From exclusive perks to world-class service and more off-the-beaten track ports of call, there are many reasons why cruisers choose to travel in luxury. With cruise lines such as Seabourn, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Silversea Cruises leading the way when it comes to sophisticated ocean voyaging, read on to find out if luxury cruising floats your boat.
1. You'll Be Treated Like A VIP
If you'd like a truly stress-free holiday, an ultra-luxury cruise is the ideal option. From start to finish, you'll find yourself waited on hand and foot by the attentive and highly-trained crew. You'll even find that your personal butler knows what you want before you do! From drawing a bath for you ready for your arrival after a busy day in port to laying out your clothes for formal night and polishing your shoes, every detail will be taken care of so that all you have to worry about is enjoying yourself.
A fantastic example of this is SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream I and SeaDream 2, both of which have a capacity of 112 guests and 95 crew attending to their every need. That's almost a one-to-one ratio!
2. The Fine Dining
Luxury cruise lines are known for offering exquisite cuisine from morning until evening. Using fresh ingredients perfectly prepared by the expert chefs, there's no better way to experience the flavours of the destinations you visit along the way. What's more, luxury cruise lines are also known for having celebrity chefs add an extra-special touch to what's on board. American chef Thomas Keller is one such well-known celebrity, and you'll find The Grill by Thomas Keller on Seabourn ships Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Quest. In addition to some incredible restaurants, with luxury cruises, your 24-hour room service is of the same standard as the divine cuisine found in the restaurants.
3. Stunning Accommodation
When it comes to deciding on luxury cruising, it's the accommodation which really draws guests on board. There’s no surprise that the more you pay for a room the better it is, but just how special they are is often not fully understood. With some luxury cruise lines, every suite will have an ocean view and staterooms will have spacious balconies. Balconies are an amazing luxury especially when traveling in amazing areas such as Alaska and the Caribbean, giving you the chance to relish in the spectacular views from the comfort of your own room. Not to forget the amazing décor and amenities luxury suites have, from marble bathrooms and Ralph Lauren furniture to grand pianos and original Picassos on the wall!
4. Extra-Special Shore Experiences
No cruise is complete without unforgettable ports of call, and with luxury cruise lines guests can experience some incredible shore excursions. In fact, if you choose Regent Seven Sea Cruises offer unlimited shore excursions in every single port of call on ships such as Seven Seas Grandeur, taking the phrase "all-inclusive" to the next level! Oceania Cruises also included some shore excursions in your cruise fare, and with the choice of easy, moderate and strenuous activities, every guest will find something they love.
5. Almost All Beverages Included
Onboard most luxury cruises there is no extra charge for alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, teas, and coffees, while Regent Seven Sea Cruises have no extra charges for in-room minibars as well, meaning you can help yourself to the stocked up champagne and beer. Complimentary drinks can be found in all lounges, bars, and restaurants; the alcohol doesn’t come as a package but free of charge. However, if you’re one with an especially expensive taste and want those top-notch bottles, you may have to splash out a little.
Will your next cruise be a luxury cruise? Or do you already love cruising in luxury? If this sounds like your perfect way to travel, be sure to check out all our luxury cruise deals!