Spots going fastSeabourn Quest vs Silver Shadow
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
Seabourn Quest is the larger vessel at 32,346 GT — 14% more than Silver Shadow's 28,258 GT. Built in 2011, Seabourn Quest is 11 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Seabourn Quest accommodates 70 more guests (458 vs 388), making it the larger resort-at-sea — Silver Shadow trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
Score: 5 – 2
Quick Compare
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Category
Seabourn Quest
Silver Shadow
Size
32,346 GT
28,258 GT
Passengers
458
388
Year Built
2011
2000
Crew Ratio
1:1.4
1:1.3
Space Ratio
70.6
72.8
Decks
—
—
Length
198m
186m
From Price
$6,198/pp
$4,800/pp
Comparison Verdict
Seabourn Quest is the larger vessel at 32,346 GT — 14% more than Silver Shadow's 28,258 GT. Built in 2011, Seabourn Quest is 11 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Seabourn Quest accommodates 70 more guests (458 vs 388), making it the larger resort-at-sea — Silver Shadow trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Seabourn Quest |
| Capacity | Seabourn Quest |
| Modernity | Seabourn Quest |
| Service | Silver Shadow |
| Spaciousness | Silver Shadow |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Seabourn Quest |
| Fleet Power | Seabourn Quest |
Bottom line: Seabourn Quest leads 5–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Seabourn Quest for overall superiority; pick Silver Shadow if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Seabourn Quest if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2011, 11yr newer)
- Size matters to you (32,346 GT)
- More onboard variety (458 guests)
Choose Silver Shadow if...
- Better service ratio (1.3:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (72.8 GT/pax)
- Save $1,398/person on sailings
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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.
