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Ships are small to encourage bonding, and you’re likely to make such good friends, you may not be traveling solo next time. The world’s largest cruise line, Carnival boasts 23 ships that are favorites among those looking for less expensive fun on the sea. Although they’re known best for their Caribbean itineraries—good for a quick weekend getaway—Carnival also sails to many other destinations, including Europe, Mexico and Hawaii. The transatlantic cruise from Southampton to New York (a traveler’s must-do at any age) is a great option for older travelers because you never leave the ship. You’ll get to fully enjoy the spa, the lectures, the food and, of course, the formal gala nights, which are arguably the crowning glory of any Cunard cruise.
Best Luxury Expedition Cruise: Aurora Expeditions, Sylvia Earle
It’s also worth mentioning that the luxury cruise line took it to the next level with its spa, Aurora Spa. Sailing on Aurora Expedition’s Sylvia Earle is nothing short of an adventure. Founded about 30 years ago by climber Greg Mortimer and inspired by the female marine biologist after whom it’s named, the 132-passenger Sylvia Earle has exploration ingrained in its DNA. It’s no surprise, then, that the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and eager with an up-for-anything attitude (remote seas, some of the world’s highest peaks, you name it). Plus, the onboard amenities rival any luxury cruise—a rarity on expedition ships.
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The Ultimate List of Cruise Lines: A Roundup of Different Cruise Lines By Category - Cruise Critic
The Ultimate List of Cruise Lines: A Roundup of Different Cruise Lines By Category.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Departures, TripSavvy, and other publications.
About Annie Davidson Watson, Your Luxury Cruise Guide
It offers the chance to sail up into the most spectacular sights in Alaska and interact with native huskies, goats, and even bears. The Discovery Princess has advantage over other cruise ships as the vessel is designed to sail deeper into the crevices surrounding Alaska than normal cruise ships. For those seeking a sophisticated and upscale celebrity cruises, Celebrity Cruises is a perfect choice. Combining modern luxury, stylish design, and exceptional service, their ships redefine elegance on the high seas.
Guests enjoy Ladurée macarons, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, and luxurious Hermès bath products on board. Each of the company's ships features an onboard spa with massage cabins and either a Turkish bath or sauna. 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. Viking’s nine near-identical, adult-only ships carry 930 passengers and embody Scandi chic with their stylish, soothing interiors, gorgeous light-filled lounges and spacious cabins, every one of which has a private veranda. Highlights include an infinity pool on the aft deck, a superb spa with free access to the hydro pool, saunas and steam rooms, and the Wintergarden — a sunlit space with a retractable roof for warm days.
Elite Traveler
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. Book yourself in for some indulgence in the Retreat, a sanctuary on the 12th deck, where a private cabana can be yours for the day. Note that this ship isn’t for you if you’re a minimalist who prefers to avoid alcohol and fine dining.
Fall Caribbean cruises
While you’d still have a wonderful time, you would be paying for the indulgence of others. Ponant has a fleet of 13 luxury cruise ships with destinations dotting the globe. The award-winning French cruise line is beloved for its tailor-made voyages, in which guests have access to myriad bespoke experiences both on and off board, from in-room dining to once-in-a-lifetime immersive excursions. More than just a vacation, luxury cruises are designed to cater to the whims and desires of its discerning guests (caviar and Champagne on-demand, anyone?). Whether you’re traveling as a couple, family, small group, or otherwise, we’ve selected the best luxury cruise options for you. The line's ships are sleek and modern, and sail to some of the world's most interesting ports of call.
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. 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. Windstar Cruises' luxury small ships call on 150 ports throughout Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific, and there's no way you'll go hungry on the journey. Exquisite onboard menus have been designed by acclaimed chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants.
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. Confusing at first, but then strangely welcome, Scenic crew address you by your name as soon as you step onboard -- and we're not just talking your personal butler. Everyone, from room stewards, bar staff and waiters seem to know who you are from day one.
Relaxed, well-traveled types, honeymooners, scuba-divers and those keen to visit a true bucket-list destination. Operating just one purpose-built 332-passenger ship of the same name, this line operates exclusively in French Polynesia. 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.
Though mass Covid-19 outbreaks early in the pandemic exposed health concerns surrounding cruising, a new survey indicates travelers may not abandon ship travel after all. Known for an elegant yet intimate travel experience, Seabourn is also the official cruise partner of UNESCO World Heritage. The cruise company goes to over 900 different destinations on all seven continents.
As with all Seabourn ships, Champagne and caviar are available, gratis, at all times and in any spot onboard. The first thing you notice about Viking Venus is its open, airy feel and the care put into the design of every space onboard. All accommodations include a veranda, and even the tightest quarters -- the Deluxe Veranda and the Veranda categories -- are comfortably sized at 270 square feet. Larger accommodations include the Penthouse Veranda at 338 square feet, the 405-square-foot Penthouse Junior Suite and the Explorer Suite, which spans 757 to 1,163 square feet, including balcony. Thoughtful touches in all cabins include bedside USB ports, quiet-closing drawers, heated bathroom floors and anti-fog mirrors. Viking Cruises is a river and ocean cruise line that recently added expedition sailings and the Great Lakes trips to its repertoire.
All restaurants are included in the cruise fare on Viking Venus, except The Kitchen Table. The Restaurant (the main dining room) and The World Cafe (buffet) serve international menus in light-filled venues, with options to open floor-to-ceiling windows on balmy days. Manfredi's is arguably the best restaurant onboard andoffers Italian fare, while you can sample Norwegian dishes inspired by the mother of Viking chairman Torstein Hagen at Mamsen's. And if you love balconies, the suites on Regent Seven Seas Splendor are some of the largest afloat, ranging from 83 to 1,292 square feet.
And, while most fares include flights and transfers, you’ll pay extra for shore excursions, premium drinks and, unless you’re in one of the top cabins, wi-fi. Every finish shows quality, from the acres of gleaming Italian marble, to polished wood and buttery leather. The teak pool deck is especially lovely, featuring one of the largest swimming pools at sea. What’s exciting about this ship is the variety of places to dine; try Silver Note, the supper club, an intimate venue with live music, including some superb jazz and blues singers. Launched just a year ago, Seabourn Venture is a 264-passenger ship with 122 seafront-suite-only accommodations (some even multiple stories) and the first expedition iteration for the cruise line.
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 upscale 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. Most luxury cruise lines allow kids, though they often don't cater to them the way the larger lines do. Best for elegance Glamorous, formal and traditional, Cunard’s art deco-inspired Queen Elizabeth harks back to the golden era of ocean travel with daily afternoon tea and black tie dances in the grand ballroom. At the same time, you’ll find the Mareel Wellness & Beauty spa, a choice of restaurants and a traditional British pub, the Golden Lion.
Its 10 traditional cruise ships are nearly identical, each carrying 930 guests, while two expedition vessels carry 378 guests and combine elegant design with the latest technology in polar exploration. Silversea, with a dozen 100- to 728-passenger ships, has some of the most diverse geographic itineraries of any line, bringing guests to destinations around the world, including such remote places as the Arctic and Antarctica. Overall, Atlas has found a way to seamlessly meld swank and leisure, making it one of our favorite luxury cruise lines. Holland America Cruise Line is another historic cruise company that began its operations back in 1873. It makes great efforts to acquaint its passengers with its achievements in shaping the cruise industry over the last 150 years. However, in the modern era, it has gained a lot of praise for its voyages into the waters of Alaska for which it has been honored with several accolades over the years.
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