Best Luxury Cruise Ships

most luxurious cruise ships

On board, there are just 132 all veranda, all ocean-front suites — but this is really about getting off the ship. To that end, the ship carries two custom-built submarines, 24 Zodiacs, and a fleet of double sea kayaks for all those excursions that are included in your sailing. Best for foodiesIt’s hard not to lust after the Regent Seven Seas Voyager.

About Annie Davidson Watson, Your Luxury Cruise Guide

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. If you're willing to pay, up to 24 passengers a night can enjoy a seven-course meal at La Reserve by Wine Spectator. As you can imagine, the wine pairings are of special note there and three menus are available. No matter which cruise line you sail, it's a truth universally acknowledged that the first and last Alaska sailings of the season are the most affordable.

Entry-level cabins

For small ships, Scenic's yachts still manage to offer five gourmet dining venues, plus additional private dining options (such as a chef's table or teppanyaki grill), room service and culinary masterclasses in a show kitchen. Each of the fleet’s yachts, which carry between 458 and 600 guests, is outfitted with ocean-view suites only, so no matter what excursion you book, you can anticipate traveling in luxury style with a picturesque backdrop. You can also look forward to mouth-watering cuisine courtesy of renowned chef Thomas Keller. Scenic is unique in that it not only offers luxury ocean cruises but river cruises, too. The brand prides itself on operating and innovating with guest experience in mind. As such, all of its cruises have so much to offer voyagers, from extensive dining, leisure, and wellness options to striking design elements that will make you want to stay aboard for much longer than your itinerary.

Most luxurious in the Galapagos: Silver Origin

17 of the world's most luxurious cruise ships - The Times

17 of the world's most luxurious cruise ships.

Posted: Fri, 13 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The Ocean Endeavour is one of the most impressive cruise lines that the Antarctic has to offer, and it features expansive decks in addition to panoramic lounges. You will be given the opportunity to participate in complimentary yoga and stretching courses, as well as an exclusive polar photography course and a series of lectures given by onboard specialists on Antarctica’s history, geology, and wildlife. This cutting-edge vessel prioritizes passengers’ health and well-being by providing amenities such as a spa, saunas, a saltwater pool, and a fitness center onboard. Travelers who are only traveling by themselves will be relieved to learn that there are not additional single extras or surcharges. Best for exploringSeabourn’s original expedition vessel launched in July 2022, Seabourn Venture combines all the luxury touches you’d expect from this cruise stalwart with itineraries in far flung corners of the world. Northern hemisphere winters are spent in the southern hemisphere exploring Antarctica and South America, while the Arctic is among the destinations on the calling card for the summer season.

most luxurious cruise ships

Best cruise lines in the Caribbean

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. Foodies will drool over menus overseen by Master Chef Jacques Pepin in all-included venues specializing in French, Italian, Asian and steakhouse cuisine. After a long day of Zodiac, submersible or helicopter rides (yes, all these high-tech exploration toys are on board), you can retreat to your well-appointed suite, with distinct sleeping and living areas, plus a balcony.

Ponant's luxurious small ships sail to remote destinations like Antarctica, incorporating once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as eclipse spotting from the edge of the earth. The company also partners with Smithsonian and Disney on certain sailings. The world’s largest sailing ship is a dream come true for those who appreciate the sight of 26,881 square feet of Dacron unfurling and catching wind. The 342-passenger, 525-foot Wind Surf delivers a sense of pride, especially when you’re in port and you point to your ship’s five masts, to envious sighs of your new friends.

Silversea is the Most Luxurious Cruise Line for Modern Luxury

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. 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.

Best Luxury Expedition Cruise: Aurora Expeditions, Sylvia Earle

Like fine European hotels or the fanciest boutique properties, the ships of the best luxury cruise lines are designed to appeal to people who seek — and can afford — an elegant style of travel. Cunard is known for its iconic black funnels, yes, but more so for its unparalleled large-scale onboard experiences. Although each of the cruise line’s ships carries upwards of 1,500 passengers, the four-ship fleet is adored for its luxury itineraries, stylish design, tranquil spa offerings, delectable cuisine, and unmatched comfort at sea. Speaking of fancy, the most luxurious cruise that Silversea offers is its 125-Day Chile to Norway sail, which rings up at $94,700.

Most luxurious décor: Seven Seas Explorer & Seven Seas

most luxurious cruise ships

Truly, if your goal is to book an unforgettable, Instagram-worthy cruise, Cunard is the way to go. From the stunning suites (decked out in pops of rich color, sumptuous textiles, and spectacular lighting) to the picturesque destinations, Cunard has it all. 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.

The ship was built specifically for the Galapagos, with the luxurious decor subtly befitting the destination and showcasing local art and artifacts. 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.

Luxury Mediterranean Cruises: All You Need to Know - Cruise Critic

Luxury Mediterranean Cruises: All You Need to Know.

Posted: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

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. 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.

On balmy evenings, the crew pops copious amounts of popcorn for cruisers who show up on the Pool Deck to enjoy a film as part of this program. Suites are also a highlight, with more than enough space plus personal butlers and large bathrooms complete with bathtubs and separate showers. All cabins also have a neat hidden TV feature -- flat-screen televisions are embedded into huge mirrors, and when they're turned off, you can't even see them.

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). 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). Sometimes luxury means more space to spread out and multiple onboard options for a truly outstanding meal.

"I have outlawed the use of the word 'luxury' … I think we are elegant, we are … understated and hopefully timeless," he said at a naming celebration for seven new river boats in March 2019, according to cruising website QuirkyCruise.com. Scenic Eclipse is nigh on perfect, with a couple of design flaws (lack of outdoor viewing space, no pool), which will be ironed out on Scenic Eclipse II. Most passengers spend their time outside anyway, so balconies aren't missed, and you'll soon find you'll get to know everyone after a day or two. When Seabourn Odyssey debuted in 2009, it was hailed as revolutionary, with more restaurants, entertainment options and larger-than-average suite sizes.

As well as the extensiveshore programme and onboard lectures there's the chance to learnmore about the archipelago's flora and fauna at the Basecamp, withits amazing interactive wall. In the evening you can enjoysocialising over cocktails at the Explorer Lounge, and cosy uparound the outdoor firepit after dinner. Best for boutique hotel vibes All polished teak, ceiling fans and elegant décor, the 68-passenger Mekong Navigator is a beautifully designed river cruiser. Luxurious touches like marble-lined bathrooms, a spa and a convivial lounge make this a comfortable way to experience the Mekong, a bucket-list journey for many. Prepare to tuck into full-board luxury dining and stretch out on its spacious sun decks.

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