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Ponant vs Silversea in an Ocean Crossing: Compared

This comparison covers ocean crossing cruises — most commonly Atlantic and Pacific repositioning voyages — offered by two cruise lines currently available on Gvoya: Ponant and Silversea. With 74 in-stock departures across both lines, sailings range from as short as 5 nights to as long as 27 nights, with March standing out as the busiest departure month. Embarkation ports include Lisbon, Miami, Tokyo, and Vancouver, with itinerary highlights spanning International Waters, Funchal, Royal Naval Dockyard, Barcelona, Cadiz, Valencia, Cartagena, and Fort-de-France. The two lines differ meaningfully in fleet size, ship scale, starting price, and voyage character — all factors worth weighing before booking.

Silversea

Silversea offers ocean crossing departures from $5000, with itineraries starting from 12 nights — reflecting the longer, more immersive nature of a true transoceanic passage. The fleet deployed on these routes includes Silver Nova (guest capacity 728), Silver Shadow (guest capacity 382), Silver Spirit (guest capacity 608), Silver Ray (guest capacity 728), and Silver Moon (guest capacity 596), giving travellers a range of ship sizes and onboard atmospheres to choose from. According to Silversea's own destination content, an ocean crossing aboard a vessel like Silver Nova — sailing, for example, from Lisbon with a call at the Azores before stretching into multiple consecutive days at sea — offers a rhythm of travel that is difficult to replicate anywhere else: the freedom to be as active or as restful as one chooses, with sunsets over open water and the quiet anticipation of what the Atlantic or Pacific may bring each day. All-inclusive pricing is a hallmark of Silversea's model, meaning most onboard costs — dining, beverages, gratuities, and shore excursions on select fare types — are bundled into the headline fare, which simplifies total-cost planning for a bucket-list voyage. Ocean crossings involve extended periods at sea and little opportunity to disembark mid-voyage, so travellers should be comfortable with the pace of life aboard ship for several consecutive days. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking.

Best fit: Well-suited for travellers seeking a longer, fully immersive transoceanic experience with a broad choice of ship sizes and an all-inclusive cost structure that reduces onboard financial decisions.

Ponant

Ponant offers ocean crossing departures from $1000, with itineraries starting from 5 nights, making it an accessible entry point into the transoceanic genre — particularly for those who prefer a shorter commitment or wish to combine a crossing segment with independent travel at either end. The sole ship currently listed for these departures is Le Bellot, with a guest capacity of 184, placing it firmly in the boutique, small-ship category. The intimate scale of Le Bellot shapes the onboard experience considerably: fewer fellow passengers, a more personal service ratio, and a vessel that can call at ports less accessible to larger ships. Ponant's French-influenced style tends toward understated elegance, and the smaller ship format means that days at sea — whether crossing the Atlantic or the Pacific — carry a quieter, more contemplative character. As with any ocean crossing, travellers should anticipate stretches of consecutive sea days with limited ability to go ashore; a degree of comfort with open-water sailing is part of the experience. The lower starting price point reflects shorter available itineraries, though the all-in cost will depend on the specific fare type and inclusions selected. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking.

Best fit: Well-suited for travellers drawn to a boutique, small-ship crossing experience with a shorter minimum itinerary length and a lower starting price, particularly those who value an intimate onboard atmosphere.

Ponant and Silversea approach the ocean crossing in meaningfully different ways. Ponant's starting price of $1000 and minimum voyage length of 5 nights make it accessible for those testing the transoceanic format for the first time or working within tighter schedules, while Le Bellot's capacity of 184 guests delivers a notably intimate experience. Silversea's crossings begin from $5000 and from 12 nights, reflecting a longer, more enveloping journey across open water, with a fleet spanning vessels from 382 to 728 guests and a well-documented all-inclusive model. The most common itinerary length across both lines sits at 13 nights, suggesting that the classic ocean crossing tends toward a multi-week commitment regardless of operator. Neither line is objectively superior — the right choice depends on budget, preferred ship scale, desired voyage length, and appetite for extended days at sea. Travellers for whom the crossing itself is the destination may find Silversea's longer formats and larger fleet variety compelling; those prioritising a smaller ship or a shorter, more affordable introduction to transoceanic sailing may find Ponant's offering a closer fit. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking.

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Inventory data on this page last updated 2026-10-29.

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