Silversea Itineraries & Shore Excursions

Silversea shore excursions cover the full range from half-day city walking tours to full-day private car hires and specialist adventure activities. On expedition voyages, Zodiac landings and guided hikes are led by the onboard expedition team and included in the fare. On ocean sailings, excursions are bookable through the ship at an additional cost.

Excursions can be booked in advance through My Silversea or onboard after embarkation. Pre-booking is advisable for popular ports and high-demand activities such as private guides in Rome, cooking classes in Kyoto, or glacier walks in Alaska.

This is the question that divides Silversea guests more than almost any other. The honest answer is that both approaches work, and the right one depends on the port.

In well-serviced ports like Dubrovnik, Lisbon, or Santorini, independent exploration is straightforward. Taxis, local guides, and public transport are accessible from the dock, and you are not tied to a group schedule. In more complex destinations, or where language is a barrier, an organised excursion provides structure and access that is difficult to replicate independently.

One practical consideration for Silversea guests: the ship waits for its own excursion buses. It does not wait for independent travellers who miss the departure time. If you are exploring independently in a port with unpredictable transport, factor that risk into your plans.

The day usually starts with an early breakfast and a briefing sheet delivered to your suite the night before, covering port information, transport options, and the weather. The ship typically docks or tenders between 7am and 9am, depending on the port.

Guests on excursions disembark in organised groups. Independent travellers leave at their own pace. Most ports allow four to eight hours ashore. The ship’s Explorer Lounge or expedition team are available for advice on where to go and what to expect, and this local knowledge is worth using before you head off on your own.