Leaves in 9 days$14,200/person$1,183/night
View Deal →Balmoral vs Silver Dawn
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Balmoral is the larger vessel at 43,537 GT, 7% more than Silver Dawn's 40,700 GT. Silver Dawn offers more personal space with a space ratio of 68.3 GT per passenger versus 32.9. Built in 2022, Silver Dawn is 34 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 4 – 3
Quick Compare
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Category
Balmoral
Silver Dawn
Size
43,537 GT
40,700 GT
Passengers
1,325
596
Year Built
1988
2022
Crew Ratio
1:2.6
1:1.4
Space Ratio
32.9
68.3
Decks
—
—
Length
218m
213m
From Price
—
$12,200/pp
Comparison Verdict
Balmoral is the larger vessel at 43,537 GT, 7% more than Silver Dawn's 40,700 GT. Silver Dawn offers more personal space with a space ratio of 68.3 GT per passenger versus 32.9. Built in 2022, Silver Dawn is 34 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Balmoral |
| Capacity | Balmoral |
| Modernity | Silver Dawn |
| Service | Silver Dawn |
| Spaciousness | Silver Dawn |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Balmoral |
| Fleet Power | Balmoral |
Bottom line: Balmoral leads 4–3 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Balmoral for overall superiority; pick Silver Dawn if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Balmoral if...
- Size matters to you (43,537 GT)
- More onboard variety (1,325 guests)
Choose Silver Dawn if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2022, 34yr newer)
- Better service ratio (1.4:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (68.3 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| Balmoral | Silver Dawn | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $12,200 pp |
| Departing | — | Oct 13 |
| Duration | — | 12 nights |
| View Deal |
Prices from Cruisebound. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Deep Dive
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Upcoming Sailings on Silver Dawn
Leaves in 9 days
Leaves in 21 days$16,200/person$1,350/night
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We compute scores across 8 categories using real spec data: gross tonnage, passenger capacity, crew capacity, year built, length, deck count, space ratio, and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship.
What is the space ratio and why does it matter?
Space ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity. A higher number means more space per guest. Luxury lines typically score above 40; mass-market ships often fall in the 30-40 range.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
Passengers per crew member. Lower is better, more staff per guest means better service. Luxury lines aim below 2:1; large mainstream ships may be 3-4:1.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices are sourced from Cruisebound and reflect real-time availability. They may change based on cabin type, date, and demand. Click through to see the latest fares.
Can I compare more than two ships?
Yes, up to four ships. Use the search tool on the compare hub page to add additional ships.
How current is the ship data?
Specifications come from our database of 380+ vessels, revalidated every 5 minutes via ISR. The "Updated" timestamp shows when records were last modified.
