The Best in Luxury Cruising Europe and the Caribbean

Europe offers a blend of opulence, comfort, and cultural immersion. Here’s a glimpse into what you might expect:

Destinations:

Mediterranean: Explore the stunning coastlines of Italy, Greece, Spain, and France, visiting iconic cities like Rome, Athens, Barcelona, and Marseille.
Baltic Sea: Cruise to Northern Europe, visiting cities like St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Helsinki, while experiencing the rich history and culture of the region.
British Isles: Sail around the UK and Ireland, exploring historic ports such as Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, and London.
Adriatic Sea: Discover the beauty of Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia, with stops in Dubrovnik, Split, and Venice.
Scandinavia: Journey through the fjords of Norway, stopping at picturesque towns like Bergen and Geiranger, as well as vibrant cities like Oslo.

Cruise Lines:

Regent Suite Credit: Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Known for its all-inclusive luxury experience, offering spacious suites, gourmet dining, and personalized service.
Seabourn: Renowned for its intimate ships and attentive service, with luxurious amenities and unique itineraries.
Silversea Cruises: Offers ultra-luxury cruising with all-suite accommodations, gourmet cuisine, and immersive shore excursions.
Crystal Cruises: Known for its elegant ships, top-notch service, and diverse itineraries, including river cruises in Europe.
Viking Ocean Cruises: Combines luxury with cultural enrichment, offering destination-focused itineraries and inclusive shore excursions.

Onboard Experience:

Luxurious Accommodations: Expect spacious suites with elegant furnishings, plush bedding, and attentive butler service.
Gourmet Dining: Indulge in culinary delights prepared by world-class chefs, with multiple dining venues offering diverse cuisines.
Entertainment and Enrichment: Enjoy Broadway-style shows, live music performances, guest lectures, and cooking demonstrations.
Wellness and Spa: Relax and rejuvenate with spa treatments, fitness classes, and wellness programs designed to pamper guests.
Exclusive Experiences: Access unique shore excursions, private tours, and VIP experiences tailored to luxury travelers.

Tips for Luxury Cruising in Europe:

Book Early: Secure your preferred cabin and itinerary well in advance, especially for popular destinations and peak seasons.
Pack Appropriately: Bring elegant attire for formal evenings and comfortable clothing for daytime excursions.
Plan Shore Excursions: Research and book shore excursions in advance to ensure you don’t miss out on exclusive experiences.
Take Advantage of Onboard Amenities: Make the most of included amenities such as specialty restaurants, spa treatments, and onboard activities.
Relax and Unwind: Allow yourself to immerse in the luxury experience, savoring every moment both onboard and onshore.

When it comes to luxury cruises to the Caribbean, several cruise lines offer exceptional experiences tailored to discerning travelers. Here are some of the top luxury cruise options for exploring the Caribbean:

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Regent Seven Seas Cruises is renowned for its ultra-luxury, all-inclusive voyages. Their Caribbean itineraries often feature visits to both popular destinations and hidden gems, with luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining, and included shore excursions enhancing the experience.
Seabourn Cruise Line: Seabourn is synonymous with luxury cruising, offering intimate ships with spacious suites, personalized service, and gourmet dining experiences. Their Caribbean cruises combine visits to iconic ports with off-the-beaten-path destinations, providing guests with a curated and enriching voyage.
Crystal Cruises: Crystal Cruises offers luxury voyages to the Caribbean aboard their elegant ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. Guests can expect spacious accommodations, world-class dining, and enriching onboard activities, including lectures, workshops, and entertainment. Crystal’s Caribbean itineraries often include exclusive experiences and overnight stays in select ports.
Silversea Cruises: Silversea Cruises provides all-inclusive luxury voyages to the Caribbean, with intimate ships featuring spacious suites and personalized service. Their itineraries explore the Caribbean’s diverse islands, offering guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the region’s culture, history, and natural beauty.
Oceania Cruises: Oceania Cruises combines luxury with immersive experiences on their Caribbean voyages. With mid-sized ships boasting elegant accommodations and gourmet dining options, Oceania’s itineraries often include visits to lesser-known ports alongside popular destinations, allowing guests to discover the Caribbean’s hidden treasures.
Ponant: Ponant offers boutique luxury cruises to the Caribbean aboard their fleet of small expedition ships. With a focus on immersive exploration and personalized service, Ponant’s itineraries showcase the region’s natural wonders, from pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs to lush rainforests and historical sites.
Windstar Cruises: Windstar Cruises provides a luxurious sailing experience in the Caribbean aboard their fleet of elegant sailing yachts and small ships. With itineraries featuring both iconic ports and secluded anchorages, Windstar offers guests the chance to experience the Caribbean’s charm and beauty in an intimate setting.

These luxury cruise lines offer a range of Caribbean itineraries, from short getaways to extended voyages, allowing travelers to tailor their cruise experience to their preferences and interests. Whether you’re seeking relaxation on sun-drenched beaches, cultural immersion in historic towns, or adventurous exploration of natural wonders, these top luxury cruises to the Caribbean promise an unforgettable journey.

Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection, there is no substitute

The 298-passenger Evrima aspires to bring Ritz-Carlton hotel comfort and service to sea. With sleek modern design, rich materials, plenty of lounge space, personalized service, and a restaurant with menus designed by a Michelin three-star chef—and after a nearly three-year delay—the first ship of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is ready for its debut. The 298-passenger Evrima will sail seven-night cruise from Barcelona to Nice in October.

Innovative two-story loft suites, with the bedroom downstairs and a light-filled living room upstairs, are among accommodations choices.

Photographer: Francisco Jose Martinez Mendez

relates to A First Look at the Ritz-Carlton Superyacht: Photos

In an open-air space at the ship’s Marina, catch views of the sea while enjoying cocktails and light bites.

Photographer: Christopher Cypert

The concept

The well-regarded maritime architecture and design firm Tillberg of Sweden worked with a team from the hotel company to create a floating Ritz-Carlton hotel. relates to A First Look at the Ritz-Carlton Superyacht: Photos

Suites were designed with a residential feel inspired by the contemporary look of the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Sunny Isles, Miami Beach, and Los Angeles. Photographer: Francisco Jose Martinez Mendez

Room to spread out

Guests stay in suites with ceilings that are higher than the cruise ship norm, with king-size beds, double-vanity bathrooms, and private outdoor “terraces” overlooking the sea. Also on offer are resort like features such as a supervised Ritz Kids program with its own playroom ($45 per three-hour session) and a Ritz-Carlton-operated spa with indoor and outdoor treatment rooms—as well as indulgences such as a $395 non-surgical lift facial. The 623-foot ship has more space per passenger than any other luxury cruise ship.

relates to A First Look at the Ritz-Carlton Superyacht: Photos — The ship’s Marina Terrace is both a lounging spot at water’s edge and a place to borrow water toys such as kayaks and paddleboards.

Photographer: Christopher Cypert

Water, water, everywhere

Guests may take in ocean views while sipping complimentary champagne on loungers around the infinity pool or get even closer to water’s edge on the Marina Terrace, where handcrafted cocktails and light bites will be served when the ship is at anchor. From the marina, there are paddleboards, windsurf boards, kayaks, sailboats, and snorkeling equipment to borrow. Four plunge pools scattered around Evrima afford more intimate opportunities to take a dip with views.

First-class dining

The large Evrima Room, the yacht’s main restaurant, features dishes inspired by the line’s destinations. A five-course tasting menu with wine and champagne pairings at S.E.A. (Sven Elverfeld Aboard) was created by Chef Sven Elverfeld of the three-Michelin-starred Aqua at the Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg, Germany . At the Talaat Nam restaurant, dine indoors or out on Southeast Asian dishes—or head to the sushi bar. Room service is available 24/7. relates to A First Look at the Ritz-Carlton Superyacht: Photos

The top-deck Observation Room is a socializing and cocktail spot that morphs into a nightclub in the late hours.

Photographer: Christopher Cypert

Nightlife

The ship’s Deck 10 indoor and outdoor Observation Terrace is a social hub—a place to take in views by day and to sip cocktails and enjoy live entertainment by evening. Late at night, the space morphs into a nightclub, with an opportunity to dance under the stars. Evrima has its own resident jazz and classical musicians, and local entertainers will come aboard to perform at select ports of call.

Ritz-Carlton service

Every suite on Evrima comes with access to a personal concierge for requests from a cup of coffee to help organizing your shore excursions, as well as a separate concierge ashore to handle requests for private experiences and reservations on land. The goal is the kind of personalized service you expect to find at a Ritz-Carlton hotel: The ship has nearly as many crew members as guests.

Destination focus

In its first year, Evrima sails the Mediterranean and Caribbean on 7- to 10-night itineraries—following the yachting crowd to such hotspots as Ibiza, St. Tropez, Bequia, and St. Barts. Overnights afford time to play on land, and there’s a focus on beyond-the-norm shore excursions. For example, a tour of the Aruba Aloe facility is followed by an aloe-based treatment at the Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, while an evening excursion in Tenerife focuses on cocktail culture. Cruise fares are from $1,000 per person, per night—though you can find some sailings for less.

The competition

Leading luxury cruise bands such as Seabourn (Carnival Corp.) and Silversea (Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd) won’t be the only competition. Late last month, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts announced Four Seasons Yachts, three 190-passenger ships to be built by Italy’s Fincantieri, in partnership with Nadim Ashi, owner of Miami-based Fort Partners (Four Seasons Surf Club in Sunrise, Fla.), and Philip Levine, a former Miami Beach mayor. The first is due in late 2025.

Bonvoy points

Members of the Marriott Bonvoy program can redeem 180,000 points for $1,000 in savings on the cruise fare, with increments of 90,000 points for $500 after that, It’s possible to pay for a 10-day cruise with about 2 million points See participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels booked through the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection for more information. There are elite credits, too, those with Elite status will receive perks such as an invite to a special cocktail party and, depending on your member status, free laundry.

2024 Luxurious Brands and Ships

The most luxurious brands and ships of 2024!

Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady (Photo: Virgin Voyages)

Cruise Critic has released its highlighting the best in cruising and cruise travel as selected by Cruise Critic’s international editorial team.

Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady claimed top honors this year as Best New Ship. The line’s first vessel, Scarlet Lady, charmed Cruise Critic’s editors enough that the vessel was awarded Best New Ship in 2021. Now, sister-ship Resilient Lady, which has just arrived Down Under for the season, sweeps to victory for the line once again.

Other winners in the Ocean Cruises category included Disney Cruise Line as Best for Families; Celebrity Cruises for Best Cabins; MSC Cruises for Best Nightlife; Holland America Line for Best Service and Carnival Cruise Line for Best Value for Money.

“This was a banner year for the cruise industry,” said Colleen McDaniel, Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic. “On Cruise Critic, we saw demand for cruises surpass pre-pandemic times, and a number of lines reported ships sailing at over 100% capacity. Cruising has always been a high-value vacation, but with costs of land- and air-based travel through the roof, the true value of a cruise really hit home this year.

“The value of a cruise doesn’t stop with mainstream sailings. From the fare inclusions on river and luxury sailings, to those on expedition sailings to farther-flung destinations like Antarctica and the Galapagos, you’d be hard-pressed to find a land-based vacation that delivers the experience and value that a cruise offers,” McDaniel said.

Cruise Critic has been releasing its highly anticipated Editors’ Picks Awards for 15 years. This year’s awards are the most thorough to date, naming winners across four key areas – Ocean, River, Luxury and Expedition.

This Year’s Awards Saw the Return of Best Ship Refurbishment

Crew assemble to welcome the first guests onboard Carnival Venezia

Main Atrium on Carnival Venezia (Photo: Adam Coulter)

Cruise Critic also brought back a heralded category in 2023: Best Ship Refurbishment, which went to the gorgeously decorated Carnival Venezia. The former Costa Venezia was refitted prior to entering service with Carnival Cruise Line, leaving it with a fascinating blend of Italian-style interior décor courtesy of the line’s longtime design guru Joe Farcus, along with a blend of Carnival favorites tweaked ever-so slightly.

Port Miami was named best North American Homeport thanks to an abundance of innovation and investment that has come out of the new and improved terminal structure and growing improvements to the passenger experience.

Cruise Critic’s 2023 Editors’ Picks Awards Include New Categories, a Return of Awards for River Cruises

American Serenade docked in Paducah, KY (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

Cruise Critic’s 2023 Editors’ Picks Awards is noteworthy for the return of the River Cruise awards for the first time since the global health pandemic shut down travel three years ago. In that category, river cruising giant Viking took top honors as the Best River Cruise Line, while the Best New River Cruise Ship was awarded, for the first time, to an American river cruise ship – American Cruise Lines’ American Serenade.

Other winners in the River Category included AmaWaterways for Best for Active Cruisers, Avalon for Best Cabins, Riverside for Dining and Tauck for Enrichment.

Silversea Scoops Best Luxury Cruise Line

Silver Nova sails under a blue sky. (Photo: Silversea)

In the Luxury Cruise category, Silversea Cruises was named Best Luxury Cruise Line, thanks to its tireless dedication to service, its modern fleet, and continually innovative offerings. Its Silver Nova was Cruise Critic’s pick for Best New Luxury Ship, while Oceania snapped up Best Dining. The luxury category even held a bit of nostalgia, as restarted (and beloved) brand Crystal took two categories: Best Service and Best for Solo Travelers.

(Credit: Scenic Cruises)

Finally, the Expedition Cruise market continues to expand and mature at a rapid pace. Some of the most hotly deliberated categories were found here, but Cruise Critic’s editors came to consensus: Scenic Eclipse II was named

Best New Expedition Ship, while Quark, Seabourn, Silversea, Viking and UnCruise Adventures, among others, walked away with honors this year.

One thing that was apparent for the entire editorial team in selecting this year’s winners was how close many of these categories were for the ships and lines in the running. Few were easy choices – and that’s good for cruisers. With cruise lines of all shapes and sizes delivering stellar experiences across the oceans and rivers of the world, it’s never been a better time to take a cruise.

The Full 2023 Cruise Critic Editor’s Picks Awards List

Best New Ship: Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady
Best Ship Refurbishment: Carnival Venezia
Best Cabins: Celebrity Cruises
Best Dining: Virgin Voyages
Best Entertainment: Virgin Voyages
Best for Families: Disney Cruise Line
Best Innovation/Tech: Princess Cruises
Best for LGBTQ+ Travelers: Virgin Voyages
Best Nightlife: MSC Cruises
Best Service: Holland America Line
Best for Solo Travelers: Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Spa: Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Specialty Dining: Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Suites: Royal Caribbean International
Best Suite Complex: MSC Cruises
Best Value for Money: Carnival Cruise Line
Best App: Royal Caribbean International
Best North American Homeport: Miami

Luxury Category

Best Luxury Cruise Line: Silversea Cruises
Best New Luxury Ship: Silver Nova
Best Cabins: Viking Cruises
Best Dining: Oceania
Best Enrichment: Windstar Cruises
Best Itineraries: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Best Service: Crystal
Best Shore Excursions: Oceania Cruises
Best for Solo Travelers: Crystal
Best Spa: Viking Cruises
Best Value for Money: Emerald Yacht Cruises

Expedition Category

Best New Expedition Ship: Scenic Eclipse II
Best for Adventure: Quark Expeditions
Best Cabins: Seabourn Cruise Line
Best Dining: Scenic
Best for Light Expedition: Viking Cruises
Best for Luxury: Silversea Expeditions
Best Science Offerings: Hurtigruten
Best Service: Silversea Expeditions
Best Spa: Viking Cruises
Best Value for Money: Atlas
Best in Alaska: UnCruise Adventures
Best in Antarctica: Scenic
Best in the Arctic: Ponant Cruises
Best in the Galapagos: Lindblad Expeditions

River Category

Best River Cruise Line: Viking Cruises
Best New River Cruise Ship: American Cruise Lines’ American Serenade
Best for Active Cruisers: AmaWaterways
Best Cabins: Avalon Waterways
Best Dining: Riverside Luxury Cruises
Best Enrichment: Tauck River Cruising
Best for Families: Adventures by Disney/AmaWaterways
Best for First-Timers: Viking Cruises
Best for Luxury: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Best Service: Viking Cruises
Best for Solo Travelers: Avalon Waterways
Best Value for Money: Emerald River Cruises

Antarctica Cruises, 2024

Trade in your sunscreen and sandals for icebergs and adventures when you head for the untouched beauty of the White Continent. With less crowded ports, unprecedented expeditions, and the natural beauty of icy waters and wildlife, Antarctica is quickly becoming a top cruise destination. Check out the top three luxury liners that will sail you to the South Pole.

Silversea Cruises: Silver Cloud

silversea butler use — Credit: Silversea

With the highest space-to-guest and crew-to-guest ratios in expedition cruising, Silver Cloud offers unprecedented comfort to travelers looking to explore Antarctica and beyond. Upon arrival, guests are met by Silversea’s attentive staff and a flute of champagne as they are escorted to their suite by their butler. Onboard, guests enjoy four world-class restaurants. At The Grill, guests dine under the moonlit sky and have the opportunity to cook their food on sourced volcanic rock right at the table. Aside from adventure and aperitifs, the ship boasts the serene Zagara Spa, industry-leading service (be met with a towel as you emerge from the pool), and – unique to Silver Cloud – a state-of-the-art photo studio where budding photographers can transform prints from their cameras.

Abercrombie & Kent’s Le Lyrial

Antarctica, Le Lyrial Cruise Ship — Credit: Ambercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent’s newest charter ship from Ponant is an expeditioner’s dream. Aside from the sleek style and sophistication of the ship itself, and of course the balcony staterooms and suites, the real distinction of traveling on an A&K charter of Le Lyrial is the award-winning team of experts. Akin to an education at sea, A&K’s expeditions are led by the most experienced marine biologists, ornithologists and geologists, along with a shipboard historian who shares tales from Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. When you’re done exploring, your private butler will tend to your every need, from cocktails on your balcony to arranging for your personal hairstylist.

Quark Expeditions

Antarctica for Quark — Credit: Quark Expeditions

Set for sail in 2024Quark Expeditions unveiled its newest ship in polar explorations. Cutting edge technology, advanced safety measures and a vastly experienced expedition team are just a few reasons to set your sights on this ship. Think of it as a 5-star hotel on the sea. Leaving no stone unturned, guests will have access to dual helicopters, indoor / outdoor dining, spa and fitness, and a rapid Zodiac.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an ice-strengthened ship and an icebreaker ship?

An ice-strengthened ship is a ship made of steel. These ships are made to get through the ice at Antarctica and the Arctic. Nowadays, most of the ships that cruise to Antarctica and the Arctic are ice-strengthened ships. Ortelius and Plancius Read more »

What kind of clothing should I take during my expedition cruise?

We require you to bring a waterproof jacket and pants (minimum 15,000mm rating) for Zodiac cruises to shore. You will also need high rubber boots for trips on Rembrandt van Rijn. Apart from that, our advice is to take warm, windproof, waterproof Read more »

You must be in good general health, and you should be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible on shore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship i

Read more »

21 photos of Oceanwide Expeditions
About Oceanwide Expeditions

Passionate

Taking you closer to the heart of the polar regions has been our driving passion at Oceanwide Expeditions for over twenty years. Our knowledgeable cruise leaders, committed staff, and thoroughly outfitted vessels are our way of expressing what we care about most: making your cruise to the Arctic and Antarctic truly unforgettable. When you sail with us, you experience a part of the world that is unlike any other. Mountainous glaciers, snow-swept shores, whales and polar bears and vast colonies of penguins make up this world, and they are all part of the surreal ecosystem you can watch unfold before you on your future Oceanwide expedition.

Adventurous

Providing you a travel experience that inspires (and is inspired by) you, that’s what taking you closer to the heart of the polar regions means to us. We get you away from the vessel and into the action as fast as possible: up to two landings per day in the morning and afternoon, with a fleet of inflatable Zodiacs ready to shuttle you past the ice floes and onto the shore. We keep our programs flexible so that you get the most out of whatever surprises nature has in mind. When you sail with us, the cruise is just the tip of the iceberg.

Pioneering

So what exactly is beneath the tip of that iceberg? The pioneering spirit, which all travelers to the polar regions (regardless of age and background) have in common. Guiding our expeditions with passion, tapping into the desire for inspiration and beauty, and always taking you closer to the heart of the Arctic and Antarctic – at Oceanwide Expeditions, that is our promise to you.

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