Thursday, April 18, 2024

The 11 Best Luxury Cruise Lines, According to T+L's Experts

best upscale cruise lines

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.

The benefits of taking a luxury cruise

best upscale cruise lines

I'm a writer, editor and consultant who has covered luxury travel and cruising for the last ten years. Formerly, I was an editor at Departures, Travel + Leisure, Glamour and more, and I now contribute regularly to both Forbes and Forbes Vetted. I'm also the founder of @littleackbook, a Nantucket-based publication and concierge service. The Essential Guide for MenThe Manual is simple — we show men how to live a life that is more engaged.

Best Luxury Cruise For Couples: Silversea Cruises, Silver Dawn

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.

Best Luxury Cruise For Small Groups: Windstar Cruises, Star Pride

Those booked in penthouses and higher-category suites receive service from a tuxedo-clad butler who will do everything from unpacking your luggage to helping you set up a private cocktail party. Everything operates in the upper-tier way, from the spa and expansive fitness offerings to the restaurants — which include a Nobu eatery. The six 490- to 750-passenger ships in the Regent fleet get fancier as they get larger.

There are also 2,500 pieces of art on display, including works by masters such as Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro. 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. White-gloved butlers, suite-only accommodations, complimentary caviar and Roman baths are just a few of the elements that make Silversea’s Silver Dawn the ultimate stress-free getaway for couples in need of pampering. Beyond the ship, the Mediterranean itineraries are full-bodied and comprehensive, making you feel like a local expert by the end of it.

The 9 best luxury cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

It's a self-contained cooking school at sea that offers hands-on experience at 12 individual cooking stations (two people per station). Classes focusing on a variety of topics do incur an extra fee, but get rave reviews from past participants. Guests can enjoy dining in multiple onboard venues, plus room service, for no extra cost. Don't miss the Italian Manfredi's or a gorgeous afternoon tea spread in the glass-enclosed Wintergarden. 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). The line's two newest ships, the 264-passenger Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, are built with a tough "polar class" design to operate in the ice-filled waters of the Arctic and Antarctica.

Silversea Cruises

best upscale cruise lines

Although the onboard dress code is casual, the ships are anything but, featuring elegant, retro-chic decor and marble floors. For the best in-suite views, book a room at the back of the ship, Kelly Cochrane, executive chef of Regent Seven Seas Cruises tells T+L. Silversea also loves to throw a good soiree and does so on every warm-weather cruise in the form of its deck party. Chefs spend the day preparing for this pull-out-all-the-stops event at which they serve roast suckling pig, carved meats, pasta, salads and an array of mouth-watering desserts.

The best cruise ship suites — picked by someone who has seen them all - The Points Guy

The best cruise ship suites — picked by someone who has seen them all.

Posted: Thu, 18 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

With just 56 cabins, travelers and crew get to know each other quickly, and it really does feel like you're traveling on a friend's yacht instead of a cruise ship. 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. As with all Seabourn ships, Champagne and caviar are available, gratis, at all times and in any spot onboard. 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.

Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony

Cabins may not have an overtly opulent feel, but they have all the right touches, including balconies in every room, quiet-closing drawers, heated bathroom floors and plentiful USB ports and outlets. The ship is immersed in all things Polynesian, with a troupe of local performers on board to entertain guests with local song, dance and craft lessons.

The line's ships are sleek and modern, and sail to some of the world's most interesting ports of call. A focus on the destination at hand means that Viking Ocean Cruises stay longer in port -- often overnight -- so passengers can get a true taste of the destination. As a tip of the hat to its river cruise roots, the line offers a choice of included tours in every port (though there are for-fee options available as well). On the flip side, onboard daytime and evening entertainment options are limited. For small ships, Scenic's yachts still manage to offer five gourmet dining venues, plus additional private dining options (such as a chef's table or teppanyaki grill), room service and culinary masterclasses in a show kitchen.

Additionally, if security officials cannot identify the contents of a wrapped gift, they may need to unwrap it entirely.2. An abundance of cashPacking an abundance of cash in your checked baggage is ill-advised for several reasons, particularly concerning security and potential legal complications. While no specific TSA regulations limit the amount of cash you can carry domestically, travelers entering the U.S. must declare amounts exceeding $10,000 to customs officials. However, regardless of the amount, carrying a significant sum of cash can attract attention from TSA agents, who have the authority to question you about the source and purpose of the money. As travelers, we are accustomed to meticulously planning what we can and cannot bring in our carry-on luggage, ensuring compliance with airline regulations and security protocols. However, amidst the focus on carry-on restrictions, it’s easy to overlook the limitations imposed on checked baggage.

While it may seem like a convenient place to store bulkier or less essential items, several objects should never be put in your checked baggage. From flammable materials to certain liquids to popular foods, the restrictions are broad and varied. These are just a few of TSA prohibited items to consider before packing your suitcase.1. Wrapped presentsWrapped presents always run the risk of being flagged by security. These wrapped gifts can trigger suspicion or require additional screening, leading to delays and potential damage to your wrapped items.

Passengers always get a kick out of the monogrammed pajamas that are laid out in their stateroom upon arrival. Beautiful interiors and intuitive spaces that are designed for the way people want to gather and relax are hallmarks of Seabourn Ovation's indoor and outdoor public areas, which were created by renowned designer Adam D. Tihany. All 300 suites have balconies that are perfect for enjoying breakfast, drinks or dinner alfresco. Seabourn's newest ship, Seabourn Ovation, is the second in the line's Encore Class, the next generation of Seabourn's popular Odyssey-class ships. If you're willing to pay, up to 24 passengers a night can enjoy a seven-course meal at La Reserve by Wine Spectator. As you can imagine, the wine pairings are of special note there and three menus are available.

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. 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.

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