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

.

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.

Avalon’s New Short and “Suite” Itineraries

Whether you’re in search of an impromptu getaway or just want to sample a river cruise without committing all of your vacation days to long itineraries, you’re in luck. In 2020, for the first time ever, Avalon Waterways will be offering a choice of 4, 5 or 6-day river cruises. Because let’s face it, while lengthy vacations are enticing, they’re not always realistic. With Avalon Waterways’ short and “suite” itineraties, you’ll be able to choose from three new and exciting itineraries: A Taste of the Rhine, Heart of Germany, and A Taste of the Danube. Here’s what to expect.

A Taste of the Rhine

Cologne Sunset Twilight Credit: Avalon Waterways

Spend five immersive days exploring the highlights along the Rhine River. Take a culinary walk through Amsterdam, enjoy a guided tour of Cologne, and savor a sampling of regional wines in Boppard. The itinerary even lends itself to free time in Rudesheim where you can enjoy a wine tasting and live music in Drosselgasse. If you are looking for the highlights of the river’s charming cities and the beautiful castle-dotted coast, A Taste of the Rhine is for you.

Heart of Germany

Credit: Avalon Waterways

The former featured Christmas cruise is making an appearance year-round in 2020. Sailing along the Main River and Main-Danube Canal, the exciting itinerary features a guided hike through a picturesque Bavarian village and a visit to Würzburg, where towering fortresses and the Baroque Bishop’s residence await. Sample Bavarian wines in Itzingen or onboard beer tastings in Volkach and take in the sites of Bamberg, a Bavarian oasis built on seven hills. The six day adventure ends in the Northern Bavarian city of Nuremberg.

A Taste of the Danube

Danube Budapest Credit: Avalon Waterways

Explore bespoke towns of the Danube with stops in Budapest, Bratislava, Melk, and Dürnstein before your final stop in Vienna.

Signature Suite Ships

Credit: Avalon Waterways

Regardless of how many days you spend cruising along European rivers, all itineraries sail on Avalon Waterways’ stunning Signature Suite Ships. Expect to be impressed; these suite ships provide luxe accommodations. That includes two full decks of 200-square-foot, one-of-a-kind Panorama Suites featuring the industry’s only Open-Air Balconies and beds facing the incredible views for which river cruising is famous. So, hop on board and book a 2020 cruise soon to take advantage of The Suite Life Sales Event which gets you $299 air and a savings of $1,000 per couple on select sailings.

National Geographic and Scenic Announce River Cruise Partnership

National Geographic Expeditions and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours have teamed up to launch a new line of National Geographic River Cruises. These new offerings will combine Scenic’s truly all-inclusive luxury river cruise experience with National Geographic’s 129-year legacy of science, conservation and exploration.

Each sailing will be accompanied by a National Geographic expert who will enrich the experience through educational presentations and informal discussions throughout the trip. European cruises will also have a National Geographic photographer on board to share professional techniques and help guests hone their photography skills. On National Geographic River Cruises, guests will have a menu of rich, experiential excursions to choose from, ranging from hikes and bike rides to in-depth learning experiences that focus on the natural world, culture and history.

“We are excited and proud to align ourselves with a brand as historic and well respected as National Geographic,” said Glen Moroney, chairman of Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours. “We believe Scenic’s dedication to providing guests with the most exceptional five-star, all-inclusive river cruise experience available is a perfect complement to the enriching and authentic experiences for which National Geographic Expeditions is known.”

“Our trips are designed to celebrate remarkable destinations, to foster genuine interactions with local cultures, and to promote a deeper understanding of the natural world,” said Nancy Schumacher, head of Travel and Tour Operations for National Geographic. “Bringing river cruises into our portfolio allows our travelers to reach spectacular parts of the world in a unique way. We are pleased to partner with Scenic, as they share our commitment to delivering outstanding experiences to guests.”

This partnership between Scenic and National Geographic River Cruises will offer numerous sailings in Europe: on the Rhine, Danube, Main and Moselle Rivers; in Holland and Belgium; through France’s Bordeaux region and Portugal’s Douro Valley—as well as on the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar (Burma). Departures begin in 2018.

Scenic, www.scenicusa.com/nat-geo

HTML Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com