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Looking more like a billionaire's mega-yacht, Scenic Eclipse is genuinely like nothing we've sailed on before, from the sleek yacht-like exterior to the cool black palette of the interior. How they do this, we've never quite worked out, but it's one of the hallmarks of a Scenic ocean cruise. Crew are less formal than you find on other lines and are drawn from a wider nationality base, so the vibe onboard is distinct from other lux lines. And although the Odyssey Class of ships is still stunning, many of its competitors have caught up while Seabourn has stood still in terms of innovation.
Seven Seas Splendor, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Fortunately for us, nowadays, there are cruise ships that far exceed the family-fun agenda of the classic companies so often advertised on TV. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with those cruise liners, there’s something special about not only traversing the ocean but doing so decked out to the nines. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the best luxury cruise lines of 2023. Ahead, uncover the company that best aligns with your idea of the ultimate water-bound getaway. 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.
Silver Moon, Silversea Cruises
The main pool is a plush lounging spot, but a floor above you may retreat to the Retreat, where you can rent a fancy cabana and have a private attendant deliver complimentary champagne and caviar and whatever else you’re craving. Some guests like to dress up onboard, while others would rather focus on relaxing in comfortable clothing. For those focused on the latter, a partnership with wellness guru Dr. Andrew Weil, includes such experiences as a chakra-balancing crystal sound bath.. Best for the highest levels of luxury Serene and elegant, the 596-passenger Silver Muse is one of the most luxurious cruise ships around, with butler service, classy cuisine in a range of dining venues and all-inclusive pricing. Every finish shows quality, from the acres of gleaming Italian marble, to polished wood and buttery leather. The teak pool deck is especially lovely, featuring one of the largest swimming pools at sea.
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For the ultimate excursion, book a ticket on Oceania’s Insignia Ship and travel around the world in 180 days. The ship will spend the summer and fall cruising the Mediterranean Sea – heading for the French and Italian rivieras, Croatia and Greece – with eight-day itineraries from $5,100. The Emerald Sakara will be back in the Caribbean next December, with eight-day cruises starting at $4,100. The publication evaluated 17 cruise lines through a combination of expert evaluations (30%), traveler reviews (50%) and health ratings published by the U.S.
8 Most Anticipated Luxury Cruise Ships Of 2024 - Forbes
8 Most Anticipated Luxury Cruise Ships Of 2024.
Posted: Fri, 26 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Best Service
When river cruise line Viking debuted its ocean ships with the 930-passenger Viking Star in 2015, it was with the goal of creating a better, value-packed cruise experience for adults aged 55 and up. Eight sister ships followed, all with the same profile of stunning Scandinavian decor, well-planned itineraries that linger in ports, and the promise of no nickel-and-diming. Everyone stays in a spacious veranda stateroom or suite; specialty restaurants, such as a fine Italian venue, and a chef’s tasting experience are complimentary, and so is the accompanying beer and wine. I could often be found indulging in the crab legs at the seafood bar at the World Café.
Passengers eat exceptionally good ceviche and international cuisine overseen by an enthusiastic Ecuadorian chef. You may enjoy the vistas from a cushy club chair in the ocean-view library while perusing a book about Darwin. A top-deck platform provides undisturbed views of the night sky and perhaps volcanic activity. And you’re on a ship designed to hover over delicate seabeds without disturbing the marine life you’ve come to see. Being onboard feels like a special occasion, especially if you join the crowd in the ship’s chandeliered Queens Room ballroom, where passengers can dance to a live big band in a throwback to the golden era of travel. The ship operates in traditional style, meaning you dine based on your type of accommodation.
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). That said, the ship does include entertainment that’s worth experiencing—singers, pianists and more.
The 7 Best Luxury Cruises
I was on the maiden voyage of the 360-foot Sakara, a December 2023 sailing with the added glamor of a Champagne christening in San Juan, Puerto Rico, led by the ship’s godmother Kelly Craighead. She is president of Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade organization. Cruise Critic is an online cruise community with more than 650,000 ship reviews of 700 ships from experts and cruise aficionados. “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. Expedition specialist Lindblad brings travelers to remote destinations in comfort on the National Geographic Resolution. Though mass Covid-19 outbreaks early in the pandemic exposed health concerns surrounding cruising, a new survey indicates travelers may not abandon ship travel after all.
This leads to easy socializing in the bars and lounges on board. Dining is over the top at the restaurants, such as the retro-chic steakhouses with menus created by famed chef Thomas Keller (of French Laundry fame). When you tire of prime beef, order lobster thermidor or sink into the delicious comfort of Keller's roast chicken. Owned by Carnival Corporation, Seabourn's top-of-the-line, 264- to 600-passenger ships deliver comfortable, modern luxury that can be as fancy or casual as you like. Silversea also loves to throw a good soiree and does so on every warm-weather cruise in the form of its deck party. Chefs spend the day preparing for this pull-out-all-the-stops event at which they serve roast suckling pig, carved meats, pasta, salads and an array of mouth-watering desserts.
Both ships include a marina with a wide range of toys including sailboats, WaveRunners, snorkeling gear, banana boats, tubes, wakeboards and water skis, stand-up paddleboards and Jet Skis. SeaDream operates just two small (around 100-passengers) ships SeaDream 1 and SeaDream II) with fiercely loyal followings. The ships are getting on, and no cabins have balconies, yet passengers don't seem to care when they are spending most of their time outside anyway. Having said that, the ships stand the test of time, with breathtaking interior design, top-notch food and the aforementioned service levels.
Then the minibar is also stocked with two bottles of complimentary wine or spirits of your choice. On Splendor you’ll find crystal and glass chandeliers aplenty, an extensive art collection, and enough Carrara marble to fill a football field and then some. Sit in a silk-covered chair in the elegant Chartreuse dining room, where a tuxedo-clad waiter will serve a truffle-enhanced tart and you can imagine yourself in a grand hotel in Paris. Enter the Prime 7 steakhouse, where at the bar you’ll pass art pieces by Joan Miró and Picasso.
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. Two innovative programs and a fleet of beautiful new-builds have taken Silversea to new levels of luxury. Those who like old-school luxury, personalized service and great food. Luxury means different things to different people, especially when it comes to the most luxurious cruise line. Get hands-on cooking experience with a class in The Culinary Center or explore the food culture ashore with a Culinary Discovery Tour. Cruisers truly passionate about food and wine will want to splurge on wine-paired dinners at La Reserve by Wine Spectator or enjoy a gourmet, multi-course menu with an intimate group at Privee.
Built for just 82 passengers, the intimate ship is a modern vessel built specifically for the Nile, with intentional Scandinavian design details. It has a light and bright feel, encouraging outdoor exploration of the riverbanks through plenty of outdoor decks. Guests must be 18 years or older, which makes this a great option for couples or older families who can truly appreciate the experience. For the handful of cruise lines operating in the luxury space, they are constantly redefining and tweaking their luxury offering depending on who their passengers are. 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.
Its expedition ships, Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis, explore Antarctica, as well as the Great Lakes and Canada. 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. The destination-focused cruise line adds as many days in port as it can to each itinerary and offers a free shore excursion in every port.
At night, get your thrill on at the casino before indulging in gourmet dining followed by a martini and wine tasting. These vacation vessels feature all of the hotel luxury comforts you’d expect, plus more. Explore the endless oceans on one of these luxurious yacht hotels. The crew outdid itself the next day at White Bay Beach on Jost Van Dyke, the smallest of the British Virgin Islands. A barbecue feast awaited us, along with beach loungers, steel-drum entertainment, and all the paddles and water toys from the ship. Later, we wandered down the beach to find a young yacht crowd, groups of friends who have rented their boats, all knee-deep in their mojitos.
The cabanas are conveniently arranged around the hot tub, which is a focal point of The Retreat, but expect a hefty daily fee to use them.
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