intimate landing group sizes.

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

Silver Dawn (596 guests, 2022) — Features the fleet’s largest Otium Spa at 8,500 square feet. Excellent for wellness-focused travellers.

Silver Muse (632 guests, 2017, refitted December 2025) — Comprehensive refit added S.A.L.T. Now competitive with Silver Moon and Silver Dawn.

Where each line excels

Hapag-Lloyd excels in:

• Expedition scientific depth. The Alfred Wegener Institute partnership, citizen science programmes, and 16-person expert teams on every expedition voyage create an educational dimension Silversea does not match. Guests contribute to genuine polar research.
• Peak culinary pedigree. The Globe by Kevin Fehling (three Michelin stars, chef physically present on eight voyages per year) is the highest-credential restaurant at sea. The Pearls vegetarian caviar programme is unique.
• Surcharge-free dining. Every restaurant on every ship without surcharges, reservation caps, or cover charges. Silversea charges supplements at La Dame and Kaiseki.
• Space per guest. EUROPA 2’s ratio of 83 GT per guest is among the highest in the industry. Public spaces feel exceptionally uncrowded.
• Cultural depth. EUROPA 2’s 890 original artworks, ART2SEA voyages, classical music programming, and the distinctly European atmosphere offer something no English-language cruise line replicates.

Silversea excels in:

• 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.
• Butler service universality. Every suite, every ship, every sailing — including expedition ships. Hapag-Lloyd reserves butler service for its highest suite categories.
• S.A.L.T. culinary programme. Destination-changing restaurant menus, hands-on cooking classes, food-focused shore excursions, and regionally crafted cocktails. No competitor has anything equivalent.
• Fleet breadth and modernity. Twelve ships including two brand-new Nova-class vessels. More ships, more itinerary choice, more departure dates, and more flexibility in any given month.
• All-inclusive completeness. Premium drinks, butler service, Wi-Fi, and gratuities included in every fare. Hapag-Lloyd’s exclusion of alcoholic beverages adds materially to the total cost.
• Cross-brand loyalty. The Venetian Society’s integration with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity creates a loyalty ecosystem that Hapag-Lloyd’s paid-membership model cannot match.

The bottom line

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Silversea Cruises are the only two ultra-luxury lines that credibly compete across both ocean and expedition cruising — and the right choice depends on what you value most and how urgently you need to sail.

Choose Hapag-Lloyd if the expedition experience is your primary motivation and you want the highest scientific depth and ice-class credentials available. The three HANSEATIC ships with PC6 ice class, 17 Zodiacs each, and 16-person expert teams carrying out genuine polar research represent the gold standard in expedition cruising. Choose it too if you value The Globe by Kevin Fehling (the only three-Michelin-star restaurant at sea), completely surcharge-free dining, the highest space-per-guest ratio in the industry, and immersion in European cultural traditions. Accept that alcoholic beverages and premium Wi-Fi cost extra, that the onboard language and culture are predominantly German (despite full bilingual services from 2026), that the fleet is smaller with fewer departure options, and that Australian accessibility is limited until 2027. Start with EUROPA 2 for ocean voyages and HANSEATIC spirit for expedition.

Choose Silversea if you want the broadest ultra-luxury cruise programme available from Australia — ocean voyages departing Sydney and Auckland, Kimberley expeditions from Darwin and Broome, 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, premium drinks and Wi-Fi included in every fare, and a cross-brand loyalty pathway with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Accept that Silversea’s expedition team culture lacks the scientific depth of Hapag-Lloyd’s research partnerships, that dining carries minor surcharges at two venues, and that the fleet’s older ships (Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper) do not represent the brand at its best. 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 practical choice — more ships, more Australian departures, an established Kimberley programme, butler service in every suite, and a familiar English-language atmosphere. Hapag-Lloyd is the connoisseur’s choice — expedition with scientific rigour, three-Michelin-star dining at sea, and a European cultural depth that no English-language line replicates. Both reward the investment; Silversea makes it easier to get aboard.