Spots going fastSilver Explorer vs Silver Shadow
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
Silver Shadow is the significantly larger vessel at 28,258 GT — 365% more than Silver Explorer's 6,072 GT. Silver Shadow offers more personal space with a space ratio of 72.8 GT per passenger versus 46.0. Built in 2000, Silver Shadow is 11 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 1 – 6
Quick Compare
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Category
Silver Explorer
Silver Shadow
Size
6,072 GT
28,258 GT
Passengers
132
388
Year Built
1989
2000
Crew Ratio
1:1.1
1:1.3
Space Ratio
46.0
72.8
Decks
—
—
Length
108m
186m
From Price
—
$4,800/pp
Comparison Verdict
Silver Shadow is the significantly larger vessel at 28,258 GT — 365% more than Silver Explorer's 6,072 GT. Silver Shadow offers more personal space with a space ratio of 72.8 GT per passenger versus 46.0. Built in 2000, Silver Shadow is 11 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Silver Shadow |
| Capacity | Silver Shadow |
| Modernity | Silver Shadow |
| Service | Silver Explorer |
| Spaciousness | Silver Shadow |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Silver Shadow |
| Fleet Power | Silver Shadow |
Bottom line: Silver Shadow leads 6–1 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Silver Shadow for overall superiority; pick Silver Explorer if Service matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Silver Shadow if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2000, 11yr newer)
- Size matters to you (28,258 GT)
- More onboard variety (388 guests)
- More space per guest (72.8 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| Silver Explorer | Silver Shadow | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $4,800 pp |
| Departing | — | Jul 31 |
| Duration | — | 6 nights |
| View Deal |
Prices from Cruisebound. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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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.
