Ponant vs Silversea vs Scenic Eclipse: which is better for an expedition cruise?

No score and no verdict of ours: what Ponant, Silversea and Scenic each publish on their own websites, read 9 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.

Ponant vs Silversea vs Scenic Eclipse: which is better for an expedition cruise?

None is better for everyone: Ponant waives its single supplement on cruises marked Voyageur Solo 0%, Silversea says its expedition fares include butler service and charter flights where needed and Scenic says it gives every guest a butler on its adult-only Scenic Eclipse.

What is each line?

Ponant sells expedition and other ocean cruises on its own fleet as PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, which also takes in PONANT YACHTING, PAUL GAUGUIN CROISIÈRES and, since 2025, Aqua Expeditions. 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

Scenic sells all-inclusive ocean voyages on its own Scenic Discovery Yachts, which Scenic Group says it designs, builds and operates through its shipbuilding division MKM Yachts, alongside river cruises and land journeys. Source

Which ships does each line sail?

Ponant sails Le Commandant Charcot, the PONANT Explorers (Le Bellot, Le Bougainville, Le Lapérouse, Le Champlain, Le Dumont d'Urville and Le Jacques Cartier) and the sisterships Le Boréal, L'Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial; its group's other brands sail Le Ponant, Spirit of Ponant and Paul Gauguin. 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

Scenic sails Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II, with Scenic Ikon set to launch in 2028. 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 with 212 crew. Source

Scenic takes a maximum of 228 adult-only guests on Scenic Eclipse, 200 in Antarctica and the High Arctic, with what it calls an almost 1:1 crew to guest ratio. Source

Ponant does not publish this on the pages read.

Where does each line sail?

Ponant sells named voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula and the Ross Sea, South Georgia and the Falklands, Svalbard, Greenland, Norway, the Chilean fjords, the Kimberley and Indonesia. 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

Scenic sells named voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falklands, the Ross Sea, East Greenland and Iceland, the Canadian Arctic, the Norwegian fjords, Scotland, the Chilean fjords, the Kimberley, Indonesia and the Mediterranean. Source

What ice class are the ships?

Scenic says its Scenic Discovery Yachts are built to Polar Class 6 standards for operations in polar waters. Source

Ponant and Silversea do not publish this on the pages read.

Who leads the landings?

Ponant sends a team of about ten naturalist guides and experts on every expedition cruise, double that on Le Commandant Charcot, covering history, marine biology, geology, marine and land mammals and ornithology. Source

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

Scenic does not publish this on the pages read.

How much time ashore?

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

Ponant and Scenic do not publish this on the pages read.

What can you do off the ship?

Ponant includes sea kayaking (from age 16), snowshoeing (17), hiking (10) and the polar plunge (16) on Le Commandant Charcot, with limited places; diving and kayak outings are paid extras on some cruises. 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

Scenic includes Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling, though kayaks, paddleboards and e-bikes are not available in all locations; experiences on its two helicopters and submersible cost extra. Source

What does a voyage cost?

Ponant prices Fjords et glaciers du Spitzberg, 7 nights on Le Lyrial round trip from Longyearbyen, 3 to 10 July 2027, from 9,720 € per person, double occupancy. Source

Scenic prices Antarctica in Depth, 13 days from Buenos Aires, 2028/2029 season, from £16,573 per person, two sharing the lowest priced cabin. Source

Silversea does not publish a dated price on the pages read.

What does the fare include?

Ponant's fares include the cabin, full board, an open bar (premium spirits excepted), free wifi, port taxes and one activity per call except on Paul Gauguin; polar cruises add a parka to keep and loaned boots, while visas, paid excursions, spa treatments and premium drinks are extra. 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

Scenic's fares include return flights from UK airports on Flexi and Best Available fares, a butler for every guest, all-day premium drinks, up to 10 dining experiences, Zodiac and kayak outings, shore excursions, an expedition parka, all tipping, transfers and taxes and Starlink Wi-Fi; helicopter and submersible experiences, spa treatments and a few rare wines and spirits are extra. Source

What do solo travellers pay?

Ponant applies a single supplement automatically but waives it on a choice of cruises each season, marked 'Voyageur Solo 0%', giving a double cabin for one at no extra price. 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

Scenic does not publish this on the pages read.

How much is the deposit?

Silversea advertises reduced deposits from 15% in its Black Friday sale; it names no balance date. Source

Ponant and Scenic do not publish this on the pages read.

Is your money protected?

Scenic protects flight-inclusive holidays under ATOL Number 9294 when indicated at booking; it says its ABTA membership gives financial protection on package holidays. Source

Ponant and Silversea do not publish this on the pages read.

What insurance do you need?

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

Scenic recommends, rather than requires, travel insurance covering medical or repatriation needs; it names no minimum cover. Source

Ponant does not publish this on the pages read.

Can children come?

Ponant accepts no children under 6 on expedition cruises and none under 8 on Le Commandant Charcot; its Kid Explorers club, run with the Maud Fontenoy Foundation, sails on Mediterranean cruises. Source

Scenic takes adult-only guests on Scenic Eclipse. 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.

• Ponant: not the fit if you want helicopter flights: the helicopter on Le Commandant Charcot is used only for navigation and safety. 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.

• Ponant: Google (whole company): 4.8 out of 5 from 699 reviews; Trustpilot (whole company): 4.6 out of 5 from 644 reviews, newest 7 November 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.

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 Ponant in 2026?

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 9 November 2026 · updated 9 November 2026