Set sail on a luxury cruise holiday with ETW Travel Milton Keynes
When it comes to luxury cruise holidays, every person has a different viewpoint on what defines the word ‘Luxury’. The word covers a wide range of possible options, and with over 300 cruise ships worldwide ranging from small boutique ships to mega-liners, it can be hard to choose your favourite option for a cruise holiday. Mainstream cruise lines offer high-end, state-of-the-art facilities that promote luxury, and the bar has been raised considerably over the last few years. There is no official rating for cruise ships and, therefore, no industry-approved distinctions, so it relies on experienced cruisers and travel agents to provide the necessary information.
Luxury cruise ships tend to be smaller affairs, generally with less than 1,000 passengers, so space, service and outstanding itineraries become the differentiator from mainstream cruising.
Every cruise line wants to entice new passengers, sometimes with competitive pricing. While luxury cruise holidays are no small investment, it can represent excellent value for those cruisers seeking extra touches that make a holiday memorable. Booking a mainstream cruise involves paying for additional extras such as Wi-Fi, drinks, excursions, and speciality restaurants, to name a few. When you take time to add up all these additional costs, that cheap cruise becomes decidedly more expensive; once those calculations are taken into account, the luxury options can surprisingly come within range.
Not having to sign a credit card bill for drinks is one of the most liberating aspects of luxury cruising. Champagne before a meal, wine with dinner, and late-night cocktails all tend to be included in luxury cruise prices. Even gratuities, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions are included on many ships. Some also offer airfares to the departure port and transfers. Those offering free laundry mean you can get a different outfit cleaned every day!
With an additional 20 new luxury cruise ships being launched in the next three years, the luxury market is booming, and many of the cruisers who have experienced larger ships are now trading up to the more boutique-style luxury vessels. As ports like Venice, Barcelona, Santorini and Dubrovnik are all under pressure to reduce cruise ship arrivals, these smaller vessels can offer very different itineraries, taking in many unique and spectacular destinations that cannot accommodate larger cruise lines.
However, even with luxury ships, subtle differences in their respective offerings can affect your choice of cruise, so it makes sense to let your travel agent do the necessary homework to ensure you get the best value for your money.
There are several well-known cruise lines ogffering luxury cruise holidays. Silversea offers standard cruise itineraries and expedition-type vessels, normally with acres of marble and incredible design features. Regent Seven Seas is an ultra-luxury cruise line where almost everything is included in the price and, therefore, probably the most expensive. With Picasso’s and other world-renowned artists’ work hanging from the walls of their six ships, that is only to be expected, but at least you know you will be getting the best of everything. Seabourn is more a super yacht than a luxury ship, with service and a style of understated elegance to match. They have four ocean-going ships and two others exclusively for polar cruising. You do have to pay extra for Wi-Fi and premium wines on these ships, although other drinks are included. The MSC Group owns Explora Journeys, and only launched in 2023. The two boutique-style ships have heated floors in their 461 suite bathrooms with a staff-to-guest ratio of 1.25:1, making it ultra-exclusive. Crystal Cruise’s Hong Kong owner became insolvent in 2022, and their two ships were sold to the Abercromby and Kent Group. After completely refurbishing both ships, they have won back a loyal following of new and former guests. SeaDream Yacht Club has two yachts sailing with only 112 passengers each. There are no balconies, and the suites are compact, but the service levels, itineraries, and cuisine are the big attractions of these casual and intimate yachts. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has one ship already, a second should appear this year and a third is slotted in for launch in 2025. Specialising in late stays and overnights in various destinations, they offer a standard of luxury that one would expect from the Ritz-Carlton brand. Oceania has an extensive fleet of seven ships with a dedicated cabin category for solo travellers, and it offers some of the best food at sea. Scenic, well known for luxury river cruising, now has two spectacular Eclipse vessels sailing the oceans, which they classify as 6 stars and, from a passenger point of view, hard to argue with. Their various itineraries are immersive, all-inclusive explorations and are once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Other cruise lines with ‘luxury’ elements include Cunard with their formal dinners and grand theatrical productions, where the top suites are some of the best at sea. Azamara specialises in affordable, destination-focused itineraries with plenty of flair. All their cruises include a spectacular cultural event on one of the evenings ashore. Swan Hellenic has a small fleet of three ships designed with expeditions in mind, but they are far from standard offerings. Expect saunas with spectacular views, lounges with cosy fireplaces, and cabins with boutique-style hotel aesthetics. French-owned Ponant operates a fleet of stylish expedition ships, six of which are Explorer class, with clever design features, including a multisensory underwater viewing lounge.
Uniworld and Scenic have cornered the luxury and spectacular world of river cruising, where everything on board is included. Uniworld has 19 ships sailing the rivers of Europe, Egypt, India, Peru, and Southeast Southeast Asia, while Scenic has 14 ships operating in Central Europe, France, and Portugal, plus Southeast Southeast Asia options in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
On a luxury cruise, you will have access to the finest accommodations and facilities onboard. You will also embark on truly extraordinary journeys, exploring breathtaking destinations while discovering the world in style.
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