We hear the word “luxury” used a lot in describing cruises – it seems that anything that floats, has a casino and a swimming pool is being called a luxury liner. But in reality, this word should be used very sparingly, because, in order to be called a luxury cruise, the cruise experience needs to fit within a few defining criteria.
-
Intimate Ships
A luxury cruise starts with an uncrowded ship, where there is never a wait to get into a restaurant, never a need to reserve a deck chair, and never a line-up to get on and off the vessel. Luxury cruise vessels typically carry 500 guests or less and have more public and private spaces dedicated per guest.
-
Relaxed Ambiance
A luxury cruise also has a relaxed and unstructured ambiance. There are no pre-set dining times, assigned seating, fussy dress code, or stuffy formality. Luxury ships exude a resort-style or country-club casual atmosphere and a social environment for like-minded discerning guests.
-
Elevated Accommodations
Accommodations onboard luxury ships are true sanctuaries, with expansive suites and penthouses furnished with high thread-count linens, pillow menus, and designer bath amenities. There is a variety of oceanview and balcony suites ranging from several hundred square feet to house-size bi-level villas with multiple bedrooms and baths, and large sundecks with private whirlpools. A dedicated butler is on staff, and guests can choose to take their meals in-suite, served course-by-course.
-
Fine Dining and Premium Beverages
Extra special attention is placed on the culinary experience onboard luxury ships, where meals are cooked to order. A number of specialty restaurants offer international cuisine, with menus curated by Michelin-starred chefs and paired with the finest vintages. Even the fussiest palate will be satisfied onboard a luxury cruise, as the culinary team has the flexibility to take special orders and create dishes based on the guest’s personal preference.
-
All-Inclusive Fare
Luxury also means inclusiveness – not having to pay for every drink or a dinner at a specialty restaurant, and not having to tip. There is no nickel-and-diming onboard a luxury cruise, and although they demand a higher price, luxury cruises actually offer incredible value. The per-day rate on a luxury cruise oftentimes is comparable to, or just slightly higher than a non-luxury cruise because it comes with so much included that otherwise costs extra.
-
Unparalleled Service
And to top it off, luxury means being spoiled by a doting crew who anticipates their guests’ needs and will go to no end to ensure they are having a great vacation. Since there are fewer guests to look after, crew members get to know each guest’s personal preferences and provide attentive personalized service. Additional perks include concierge and personal butlers, home-to-ship luggage shipping, unpacking and packing services.
Top 5 Luxury Cruise Lines
Only when a cruise line can offer the above experience, can it be truly called a luxury cruise. There are only a handful of cruises lines that fall within these criteria. So, who are the best of the best? Let’s have a look.
1. Crystal Cruises
Source: Crystal Cruises; Crystal Mozart
Crystal Cruises has consistently been voted “World’s Best” by readers of Condé Nast and Travel & Leisure magazines multiple years in a row. Although their two ocean ships fall outside of the small-ship and all-suite criteria (carrying up to 980 guests and entry-level accommodations are oceanview staterooms), the dissimilarity ends there. Crystal delivers all other aspects of luxury cruising while its larger ships offer a wider selection of bars and lounges, with a roomier show lounge that can host more elaborate floor shows. Guests looking for a more intimate experience can sail onboard the elegant 62-guest, all-suite yacht, or cruise the European rivers onboard one of Crystal’s four 106-guest river ships.
2. Paul Gauguin Cruises
Source: Paul Gauguin Cruises; Paul Gauguin Cruise Ship
This one-ship luxury cruise line sails exclusively in the South Pacific, offering its 332 lucky guests a ticket to paradise. Although not an all-suite vessel, the Paul Gauguin nevertheless embodies the luxury experience with all other luxury cruise features, in addition to complimentary roundtrip airfare to Tahiti from Los Angeles. Paul Gauguin Cruises is ideal for those looking for an authentic Polynesian experience while cruising through some of the most beautiful islands in the world.
3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
A voyage onboard Regent Seven Seas also includes roundtrip airfare (and business class when flying to embarkation ports outside of North America), airport-ship transfers, and unlimited shore excursions – making this luxury brand the most inclusive of all cruise lines. With a fleet of four vessels (490 to 750 capacity) including three with all-balcony suites, Regent also boasts the most luxurious accommodations, the pinnacle of which is a 4,400+ square-foot two-bedroom suite complete with an in-suite spa.
4. Seabourn Cruises
Source: Seabourn Cruises; Signature Suite at Seabourn Ovation
Champagne wishes and caviar dreams come true onboard Seabourn’s fleet of five suite ships, designed for no more than 600 guests. Seabourn has perfected the luxury cruise experience by partnering with the world’s most distinguished personalities such as Adam D. Tihany for ship design, Dr. Andrew Weil for the spa and wellness program, Sir Tm Rice for onboard entertainment, and master chef Thomas Keller for exquisite dining. And of course, said champagne and caviar are compliments of Montaudon and Regiis Ova.
5. Silversea Cruises
The most formal of the luxury brands, Silversea hosts formal and informal evenings onboard its 8 suite ships carrying 100 to 608 guests and delivers gourmet dining and personalized service from white-gloved staff. Despite the occasional formality, a cruise onboard Silversea remains a relaxed way to see the world while indulging in the finest experiences. It is noteworthy that half of Silversea’s fleet is dedicated to expedition cruising, sailing in the Polar region and the Galapagos.
A New Trend: Luxury Cruising on Big Ships
Source: Norwegian Cruise Line; The Haven Courtyard
Although most luxury travelers embrace the small ship experience and quieter onboard atmosphere, there are some who appreciate – and maybe seek – an amenity-filled ship with a full entertainment and activity program. Or perhaps they are traveling with multi-generation group members with a different budget level. To that end, several contemporary brands have introduced a luxury “ship-within-a-ship” concept onboard mega liners that satisfies both needs.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers the Haven Complex, MSC Cruises has the Yacht Club, and both Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line have The Suite Class and Royal Suite Class, respectively. These top-end suites and penthouses are located in a separate section of the ship, with exclusive key-card access to a private pool, sun deck areas, VIP lounge, and a fine dining restaurant. Additional privileges include priority embarkation, tendering, and disembarkation, concierge and butler service, reserved seating at shows, and more.
At this level, the cruise becomes a luxury, all-inclusive experience with specialty dining, premium beverages, and dedicated staff to look after every need.
Luxury Cruising on the River
Source: Uniworld River Cruises; Uniworld French Balcony Stateroom
Luxury cruising also exists on the river! Luxury river cruises include Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Scenic, Crystal Cruises, and Tauck. Each of these brands is all-inclusive of meals, beverages, excursions, and gratuities. Although river ships on the European waterways are all similar in size, ships of these luxury brands will only carry between 100-150 guests, up to 50 percent less than non-luxury lines. The result is larger accommodations including suites will full-sized balconies, a wider array of public lounges, outdoor spaces, and multiple dining venues. Service is also elevated, often with one crew member for every guest.
Whether it is on the ocean, on the river, or to the far reaches of the globe, the sky’s the limit when it comes to luxury cruising, and discerning travelers can revel in the abundant choices to be royally spoiled on their vacation.
Ming Tappin
Your Cruise Coach
