Saturday, April 20, 2024

7 Best Luxury Cruises

small luxury cruise lines

Expect thoughtful premium appointments and amenities throughout, though, with fitness areas, lounges, libraries and mealtimes highlighting gourmet, locally sourced cuisine and fine wines and microbrews. Whether it's a river or an ocean you want to cruise, Scenic can take you there in style. On board, you'll find fine dining, expansive spas and fitness facilities, and butler service. Serving more as base camps for exploring the world's waters, the line's ships cruise to all seven continents, including the Galapagos, South Pacific, Antarctica and the Arctic. Cruise lovers couldn't wait to get back out on the sea, and Travel + Leisure readers who prefer compact vessels have been delighted to find that the voyages have only gotten better.

Seattle to Juneau: UnCruise Adventures

Look out for special themed cruises like Solo Sojourns (for those traveling alone), rum cruises, pirates and mermaid Week, and Taste of the (Caribbean) Islands foodie sailing. At other times Vela has two single cabins and single travellers can be paired up with a same-sex cabin mate to avoid paying a supplement. UnCruise Adventures offers adventure cruises  designed to appeal to people who might not normally cruise (hence the name). The line's nine vessels, holding between 22 and 90 passengers, sail to destinations including Alaska, Costa Rica and Panama, coastal Washington, Hawaii, Galapagos Islands, British Columbia and Mexico's Sea of Cortez. UnCruise doesn't do many typical port stops, preferring to pause in inlets and bays that offer maximum exposure to nature and wildlife.

EXPEDITION LOUNGE

Small-Ship Cruise Line Announces Plans to Expand Fleet - Cruise Hive

Small-Ship Cruise Line Announces Plans to Expand Fleet.

Posted: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 01:00:27 GMT [source]

Each one houses a marble bathroom (some with whirlpools), balcony and living area, together with a bar ready-stocked with beverages. Interiors – particularly those on The Jahan and Jayavarman – are spacious and flooded with light, while hospitality goes above and beyond. And as for the cuisine, that’s exceptional, fusing elements of Asian and Western fare. Australia’s own Coral Expeditions has a well-earned reputation for showcasing our waters less travelled, from the Kimberley to the vibrant Coral Sea.

Sea Cloud Cruises: Sea Cloud I

Or perhaps it’s the friendly, welcoming people and unique folk culture. Go far beyond surface-level, with immersive cruise itineraries and soul-stirring experiences. Azamara Quest® is a mid-sized ship with a deck plan that’s intimate but never crowded, and offers everything modern voyagers are looking for—plus some unexpected extras. See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2021.

The Top 10 Small-ship Ocean Cruise Lines in 2021

“I can't say enough about how wonderful our experience was on the Viking Octantis to Antarctica. “The excursions were all well-planned and executed — and the science and educational sessions were excellent,” another added. For the cruise category, respondents were asked to rate individual ships; the results were combined to generate scores for cruise lines in different categories based on number of cabins. The small-ship ocean cruise line category is only for ships with 150 to 299 cabins.

small luxury cruise lines small luxury cruise lines

Wash it down with whatever you like because all but the most premium beverages are included. Owned by Carnival Corporation, Seabourn's top-of-the-line, 264- to 600-passenger ships deliver comfortable, modern luxury that can be as fancy or casual as you like. 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. A particular perk is having the butler bring Nobu sushi on a silver tray. S.A.L.T., a new dining and culinary education concept, brings local tastes on board together with experts who share insight into each dish and beverage. If you've always wanted to explore the coast of Ecuador in style, this is your vehicle.

Luxury Mediterranean Cruises: All You Need to Know - Cruise Critic

Luxury Mediterranean Cruises: All You Need to Know.

Posted: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

INCLUDED

An avid cruiser since 1991, Ming has sailed on over 70 cruises and has experienced over 25 ocean, river, and expedition cruise lines combined. The ultra-luxury Seabourn Encore features 300 suites for 600 passengers with all the amenities of Seabourn’s Odyssey-class ships. Additions to Encore include a VIP area on the top deck, a wellness program and two restaurants, The Grill by Thomas Keller and Sushi. 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. Oceania Cruises has just seven ships, but the debut of the brand-new Oceania Vista catapults this cruise line into the luxury division.

The Grill is an eatery enclosed in floor-to-ceiling glass for the best views in the house. Emerald Azzurra features a watersports platform at the stern for convenient access to kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling and riding SEABOBs (electric underwater scooter-like jet skis). L'Austral explores both polar regions and spends time in the Mediterranean, cruising along the coast of Croatia and around the smaller, less touristy Greek Islands like Amorgos, Milos and Delos. After passing through various owners, Sea Cloud I has spent the last several decades offering casually elegant windjammer cruises to old-ship lovers from Europe and North America. Do remember to check the destination’s weather forecast while planning your cruise.

No. 8: Viking Jupiter - Viking Ocean Cruises

We have just returned from a 16 day cruise to Tasmania and New Zealand on Silversea “Silver Whisper”. Hurtigruten also takes in destinations like the Galapagos, Svalbard and the Northwest Passage, and the West Coast of Africa, together with the explorations in search of the Northern Lights. After some 40 years covering the length and breadth of our Southern Land, they’ve expanded their reach to also include New Zealand and Micronesia, Indonesia’s dive mecca of the Raja Ampat Islands, and the small islands of the Indian Ocean. Whether your ideal ‘cruise life’ is island hopping in the South Pacific, exploring Australia’s fiery Kimberley Coast or steaming down the glamorous French Riviera, there’s no shortage of unforgettable itineraries to choose from. 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. Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents.

Most cabins on Crystal Esprit are a comfortable 280 square feet, with a king bed, lots of high-tech toys and lavish marble bathrooms. Additionally, every cabin comes with 24-hour butler service and room service. A specialist in Galápagos Islands cruises, Quasar has a two-vessel fleet that operates in the ever-compelling destination. The 32-guest M/Y Evolution and the 16-passenger M/Y Grace both get high marks from readers, who consistently score Quasar as not only one of the best cruise lines of any size but one of the top travel offerings in any World's Best Awards category. "This was our second cruise to the Galápagos because we loved our previous experience on the Evolution so much," said one reader about a trip aboard the Grace. "The intimate ship size and staff attention make you feel as if you're the yacht owner."

When not bunking down or out exploring in port, head out for some sunbathing or alfresco dining on deck, or retreat to the indoor dining room or lounge area. Topflight naturalists, historians, undersea specialists and expedition leaders accompany each trip; many itineraries also have National Geographic photographers or at least a Lindblad-National Geographic-certified photo instructor. Besides kayaks and Zodiacs for landings, ships are equipped with scientific tools like hydrophones (to listen in on marine mammals), underwater cameras and video microscopes. The best cruise lines for small ships, according to Travel + Leisure readers, are the ones that develop a sense of camaraderie 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's fares are inclusive but not all-inclusive, and its ships sport clean Scandinavian design rather than opulent decor. Necessities such as Wi-Fi and self-serve laundry are complimentary, as are all nonalcoholic beverages and beer and wine with lunch and dinner.

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