Luxury Cruises

Do you enjoy a life of luxurious things and going to luxurious places?  A Luxury cruise may be just the way you want to cruise. These kinds of cruises bring together top service levels along with luxurious accommodations. These ships tend towards a more exclusive feel much like what is often found in a Country Club setting. Some lines even go so far as to use the Club in their name such as Azamara Club Cruises.

When you choose a Luxury cruise line for a luxury cruise experience, you are picking the best of the best for service and accommodations. Of course even with these lines there are variations in size of accommodations and perhaps services granted based on the cabin size.  The luxury lines tend though to have mostly balcony and suite cabins, with a smattering of inside cabins for those who want to enjoy the luxury while keeping the costs under control.

Why choose a luxury line over taking the best suite on one of the big lines?  This is a decision some have to make when choosing how they want to cruise.  It can be tough if evaluating just costs alone since often the top cabin on the mass lines will go for less than a nice balcony or mini-suite type cabin on a luxury cruise line.  Of course the inclusions in the cruise fare begin to paint a different picture with the overall cruise cost. Many luxury lines include a number of items and services which cost more on other cruise lines. Depending on how heavily they are used these costs can easily make the mass market line cruise more expensive in the long run. Thus, cost alone can be difficult as the measure.

The service level difference between lines is typically quite noticeable with the luxury line cabin crew typically not only experienced but also highly trained in how to care for guest needs while being very non-intrusive with the provision of service.  On the higher end lines butler service is often provided where your clothes are unpacked and those which need to be pressed are automatically pressed. It is as if someone is reading your mind about what needs to be done and making sure it is done before you ever need to ask.

Dining tends to be country club casual to formal depending on the cruise line and night of the cruise. Super casual attire is not allowed in the dining rooms on luxury cruise ships, so if you want luxury but don’t want to get out of the cutoff jeans and t-shirt pick a ship that will allow you to order room service or has a casual dining venue where you can eat. Often on the luxury ships there are few options for dining if you don’t dress at least as well as the evening dress code, other than in-cabin dining. The flip to this is that typically in-cabin dining is off the menu items so you can really get good food in your cabin.

Some of the lines will include some to most of the shore excursions. This can be a money saving idea, but if you look to just save money, understand that some shore excursions you may want are considered deluxe and require a supplemental payment. However some of the excursions are customized for the ship and includes at times very personalize subject matter such as shopping with the chef. They may also have guides from the ship help provide walking tours in the port.

On board entertainment tends towards country club chic instead of glitzy like on the mass market lines. You will likely encounter good musicians aboard your luxury cruise. Expect ballroom dancing and other finer activities to be available on a luxury cruise. These are less likely to be offered during a normal mass market line cruise. Thus, if having Broadway shows and lots of entertainment options is critical that needs to be considered as the luxury cruises are more refined and offers fewer entertainment venues.

Ultimately a luxury cruise is a very nice experience for cruisers. It may or may not end up less expensive than taking the best cabin on a mass market line however the service nearly always will top any you get on a mass market line.  Cost is not the best way to decide which cruise to take, one must also look at the service expected as well as what on board amenities are expected while cruising. All together goes into the decision on what cruise is the best one to take. Rest assured if you go with a luxury cruise your service and quality of experience will be second to none.