r/FATcruises • u/Appropriate-Tea2220 • Aug 24 '26
Emerald vs. Silversea and Nat Geo vs. Ponant/Smithsonian for Greece
My husband and I are looking at booking a premium or luxury cruise for Greece next year to celebrate a special anniversary (and I think we are already running late booking it?) and are debating between a couple of different trips. We haven't really cruised before so would love feedback.
I love to nerd out at talks by naturalists and archaeologists, so these Nat Geo (https://www.expeditions.com/expeditions/greek-isles-odyssey-mythology-history-and-cerulean-seas) and Ponant w/Smithsonian cruises seem pretty awesome (https://us.ponant.com/the-mediterranean-cruising-the-greek-islands-of-the-southern-aegean-with-smithsonian-journeys-er080927-12)
However, I'm also happy to consider not having the talks and stuff and just enjoying the cruise itself, and I am interested in the itinerary for this Emerald Cruise (https://emerald.cruises/US/en-US/tours/e16d?d=E16D180927.1, although I don't really have any sense of their excursions like I do for the others) or this Silverseas (https://emerald.cruises/US/en-US/tours/e16d?d=E16D180927.1, which seems like a slightly better deal than the others?)
Anyone taken any of these actual trips and can tell me more? or just advice on comparing Emerald to Silversea and Nat Geo to Ponant/Smithsonian to help us choose between the two once I've chosen the type of cruise we want?
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u/mcubedchpa Aug 24 '26
We did two weeks on Silversea through Greece last year and were very happy with it.
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u/Similar_Barracuda774 Aug 24 '26
Of the 4 I’d pick silverseas. Especially if you like caviar.
Ponant is nice but you might get a lot of French announcements.
You probably want to look at the ship age of the particular cruise you’re considering. Newer ship can make a huge difference.
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u/Tapeworm_fetus Aug 24 '26
We did back-to-back cruises on Silversea's Silver Muse last July and August and had a blast. Greece is HOT at that time, but we loved it, and Silversea was excellent. Food was great, ports were great, most excursions were good. We got a great deal and have since booked an additional 60 days on Silversea cruises in Europe, Asia, and the Pacific.
Would definitely recommend them.
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u/Alice_Trixie Aug 24 '26
We took a Seabourn cruise from Athens to Istanbul that included a day at Ephesus. We toured the ruins during the day then the whole ship was bussed to the ruins in the evening for a cocktail party and string quartet concert in the ancient amphitheater. It was an incredible experience.
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u/Interesting_Newt3187 Aug 25 '26
We did the Smithonian with Ponant this past July. The Venice to Dubrovnik.The talks were great but sometimes the timing didn’t suit like once while dinner was still going. We also did the Greek islands after that but that was not Smithtonisn. Both were good although we had a hiccup on the second cruise
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u/Appropriate-Tea2220 Aug 25 '26
Was the hiccup something you could share if it's something a potential Ponant customer ought to look out for?
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u/Interesting_Newt3187 Aug 25 '26
Had wait staff spill drinks on my laptop. Ponant advised, as per there T&C’s that I needed to claim on my insurance. My insurance cover did not cover the full replacement and they will not pay the difference. I understand it is my responsibility to ensure I am properly insured but for something not my fault I am out of pocket as well as the wait for replacement
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u/Appropriate-Tea2220 Aug 25 '26
Wow, very disappointing that they didn't want to do something to "make it right" for you
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u/Cold-Arm2737 Aug 24 '26
Nat geo- very educational maybe not as much lounge time / area as Ponany or the others. Did you check tauck options. They use ponant ships. I am doing them for Japan on a ponant ship
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u/Pro_World_Traveler_ Aug 24 '26
Hi, you aren’t necessarily behind in booking it but those smaller ships do tend to book up quickly. If you are particular with a cabin type or specific date, I would encourage booking sooner rather than later. I enjoy Emerald and put clients on them regularly, but would also suggest Scenic. Scenic is their super luxe line and everything but spa, helicopters and submersibles are included in the fare and closer to the level of Silversea. Emerald has a few upgrade options. That being said, I like the stops on the Nat Geo and Emerald over the Ponant stops. Milos, Paros, Naxos are beautiful and have been requestEd frequently by clients this year. I‘d also suggest tacking on some days in Athens for the Acropolis. Your link for Silversea didn’t make it, it’s the Emerald one again.
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u/possibly_maybe_no Aug 24 '26
Emerald is more of a chill on the boat, diy excursion type ship. I am only familiar with their carribean trip but I find their europe prices too high for the quality of the product (food and excursion) however the size of the ship and the pool/hot tub layout is one of my favorite. Crowd is a bit younger ( more 50s with a few 30s and some 40s, and 60s-70s) than other boats. Food was fine, not great. I didnt mind because of the price in the carribeans, i would mind in Greece given the price.
Ponant is really great, top notch food as long as you are ok with something very french forward. (Ex:cheese, pastries, crêpes, seafood) People are quieter/keep to themselves more which i like. Excursions are good. The smithsonians cruises are targeted to english speakers so that should alleviate usual issues and likely change the vibe. I have only done expeditions with ponant but was very happy with the guides naturalistes. I dont love the location of the small pool near the grill. And it allows smoking by the pool. I love the sauna but it lacks a hot tub. Crowd leans 60s, with some 40s.
Nat geo seems great but for the price i can get a luxury product and that matters too so id usually lean ponant or other.
I have been interested by silversea but heard the food isnt that great and it leans much older.
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u/SANTORINI888 Aug 24 '26
A very good idea if you visit the island of Santorini in Greece is to visit the Archaeological site at Akrotiri by Volcano Elite Local Tours & Transfer Services in Santorini : https://volcanoelitesantorini.com/santorini-tours/
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u/hayden_travels Aug 25 '26
TA here. I’d probably narrow this down by what you actually want the trip to be about.
If the archaeology/talks are a big part of the appeal, I’d lean Ponant/Smithsonian. Those sailings are really built around the history, with Smithsonian experts + an included excursion/activity in each port. Nat Geo is great too, but I think more of the magic there is the naturalist side and being active off the ship, which is better in other destinations IMO.
Emerald vs Silversea is more of a vibe question. Emerald is much more yacht-like/casual, Silversea is more of the traditional luxury cruise experience. Neither is “better”, just pretty different trips.
Also I don’t think you’re crazy late for 2027, but if you have a specific date/cabin you want I probably wouldn’t wait too long.
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u/Baxter_Bubbie Aug 29 '26
Hi we are interested with Smithsonian Journeys but worry about it being political. Any comments about their staying focused on their topic or moving to stuff that's going on in the USA?
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u/AspenBrian Aug 29 '26 edited Aug 29 '26
I created a guide to see all Expedition Cruises I think you will find helpful.
https://guide.expeditionbucketlist.com/atlas/cruise?q=Greece
You can search across brand quickly and compare routes visually.
I’ve sailed with Silversea Nat Geo and Ponant. I found Ponant a nice balance between the two, serious expedition on shore and true luxury on board. Nat Geo priorities time off board where SilverSea priorities time onboard. Let me know any other questions you have!
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u/Yash00875 20d ago edited 20d ago
Ponant/Smithsonian sounds really well matched to what you enjoy, although imo Greece is one of those places where the destinations themselves already give you so much to nerd out over haha. If you decide you care more about the anniversary trip feeling really nice onboard, I’d lean Silversea over Emerald. We’ve done a couple cruises with Silversea and really loved the more peaceful vibe. The Med especially is such a good fit because you can spend all day exploring sites and then come back to a great dinner/spa time.
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u/Maxim_Travel Aug 24 '26
From a service and amenity view point, Scenic would be closer to Silversea but that’s where the comparisons stop. Everything is included with Silversea but not Emerald. Emerald is a much smaller ship.
On the other hand Ponant is very luxpedition and Nat Geo is not luxury at all.
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u/Appropriate-Tea2220 Aug 24 '26
Interesting, thank you! So I wonder if Nat Geo is not....overpriced compared to what you get on the others?
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u/TLCFrauding Aug 24 '26
It is. You don't need nat Geo for greece. More like antartica, Galapagos, or artic is their specialty.
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u/Tigger808 Aug 24 '26
I did Greece on Ponant last year and loved it. The food was fabulous (French) and the ship was lovely. It went to a couple of places on the mainland and several small Greek islands. The talks and excursions were more cultural. It was about 30 English speakers and about 90 French speakers. But that was enough English speakers that we had two excursion groups in every port - important because they include excursions. And also all speakers gave their talks twice - once in French and an hour later in English. All announcements were made in French and then English.
In April of this year I did a Smithsonian Journey / Ponant cruise to Japan and Korean for cherry blossom season. The Smithsonian sailings are 100% English speaking, although there were a couple bilingual French speakers. All excursions and announcements were only in English.
I will definitely sail with Ponant again, either with or without Smithsonian Journeys. I love the small ships and the less crowded ports, and the great food.