Friday, April 26, 2024

Here's what it's like onboard a luxury yacht vacation

top rated cruise ships

For scenic cruises, such as those in Alaska or the Norwegian fjords, a balcony might be worth the splurge to enjoy the magnificent views in relative peace. A balcony breakfast while sailing along a fjord will be an experience to remember. Before booking, read reviews of the ship and specific cabins on websites such as Cruise Critic or watching YouTube reviews.

The customizable Mediterranean-style wrap at the five-stall food hall

PortMiami’s enviable location, near Miami Beach, and ease of access has long made it the world’s busiest cruise port. Cruise lines have also imprinted their personalities on the port’s terminals, with Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival and Virgin Voyages serving as land-based extensions of the onboard experience. Plus, sailing in or out of PortMiami as the city unfolds or fades in the distance is one of the most magical moments in cruising. Nearly every cruise line offers a high standard of onboard service, but Holland America Line’s gracious crewmembers craft something truly special. Service is thoughtful and casually personal, with crewmembers remembering names and preferences.

Meet the world's biggest, boldest ships

Book the 14-day Miami to Tenerife cruise to experience Mediterranean charm and Caribbean beauty in late March. Norwegian was the first cruise company to build ships with cabins and lounge areas that were specifically for solo travellers, and there are now around 1,000 solo cabins across its ships. These engineering wonders take home awards every year for their cutting-edge design, first-of-their-kind attractions, world class dining and accommodations, and unforgettable experiences. From the tallest slide at sea, to culinary concepts that take guests from Japan to Italy to Wonderland, the world’s largest cruise ships are full of adventures guaranteed to wow every kind of explorer. Everything from shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and laundry to gratuities, top-shelf liquor, and business-class international flights are included with Regent Seven Seas Cruises' fares. While each luxurious suite features ocean views, nothing beats the view from the epic 4,000-square-foot, two-bedroom Regent Suite, which has two wraparound balconies, three walk-in closets, two Picasso lithographs, and a grand piano.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur

The mega-ship's food hall wasn't nearly as diverse or exciting as the one on Norwegian Prima. It's the first show-at-sea I've seen with a waterfall and nine-foot-tall robotic arms, and so far, it's one of my favorites. If you're a frequent cruiser — especially with Royal Caribbean — amenities like the mini-golf course and water playground may not seem exciting. This will likely result in you being allocated a cabin at the front or back of the ship, but it will save you money.

top rated cruise ships

If you’ve got the itch to book, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best cruise liners for single passengers below. At first glance, I had snubbed the dining and lounge area as a rip-off of a generic airport coffee shop. But during my three days on Icon, I returned to the centrally located space more often than expected. But compared to the rest of my mediocre meals on Icon of the Seas — including dinner at a specialty restaurant — my complimentary pork pita wrap from the food hall's Mediterranean-inspired stall was admittedly pretty decent. The ship's riff on Broadway-approved "Wizard of Oz" — 16-piece live orchestra and flying bed included — delighted me, a hater of most musicals. While I would've preferred a quieter atmosphere (the DJ did not, in fact, play smooth jazz), the pool's views, day beds, and lack of screaming children were hard to beat.

Best Mid-Sized Cruise Ship: Carnival Sunshine - Carnival Cruise Line

But the amusement-park-level attractions, carefully orchestrated kids' programming, entertainment, and family dining on Disney ships are also big wows. Perhaps most noteworthy, though, is that these ships manage to cater to both families with kids and adults sans kids. Grown-ups get separate hangout spots such as an adults-only nightlife area, pool, and specialty dining venues. The line's four ships are back in service, but that's not all fans have to look forward to as the line's much-anticipated fifth ship, Disney Wish, debuted in early July.

top rated cruise ships

She is president of Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade organization. Decide how much you’re willing to spend and remember that while the cabin is important, you’ll also want to budget for on-board activities, excursions, beverages, and other expenses. For the best in-suite views, book a room at the back of the ship, Kelly Cochrane, executive chef of Regent Seven Seas Cruises tells T+L. Speaking of vibes, if you're looking for a secluded place to drink (as in, not the swim-up pool bar), few will top the Overlook Pods, perched just behind the AquaDome.

Best Cruise Ship for Dining: Carnival Horizon - Carnival Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises has just seven ships, but the debut of the brand-new Oceania Vista catapults this cruise line into the luxury division. The cruise line's relatively new Go Local shore excursions for small groups bring travelers to under-the-radar destinations, T+L contributing editor and long-time cruiser Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon reported recently. Her 2022 cruise on Riviera included 70 excursions "from canoeing Croatia’s Cetina River to cooking classes in Athens."

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With 2023 poised to be a big year for both new and frequent cruisers — thanks in part to an abundance of new ships and itineraries — Travel + Leisure has hand-selected 16 different types of adventures to consider in the year ahead. McDaniel notes other ways in which ship size affects the cruising experience. “There’s also a greater space ratio onboard, allowing for less crowding and more space for guests to spread out and enjoy,” she says. Impressively, all the top lines that readers chose as the best cruise lines for large ships are WBA Hall of Fame honorees.

There are also three excellent dedicated kids' spaces for three different age ranges. Connecting staterooms and Family Suites make it easy to keep an eye on the kids while enjoying some privacy. There's not a bad seat in the house in the Theatre, featuring state-of-the-art floor projection technology to immerse cruisegoers in acrobatic performances with stunning visuals, as well as Broadway and West End musical sets. The Club hosts gaming, live DJs and various evening productions, or stop by the Jazz Joint hosting belting jazz vocalists, dancers and specialty acts. MSC’s gorgeous MSC Yacht Club is proof that not all luxury suite complexes are created equal.

It will sail nine-, 10-, 11-, and 12-night round-trips from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Antarctica through March 2023 before heading to the Mediterranean to hit Spain, France, and Portugal. Riviera Travel operates river cruises around the world, with destinations as far as Egypt and Vietnam. Nevertheless, the focus is on European river cruises, with plenty of packages to the Rhine, Rhone, Seine, Douro and Danube on offer. Packages include return flights, airport transfers and all meals onboard, with an extensive range of excursions and activities including guided tours and on-board folk music shows. Daily activities will keep you entertained while onboard, while organised excursions or solo trips let you see a magnificent range of towns and cities at your leisure.

These are the top 4 cruise lines in the world, according to travelers - CNBC

These are the top 4 cruise lines in the world, according to travelers.

Posted: Sat, 21 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

“For the most part, luxury cruises appeal to a segment of travelers looking for similar experiences on land – more luxurious offerings, fewer crowds, and phenomenal activities. Luxury cruises tend to be longer than other cruises, so they appeal to guests who have ample time for vacation,” she adds. These cruises “can be reserved by someone cruising alone without the usual single supplement fee”, and they cover an extensive range of destinations, from Europe to the Caribbean and Singapore to Australia. Whether it's a river or an ocean you want to cruise, Scenic can take you there in style. On board, you'll find fine dining, expansive spas and fitness facilities, and butler service. Upstart cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages offers all-inclusive fares on its two 98-suite vessels, and, in a departure from industry norms, the brand doesn’t charge solo travelers a single supplement.

Emerald Yacht Cruises, a line best known for its river ships, launched its first ocean-going vessel, Emerald Azzura, in 2022 followed by an identical sister ship, Emerald Sakara, in 2023. "We love everything about this ship," wrote one fan who sailed on the Queen Mary 2. "We have both crossed the Atlantic and cruised in the Caribbean on the QM, and the experience is always outstanding." Cruises are a well-trodden holiday option, offering the opportunity to explore various parts of the world while enjoying the comfort of a hotel on the seas. After departing from San Juan, the Sakara reached the Puerto Rican island of Culebra in a few hours, just 20 miles off the coast. We hopped in a taxi van at the port to reach the pristine waters of Flamenco Beach, which consistently makes the world’s top 10 lists.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Departures, TripSavvy, and other publications. Travel + Leisure hand-selected 16 different types of on-the-water adventures to consider in the year ahead. Silversea Cruises topped the list as Best Luxury Cruise Line for the second year in a row. Cruise Critic just announced its annual list of the Best Cruise Lines of The Year.

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