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The Seabourn fleet, with ships ranging from 458 to 600 guests, features complimentary steakhouses with menus by renowned chef Thomas Keller (of French Laundry fame). The brand’s two expedition ships are outfitted with 24 Zodiacs and kayaks for exploration led by a 24-person expedition team, plus a six-passenger submarine for undersea views. But there are nuances—between cruise lines, types of accommodations, and even what is (and isn’t) included in the “all-inclusive” pricing (for instance, certain more exclusive excursions might be extra). Well-heeled boomers are booking luxury cruises, but so are Gen Xers and even younger travelers.
Best Luxury Expedition Cruise: Aurora Expeditions, Sylvia Earle
Enlighten your day with new insights from knowledgeable, onboard speakers and local guides as you tour, taste and savor the many marvelous destinations. Recall the day’s adventures with good friends and exquisite food at our specialty cruise restaurants, then dance or delight in the rhythm of the evening’s onboard entertainment before settling into your private oasis at sea. Whether it's a river or an ocean you want to cruise, Scenic can take you there in style.
Grand Voyages
Aboard the 298-passenger Evrima, attractions include hotel-like suites and bartenders who are whizzes at creating personalized concoctions. Two-thirds of Seabourn’s business comes through travel advisors, and on any given cruise, about half the guests have cruised with the line before and half are new to the brand—and often new to cruising—Leahy says. Not booking a suite but still want to enjoy unlimited beverages or Wi-Fi?
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Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Looking to sail through romantic French Polynesia in complete luxury? Look to South Pacific-based Paul Gauguin for an all-inclusive, high-end home base. Long considered one of the great luxury lines, if not the greatest, Crystal just resumed operations in 2023 after shutting down during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you don't get that point at first, look down at the many yards of Carrara marble under your feet, then gaze up at the Czech crystal chandeliers.
Best Luxury Cruise For Couples: Silversea Cruises, Silver Dawn
As stunning as land-locked adventures and beautiful hotels can be, there’s something to be said about sailing the seas. Fortunately for us, nowadays, there are cruise ships that far exceed the family-fun agenda of the classic companies so often advertised on TV. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with those cruise liners, there’s something special about not only traversing the ocean but doing so decked out to the nines. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the best luxury cruise lines of 2023. Ahead, uncover the company that best aligns with your idea of the ultimate water-bound getaway. For instance, SeaDream's intimate yachts can stealthily visit ports that large ships can't manage.
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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. French-owned Ponant operates a fleet of stylish expedition ships, the smartest of which are arguably the six Ponant Explorers, with clever design features — most notably a multisensory underwater viewing lounge. Every cabin has a balcony and luxurious, tactile finishes in leather and suede.
Seabourn
Their ships sail everywhere from Antarctica to the Caribbean, often calling in at smaller ports for exclusive excursions. 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. With an elegant design that reads yacht-like, Venture includes fine dining options and formal supper nights, as well as complimentary caviar and champagne on-demand, for a true luxury cruise experience. The crowd is well-traveled and skews older; you won’t find many late-night revelers here, in part because the ship doesn’t offer any onboard youth programming (although children are still welcome). That said, the ship does include entertainment that’s worth experiencing—singers, pianists and more. French luxury cruise line Ponant aims to make passengers feel as if they're traveling on their own private yachts.
Cruise Travel Partners
Granite and Italian marble are found all over, and there are almost 500 chandeliers made of Czech crystal and glass throughout the ship. There are also 2,500 pieces of art on display, including works by masters such as Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro. Larger than many other luxury ships, MSC World Europa manages to host nearly 7,000 passengers while still keeping everyone serviced and entertained with over 1,400 crew members. With plenty of pools and 14 different hot tubs, and more unique amenities like a casino, arcade, brewery, Formula 1 simulator, water park, roller rink and more, there’s truly something for everyone onboard. Plus, it boasts the tallest dry slide at sea in the world—a must-do for families. There’s also a Family Zone that caters to every age range, from infants to teenagers, with dedicated sections per group.
Intimate ships with a private yacht-like atmosphere
The company touts 12 all-inclusive ships with destinations all over the world. Whether you want to explore the American West Coast, South America, Northern Europe and the British Isles, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, or even Antarctica, Silversea has a cruise to fit your fancy. A 312-passenger, all-suite vessel, Star Pride feels large enough for small groups where they won’t feel too-close-for-comfort and can have their own privacy, but intimate enough where they can welcome outside connections. And thanks to its size, it’s able to access less-traveled routes and ports that make for an even more memorable experience to enjoy among a group.
When you rest your head, it's on a luxury mattress topped with the finest linens. Our advisors will manage reservations to secure your onboard accommodations, spa credits, meal preferences, and daily excursions, as well as book flights and arrange any other travel needs. During our initial consultation, we will ask questions about you and your desired itinerary. Whether you have specific dates circled on the calendar or just a vague idea of a river cruise next fall, we can guide you to our exclusive connections. Cruise line websites generally do a good job in terms of providing descriptions, layouts, square footage, and photos of the various options, but a specialized travel advisor or consultant can help you assess your space needs. Travelers can relax at sea in the new Aurora spa onboard the reborn Crystal ships.
Book an expedition cruise to the Arctic Circle, Galápagos Islands, or a South Pacific archipelago. Luxury ships in general are usually entirely or mostly made up of suite accommodations with features such as large bathrooms and walk-in closets. You’ll have ocean views and will likely have a balcony on these high-end vessels. This summer, Explora Journeys became the newest player to enter the luxury cruising market with the launch of the 922-passenger Explora I. These incredible sailings are in high demand and are going fast, so be sure to book yours before they’re gone.
Scenic's all-inclusive fares include dining and drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, airport transfers and shore excursions led by the line's knowledgeable expedition leaders. Overall, Atlas has found a way to seamlessly meld swank and leisure, making it one of our favorite luxury cruise lines. From the exotic to the familiar, from a short cruise to a world cruise, these exemplary luxury cruise lines will take you there in style and grace. While you can book luxury cruise itineraries for weeks or months, Leahy suggests before you go all out with a longer sailing you consider a test cruise to see if you will like the experience. The latest addition to the fleet, the 1,200-passenger Oceania Vista, launched in 2023. It became the seventh ship in the fleet and the first of two new Allura-class vessels, with the second scheduled for delivery in 2025.
Spaces inside are contemporary, and the ship is easily one of the best expedition options for adventurous luxury travelers. Every suite has its own balcony and separate lounge area, and you can expect fine-dining quality meals at spots like the Chef's Table. Standing upon the deck of a luxury cruise, the fresh sea air enlivens the spirit, beckoning guests ashore to unearth the hidden wonders that await in far-flung regions and favorite ports of call. Wake up each morning in a spacious suite to a new perspective from your private balcony.
And let's not forget that the cruise line offers its signature Champagne and Caviar Splash on Caribbean voyages. This decadent spread includes a Champagne toast and buffet loaded with caviar and other snacks, all to be enjoyed during a shoreside beach barbecue. The ship is notable for its many dining venues, including a restaurant by Thomas Keller(the famed chef known for his restaurants Per Se in New York and The French Laundry in Napa Valley). You'll also find a sushi venue, new and upscale alfresco dinner option on the pool deck, plus the main restaurant and buffet/casual dining venue.
You get to really experience it all, too, as a shore excursion is included for every stop. Its small fleet of three ships has been designed with expeditions in mind, but none of them scrimps on comfort — expect saunas with spectacular views, lounges with cosy fireplaces and cabins furnished with boutique hotel aesthetics. It’s also worth mentioning that the luxury cruise line took it to the next level with its spa, Aurora Spa. 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.
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. You can swim off the ship too and, for a touch of romance, sleep on deck under a duvet and a canopy of stars. Dining, crew tips and drinks apart from premium wines are included in the price.
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