HX vs Silversea Expeditions: which is better?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 11 November 2026
No score and no verdict of ours: what HX Expeditions and Silversea each publish on their own websites, read 9 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.
HX vs Silversea Expeditions: which is better?
HX suits families and solo travellers: it takes children from age 5 in Antarctica and the Galápagos, gives children aged 2 to 15 up to 50% off the cruise and at times waives its solo supplement. Silversea suits travellers who want the extras in the fare: butler service, drinks and onboard gratuities on four expedition ships for 100 to 274 guests.
What is each line?
HX Expeditions runs expedition cruises under the HX name on its own named ships and says it has sailed polar waters since 1896. Source
Silversea runs what it calls luxury and expedition cruises on a fleet of 12 ships, eight Classic and four Expedition, as part of the Royal Caribbean Group. Source
Which ships does each line sail?
HX Expeditions sails MS Roald Amundsen, MS Fridtjof Nansen, MS Spitsbergen, MS Fram and, in the Galápagos, MS Santa Cruz II. Source
Silversea sails 12 ships, eight Classic and four Expedition; its expedition ships include Silver Endeavour (welcomed in July 2022) and Silver Cloud (built in 1994, last refurbished in 2017). Source
How many guests are on board?
Silversea says its expedition ships take 100 to 274 guests; Silver Cloud has a guest capacity of 254. Source
HX Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.
Where does each line sail?
HX Expeditions sells named voyages to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and Greenland on MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen. Source
Silversea sells expedition voyages to Antarctica, the Arctic and Greenland, the Galápagos and the Kimberley, with 10-night Antarctica sailings that include South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Source
Who leads the landings?
Silversea carries up to 28 specialists on an expedition cruise, among them scientists, historians, naturalists, marine biologists, kayak guides and photographers; it says all its Expedition Experts are certified Zodiac drivers. Source
HX Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.
How much time ashore?
HX Expeditions lands guests by small expedition boats when anchored, in dry or wet landings; children under 12 join small-boat landings at the captain's discretion. Source
Silversea takes guests ashore almost entirely by Zodiac; Silver Cloud carries 20 Zodiacs and 10 kayaks for what it calls ship-wide simultaneous explorations. Source
What can you do off the ship?
HX Expeditions offers kayaking and snorkelling on MS Santa Cruz II, with complimentary wetsuit rental on request, plus hiking and a mix of included and optional shore excursions, many of which can be pre-booked. Source
Silversea's expedition fares include guided Zodiac, land and sea tours with expert lectures; it also names kayaking, hikes, snorkelling with in-water guides and a polar plunge, plus private Zodiac and photography tours in selected destinations, subject to availability. Source
What does the fare include?
HX Expeditions calls its expeditions all-inclusive; it provides rubber boots free for the trip and tea and coffee facilities in all cabins. Source
Silversea's fares include butler service, an all-suite stay, drinks including champagne and up to 50 wines, onboard gratuities, port taxes and fees; expedition fares add charter flights, a hotel stay, expedition activities and gear such as a parka when operationally required. A flight package is optional and extra. Source
What do solo travellers pay?
HX Expeditions books solo travellers into private cabins with a bathroom and WC and occasionally waives the solo supplement on selected departures. Source
Silversea quotes fares for single guests on request; a single occupant paying 200% pricing earns one extra Venetian Society day per day sailed. Source
How much is the deposit?
HX Expeditions asks a 25% non-refundable deposit on bookings made more than 90 days before departure; final payment is due 90 days before departure and later bookings pay in full. Source
Silversea advertises reduced deposits from 15% in its Black Friday sale; it names no balance date. Source
What insurance do you need?
HX Expeditions makes travel insurance with repatriation cover mandatory for Antarctica trips. Source
Silversea offers Allianz travel protection, with an Expedition Plan for trips under $100k per person that covers emergency medical transportation; it names no required cover or evacuation minimum. Source
Can children come?
HX Expeditions sets a minimum age of 5 for Antarctica and the Galápagos and gives children aged 2 to 15 a 50% saving on the cruise portion when sharing with two adults, 20% when sharing with one. Source
Silversea does not publish this on the pages read.
When is each not the fit?
The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.
- HX Expeditions: not the fit if your wheelchair is wider than 60 cm or you need a lift on MS Santa Cruz II, which has no elevators and steep stairs. Source
- Silversea: not the fit if you want to step ashore without a Zodiac: it says nearly all discovery ashore is by Zodiac launch to and from the ship. Source
How do their reviews compare?
Their figures per platform, read 9 November 2026, each from a listing under the line's own name; a whole-company profile is marked. Figures are never added together.
- HX Expeditions: Trustpilot (whole company): 2.9 out of 5 from 46 reviews, newest 22 October 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Silversea: Trustpilot (whole company): 2.4 out of 5 from 58 reviews, newest 9 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
The lines at a glance
One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel expedition page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.
HX Expeditions
- Best for
- Polar voyages on a five-ship expedition fleet
- What it sells
- Runs expedition cruises on its own ships MS Roald Amundsen, MS Fridtjof Nansen, MS Spitsbergen, MS Fram and MS Santa Cruz II, to Antarctica, Greenland, Svalbard, Norway, Alaska, the Galápagos and beyond.
- Why choose them
- Says it has been sailing polar waters since 1896. Trustpilot (whole company): 2.9 out of 5 from 46 reviews, newest 22 October 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for departures with no solo supplement, which it offers on selected expedition sailings.
- Not the fit if
- you may need your deposit back: the 25% deposit is non-refundable and final payment is due 90 days before departure.
- Website
- travelhx.com
Silversea
- Best for
- Expedition ships with butler service
- What it sells
- Runs 12 ships under its own name, eight Classic and four Expedition, with expedition voyages to Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galapagos and the Kimberley.
- Why choose them
- Runs a fleet of 12 ships, eight Classic and four Expedition; it was founded in 1994. Trustpilot (whole company): 2.4 out of 5 from 58 reviews, newest 9 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a private Zodiac tour with an Expedition Expert as your personal guide.
- Not the fit if
- you need step-free shore access: nearly all discovery ashore is by Zodiac launch to and from the ship.
Which other lines sell the same voyages?
The lines that sell voyages to the same regions are compared on What are the best alternatives to HX Expeditions in 2026?
HX vs Silversea Expeditions: the questions people ask
How many guests are on board with HX Expeditions and Silversea?
Silversea says its expedition ships take 100 to 274 guests; Silver Cloud has a guest capacity of 254. HX Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.
What does the fare include with HX Expeditions and Silversea?
HX Expeditions calls its expeditions all-inclusive; it provides rubber boots free for the trip and tea and coffee facilities in all cabins. Silversea's fares include butler service, an all-suite stay, drinks including champagne and up to 50 wines, onboard gratuities, port taxes and fees; expedition fares add charter flights, a hotel stay, expedition activities and gear such as a parka when operationally required. A flight package is optional and extra.
How much is the deposit with HX Expeditions and Silversea?
HX Expeditions asks a 25% non-refundable deposit on bookings made more than 90 days before departure; final payment is due 90 days before departure and later bookings pay in full. Silversea advertises reduced deposits from 15% in its Black Friday sale; it names no balance date.
Is there a single supplement with HX Expeditions and Silversea?
HX Expeditions books solo travellers into private cabins with a bathroom and WC and occasionally waives the solo supplement on selected departures. Silversea quotes fares for single guests on request; a single occupant paying 200% pricing earns one extra Venetian Society day per day sailed.
How do I compare prices like for like?
Ask for a written quote for the same dates and the same cabin type, with every inclusion listed: flights, hotel nights, drinks, gratuities, kayaking or camping and the parka. The price lines above give what each line publishes and on what basis.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Each card links the line's own website; ask for a written quote that lists what the fare includes.
Where can I check these facts myself?
Every line on this page links the page of the line's own website it was read from, read 9 November 2026.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.
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Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: what each line published on its own website, read on 9 November 2026, with links to the pages read. Google and Trustpilot figures are shown where the listing carries the line's own name, from the Uncompromised Travel expedition cruise lines table. Lines are set out in the order the question names them. No score and no verdict. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. How this site earns · How we work.