Saturday, April 13, 2024

The 11 Best Luxury Cruise Lines, According to T+L's Experts

premium cruise lines

Cruise Critic just announced its annual list of the Best Cruise Lines of The Year. This is the 15th iteration of the list compiled by the online cruise community’s international team of cruise experts. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. Seabourn Ovation also features The Retreat, a private, VIP-access-only outdoor lounge area on Deck 12 that's unique to the Encore Class. A daisy-shaped canopy stretches over The Retreat so you'll find both sun and shade.

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This line hosts LGBTQ+ welcome parties, social hours and other events on almost every cruise, from the Bahamas to the Mediterranean to Australia. You’ll want to book now for the fifth annual Pride Party at Sea, which will held next June. Each ship in the fleet will participate in this vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community—and that, in itself, is worth celebrating.

Amenities and Facilities: Creating A Realm Of Luxury

premium cruise lines

All dining, most wines and spirits, crew tips, gym classes, wi-fi, excursions, flights and transfers, and even pre and post-cruise hotel stays are included. Spa treatments, premium drinks and some of the optional excursions are all you’ll pay extra for. 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. You’ll be spoiled with its choice of restaurants, including a grill, Prime C, and a romantic Italian, Aqualina.

The 11 Best Luxury Cruise Lines, According to T+L's Experts

They are also much smaller ships, usually purpose-built for travel to particular destinations like Antarctica or the Galapagos Islands. As mentioned above, some river cruise lines like Scenic also offer ocean expedition cruise ships. Likewise, some luxury and ultra-luxury cruise lines operate specialty expedition ships, including Ponant. One of the defining aspects that sets premium cruise lines apart is their meticulous approach to crafting itineraries that go beyond the ordinary and create truly unforgettable journeys. The selection of destinations, ports of call, and shore excursions is a careful process that aims to provide travelers with immersive cultural experiences, stunning natural landscapes, and opportunities for authentic exploration. When it comes to premium cruise lines, the dining experience isn’t just a necessity; it’s a sublime journey that transports guests into a realm of culinary artistry and indulgence.

Step 3: Evaluate Your Budget and Available Travel Dates

You’ll travel aboard the National Geographic–Lindblad fleet—expedition ships that can navigate narrow waterways and small harbors that aren’t accessible on larger vessels, so you can get as close as possible to amazing sights. The ships are even equipped with kayaks or paddleboards, snorkeling gear and Zodiacs, and hydrophones and underwater cameras for further exploration. Your Facebook friends will understand when you bombard them with photos. If you’re looking for something a little more kitsch, these themed cruises will be right up your alley.

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. S.A.L.T., a new dining and culinary education concept, brings local tastes on board together with experts who share insight into each dish and beverage. Another favorite, there is a 14-member house band performing in both large and small groups across the ship creating different experiences. Explora Journeys is focused on good music and entertainment for all people. Staying ahead of the competition, Ritz-Carlton debuted its first 149-suite Evrima yacht cruise in 2021, with a second 224-cabin ship scheduled to begin sailing later this year.

Silver Moon, Silversea Cruises

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. Luxury cruise lines emphasize elegance in their design and décor, as well as in their spaciousness and service - often with nearly as many crew members onboard as there are passengers.

premium cruise lines

Travel with the security and comfort of The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet™, enjoying the freedom that comes with our Unrivaled Space at Sea®. Spaces inside are contemporary, and the ship is easily one of the best expedition options for adventurous luxury travelers. Every suite has its own balcony and separate lounge area, and you can expect fine-dining quality meals at spots like the Chef's Table.

For example, Seabourn offers three restaurants including their specialty steakhouse, Thomas Keller. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the world of premium cruise lines, from the sophisticated elegance of Celebrity Cruises to the unparalleled adventure offered by Windstar Cruises. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision and book your perfect premium cruise through CDV Cruises, a travel agency that specializes in these magnificent experiences. Researching specific cruise lines and reading reviews can help you understand the nuances and determine which style of cruising aligns best with your preferences.

CELEBRITY CRUISES SAILS INTO 2024 WITH A SERIES OF FIRSTS FOR THE AWARD-WINNING PREMIUM ... - PR Newswire

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Consider your budget and travel dates to help narrow down your options. Remember, booking through a specialized travel agency like CDV Cruises can provide you with exclusive deals and promotions, ensuring you get the best value for your dream vacation. Moreover, some premium cruise lines provide the option for guests to customize their own itineraries to a certain extent.

Some river cruise lines like Scenic also operate ocean ships, which tend to be classed into the small ship adventure or expedition line categories. The lower passenger-to-crew ratio on premium cruise lines also translates to more personalized service. The staff-to-guest ratio is higher, ensuring that every traveler receives individualized attention and care. From remembering your name and preferences to addressing any special requests promptly, the crew’s ability to cater to your needs adds a level of exclusivity and comfort that’s hard to match on larger ships. Celebrity Cruises delivers an elevated premium vacation experience across our fleet of ships traveling to nearly 300 destinations across more than 70 countries spanning all seven continents.

Their target demographic is typically adults and couples, rather than families with children or singles, or at the very least they set aside adults-only areas. For those who are all about being pampered, Seabourn is ready to meet your every need. Their all-suite ships and all-inclusive pricing ensure a luxurious cruise experience, whether you’re doing an eight-day cruise down the Pacific Gold Coast or spending 140 days of Extraordinary Discoveries on a world cruise. Ships are small and intimate, with one of the highest space-per-guest ratios in the industry.

And let's not forget that the cruise line offers its signature Champagne and Caviar Splash on Caribbean voyages. This decadent spread includes a Champagne toast and buffet loaded with caviar and other snacks, all to be enjoyed during a shoreside beach barbecue. Guests can enjoy dining in multiple onboard venues, plus room service, for no extra cost.

This dedication to curating unique and enriching itineraries is what makes premium cruise lines stand out as the ultimate choice for those seeking a voyage that goes beyond the ordinary and embraces the extraordinary. When people think of premium cruising, they typically think of Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, or Silversea. However, some mainstream cruise lines like MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line have introduced a ship-within-a-ship concept that provides a similar experience. 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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