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On board, you'll find fine dining, expansive spas and fitness facilities, and butler service. Mainstream cruise lines are designed to appeal to the broadest range of passengers, including families with young children. As such, they tend to be large vessels (many crossing over into "mega-ship" territory) that offer resort-type features like large pools with water slides, games and even rollercoasters, and multiple massive entertainment venues. They tend to focus on shorter itineraries (7 days or less) traveling to highly popular destinations (the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska). Carnival cruises may be low priced, but they’re high on guest satisfaction. The ships are packed with activities, from water slides to game shows to the thrilling SkyRide, a pedal-powered bike 150 feet above the top deck.
Best cruise line for explorers
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Premium cruise lines often organize gatherings that revolve around shared interests, allowing travelers to bond over hobbies, passions, and shared experiences. These events create a sense of community and belonging that enriches the overall cruise experience. Travelers can gain hands-on experience in preparing local dishes using fresh ingredients or deepen their understanding of wine pairing. The culinary offerings and classes offer a blend of education, entertainment, and the joy of indulging in delectable flavors. Travelers can attend lectures on art history, participate in photography workshops, or engage in discussions on current events and global trends.
But cabins with six-digit prices aren't unheard of.
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. But cruise ships -- even the world's most luxurious -- have their own unique personalities and some will be more suited to your vacation style than others. Windstar Cruises' luxury small ships call on 150 ports throughout Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific, and there's no way you'll go hungry on the journey. Exquisite onboard menus have been designed by acclaimed chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants. While premium cruise lines offer a higher level of luxury, their price points and available itineraries can vary.
Best cruise line for budget travelers
When you tire of prime beef, order lobster thermidor or sink into the delicious comfort of Keller's roast chicken. Cruises through September 25 will host Mauro Uliassi whose restaurant was ranked 12th at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 winning the Highest New Entry Award. You might not be able to get a reservation at his Italian restaurant, but you can now enjoy his award winning food onboard. Interested in a hotelier-owned vacation at sea but don't want to pay the luxury price tag? While not a luxury cruise line, Royal Caribbean's popular three-floor townhouse on the new Icon of the Seas is being booked at an average of $100,000 a week — although it's about four times smaller than Four Seasons' largest.
“And if someone has cruised before–or considers themselves an avid cruiser–we hope this list helps introduce them to new options, whether an entirely new line or new possibilities offered by some of their favorites. Taking a cruise is a completely different type of travel that may seem foreign to someone who’s never done it before, so there are a lot of frequently asked questions about cruising. We’ve spent nearly 150 nights at sea and along the way have learned a thing or two, so let’s take a look at those questions. Guests can indulge in soothing massages, invigorating facials, and restorative therapies that cater to both the body and the mind. The tranquil ambiance of the spa spaces, often adorned with calming decor and scenic views, creates an oasis of serenity where guests can escape the stresses of daily life.
Silversea Cruises
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Once you’ve narrowed down your options, reach out to the experts at CDV Cruises for personalized assistance in booking your perfect premium cruise. Our specialized knowledge of each cruise line and extensive experience in the industry ensures that they can help you make the best decision for your dream vacation. Innovative facilities such as cooking classes, art studios, and digital workshops provide guests with opportunities to engage in enriching experiences that expand their horizons and indulge their passions. Beautiful interiors and intuitive spaces that are designed for the way people want to gather and relax are hallmarks of Seabourn Ovation's indoor and outdoor public areas, which were created by renowned designer Adam D. Tihany.
Service and Crew-to-Passenger Ratio: The Heartbeat of Premium Hospitality
Throughout the ship, complimentary spirits, fine wines and house Champagne flow freely. If you want to show off your heirloom jewels, go ahead, but on most nights, a jacket is optional in the ship's restaurants. If you prefer not to dress up for formal night, you can still eat well at casual alternatives. If you don't get that point at first, look down at the many yards of Carrara marble under your feet, then gaze up at the Czech crystal chandeliers. Or spot the Picassos and Chagalls among your ship's stunning, mostly Latin-focused art collections. Although the onboard dress code is casual, the ships are anything but, featuring elegant, retro-chic decor and marble floors.
BECOME A REGENT INSIDER
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." 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. Larger ships, like those offered by Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line, often provide a wider range of amenities, activities, and entertainment options, making them ideal for families and groups of friends.
Enriching Activities
For those seeking a more intimate setting, lounges and bars offer live music, expertly crafted cocktails, and opportunities for relaxed conversations with fellow travelers. The vibrant nightlife scene adds an extra layer of excitement to the cruise experience. Exquisite service, refined dining and well-appointed accommodations are hallmarks of this Monaco-based luxury line. Its growing fleet of small expedition ships will take you everywhere from the Arctic to Papua New Guinea in style. The latest addition to the fleet, the 1,200-passenger Oceania Vista, launched in 2023.
There are also 2,500 pieces of art on display, including works by masters such as Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro. Viking Cruises is a river and ocean cruise line that recently added expedition sailings and the Great Lakes trips to its repertoire. "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.
A premium cruise line represents sophistication, luxury, and unparalleled travel experiences. Unlike mainstream cruise lines that cater to a wide range of travelers, premium cruise lines specialize in delivering a level of refinement and exclusivity that appeals to those seeking an elevated voyage that goes beyond the ordinary. River and barge cruise lines are specially designed to navigate rivers and inland waterways, most notably in Europe. By necessity, their ships have a capacity for no more than a few hundred passengers. Ships are generally well-appointed and range from premium up to ultra-luxury.
You’ll pay extra for premium wines, wi-fi, access to the Retreat (an exclusive alfresco lounge on the top deck) and shore excursions. Italian flair is part of Silversea’s appeal, with acres of marble and cool design touches adorning its fleet of elegant ships. 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.
Everything looks stunning and most of the staff is actually coming from other luxury operators such as Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Seabourn, and SilverSeas. They are also building in more overnights at ports and sea days to promote rest and relaxation. Allowing people to really experience a city, not just hurry up and go like we too often see with port overload. O.A.T. features 28 itineraries sailing to 33 countries, so you can cross off your bucket-list destinations while traveling confidently and comfortably. Ships are small to encourage bonding, and you’re likely to make such good friends, you may not be traveling solo next time. The comfort of your own cabin, endless buffets, and exciting excursions.
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. Catering to adventurous luxury cruise travelers with money to spend, the new cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages, which debuted in the summer of 2021, offers upscale experiences on small ships that carry just 196 passengers. 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.
Its 10 traditional cruise ships are nearly identical, each carrying 930 guests, while two expedition vessels carry 378 guests and combine elegant design with the latest technology in polar exploration. Oceania's fares are not as inclusive as some of the small-ship lines mentioned above, but guests can choose a higher-priced fare that is more inclusive with the line's "simply MORE" promotion. These fares include free airfare and airport transfers, complimentary Wi-Fi and a choice of a select number of free excursions, as well as free specialty dining reservations, Champagne and wine. Scenic's all-inclusive fares include dining and drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, airport transfers and shore excursions led by the line's knowledgeable expedition leaders. In addition to seeing penguins, polar bears and reindeer, travelers are surrounded by stunning landscapes on and off the ship.
In addition to grand productions, premium cruise lines also feature live performances by musicians, bands, and vocalists spanning various genres. From jazz ensembles that set a sophisticated ambiance to rock bands that get the dance floor pumping, there’s a musical experience to suit every taste. SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream II offers an intimate and luxurious yachting experience. With just 56 cabins, travelers and crew get to know each other quickly, and it really does feel like you're traveling on a friend's yacht instead of a cruise ship.
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