Luxury Cruise Ships -Unrivaled Itineraries & Coterie Comforts

Cruising aboard a luxury cruise is the sort of rarefied travel experience most of us can only fantasize about. There are only a few cruise lines – the priciest – where one finds caviar and bubbly served before dinner by a white-gloved butler or very seasoned room steward. Cruising to the most exotic ports across the globe, these exclusive ships also offer in-depth lectures by experts of each region.

While the four luxury cruise lines listed below all rank highly in terms of cuisine, service, accommodations, and itineraries, each fleet has something unique to offer discerning travelers. One thing they all have in common is intimacy: none carry more than 960 guests and most host half that amount. In a world where ships carry up to 6,000 passengers, luxury cruise lines offer superior amenities in a smaller, more private setting where every detail is an important part of the guest experience.

CRYSTAL CRUISES

Crystal's two 960-passenger ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, are the largest luxury vessels afloat. While there are lovely specialty restaurants (alternative venues with a small surcharge), this is a two-seating ship with assigned dining. Unlike some of the luxury lines, and contrary to the public’s perception of cruising in general, these cruises are not fully all-inclusive – wine, cocktails, and gratuities are extra. This is the dressiest cruise experience I've ever taken, with black tie and gowns de rigueur on formal nights.

Biggest Plus: Crystal Cruises outshines the other players with onboard lectures, lessons, and seminars. After dinner, the action continues with lavish Las Vegas-style reviews and the largest, busiest casinos in the luxury segment. You’ll find more days at sea and fewer ports of call on Crystal’s itineraries, a plus or minus depending on your preferences. It's my pick for the warmest, most professional crew, with the most consistently high levels of service. And Crystal is the only cruise line offering low-cost single supplements.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

This cruise line’s three modern luxury ships include the 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager, plus the more intimate Seven Seas Navigator, accommodating 490 lucky guests. Single, open seating dining translates into a more leisurely atmosphere. Mariner and Voyager each boast a choice of four restaurants, including Compass Rose, a Le Cordon Blue French bistro, and steak houses. At night, everyone seems to disappear after dinner and head for a cozy lounge or their staterooms, where videos and complimentary CDs are popular.

Exclusive Features I Love: Regent’s ships are the most all-inclusive in the cruise industry with rates including roundtrip airfare, shore excursions, gratuities, and all beverages. Aboard these ships you’ll find a travel concierge who will book any group shore activity or individual sightseeing excursions you like. My favorite floating spas – operated by Carita of Paris – are also aboard Regent’s ships.

THE YACHTS OF SEABOURN

Seabourn is a fleet of yacht-like ships sailing the world’s best itineraries with a number of very exclusive experiences. The line's smallest and most seasoned ships – Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Legend, and Seabourn Spirit – host 208 passengers and visit unique ports inaccessible to larger vessels. One drawback this trio lacks is private verandas, although many staterooms have a “French balcony”. Aboard the newest ships – Seabourn Odyssey (2009), Seabourn Sojourn (2010), and Seabourn Quest (debuting in 2011) – there’s room for 450 guests and you’ll find enormous balcony staterooms, a sumptuous spa, and four restaurants. Entertainment and nightlife are limited, but you’ll dine on some of the best cuisine at sea, served by an impeccable crew, many of whom have been with the line for years. Service is a critical aspect of luxury cruising and Seabourn does it to perfection with the highest crew-to-guest ratio. By the end of a cruise, everyone will have been invited to dine with senior officers and, quite often, the captain. On Seabourn, everyone gets dressed to the nines a few nights during each cruise.

Biggest Plus: The best itineraries on earth, very personalized service, and haute cuisine are the hallmarks of a Seabourn cruise. In major shopping ports, Seabourn offers the services of a personal shopper complete with a car and driver. And you’ll find one exclusive shore excursion on each cruise – like caviar and champagne served by waiters as you lull in a secluded Caribbean cove. Seabourn’s fares include gratuities, all beverages, and a very special shore excursion in one port.

SILVERSEA CRUISES

The 296-passenger Silver Cloud and Silver Wind plus the 382-passenger Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper cater to a dressy, very chic international crowd of “been there, done that” travelers.

Silversea gets my vote for the most beautiful ships in the luxury category: these are gorgeous vessels with more than enough public spaces, including a good spa and fitness center, to keep guests busy during days at sea. There is one main dining room plus the upscale cafeteria, which is set up for themed alternative dining at night. A new, comprehensive "Wellness Program" helps you create a fitness regimen and dine on low-fat, low-carb gourmet cuisine. With Silversea, it's safe to say you’ll find all the glamour, service, and stylish amenities one expects from today’s luxury lines.

Biggest Plus: Beautiful ships with lovely staterooms, top-notch itineraries, and gracious service. The “Silver Suites” are not only worth the splurge – they’re my pick for the best suites in the cruise industry.

by Anne Campbell