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The cruise line's relatively new Go Local shore excursions for small groups bring travelers to under-the-radar destinations, T+L contributing editor and long-time cruiser Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon reported recently. Her 2022 cruise on Riviera included 70 excursions "from canoeing Croatia’s Cetina River to cooking classes in Athens." Unlimited shore excursions in over 450 ports of call are part of your fare on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise. Formal nights are optional here, and only hosted on longer cruises, so suit those preferring to pack lightly and focus on the sightseeing.
of the best luxury cruise lines for 2024
Sip rum punch on an Indian Ocean beach, explore gem-colored craters near Ponta Delgada, and see the total solar eclipse in La Coruña. Swap home shores for continents far and wide on Queen Mary 2's 108-night World Voyage in 2026, including maiden calls to the sun-soaked shores of Kona (Hawaii) and Manzanillo (Mexico). Ranging from the perfect gateway pre or post-cruise to tailor-made adventures in some of the most inaccessible corners of the planet. Each year we create new itineraries for voyages that are always ready to surprise and delight.
Silver Moon, Silversea Cruises
The first is the S.A.L.T. (Sea & Land Taste) food program, overseen by Adam Sachs, ex-editor of gourmet food magazine Saveur, which aims to take guests deeper into the places they are visiting by means of food. Well, it could mean exclusivity to some, privacy to others, a private Learjet experience or watching the sun rise over Macchu Pichu. Luxury means different things to different people, especially when it comes to the most luxurious cruise line.
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Created to reflect the glamorousbelle époque era of Paris, the Grand Dining Room, with a ceiling that’s almost two decks high, is a standout feature on Vista. Suggestions from officers and crew members helped shape Oceania Vista, so you can expect a ship that is full of practical and aesthetic touches. Oceania offers several unique travel options, including a 180-day “Around the World” cruise that visits South America, the South Pacific, Asia, and Europe. The ships at Oceania range in size, holding anywhere from 670 to 1,250 guests and 400 to 800 staff members.
Ahead, uncover the company that best aligns with your idea of the ultimate water-bound getaway. More than just a vacation, luxury cruises are designed to cater to the whims and desires of its discerning guests (caviar and Champagne on-demand, anyone?). Whether you’re traveling as a couple, family, small group, or otherwise, we’ve selected the best luxury cruise options for you. Standing upon the deck of a luxury cruise, the fresh sea air enlivens the spirit, beckoning guests ashore to unearth the hidden wonders that await in far-flung regions and favorite ports of call. Wake up each morning in a spacious suite to a new perspective from your private balcony.
Most Yacht-Like Luxury Cruise: Silversea Cruises, Silver Endeavor
Luxury Mediterranean Cruises: All You Need to Know - Cruise Critic
Luxury Mediterranean Cruises: All You Need to Know.
Posted: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The best of the best has everything from butler service to helicopter flights, from infinity pools to world class cuisine. Their ships sail everywhere from Antarctica to the Caribbean, often calling in at smaller ports for exclusive excursions. Launched just a year ago, Seabourn Venture is a 264-passenger ship with 122 seafront-suite-only accommodations (some even multiple stories) and the first expedition iteration for the cruise line. With an elegant design that reads yacht-like, Venture includes fine dining options and formal supper nights, as well as complimentary caviar and champagne on-demand, for a true luxury cruise experience. The crowd is well-traveled and skews older; you won’t find many late-night revelers here, in part because the ship doesn’t offer any onboard youth programming (although children are still welcome).
Best Luxury Cruise For Foodies: Crystal, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony
And like most lines operating in this sector, there is a strong emphasis on food with two stand-out restaurants on most ships -- Pacific Rim and Chartreuse, as well as great steak house, Prime 7. Here are the best options from Six Star Cruises and Cruise 118, as well as the best cruises from our trusted operators. If you’re someone who doesn’t settle for anything less than first class, your ship’s come in — the award-winning Oasis®, Allure®, Harmony® and Symphony of the Seas® are in a class of their own. Filled with incredible upscale dining, critically acclaimed entertainment, and some of the most revolutionary suites at sea, each Oasis Class ship serves up endless ways to elevate every aspect of your getaway. The blissful space on board this elegant ship is yours to enjoy on Transatlantic Crossings to or from New York, or when exploring many other exciting destinations. Truly, if your goal is to book an unforgettable, Instagram-worthy cruise, Cunard is the way to go.
Over 900 destinations
The line's ships are sleek and modern, and sail to some of the world's most interesting ports of call. A focus on the destination at hand means that Viking Ocean Cruises stay longer in port -- often overnight -- so passengers can get a true taste of the destination. As a tip of the hat to its river cruise roots, the line offers a choice of included tours in every port (though there are for-fee options available as well). On the flip side, onboard daytime and evening entertainment options are limited. First-class service, fine wines and gourmet cuisine, picture-perfect itineraries, and high crew-to-passenger ratios are just some of the hallmarks of the best luxury cruise ships.
And thanks to its size, it’s able to access less-traveled routes and ports that make for an even more memorable experience to enjoy among a group. Plus, there are plenty of dining options (four restaurants including a top-notch Spanish tapas concept that’s a must-try) to enjoy as a group or split up on different evenings. The first ocean cruising vessel for Australian company Scenic, Scenic Eclipse offers the experience of a luxury yacht as opposed to an oversized cruise ship. It’s a ship with super luxury features like two helicopters and a submarine on board, plus eight restaurants and modern suites.
Whether it's a river or an ocean you want to cruise, Scenic can take you there in style. On board, you'll find fine dining, expansive spas and fitness facilities, and butler service. If you want to get the most bang for your buck when booking a luxury cruise, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is a prime pick. The all-inclusive cruise line crafts a new definition of the category with complimentary roundtrip airfare, free unlimited shore excursions, include 2- to 3-night land programs, on-the-house bar and lounge experiences, and more. Now that you know all of the best luxury cruise lines, it’s time to set sail. The world of luxury cruising provides travelers with unforgettable experiences, and each luxury cruise line presents a unique blend of incredible service, top-notch amenities, and carefully curated itineraries.
In 2023, the line launched Silver Nova, with accommodation for up to 728 guests that includes aft suites with 270-degree views; a sister ship, Silver Ray, is due to sail in summer 2024. Silversea service is highly personal, with a butler for every suite, and there’s a wide choice of fine-dining restaurants. These include SALT (Sea and Land Taste) Kitchen, showcasing regional cuisine from the destinations visited. Fares include all dining (except La Dame, which offers the finest French cuisine), a wide range of spirits and fine wines, crew tips, most gym classes and excursions in every port. Azamara’s four mid-sized luxury ships — most recently joined by Azamara Onward, which shares the same DNA as its fleetmates — offer affordable, destination-focused cruising with plenty of flair. Glamorous White Nights deck parties receive rave reviews, while every cruise includes an AzAmazing evening, a spectacular cultural event ashore.
Ponant has a fleet of 13 luxury cruise ships with destinations dotting the globe. The award-winning French cruise line is beloved for its tailor-made voyages, in which guests have access to myriad bespoke experiences both on and off board, from in-room dining to once-in-a-lifetime immersive excursions. Setting sail on a luxury cruise is a dreamy escape that promises comfort, indulgence, and adventure.
To truly immerse yourself in your destination requires a brand-new experience. Raise a glass of your favourite wine, cocktail or spirit with a Deluxe Beverage package, and keep the thrills going strong all night long. If you like spending the evening outdoors but prefer to sleep inside, check out the line's Starlit Movies series. On balmy evenings, the crew pops copious amounts of popcorn for cruisers who show up on the Pool Deck to enjoy a film as part of this program. Seabourn's newest ship, Seabourn Ovation, is the second in the line's Encore Class, the next generation of Seabourn's popular Odyssey-class ships. Regent Seven Seas Cruises once again aimed for “Luxury Perfected” with the 2020 launch of Seven Seas Splendor.
Long considered one of the great luxury lines, if not the greatest, Crystal just resumed operations in 2023 after shutting down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the onboard dress code is casual, the ships are anything but, featuring elegant, retro-chic decor and marble floors. For the best in-suite views, book a room at the back of the ship, Kelly Cochrane, executive chef of Regent Seven Seas Cruises tells T+L. Sign up to become a Regent Insider and be the first to learn about the latest special offers, company announcements, and voyage collection debuts. Relaxed, well-traveled types, honeymooners, scuba-divers and those keen to visit a true bucket-list destination.
Exquisite cuisine is prepared a la minute and accompanied by pours of fine wines. When you rest your head, it's on a luxury mattress topped with the finest linens. As befits the destination, the vibe onboard Paul Gauguin is relaxed, friendly and laid back; though you might want to don a shirt or traditional Tahitian attire at night; by day its swimsuits and wraparounds. Scenic Eclipse is nigh on perfect, with a couple of design flaws (lack of outdoor viewing space, no pool), which will be ironed out on Scenic Eclipse II.
Specialists in river cruising, Uniworld has cornered the market for extravagant ships that are inspired by their itineraries — and they have vessels all over the world, covering Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. SS La Venezia, for example, decked out in Murano glass and decadent Venetian detailing, sails only northern Italy, including Venice and its islands. On board, everything is included, including a curated selection of excursions.
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