7 Best Luxury Cruises

Table Of Content

• But I’ll overlook this show for all the other complimentary amenities, of which there were plenty.
• This isn’t Four Seasons' first foray into itinerary-based vacations.
• Seabourn Venture
• See inside a new ultra-luxury river cruise line that's charging up to $59,520 per person
• Scenic
• Others, like the largest Funnel Suite, would have its own spa and kitchen.
• Start with a shorter cruise

While Scenic Eclipse makes adventurous expedition sailing a posh white-gloved affair. To help you navigate the waters of luxury cruises (and to help you find the best pampering cruise ship), check out the seven best luxury cruises sailing right now. 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). Itineraries range from eight-night voyages to cruises of more than a month.

Luxury vs. budget cruises: My experiences on Explora and Seven Seas ships - Business Insider

Luxury vs. budget cruises: My experiences on Explora and Seven Seas ships.

Posted: Tue, 26 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

But I’ll overlook this show for all the other complimentary amenities, of which there were plenty.

Seabourn is honored to see our fleet nominated in Condé Nast Traveler's 2024 Reader's Choice Awards. Share your unforgettable Seabourn experiences and vote for the ships that became your luxury home at sea this year. For a limited time only, until February 29, Seabourn’s exclusive Sail of the Year is your best opportunity to sail away in ultra-luxury with savings up to 25% on our Ocean and Expedition voyages and a reduced 15% deposit. Book by January 31 and enrich your experience even more with up to $1,000USD per suite shipboard credit.

This isn’t Four Seasons' first foray into itinerary-based vacations.

Meanwhile, those seeking a quieter, relaxing getaway might look to Ritz Carlton, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Explora Journeys for that boutique hotel feel with everything taken care of from the moment you step aboard. Think of live cooking stations with pasta made to order and freshly baked pizza, alongside pan-Asian venues, a steakhouse and a French-inspired contemporary space for international dishes. Part of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, the cruise arm of the business announced it would be entering the market in 2018. After some delays due to the pandemic, its first ship – Evrima – launched in 2022.

Seabourn Venture

It’s a ship with super luxury features like two helicopters and a submarine on board, plus eight restaurants and modern suites. The cruise line sails to all seven continents over the year, with five ocean ships and two expedition ships. Ventures by Seabourn expand your experiences with optional shore excursions, guides, and Expedition Teams. With six ships in the fleet, each guest sailing with Regent can enjoy unlimited shore excursions and unlimited beverages with open bars and lounges as well as a mini-bar restocked daily in your suite.

See inside a new ultra-luxury river cruise line that's charging up to $59,520 per person

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. Exquisite cuisine is prepared a la minute and accompanied by pours of fine wines. Onboard lounges are wonderfully intimate, with no mass-market anything. When you rest your head, it's on a luxury mattress topped with the finest linens. Included in your cruise fee is your accommodation, all your dining, including the specialty restaurants, in-cabin mini bar, fresh fruit, gratuities, entertainment, and 1 hour of free wifi.

Fares also include round-trip flights; hotel stays and transfers to ensure your arrival on the ship and back home is as smooth as possible. Currently, cruises explore the regions of the Caribbean, and Mediterranean and cross the Atlantic between the two, as well as voyages to Canada & New England, and Northern Europe. There are two ships in the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection including the flagship, Evrima, followed by a second ship, Ilma, set to join in 2024.

Guests can also enjoy a welcome bottle of Champagne on embarkation and the Personal Concierge to assist with all their needs. Inspired by one of the world’s largest yachts, the Octopus yacht, and formally named by actress Helen Mirren, the ship exuded luxury from the moment it began sailing. At night, expect outstanding cuisine with a strong French Polynesia flare in the ship's three restaurants. With just one small ship -- the 200-passenger Scenic Eclipse and a second on the way this spring Scenic Eclipse II -- the line is carving out a niche in the ultra-luxury small-ship space.

Others, like the largest Funnel Suite, would have its own spa and kitchen.

While this could have been a product of my non-revenue sailing, it made this open-air space a peaceful destination. Instead, bars served as a backdrop to venues like the lounges, pool deck, and even the coffee shop. It’s seldom-seen lands, unrestricted global navigation, and state-of-the-art ships allowing a front row seat to nature and culture as it unfolds before your eyes. Luxury ships in general are usually entirely or mostly made up of suite accommodations with features such as large bathrooms and walk-in closets. You’ll have ocean views and will likely have a balcony on these high-end vessels. Travelers can relax at sea in the new Aurora spa onboard the reborn Crystal ships.

Start with a shorter cruise

Ultra-luxury cruises are more elegant, calm, and sophisticated than regular big-ship cruises. To compare, the cheapest 2024 voyage with all-inclusive luxury competitor Uniworld River Cruises starts at $2,000 per person for an eight-day Danube River sailing. Even if you don't like the ship, at least excursions are included in the fare.

While they're obviously designed for children, I'll admit I enjoy these onboard activities — they help pass the time. Explora Journeys is the first luxury oceangoing brand from international shipping giant the MSC Group. Explora I, the first of six ships, debuted in 2023, and the rest will follow between 2024 and 2028. The sea-facing cabins — described as homes at sea — have balconies, walk-in wardrobes and heated bathroom floors. Entry level accommodation is larger than average and goes up to a huge Owner’s Residence, complete with a private terrace, hot tub and butler. Seabourn Encore is as strikingly beautiful and as excitingly innovative as any Seabourn has ever debuted.

And there are lots of perks depending on the class cabin you book. And by perks, we mean things like a personal tour guide for your land adventure when in port. On board, you will find each of Seabourn’s luxury ships has the Seabourn square, a meeting place at the heart of the ship. You find comfortable lounges, coffee shops, guest services, and more.

But what is a 6-star cruise, and which cruise lines can offer you a 6-star cruising experience? Here is our comprehensive guide to why 6-star cruises are the ultimate in cruising. Though relatively new, the cruise ship was created to emulate both the refined residential feel of a stylish yacht and the standard of service of the famous hotel chain, offering a truly ultra-luxury cruise experience. Viking does not like to call itself a luxury cruise line, but we'd definitely put it in that category for the inclusive fares, fine dining and smart design of its ocean-going ships. Luxury ships vary in size and destinations they visit as well as other factors such as what’s included in the cruise fare.

Viking's fares are inclusive but not all-inclusive, and its ships sport clean Scandinavian design rather than opulent decor. Necessities such as Wi-Fi and self-serve laundry are complimentary, as are all nonalcoholic beverages and beer and wine with lunch and dinner. That's the approach upscale cruise line Oceania Cruises takes with its fleet of seven 648- to 1,238-passenger ships (the last of which, Oceania Vista, just debuted in May 2023 and is its most elegant yet).