Luxury Ocean Cruise Lines – Sailing the Seven Seas

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time giving your amazing hotels in fabulous cities throughout the world, so I thought I’d change things up a bit! I want to just give an overview of all the stunning luxury liners that sail not just along your traditional routes, but are now doing what I’d called adventure cruising. Smaller ships, unique locations with everything included. When you sail luxury, there are no extras, it’s an all-inclusive trip. Cruising is now one of the fastest growing vacation choices in the world, in particular the luxury market. The industry can’t keep up with the demand, and most cruise lines are operating at almost 100% capacity during peak seasons.

If you’ve never cruised before, I highly suggest trying it, just once. Two of the biggest sellers for me are that firstly I get to experience a wide variety of destinations all in one trip, to travel to all those places via any other method would make for an exhausting trip. I call this a city sampler. It allows me to experience these cities and helps me determine if I’d like to return and actually get to know them. For example I was in Croatia, and saw both Dubrovnik and Split, both of these cities were enough to make me want to return and get to know the region on a real holiday. Secondly, is that once I get onboard and unpack I’m set for the next 7, 14, 21 days or however long the trip is.

As a member of Virtuoso, I’m taking advantage of all their fabulous ship profiles, so it’s their information that I’ll be sharing.

As always they are in no particular order, and I’ve tried to give you a variety of styles; from resorts to residences and chalet rentals.

If you’re looking for group bookings, contact to me and I’ll work with my contacts to put together an amazing package for you.

Weddings: The captain can perform legal marriages and will be the one to officiate if you have your ceremony on the ship. If you’re getting married in port, your ceremony will be conducted by a non-denominational officiate. You’ll need to get a marriage license for the country where you’re getting married, ie. Rome, you’ll need an Italian Marriage license. If you’re exchanging vows on the ship and being married by the captain you’ll need to speak with the cruise line to confirm where they are registered for your license.

Crystal Cruises

For the past 26 years, Crystal Cruises has redefined luxury ocean travel by providing the finest travel experience. Building upon its unrivaled reputation, The World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line™ has now embarked on the most significant brand expansion in the history of luxury travel and hospitality: over the next three years, Crystal will introduce three brand-new classes of cruising and even its own luxury aircraft. Winner of the “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Virtuoso for three consecutive years (2014, 2015, & 2016).

Insiders Tip: “World’s Best Cruise Ship” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards for 23 years; been voted “World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 consecutive years.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is delighted to partner with Virtuoso to offer five amenity sailings during the 2020 inaugural season. All five amenity sailings will offer complimentary benefits to guests who book through a network advisor, including an exclusive cooking class or chef’s tasting. Two of the sailings will feature a Virtuoso host as well as the guest’s choice of a complimentary shore excursion, shipboard credit, or private car and driver.

Insiders Tip: Each yacht will feature 149 suites, each with its own private terrace, and accommodate up to 298 guests in a relaxed, casually elegant atmosphere.

Azamara

Award-winning Azamara is known for authentic destination experiences and the friendly, club-like feeling onboard its three 700-passenger ships. With late or overnight stays on more than half of all port visits, Azamara guests enjoy richer local experiences. Enjoy a Complimentary “AzAmazing Evenings” on almost every voyage. These unique evening events highlight the best of local culture and cuisine in stunning settings. Perhaps it will be an evening of French wines, cuisine and music at the gorgeous Le Hall de la Bourse in Bordeaux or a garden party under the stars at Villa Rufolo on the Amalfi Coast.

Insiders Tip: Complimentary gratuities, select spirits, int’l beers & wines, bottled water & soft drinks, specialty coffees & teas, shuttle service to city center from port (where available) & butlers in suites.

Celebrity Cruises

I am including Celebrity because they sit at the top of the Mid-range category, meaning they sit on the cusp between Mid Range and Luxury. Their prices are much higher than the rest of the lines within their category.

An unforgettable journey is yours to create with Celebrity. Travel to exciting destinations aboard ships resplendent with elegant finishes and spacious accommodations. Encounter new perspectives with guided shore excursions or further enhance your journey with a Cruisetour – a cruise combined with a truly refined land tour venturing inland. Our exceptional level of personal service, award-winning cuisine, world-famous amenities and accommodations that are the most spacious at sea, not only ensure an unforgettable cruise experience, but forge a lasting relationship between ourselves and our guests.

Insider Tip: Nothing at sea compares with Celebrity’s Wine Experience, underscored with an incredible wine list and one of the largest teams of sommeliers in the world.

Cunard Line

For over 175 years, Cunard has been recognized for providing ocean travel at its finest. Cunard offers irresistible itineraries from Transatlantic Crossings, World Voyages and sailings throughout Europe, the Americas and beyond. Experience true luxury on board Cunard’s world-renowned ships: flagship Queen Mary 2®, Queen Victoria®, and Queen Elizabeth®. Sit back, relax and get ready to sail beyond expectations. Awarded ‘#1 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Line’ by Travel + Leisure’s 2017 and 2016 World’s Best Awards and ‘Best World Cruise Itineraries’ and ‘Best Trans-Atlantic Itineraries’ by Porthole Cruise Magazine’s 2016 Readers Choice Awards.

Insider Tip: Their cruises don’t just offer the chance to relax, but to also engage your mind. Hear interesting and enlightening speakers from the worlds of art, literature, astronomy, dance and history.

Lindblad Expeditions (National Geographic)

Lindblad has been exploring the planet’s remote and remarkable places for over 53 years aboard a fleet of nimble purpose-built expedition ships. Lars-Eric Lindblad was the first travel company owner to take travelers where only scientists had gone—the first to take citizen explorers to many destinations, including Antarctica and Galápagos, in 1966 and 1967. He believed that educated people who saw things with their own eyes would be a potent force for the preservation of the places they visited and this belief is still the foundation of all we do today.

Insiders Tip: National Geographic Alliance: Our guests can cruise on a fleet of ships to the planet’s most extraordinary places in the company of world-renowned scientists, naturalists, and researchers. Lindblad Expeditions and the Lindblad family have been committed to sustainability and responsible travel for more than 50 years.

Oceania Cruises

With Oceania Cruises whoever said, “You can’t have it all,” never sailed the mid-size ships. By beautifully blending elegance and luxury with exceptional value without compromise, Oceania’s country club-casual ambiance instantly puts you at ease the moment you step aboard. The mid-sized ships sail where larger vessels cannot and an impressive staff-to-guest-ratio provide personalized service. With legendary Master Chef Jacques Pepin as Executive Culinary director, guests enjoy memorable fine dining in multiple open-seating dining venues – all at no additional charge. Oceania Cruises and Canyon Ranch have created unique, inspiring environment in a signature spa and state-of-the-art fitness center.

Insider Tip: Oceania hosts the only cooking school at sea and offers guests hands-on instruction from expert Master Chefs.

PONANT Yacht Cruises & Expeditions

PONANT is the World Leader in Luxury Expeditions with ultra-modern, intimate ships, offering attentive service, and well-designed itineraries sailing to all corners of the globe. Each year PONANT offers more than 400 awe-inspiring cruises, calling at over 450 ports on all seven continents. Their fleet of 12 purpose-built intimate ships are able to call at iconic, international ports as well as secret harbors accessible only to smaller-sized ships and their expeditions all include Zodiac landings, and onboard expert naturalists to enhance your experience.

Insider Tip: PONANT is the only luxury cruise line to feature three brand new ships sailing to Antarctica and the Arctic each season with 46% market share. Their 4 latests ships feature underwater lounges.
Sustainability – all of their ships are designated as Clean Ships: Silent electric propulsion system – hybrid electric engines across the PONANT expedition fleet | 3-D ocean floor mapping -keeps reefs safe | Dynamic positioning – no need to drop anchor | Advance wastewater treatment – water offloaded from ship is ZERO impact | Zero impact landing protocol

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

The Regent Experience has long been absolute in its inclusiveness, seeking to provide their guests with the most enriching and luxurious journey on the seven seas. From the first words spoken with our seasoned experts when booking your cruise to a bittersweet farewell when returning home at the end of your voyage, fulfilling your every want and need is our sincerest pleasure.

Insider Tip: “All Included” means FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities. FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions. FREE Air. FREE Unlimited Beverages. FREE Air. FREE 24-hour Room Service and NO charge for speciality restaurants.

Seabourn

At Seabourn, traveling for pleasure has a redemptive power that enriches people’s lives. The experience is luxurious, yet relaxed, elegant, yet casual -sumptuous, yet understated. Their intimate ships visit desirable destinations worldwide, sailing to landmark cities & hidden gems where larger vessels cannot follow. Attracting people who seek to share experiences beyond the ordinary.

Insider Tip: Like caviar? Order exclusive Thomas Keller brand Regiis Ova Siberian Reserve caviar, which is sustainably produced anytime and anywhere you want on a Seabourn ship.
Sustainability: Select purposeful and sustainable travel experiences in partnership with UNESCO. Committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC – Cruises

Abercrombie & Kent, experts in luxury travel for more than 50 years, offering incredible travel experiences in over 100 countries and on all seven continents. From small-group journeys and Luxury Expedition Cruises to Private Jet adventures and privately guided Luxury Tailor Made Travel, every journey we lead is backed by an unmatched network of over 55 local offices in more than 30 countries around the globe.

Insider Tip: They offer ocean cruises, large sail ships, river cruises and European canal barge sailings. Our expeditions are luxuriously appointed and all-inclusive, every step of the way. With fascinating lecture programs, choice of curated shore excursions on cultural voyages, and overnight stays and guided city tours — all of which is always included. You’ll also enjoy everything from an elegant culinary program and open bar to complimentary Wi-Fi and included gratuities and transfers.

SeaDream Yacht Club

SeaDream Yacht Club is different from big ship cruising, “It’s yachting, not cruising” Enjoy the difference. Their philosophy of casual perfection runs through everything they do. An award-winning crew pampers guests, and the level of attention and service. Be as active or as relaxed as you like and take in the ultimate in luxury, privacy, and pampering. 5-star cuisine can be enjoyed in the well-appointed Dining Salon or on deck Al Fresco.

Insider Tip: Sleep under the stars. For those daringly romantic souls, reserve a night’s slumber out on the forward deck. SeaDream provides pajamas, crisp linens and a bottle of champagne to add to your comfort.

Silversea Cruises

With Silversea cruises you can unlock the wonders of the world with the most amazing experiences and destinations. Large-ship amenities aboard our intimate ships – all designed for an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. Silversea’s is the ultimate Virtuoso’s Wander-list experience with itineraries to all seven continents and over 900 destinations worldwide – from cruises to the Mediterranean and Caribbean, to hundreds of fascinating and remote destinations aboard their expedition ships.

Insider Tip: They offer Free Round trip economy Air to most destinations as well as All-Inclusive packages to places like Galapagos, the Polar Regions, Asia and South Pacific.

Windstar Cruises

Any ship lets you see the world. Windstar brings it close enough so you can fully live it. See, hear, smell, taste, and feel what it’s like to sail on a lovely ship into a small port, explore a hidden beach, see Moroccan goats standing in trees, taste a spicy Norwegian bacalao stew, and altogether lose yourself in a strange and wondrous culture. Our elegant, 148 to 310-guest ships open up captivating new worlds and leave indelible, lifetime memories. This is 180 degrees from ordinary, where all your senses are indulged and your sense of wonder is awakened.

Insider Tip: Enjoy an unforgettable honeymoon on the high seas with Windstar. Exquisite sunsets, romantic breakfast in bed, a relaxing massage, all while sailing to some of the most romantic places in the world.

Zegrahm Expeditions

With nearly 30 years in expedition travel, Seattle-based Zegrahm Expeditions Inc. is a leading adventure travel company specializing in small-ship expedition cruises, tours, and safaris to remote and intriguing destinations around the world. Led by expert guides and lecturers, Zegrahm itineraries are carefully crafted and all-inclusive, feature deluxe accommodations, and operate in all seven continents.

Insider Tip: Virtually everything is included: gratuities, transfers, group hotels, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, and a variety of excursions including snorkeling and birding.
Sustainability: At Zegrahm, we are committed to preserving wildlife and nature, and fostering an appreciation of the people and cultures we encounter throughout the world. To that end, we are proud to partner with and support a number of organizations doing important work in the regions we visit.

Each cruise line has their own vibe, each ship its own feel and each location attracts a different type of traveller, so I hope that one of these beautiful hotels inspires you to consider planning your next trip via a cruise.

Looking to book? Remember, I’m here for all your luxury travel needs.

Because each share truly helps me out, please consider sharing and pinning!
Thanks – Maria

And if you have a suggestion for a city/country that you’d like me to focus on, please send me a message at maria @theeventfultraveller.com and I’ll get to it asap.