If you're going to spend your vacation on a cruise ship, it may as well be one that will envelop you in luxury. After all, who wants to spend a holiday fending for themselves when they could have a butler serve breakfast in bed? Thankfully, there's no shortage of luxury cruise lines ready to cater to your every whim while ferrying you to and from some of the world's most mesmerizing destinations in plush comfort. These are 5 of the best luxury cruise lines.
OCEANIA
Oceania Cruises has just seven small ships, but it calls on some of the most interesting destinations in the world. Each Oceania vessel carries up to 1,250 guests, calling on more than 450 ports worldwide. On board, you'll find art workshops, cooking classes, wine tastings, dreamy spas, gorgeous libraries, and sleek gyms. Butlers are formally trained members of the Guild of Professional English Butlers, and kitchen staff come from some of the best restaurants in the world.
PONANT
This French cruise line aims to make passengers feel like they're traveling on their private yachts. Onboard, guests are met with Ladurée macaroons, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, and luxurious Hermès bath products. Each company's ships feature an onboard spa with massage cabins and a Turkish bath or sauna. Ponant's luxurious small ships sail to remote destinations like Antarctica, incorporating once-in-a-lifetime experiences like eclipse spotting from the edge of the earth. The company partners with Smithsonian and Disney on certain sailings.
SILVERSEA
If you've ever dreamed of having your butler, Silversea is the cruise line for you. Silversea is the only luxury cruise line that provides butler service for every single suite on the ship, and Silversea's butlers take white-glove service to a whole other level. They'll handle your laundry with more care than you do, scour port towns to find your favorite tastes of home, and even help you pack and unpack your suitcase. If you're a foodie, a new culinary program nicknamed SALT for Sea and Land Taste brings the taste of destinations onboard through cooking classes. Of course, there's no need to cook for yourself onboard a Silversea ship. Each ship features several restaurants with multi-course menus guaranteed to make your mouth water every night.
SEABOURN
Seabourn cruises to all seven continents and at all the correct times. It aims to evoke the feeling of a private club for passengers on board its small ships. Each Seabourn suite has an ocean view, a walk-in closet, and a good dining area. Ships accommodate a maximum of 600 passengers, ensuring plenty of space for guests to spread out as they take in some of the most exciting landscapes in the world. Seabourn prices include everything, even premium liquors. And while there is no formally-trained butler, each suite has an attendant to cater to your every need, even drawing you a relaxing bath should you need a soak after an adventurous day in port.
The Ritz-Carlton Evrima
The guest experience on the yacht will serve as an extension of the Ritz-Carlton brand, reflected across various aspects of the vessel, from the design to the dining options. Evrima has 149 suites, including two-story loft suites and some that have soundproof blind walls, allowing guests to combine them into "larger, open-concept spaces," according to the news release. Each suite has floor-to-ceiling windows, a private terrace, and king beds. There will also be spa treatments and a variety of shore excursions on offer, including snorkeling at reefs, yoga on the beach, and curator-led museum tours, which vary by itinerary. Passengers can also customize their own. Please get in touch with us to learn more about Luxury Cruises Experiences and arrange your tailor-made trip. concierge@uniqluxury.com