Transoceanic Cruise Lines Compared: Ponant vs. Silversea
For travelers drawn to the romance of crossing open oceans, two cruise lines currently offer transoceanic itineraries in this inventory: Ponant and Silversea. With 43 departures available across both operators, sailings span a range of three to twenty-five nights and depart from ports including Lisbon, Dakar, Ushuaia, and Guam. Itinerary highlights include International Waters, Funchal, Fort-de-France, Buenos Aires, Cadiz, Mindelo, Bridgetown, and Málaga. Departures are available across January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, and December, with March being the busiest departure month. The most common itinerary length is 12 nights. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking.
Ponant
Ponant offers transoceanic sailings from $7,000, with itineraries starting from 19 nights — among the longer options in this inventory. The fleet operating these routes includes Le Bellot and Le Dumont d'Urville (each carrying 184 guests), Le Soléal and Le Boréal (each carrying 264 guests), and Le Bougainville (184 guests). The smaller guest capacities across much of the Ponant fleet lend these voyages a more intimate atmosphere at sea. Itineraries tend to be extended ocean passages, which typically means a higher proportion of sea days and a greater all-in cost commitment relative to shorter crossings. As with all transoceanic sailings, travelers should factor in the full-voyage cost when budgeting, as these are multi-week commitments. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking.
Best fit: Well-suited for travelers who prefer a smaller-ship, boutique-style environment and are comfortable with extended periods at sea across longer voyages of 19 nights or more.
Silversea
Silversea offers transoceanic sailings from $5,000, with itineraries starting from 12 nights — a relatively accessible entry point into ocean-crossing travel within this inventory. The Silver Spirit (608 guests) is the ship operating these routes, offering a larger onboard community compared to Ponant's vessels. According to Silversea destination content, Atlantic crossings typically involve several consecutive days at sea, often repositioning between Europe and the Caribbean, and can offer a pace of travel that is both restful and enriching depending on how guests choose to spend their time aboard. Funchal (Madeira) and Lisbon appear as notable embarkation or port-of-call options. As with all transoceanic voyages, the all-inclusive cost and a reasonable level of physical comfort for extended sea days are key considerations. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking.
Best fit: Well-suited for travelers seeking a lower starting price point and shorter minimum voyage length, or those who appreciate a larger ship environment with a broader onboard community during multi-day ocean passages.
Both Ponant and Silversea provide distinct transoceanic experiences within this inventory. Ponant's sailings begin from $7,000 and from 19 nights, with a fleet of smaller vessels (ranging from 184 to 264 guests) that emphasize intimacy over scale. Silversea's sailings begin from $5,000 and from 12 nights aboard the Silver Spirit (608 guests), offering a different scale and a lower entry threshold for both price and voyage length. Travelers considering either line should weigh the all-in cost of a multi-night ocean crossing, their comfort with extended sea days, and their preference for ship size and atmosphere. No single operator is identified as superior; the right choice depends on individual priorities around voyage length, budget, and onboard environment. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking.
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Inventory data on this page last updated 2026-10-23.
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