2024…Worlds Best Luxury Cruise Lines

Luxury cruise lines are plentiful, and all offer varying degrees of pampering, experiences and exotic voyages to the most unique and glorious destinations.  Here are our picks for the brands, one new ( RITZ CARLTON) small and big, but mostly for being consistent across all areas including price, value, food, on board / off board activities and delivering on an unforgettable LUXURY experience. 

RITZ CARLTON YACHT –  The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers an unprecedented opportunity to be untethered. Here, freedom and flexibility allow immersion in life’s exceptional experiences; exploration of earth’s exquisite and unexpected hideaways; and stirring of passions and curiosities that create new and deepened connections. All of this delivered in an intimate setting with a heightened level of care and attention

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Viking Ocean Cruises, With 250 awards to its name, “Luxury” should be its middle name. Currently operating a fleet of state-of-the-art ships that have received numerous accolades, including the second year in a row, Viking was voted the #1 River Line and  Ocean Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2023 Readers’ Choice .

Azamara, It’s been said that guests sail with Azamara for the destinations, but come back for the staff and crew. Luxury comes in small packages, And we couldn’t agree more. Whether you’re greeted with a cool towel, a warm smile, or a glass of sparkling wine after a rewarding day spent onshore, their staff and crew are always ready and waiting to welcome you home.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises® consistently delivers unmatched luxury cruises with the very best value for over thirty years. Unrivaled onboard space. Unforgettable shoreside excursions. Incomparable culinary experiences. Exceptional personalized service. Every lavish amenity is included when cruising aboard The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet™

Silversea Cruises, small luxury ships, There is something uniquely satisfying about a smaller ship. The intimacy. The friendly camaraderie. The excitement of exploring secluded harbours where others cannot go. The intimate, ultra-luxury ships can sail up narrow waterways into the heart of a city, or tie up right at the pier while others must anchor off shore. And for those who yearn to explore the new and unknown, Silversea’s 4 expedition ships can transport you to the furthermost boundaries of the planet. Travel is the elixir of life at Silversea and every cruise is a voyage of discovery. 

Oceania Cruises, their unique itineraries are specifically designed to showcase the most fascinating destinations across the globe. As RegattaInsigniaNauticaSirenaMarinaRiviera and Vista are all small and luxurious, each ship can call on the world’s most desirable ports, from historic cities to modern meccas to charming seaside villages nestled along sparkling coastlines.

Seabourn, Cruising on a Seabourn ship is unlike any other form of travel. The experience is luxurious, yet relaxed — elegant, yet casual — sumptuous, yet understated. Our intimate ships visit the most desirable destinations worldwide, sailing to the heart of landmark cities, as well as to hidden gems where larger vessels cannot follow.

5 of the Best Holiday Cruises

Hopping aboard a cruise can make for an incredible way to celebrate the holiday season. No matter which holiday you plan to celebrate while on vacation, there’s likely a cruise option for you. You’ll want to make sure that you book a great cruise so you can enjoy time away from work and everyday life. Check out our favorite holiday cruises.

Uniworld Classic Christmas Markets

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Europe is lovely during the winter months, and many top destinations have Christmas markets that worth making the trip for. Uniworld’s Classic Christmas Markets cruise is an 8-day holiday adventure. You’ll make your way from Frankfurt to Nuremberg, and you’ll check out the best Christmas markets along the way. Get ready to enjoy the cobbled streets, wintery weather, and savory treats.

Family Holiday Fun with Disney Cruise Line

A Disney Cruise Line trip is a great option for families with kids. Their Very Merrytime Cruises are the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season. This cruise heads to various locations, depending on the itinerary booked — Nassau, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel are some examples. Families can expect to enjoy exclusive holiday-themed fun like story time with Mrs. Claus, gingerbread house building, and of course character meet and greets. There is holiday fun for all ages. Disney is well known for extra magical touches, and that’s true for their cruise experiences, too.

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Blissful Holidays with Oceania Cruises

Why not celebrate the Holiday season and a brand New Year while on a cruise? The Oceania Cruises Blissful Holidays cruise is your best choice! You’ll leave from Miami and make your way throughout the Caribbean as you celebrate the holiday season. Port highlights include Oranjestad, Aruba, Bridgetown, Barbados, Castries, St. Lucia, and St. John’s, Antigua. Take your winter break to the next level and soak up the sun and sand on this adventure.

Have a Happy Hannukah with Holland America Line

Holland America Line has several incredible holiday cruise options, but we suggest the 14-Day Australia and New Zealand Holiday cruise. You’ll get to visit some of the most incredible destinations — like Wellington, Port Authur, and Sydney. In addition, when you choose to cruise over the holiday season, you can enjoy Hannukah activities and celebrations. There will be candle lighting each night, and rabbi-led services during your cruise.

No Snow and All Sun in Hawaii with Norweigan Cruise Line

For many, the holiday season means cold, snowy weather. Perhaps you want to escape that and spend your holiday in paradise. You can do that when you book a Norweigan Cruise Line Christmas cruise. We recommend the 7-Day Hawaii, Round-trip Honolulu experience. You’ll see some of the very best of the Hawaiian islands while celebrating the holiday season without all the snow! Don’t worry — festive activities and events will be happening while you’re aboard the ship.

Take advantage of extra time off during the holiday season and book an unforgettable cruise experience.

Can’t-Miss Excursions in Bermuda

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A cruise to Bermuda could be just what you need to get away from stress and enjoy a few days enjoying the sun, sand, and beautiful waters. Many cruises to Bermuda include a variety of shore excursions and activities that will give you a chance to experience the local culture, discover nature at its finest, and learn about the island’s history. Here are some of our favorite excursions in Bermuda:

Guided Snorkeling Adventure

You’ll find several tour operators offering guided snorkeling adventures where you can explore the coral reefs and discover more than 300 shipwrecks around the island. The Atlantic is one of the best oceans for deep diving adventures so you won’t want to miss the chance to see exotic fish, beautiful coral reefs, and other marine life up close.

Swimming With the Dolphins

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There are just too many water activities to choose from around Bermuda and you won’t want to miss the chance to swim with the dolphins. You can head off on a half-day or full-day of swimming and excursions to learn more about these friendly marine mammals, watch them swim over and around you, and play together in the clear waters. 

Crystal Caves Discovery Tour

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Don’t miss the chance to ride a glass-bottom boat around the caves of the island to discover the magic of the rock formations and nature at its best. You can travel below sea level to explore the caverns and see the stalactite and stalagmite formations up close.

Guided Island Tour

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If it’s your first time visiting Bermuda, head off on a guided island tour to see the historic village lining the coast, visit the Royal Navy Dockyard, and walk over the world’s smallest drawbridge. You can learn about the history of the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse and travel across the cobble stone streets to enjoy the island like a local.

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SeaDream Yacht Club Opens Reservations for Entire 2020 Season

SeaDream Yacht Club has officially opened reservations for all of its 2020 sailings. SeaDream will kick off the year in the Caribbean, which will include calls in Cuba. The 2020 Mediterranean season will return to popular ports and incorporate new ones including: Ikaria, Greece; Vis, Croatia; Santa Maria di Leuca, Italy; and Koper, Slovenia.

“Our 2020 season encompasses the best of the Caribbean and Mediterranean,” said Andreas Brynestad, SeaDream Yacht Club EVP of sales, marketing and operations. “We take pride in creating memorable itineraries that our guests will find unique and enriching. We are delighted to provide our guests with the opportunity to experience remarkable destinations all while enjoying the SeaDream lifestyle.”

Itineraries in the Caribbean will emphasize the area’s natural beauty, exclusive harbors and pristine beaches, ideal for soaking in the Caribbean’s distinct appeal. Whether visiting less frequented ports such as Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands or the largest city and capital of Barbados, Bridgetown, guests will be able to enjoy every stop along their luxurious Caribbean vacation. A new port of call for SeaDream during the 2020 season is Basseterre, St. Kitts, one of the oldest towns in the eastern Caribbean featuring amazing historical sights. Additionally, SeaDream will be returning to Cuba in 2020. The Cuba voyages will navigate the island from Havana to Cienfuegos, with up to six stops in some of the country’s most storied and least-traveled ports.

Recently named the leader in boutique ships by the renown Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ship guide, SeaDream’s ships will spend the summer of 2020 in the Mediterranean. Guests will experience an unforgettable vacation as they sail through the French and Italian Riviera, Greek Isles, the Spanish Mediterranean coast and to many less crowded yet beautiful ports in the region. The Mediterranean season also includes stops in Kusdasi, Turkey, more itineraries featuring Greece and Croatia, and more overnight stays to provide ample time for enjoying the region’s rich culture and breathtaking sights.

SeaDream, www.SeaDream.com

Star Clippers Adds Full Season Sailing Out of St. Maarten to 2019 Schedule

Star Clippers’ fleet of tall ships sail to some of the globe’s most beautiful and far-flung locations, but the nearby Caribbean has always been one of the most popular with passengers as well as a favorite of the cruise line. So popular, in fact, that the company has announced the Star Flyer will spend the entire 2019-2020 season sailing out of St. Maarten, offering 13 departures between December 2019 and March 2020.

“Tourism plays a crucial role in the Caribbean’s economy, and we’re encourage by the reports that St. Maarten, as well as so many of the islands affected by last year’s hurricane season, are well on the road to recovery,” said Mirell Reyes, President of Star Clippers America. “We’ve planned a full season of sailing out of St. Maarten to show our support for the island’s economic recovery as well as to educate travelers that these islands are open and ready to receive visitors.”

Itineraries of 7, 11 and 14 nights out of St. Maarten will offer guests an array of experiences, all centered around the uniqueness of exploration aboard one of the world’s largest traditional clipper ships. For those eager to visit the Caribbean sooner, Star Clippers’ upcoming sailing season runs from December, 2018 through March 2019 and offers 37 departures ranging from seven to 14-nights. Two ships—Royal Clipper and Star Flyer—call on multiple islands that were affected in last year’s storms, including St. Maarten, Dominica, St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, St. Barts, BVI and Anguilla.

To entice travelers to see for themselves the remarkable recovery efforts in Caribbean, Star Clippers has several offers on upcoming Caribbean sailings. Those wishing to extend their Caribbean getaway before or after sailing can take advantage of complimentary two-night hotel stays plus breakfast and transfers in either Barbados or St. Maarten on select 2018 and 2019 departures. Guests booking select 11-night Montego Bay to Barbados and seven-night Windward and Grenadine Islands itineraries will receive two complimentary nights at the Accra Beach Hotel & Spa, a full service resort in Christchurch, Barbados. Guests booking select 14-night Panama and seven-night Treasure and Leeward Island sailings will receive a two-night stay at the charming Holland House beach hotel in downtown Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Solo travelers will love the waived single supplement offer on select Caribbean sailings on the Star Flyer or Royal Clipper between December 2018 and March 2019, with rates starting at $600 per person for a three-night treasure island sailing.

For more than 25 years, Star Clippers has been introducing travelers to the thrill of modern tall ship sailing to remote ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indonesia and Far East. The company operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels: Star Clipper and Star Flyer are traditional clipper ships with modern amenities carrying 170 guests, while the 227-guest Royal Clipper holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest and only five-masted, full-rigged sailing ship in service today. All three ships have expansive teak decks, swimming pools, informal dining, convivial tropical bars on deck and piano lounges. The brand’s newest vessel, Flying Clipper, will debut in late 2018.

Star Clippers, 800-442-0551, www.starclippers.com

Royal Caribbean’s MS Adventure of the Seas Makes First Post Irma Call to St. Croix With Passengers

St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands will welcome up to 4,000 passengers when Royal Caribbean’s MS Adventure of the Seas docks at the Ann E. Abramson pier in Frederiksted on Sunday, September 17, 2017. Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty said St. Croix escaped the worst of Hurricane Irma and despite initial power outages, the island is now ready and poised to welcome visitors, as hotels and visitor attractions are up and running. She said awareness of St. Croix is critically important and the Department of Tourism’s sales and marketing teams are already strategically positioning St. Croix in the marketplace.

“St. Croix will lead our tourism positioning for the foreseeable future. We have already started to shift our marketing strategy to focus on St. Croix, while we rebuild St. Thomas and St. John,” the Commissioner said. She added that the much-needed injection of economic activity from visitors to St. Croix, together with activity from relief workers and construction, will ultimately help St. Thomas and St. John rebound and recover sustainably. “Tourism is an important industry for us in the U.S. Virgin Islands and we are depending on the resilience of tourism and of our people to revitalize our economy and support our residents across both districts,” the Commissioner said.

U.S. Virgin Islands, www.visitusvi.com

St. Kitts Continues to Strengthen Partnerships with Cruise Lines

Cruise enthusiasts are getting increasing access to St. Kitts as more cruise lines add stops to this popular and scenic northern Leeward Islands destination. Known for it’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island’s variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s former sugar plantations, visiting the Caribelle Batik factory, and touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site are popular with tourists.

To ensure a stronger relationship with Royal Caribbean International, St. Kitts’ Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce the Hon. Mr. Lindsay F.P. Grant (pictured left), recently met with the CEO and President, Michael Bayley(pictured right), when he visited the island onboard the Harmony of the Seas. Minister Grant welcomed Mr. Bayley, who made his first visit to the destination while vacationing on the Harmony of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, on its final visit to the island for the 2016-2017 cruise season.

“It was truly an honor to meet and welcome Michael Bayley to our beautiful island,” said Minister Grant. “The relationship between St. Kitts and the Royal Caribbean cruise line is indeed a strong one. We listen carefully to their advice and recommendations, without losing focus on addressing the wider development needs of our destination, ensuring that local people share in the benefits of our expanding cruise sector.”

Royal Caribbean showed confidence in St. Kitts as premier cruise destination by adding two vessels from its Oasis Class Fleet, Harmony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, to the cruise itineraries calling on island for the summer cruise season. The Harmony of the Seas made five port calls to the island of St. Kitts during the period of May to August, the slowest months of the cruise season.

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