Table Of Content
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. 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. The ship is notable for its many dining venues, including a restaurant by Thomas Keller(the famed chef known for his restaurants Per Se in New York and The French Laundry in Napa Valley). You'll also find a sushi venue, new and upscale alfresco dinner option on the pool deck, plus the main restaurant and buffet/casual dining venue.
Seabourn Venture, Seabourn
Regent Seven Seas says this top-end suite has been a big seller, and demand is so high, the line is likely to raise the price. Best for spa loversInspired by the graceful lines and rich tones of a luxurious private yacht, the 600-passenger Seabourn Ovation is one of Seabourn’s slickest ships. A wide range of dining venues, including the Grill by Thomas Keller, offers impressive culinary choices as the ship explores Asia, Australia and New Zealand and the eastern Mediterranean.
DISCOVER WHAT OUR GUESTS ARE SHARING
Guests can look forward to soaking tubs, expansive private balconies complete with sun beds and a whirlpool, walk-in wardrobes, and more. As far as destinations are concerned, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection embarks on oceanic adventures in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. The Ritz-Carlton is synonymous with luxury, so it’s no surprise that the company extended into oceanic adventures with a fleet of three superyachts. Where the Evrima was built in 2021, the Ilma and Luminara yachts are forthcoming in 2024 and 2025. Explore cruise lines that embody the VERANDA spirit, offering luxury and well-appointed design around every corner. I'm a writer, editor and consultant who has covered luxury travel and cruising for the last ten years.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world. Of course, if you need further inspiration to look into the cruise line, perhaps the fact that three-mast yacht, Le Ponant, is part of the Relais & Châteaux portfolio will do the trick. “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. Cabins may not have an overtly opulent feel, but they have all the right touches, including balconies in every room, quiet-closing drawers, heated bathroom floors and plentiful USB ports and outlets.
Treat yourself to a decadent spa treatment or wellness-themed shore excursion, or take care of your body with complimentary fitness classes and plant-based menus at onboard restaurants. With 209 crew members on hand to serve 330 passengers, service is top-notch and full of Polynesian hospitality, but all gratuities are already included in your fare. Couples can embrace the romance of the region by participating in a Polynesian blessing ceremony. Paul Gauguin gives its guests special access to a secluded beach on Bora Bora and a private island off the coast of Taha'a, where you can indulge in water sports, a gourmet barbecue and bar service. Throughout the ship, complimentary spirits, fine wines and house Champagne flow freely. Those booked in penthouses and higher-category suites receive service from a tuxedo-clad butler who will do everything from unpacking your luggage to helping you set up a private cocktail party.
Silver Spirit, Silversea
Best for elegance Glamorous, formal and traditional, Cunard’s art deco-inspired Queen Elizabeth harks back to the golden era of ocean travel with daily afternoon tea and black tie dances in the grand ballroom. At the same time, you’ll find the Mareel Wellness & Beauty spa, a choice of restaurants and a traditional British pub, the Golden Lion. You can also tuck into dinner in Steakhouse at the Verandah, a swanky New York-style grill. Pay a visit to the gorgeous library, too, spanning two decks and housing more than 8,000 books. The line’s newest ship, Silver Nova, which holds 728 passengers was ranked as the Best New Luxury Ship. This environmentally-friendly ship, which began its inaugural cruise in August, 2023 is the industry’s first hybrid luxury cruise ship.
Silver Endeavour — SilverseaArrow
Silversea, with a dozen 100- to 728-passenger ships, has some of the most diverse geographic itineraries of any line, bringing guests to destinations around the world, including such remote places as the Arctic and Antarctica. Overall, Atlas has found a way to seamlessly meld swank and leisure, making it one of our favorite luxury cruise lines. Perks included in the cruise fare may include beverages, Wi-Fi, fresh flowers, extraordinary pampering and, in some cases, butler service. Fares include transfers, complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner, no-fee specialty restaurants and free unlimited internet. With every luxury included, we’ve elevated all-inclusive travel, inviting you to take hold of every moment and make life-long memories to share with friends and family for years to come. Make your voyage your own with custom enhancements and allow our incredible crew to take care of every detail on an all-inclusive cruise that truly is An Unrivaled Experience®.
Scarlet Lady — Virgin VoyagesArrow
The ship operates in traditional style, meaning you dine based on your type of accommodation. At the high end, Princess and Queens Grill guests can access exclusive restaurants where they can order tableside preparations such as Dover sole. For the rest, the Art Deco–inspired main dining room, Britannia, with its soaring ceilings, staircase, and chandeliers, fulfills any fantasies you might have of glamorous ships of yore. Beyond the pomp and circumstance, you’ll find the best pub at sea, complete with darts tournaments, trivia competitions, and pub grub. Spend time in the massive ocean-view library, relax in the spa with a hydrotherapy pool, and sip at the champagne bar while listening to live jazz. Embrace the interesting talks hosted by historians and other fascinating lecturers—when you’re not walking around deck embracing the fact that in crossing a mighty sea you are part of a long and storied seafaring tradition.
Seabourn to Christen New Ship in Kimberley, Australia - AFAR Media
Seabourn to Christen New Ship in Kimberley, Australia.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:48:58 GMT [source]
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. 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. Best for affordable luxuryThe 702-passenger Azamara Pursuit brings an all-inclusive experience in an elegantly refurbished ship.
Prepare to tuck into full-board luxury dining and stretch out on its spacious sun decks. It’s also worth mentioning that the luxury cruise line took it to the next level with its spa, Aurora Spa. Speaking of fancy, the most luxurious cruise that Silversea offers is its 125-Day Chile to Norway sail, which rings up at $94,700. No matter which type of suite you book, you can expect butler service, optional 24/7 in-suite dining, endless access to premium beverages and craft cocktails, and complimentary caviar around the clock.
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." The forthcoming ships from Explora Journeys, the new luxury lifestyle brand from MSC Group, have itineraries, amenities and staterooms that allow multigenerational families to sail together in comfort while making lasting memories.
McDaniel notes other ways in which ship size affects the cruising experience. “There’s also a greater space ratio onboard, allowing for less crowding and more space for guests to spread out and enjoy,” she says. Like the ocean ships, they feature Scandinavian design, a glass-walled Explorers' Lounge and signature Viking restaurants Manfredi's and Mamsen's (offering Norwegian specialties). 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. Sure, its ships have reinforced hulls capable of breaking through ice, but they also feature chic bars serving 130 different kinds of whiskey (all included in your fare) and high-end onboard spas (treatments cost extra, alas). 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.
While the staterooms and suites are stunning and the shore excursions are aplenty, it’s the food that really stands out aboard Windstar. Windstar Cruises operates a six-ship fleet dedicated to extraordinary sailing experiences. With small ships that carry less than 350 passengers, Windstar prides itself on offering guests intimate, aesthetic, unforgettable voyages spanning from Asia and Australia to Italy and Iceland. 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. Another of our top luxury cruise lines, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is proudly opulent. Floating palaces are its calling card, along with the most inclusive fares of all the luxury lines.
Azamara’s “destination immersion” ethos means itineraries, many of which venture off the beaten path, are designed to maximise time in port. Each cruise includes an AzAmazing event, an exclusive and often elaborate taste of local culture, and a glamorous White Night deck party. The two speciality restaurants, Aqualina and Prime C, are wonderful, serving classy Italian and steak and seafood respectively.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises once again aimed for “Luxury Perfected” with the 2020 launch of Seven Seas Splendor. Splendor features the exquisite cuisine and generous all-inclusive rates for which Regent is known, with some of the most luxe rooms at sea. For the best in-suite views, book a room at the back of the ship, Kelly Cochrane, executive chef of Regent Seven Seas Cruises tells T+L. Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Departures, TripSavvy, and other publications. “I get a real kick out of driving the Emerald Sakara into St. Barths, muscling in and anchoring next to all the other superyachts,” O’Leary said.
No comments:
Post a Comment