THINKING ABOUT LUXURY CRUISE?

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Luxury Cruise Lines

Luxury cruise lines come in many shapes and cruising has no shortage of ways to show it. Below you will find luxury cruise lines reviews and ratings  for cruise lines that exhibit luxury and what differentiates them from their competitors.

Each cruise line has a target audience to which they wish to appeal to. Most luxury cruise lines are focused on refined venues and exquisite service rather than flashy productions or rock climbing walls. While there is a market for both types, this portion walks you through the benefits of Upper Premium and Luxury cruise lines.

The Upper Premium and Luxury Cruise Lines are similar in their goals of providing the highest levels of service and gourmet cuisine though offer different levels of exclusivity.

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True Luxury Cruise Lines Definition

Luxury cruise lines such as Seabourn and Regent are at the height of affluence not with just their service and beautiful ships, but also with their inclusivity.

They are 100%  all inclusive. There are no added costs for wines, or dinners in specialty restaurants. Some cruise lines include excursion into price also.

This gives guests the true feeling of comfort without having to sign for a bar tab at every sitting. Guests are treated as though this is their personal vessel for their trip.

Below you will find cruise luxury lines reviews and ratings:

  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • SeaDream
  • SilverSea
  • Seabourn

Upper Premium or Lite Luxury Cruise Lines Definition

Upper Premium brands are the in-between segments of cruise lines that are above the Premium classes and just short of Luxury, offering elements of both. These brands, such as Crystal, Oceania and Azamara, are more distinguished and normally more intimate than the Premium cruise lines, though are not as inclusive as their true Luxury counterparts.

Within this portion of cruise lines, there really are no sub-par brands. Instead, they all unique to the guests they are serving. Some of the most particular guests prefer the Upper Premium brands just for the simple fact that they don’t feel as though they are overpaying for services they are not using.

Upper Premium cruise lines also tend to have a slightly younger age range than the Luxury ones. The Luxury cruise lines do not want their guests to lift a finger and anticipate their guests every need.

What both Luxury and Upper Premium collectively exhibit is some of the highest guest to crew ratios in the industry which is what fundamentally sets them apart from all other cruise categories. The level of attentiveness of crew and staff on these cruise lines is impeccable.

Below you will find Upper Premium cruise lines reviews and ratings for luxury cruise lines:

  • Azamara
  • Crystal
  • Cunard
  • Oceania

Luxury Cruise Lines Reviews

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent has become one of the brightest cruise lines in Luxury sailing. This truly all inclusive cruise line has everything in your fare from gratuities to beverages, excursions and even air!

This All Suite cruise line truly personifies a lavish yet comfortable casual lifestyle. Their three mid size ships will soon welcome the new Regent Explorer, which will boast the most lavish Suite with almost 3,000 square feet on the high seas as well as the most opulent décor and amenities.

Frequently winning awards for their ships and services, Conde Nast Traveler voted their accommodations as the best at sea. Each Suite has a full liquor bar replenished daily, marble bathrooms, and rich textures from the interior to your private veranda outside.

For those seeking a more personal experience, the Concierge Suites offer even more privileges with priority shore excursions,  a free night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel package and Butler services in Penthouse and above.

Dining is always open seating with no set times and plenty of restaurants to select from. Chose from menus using fresh local produce of the regions you are visiting, or artisan cheeses, to pastries made from the finest imported French flour. For the midsize ships in their fleet, they feature some of the biggest venues of their class.

SeaDream Review

The most intimate Luxury Ship on our list is the SeaDream Yacht Club. This is not a cruise, rather a yacht experience where you may feel like you own the vessel for yourself! With a maximum guest capacity of 112 guests by 95 crew members, no detail is overlooked.

The two ships in the fleet are truly spectacular for many reasons, one of which that their relatively small tonnage allows them to get into the very smallest, remote islands that even the midsize ships cannot.

The best benefit of all? The Water Sports Marina are all the water toys a yacht can hold from Hobie Cats, Waverunners, glass bottom kayaks and more while anchored on a secluded hideaway far from the crowds at a whim.

The crew can put together a real beach barbeque or set up one of their famous Champagne and Caviar spreads on the water as you’re swimming by. With such a small number of guests, excursion groups are also very small and personalized. These ships still feature a full gym, spa, and chef preparing meals course by course, often with ingredients selected locally.

SilverSea Review

A family owned company, SilverSea truly brings a warm touch to every aspect of their service. SilverSea operated the largest of the Luxury fleets with seven vessels, averaging about 300 passengers. They pride themselves in the destinations they reach. For example, when their itinerary calls for London, they aren’t at the ports on the outskirts, rather right at the London Bridge as they did during the London Olympics under the main rings.

Two of their ships are expedition vessels that go into Antarctica and even the tight rivers of the Australian outback. As John from SilverSeas has stated “We go where you won’t find a single souvenir shop.”

This All-Suite line boasts over 85% with Verandas and very spacious accommodations. SilverSea regularly wins awards for their bathrooms, which as amusing as it may seem, reflect their attention to detail and beautiful atmosphere.

This is the only Luxury line to not only feature all suites but also offer Butler services throughout their ships. SilverSea is an all-inclusive product with complimentary beverages in the common areas and Suite, inclusive gratuities and excursions.

Seabourn Review

Seabourn has no shortage of awards and accolades, including Conde Naste’s World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line, and for good reason. Their six small ships hold either 104 or 225 guests at a time with large open decks and gracious service.

It is not just Seaborn’s acclaimed dining that sets them apart, but also their presentation. Each dish is passed through their highly skilled and imaginative chefs. Coming back from a long day of exploring the city, you come home to a drawn bath with your choice of a selection of designer soaps and chilled champagne.

That is a snapshot of the Seabourn experience, a very personable and anticipatory one. Loyalty is any cruise line’s biggest tell sign of their service, and Seabourn has some of the highest repeat clients of any cruise line.

The combination of their small ships paired with spacious Suites, decadent cuisine, inclusive beverages and high guest to crew ratio brings guests back time and time again.

The destinations they visit with their small ships allow for more authentic cultural journeys which goes hand in hand with their commitment in finding excursions that bring meaningful and personal experiences.

Upper Premium Class Cruise Lines Reviews

Azamara Club Cruises Review

If it is cultural immersion you are traveling for, this is your answer. Azamara focuses its voyages on longer stays at ports, more overnights in ports and night excursions.
While this cruise line does a great job providing outstanding service and cuisine, they shine far beyond their vessels.

It is their inclusive AzAmazing Evenings that truly make them memorable. Each of their 7 Night or longer voyages, excluding Transatlantic, feature once in a lifetime events at the cultural destinations visited, such as galas hosted at a National Museum in Monte Carlo, a cocktail party with fireworks over a French Chateau,  or a classical concert at the ancient Odeon Theater in Turkey.

All exclusively for the guests of Azamara! Between the two ships in their fleet, the Journey and Quest travel to some of the most exotic destinations, and not at far off ports, but those right in the city centers. For the ease of the guests, all gratuities are already included as well as standard wines, spirits, waters, specialty teas and coffees. Self service laundry, concierge and shuttle service at some points are also complimentary.

Crystal Review

Between its two ships, the Symphony and Serenity, Crystal Cruises has been renowned for their excellent service. A very elegant line, Crystal is your yacht club – at sea!

This line has award winning venues and some of the highest space to guest ratios at sea. This floating yacht club features one of the largest wine cellars at the Vintage Room and robust collection of cigars and cognacs at the Connoisseurs Club.

This is one of the few Luxury lines that is not just focused on the posh venues and cuisine for the adults, but also has two play areas for children and teens at Waves and Fantasia. Ask any Crystal guest of their most memorable part of their ship life, and food will win overwhelmingly. With legendary chefs inspiring menus at each of their restaurants, many sailings will parade famed chefs as part of their focus on culinary excellence. As an added bonus, wines and liquors are included with your stay as well as coffes, teas and bottled water.

Since Crystal’s small ships are able to take you to some of the most remote locations in the world, they also strive to bring culture into their ships with many instructors and professionals from authors to artists, professors and entertainers for classes at sea.

Cunard Review

Cunard is a tradition in the cruising industry, and a staple in Luxury travel. A proud British line with almost 175 years of history, the modern fleet consists of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and their newest vessel, Queen Elizabeth. Cunard has stayed true to its British hospitality and eloquence while still incorporating modern allure.

To be treated with their legendary White Star Service is to be treated like Royalty. To best present it – “It’s about discreet and thoughtful touches that resonate deeply.” There is no shortage of grandeur on these voyages with orchestras, productions at the Royal Court Theater, or a studded affair at the Royal Nights Themed Balls. These ships truly exemplify glamour.

Cunard Insights is a fleet wide program inviting broadcasters, musicians, performers and directors from all over the world to share their stories with their guests. For those guests looking for more exclusivity, Cunard has the Queens Grill and Princess Grill Suites which feature not just larger staterooms, but also access to private dining and Concierge as well as Butler services.

Oceania Review

Considered one of the best values in upscale cruising, Oceania has made its mark for a respectively young cruise line. One of their best points of distinction is the free airfare from 27 major US and Canadian gateways. This cruise line focuses on port intensive itineraries and a far more country club casual atmosphere – no tuxedos or gowns required!

Don’t let that deceive you of their high service and attention to detail. With some of the highest staff to guest ratios at sea, Oceania prides itself on its staff, from Butlers trained by members of the Guild of Professional English Butlers to wait-staff from internationally acclaimed restaurants and hotels from around the world.

This is a great line to consider for those wanting to experience luxury without paying the higher fares. While non alcoholic drinks are complimentary, you get your choice to add on drink packages and excursions as you wish. With choices of the iconic Canyon Ranch Spa on board, or the Bon Appétit cooking school on board as well as jazz nights and dancing at the Horizons, there are plenty of options to enrich your day.

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