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The top Regent Suites on these new ships are mansions at sea and come with solariums, private spas with saunas and steam rooms and Steinway pianos in their living rooms. The six 490- to 750-passenger ships in the Regent fleet get fancier as they get larger. On the three newest, Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Grandeur everyone stays in a roomy suite with an oversized balcony and marble bathroom.
Seven Seas Splendor, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
This environmentally-friendly ship, which began its inaugural cruise in August, 2023 is the industry’s first hybrid luxury cruise ship. Silversea’s constant innovation and a desire to set the luxury bar ever higher sets it apart from all others. Sure, the line has suites, butlers, Champagne and caviar across the fleet, but it’s more than that – it’s finding your shoes shined, without asking; your butler organizing an in-suite party or waitstaff remembering your name from Day 1. Silversea’s restaurants rival Michelin-starred establishments, its S.A.L.T. enrichment program is outstanding, and its art and décor are reminiscent of a five-star hotel. 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.
How travelers can use the list
Catering to adventurous luxury cruise travelers with money to spend, the new cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages, which debuted in the summer of 2021, offers upscale experiences on small ships that carry just 196 passengers. Oceania Cruises has just seven ships, but the debut of the brand-new Oceania Vista catapults this cruise line into the luxury division. The cruise line's relatively new Go Local shore excursions for small groups bring travelers to under-the-radar destinations, T+L contributing editor and long-time cruiser Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon reported recently. Her 2022 cruise on Riviera included 70 excursions "from canoeing Croatia’s Cetina River to cooking classes in Athens."
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Seabourn Ovation also features The Retreat, a private, VIP-access-only outdoor lounge area on Deck 12 that's unique to the Encore Class. A daisy-shaped canopy stretches over The Retreat so you'll find both sun and shade. Fifteen cabanas are available, and come outfitted with flat-screen TVs, Evian misters, a beverage-filled mini-fridge and fresh fruit.
Oceania Cruises’ Vista
Crew members know your name before you step onboard, and they’ll remember you from previous sailings if you return. No ask is too small – or too big – and service always comes with a sincere smile. It's the little things that make Oceania Cruises tops when it comes to cuisine, from the initial chopstick selection at Red Ginger to the phenomenal olive oil cart the line rolls out for diners at the Italian-themed Toscana. And, rather than reinventing the wheel, Oceania focuses instead on service and quality - the two most essential ingredients in any shipboard culinary experience.
Riverside Takes Aim at the Luxury River Cruise Market – Splash Magazines - Splash Magazines
Riverside Takes Aim at the Luxury River Cruise Market – Splash Magazines.
Posted: Sun, 21 Apr 2024 06:44:15 GMT [source]
From mixers to bridge tournaments and bars that are cozy and collegial, solo travelers will have plenty of opportunities to meet new friends. The service is what sings on this tiny boutique cruise line, which operates just two 112-passenger megayachts that in 2022 underwent bow-to-stern revamps totalling nearly £10 million. All staterooms on SeaDream I and SeaDream II have been completely refurbished, and there are gleaming new teak decks mirroring the centuries-old yachting tradition. Attentive crew cater to guests’ every whim, while the food is exceptional, not least the imaginative vegetarian and vegan dishes. Life onboard is relaxed and informal, with the dress code best described as chic. Every voyage includes a decadent Champagne & Caviar Splash party, either around the pool or in the surf, with free-flowing bubbles.
Best Shore Excursions
If you’re someone who doesn’t settle for anything less than first class, your ship’s come in – the award-winning Oasis®, Allure®, Harmony® and Symphony of the Seas® are in a class of their own. Filled with incredible upmarket dining, critically acclaimed entertainment and some of the most revolutionary suites at sea, each Oasis Class ship serves up endless ways to elevate every aspect of your getaway. The publication evaluated 17 cruise lines through a combination of expert evaluations (30%), traveler reviews (50%) and health ratings published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vessel Sanitation Program (20%). Some luxury ships visit the Peloponnese, home of the treasured fortified town of Nafplio, modern Greece's first capital (from 1823 to 1834), with its impressive walls, red-roofed neoclassical mansions and cobblestone streets. Divers and snorkelers will want to explore The Dogs, the BVI's prime marine area, with its colorful corals and plentiful sea life.
Perks included in the cruise fare may include beverages, Wi-Fi, fresh flowers, extraordinary pampering and, in some cases, butler service. Exquisite cuisine is prepared a la minute and accompanied by pours of fine wines. When you rest your head, it's on a luxury mattress topped with the finest linens.
For instance, SeaDream's intimate yachts can stealthily visit ports that large ships can't manage. Regent Seven Seas packs all-inclusive gourmet dining and suites into their luxury offerings. 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. Cruising doesn’t have to mean enormous floating cities with thousands of passengers — there are plenty of ultra-luxury lines offering adventures on small ships with a much more intimate atmosphere.
Paired with the Nile as a backdrop, you’ll find yourself absorbing more than you can have possibly imagined. Built for just 82 passengers, the intimate ship is a modern vessel built specifically for the Nile, with intentional Scandinavian design details. It has a light and bright feel, encouraging outdoor exploration of the riverbanks through plenty of outdoor decks. Guests must be 18 years or older, which makes this a great option for couples or older families who can truly appreciate the experience. Fares include transfers, complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner, no-fee specialty restaurants and free unlimited internet.
Paul Gauguin Cruises operates just one ship, but it is exquisite, hosting 330 guests and sailing only in the South Pacific to destinations like Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. The ship is small enough to access private ports at remote beaches and take travelers well off the beaten path. Named the best small-ship ocean cruise line in T+L's 2022 World's Best Awards, Golden said the line is known for Tahitian-inspired massage techniques in the onboard spa and noted that cruisers particularly love the wonderful staff.
Some even explore such far reaches of the earth as Antarctica and the remote South Pacific. Don’t miss out on world class upscale dining that delights the palate and expertly mixed cocktails sure to keep you in high spirits. A Specialty Dining or Deluxe Beverage package can help you enjoy all the sophisticated sips and delicious dishes on deck. “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. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel.
The package includes all dining, drinks with meals, wi-fi, crew tips, flights and transfers, and an excursion in every port. Sailing on an Emerald cruise ship feels a lot like seeing the world on your personal yacht. Emerald’s two identical ships hold only 100 guests each, and sailings are inclusive of things like drinks at lunch and dinner, some excursions and use of the ship’s wonderful water toys. Yet prices for Emerald cruises generally are less than what you’d pay on other luxury lines – plus the company regularly offers deals, like a 2-for-1 package.
Sue Bryant is an award-winning writer and editor specializing in travel, in particular cruising and experiential travel. She is cruise editor of London's The Times and The Sunday Times and also contributes to Cruise Critic, Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Cruise Passenger, Travel Weekly, National Geographic Traveller and Insight Guides. If you like spending the evening outdoors but prefer to sleep inside, check out the line's Starlit Movies series.
Get hands-on cooking experience with a class in The Culinary Center or explore the food culture ashore with a Culinary Discovery Tour. 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). On board, guests enjoy five-star French and Polynesian cuisine, with all beverages complimentary throughout the ship and in your in-room minifridge.
In 2023, the line launched Silver Nova, with accommodation for up to 728 guests that includes aft suites with 270-degree views; a sister ship, Silver Ray, is due to sail in summer 2024. Silversea service is highly personal, with a butler for every suite, and there’s a wide choice of fine-dining restaurants. These include SALT (Sea and Land Taste) Kitchen, showcasing regional cuisine from the destinations visited. Fares include all dining (except La Dame, which offers the finest French cuisine), a wide range of spirits and fine wines, crew tips, most gym classes and excursions in every port.
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