Top-shelf wines, white-gloved service, and amazingly opulent suites – this is what you can expect as a luxury cruiser. Yes, it might sound contrite, but this is what it’s like on a luxury cruise ship.
So, what defines a luxury cruise? All luxury ships have lower capacity, meaning a higher crew-to-guest ratio. What does this mean? Well, for starters, it means you’ll have your dedicated butler at all times, who is responsible for unpacking your bags, organising your shore excursions, booking restaurants onboard, and of course, filling your bar fridge to exactly your specifications.
But what else sets apart a luxury cruise from any other line? For one, most luxury ships, especially the newer vessels, have all balconies, and all-suite accommodation. In comparison to larger vessels, which have a range of accommodations like interior cabins, you’ll find little difference between the size of luxury suites. Often, there will be high-end linens and bath products, elegant fabrics, and bottles of champagne on arrival as well as fresh bouquets every day.
For luxury cruisers, you may not find a wide array of dining options like you would on a big ship, but you won’t have to pay extra for lobster or caviar. Often, cruise lines will partner with Michelin-starred chefs. Silversea, for instance, is working in collaboration with Mauro Colagreco, the celebrated founder of Mirazur (ranked as the world’s best restaurant in 2019). As part of the line’s S.A.L.T. program, Colagreco curated a program that included shopping at the market in the Old Town of Menton along the French Riviera, a visit to his sustainable bakery, and finally, a nine-course tasting menu at his private kitchen.
Shore excursions also define a completely different experience for luxury cruisers. Because you’ll be sailing with fewer people, it means fewer people on your shore excursions. Often, luxury cruise lines will take their guests further, and deeper into regions where guests can meet local families, and even dine with them, exclusive concerts in private castles or you can even curate your private tour through the cruise lines.
Regent Seven Seas has put a big focus on overnight stays where luxury cruisers can experience the nightlife of a destination. You can watch opera in some of the most amazing ancient Roman settings, experience the night markets in the depths of Southeast Asia with local chefs, or even go on a private shopping tour in the heart of Paris.
Luxury Cruisers Tips
-
Silver Muse
The construction of Silversea Cruises Muse is on progress located at Fincantieri, Italy. It is considered to be the largest and the latest addition to the Silversea Cruises ships fleet. The Silver Muse will be the flagship of the Silver Sea Cruises after the scheduled inauguration in Spring 2017. This luxury ship has a gross…
-
Seabourn Encore
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1490849238057{padding-bottom: 5% !important;}”] Seabourn Encore is the latest flagship and set sail in January 2017. This is a small ship (210 meters) in comparison to other modern cruise liners. However, she is the biggest ship in the Seabourn’s fleet. Encore has 12 decks and a passenger capacity of 600 guests and 450 crew members. This ship…
-
Silver Cloud
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1488754606153{padding-bottom: 5% !important;}”]Silver Cloud was launched in 1994 and underwent refurbishment in 2015. In 2017, Silver Cloud will undergo another refit to transform it into a polar exploration vessel. As an expedition ship, the all-suite Silver Cloud will accommodate a maximum of 200 passengers when sailing Arctic and Antarctic itineraries and up to 260 guests on itineraries to non-polar regions. The…
