"T+L readers rave about the consistency of Viking's vessels and their Scandinavian design," cruise expert Fran Golden reported when Viking once again topped T+L's World's Best Awards last year. Viking came in at No. 1 in T+L's best mid-size ship category and river cruise category. Golden said the WBA Hall of Fame honoree's 50 river "longships" are "light-filled floating boutique hotels." With a year of service under its belt, its three ships are now sailing some of Europe's most popular rivers — starting at more than $260 per person per day. Well-heeled boomers are booking luxury cruises, but so are Gen Xers and even younger travelers.
Others, like the largest Funnel Suite, would have its own spa and kitchen.
You will love everything about this cruise ship (especially La Grill on the pool deck for French cuisine). But most of all, you’ll love the varied itineraries and destinations you visit, such as Bora Bora, Tahiti, Fiji, and the Cook Islands. This ultra-luxury cruise ship is specifically designed for the location it sails.
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES® ALL-INCLUSIVE LUXURY CRUISES
They're well traveled if not necessarily adventurous, tend to stick to five-star experiences, and don't blink at paying top dollar to be pampered -- which is exactly what they get here. While you can book luxury cruise itineraries for weeks or months, Leahy suggests before you go all out with a longer sailing you consider a test cruise to see if you will like the experience. But there are nuances—between cruise lines, types of accommodations, and even what is (and isn’t) included in the “all-inclusive” pricing (for instance, certain more exclusive excursions might be extra).
I sailed on a new ultra-luxury cruise ship for wealthy travelers. I can never go back to a normal one.
On board, guests enjoy five-star French and Polynesian cuisine, with all beverages complimentary throughout the ship and in your in-room minifridge. The line's two newest ships, the 264-passenger Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, are built with a tough "polar class" design to operate in the ice-filled waters of the Arctic and Antarctica. They're equipped with state-of-the-art submarines for undersea views. Throughout the ship, complimentary spirits, fine wines and house Champagne flow freely. The six 490- to 750-passenger ships in the Regent fleet get fancier as they get larger. On the three newest, Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Grandeur everyone stays in a roomy suite with an oversized balcony and marble bathroom.
What are 6 Star Cruises?
But it's also significantly smaller than Royal Caribbean's new 9,950-person Icon of the Seas ocean vessel. Of Riverside's three ships, the 394-foot-long, 74-foot-wide Mozart can accommodate the most guests — up to 162, not including the 82 crew. River cruising has become increasingly popular as wealthy travelers gravitate to ultra-luxury small-ship vacations. From Florida, the ship would sail to South and Central American destinations, including through the Panama Canal, before heading to Los Angeles, according to a map of the itinerary. My 322-square-foot concierge suite — which had an additional 83- to 132-square-foot balcony — was so large, I had no idea what to do with the extra space. Access to spa amenities like the humid aromatherapy room, beverages in the cabin, and laundry were included in the fare.
Paul Gauguin Cruises operates just one ship, but it is exquisite, hosting 330 guests and sailing only in the South Pacific to destinations like Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. The ship is small enough to access private ports at remote beaches and take travelers well off the beaten path. Named the best small-ship ocean cruise line in T+L's 2022 World's Best Awards, Golden said the line is known for Tahitian-inspired massage techniques in the onboard spa and noted that cruisers particularly love the wonderful staff. If you've ever dreamed of having your own butler, Silversea is the luxury cruise line for you. Further, Silversea's new culinary program, nicknamed S.A.L.T. (for Sea and Land Taste), brings the taste of destinations on board through cooking classes. Of course, there's no need to cook for yourself aboard a Silversea ship, as each one features several restaurants with multi-course menus to whet your appetite every night.
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River cruise ships are much smaller than their behemoth ocean-based counterparts, allowing Riverside to sail in waterways like Europe's Rhine, Rhone, Danube, Main, Moselle, and Saône rivers. If you've got taste, tend to avoid the mass market, and have lots and lots of money, then these are the cruise lines for you. Most people attracted to these types of cruises are wealthy, relatively or actually sophisticated, and social.
The ship offers an all-inclusive experience with all suites featuring ocean views and private terraces as well as a Personal Concierge. Dining, beverages, Wi-Fi, and entertainment are also included in your fare. Another of our top luxury cruise lines, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is proudly opulent.
While many cruise giants are cutting back on expenses, Regent Seven Seas is splurging big.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises differentiates itself by including a lot in its fares—such as business-class airfare and unlimited shore excursions—on ships ranging from 490 to 750 passengers. The line will launch a new ship, the 750-passenger Seven Seas Grandeur, the latest of what Regent calls its “world’s most luxurious” ships, in November. Seabourn Quest offers a variety of dining options to suit every taste and every mood, with never an extra charge. Silversea announces the introduction of Otium, a new concept aimed at offering guests extreme moments of comfort. Enjoy unique onboard experiences of wellness, relaxation and indulgence through innovative treatments designed by our experts. Otium is a concept that permeates throughout the ship and can be enjoyed in the spa, in suite and in many more venues exclusively on board Silver Dawn.
Those who like old-school luxury, personalized service and great food. Regent operates some of the bigger ships in this sector, with Splendor, Seven Seas Grandeur and Seven Seas Explorer carrying 750 passengers each. Back in the day, luxury was fairly simple to define -- luxury meant formality, so-called "white glove" service and elegance. Viking ships have a large presence in Europe, sailing the Mediterranean and in northern Europe, but also explore the world from Alaska and the Caribbean to Asia and Australia.
When this luxury cruise line says it's all-inclusive, it's not overstating. Everything from shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and laundry to gratuities, top-shelf liquor, and business-class international flights are included with Regent Seven Seas Cruises' fares. While each luxurious suite features ocean views, nothing beats the view from the epic 4,000-square-foot, two-bedroom Regent Suite, which has two wraparound balconies, three walk-in closets, two Picasso lithographs, and a grand piano. The service is what sings on this tiny boutique cruise line, which operates just two 112-passenger megayachts that in 2022 underwent bow-to-stern revamps totalling nearly £10 million. All staterooms on SeaDream I and SeaDream II have been completely refurbished, and there are gleaming new teak decks mirroring the centuries-old yachting tradition. Attentive crew cater to guests’ every whim, while the food is exceptional, not least the imaginative vegetarian and vegan dishes.
It’s a great place to meet fellow cruise guests looking for adventure. Due to the high price tag, you are less likely to find families with children. Indeed there are no children’s clubs or activities on board most, but not all, ultra-luxury cruise lines. In addition, there is no hard selling from staff selling photo opportunities or beverage packages. On your ultra-luxury cruise, you will find fewer activities and more low-key entertainment. There are lecture lounges, sometimes a putting green, and relaxation classes if you want to join in and meet new friends looking for a similar experience.
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The cruise line also emphasises sustainability with all ships in the fleet being built to include the latest eco-friendly technologies and green energy solutions, such as RINA DOLPHIN certification and hybrid power generation. While exploring ashore, take a guided trip on a Zodiac watercraft to discover new lands or enjoy hiking, kayaking, ice fishing and more during one of the cruise line’s speciality expedition voyages. Seabourn Moments are designed to surprise and delight guests, and Personal Suite Hosts and Suite Attendants ensure you will have everything you should need during your sailing. Suites feature an espresso machine with complimentary coffee and teas, as well as a personalised mini-bar and 24-hour in-suite dining.
Or spot the Picassos and Chagalls among your ship's stunning, mostly Latin-focused art collections. Being based in Germany means that Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has mainly catered to German-speaking guests in the past. But now, there is a definite focus on attracting more English-speaking guests. The crew speaks German and English, and all your cruise documents will be in English, as is the app.
This summer, Explora Journeys became the newest player to enter the luxury cruising market with the launch of the 922-passenger Explora I. Two-thirds of Seabourn’s business comes through travel advisors, and on any given cruise, about half the guests have cruised with the line before and half are new to the brand—and often new to cruising—Leahy says. The company has also found "tremendous success" in its private jet-based "cruises," Alejandro Reynal, the president and CEO of Four Seasons, told BI in a statement.
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