You can think of a luxury cruise holiday as a kind of ‘best of' compilation of all the attractions and destinations that make a particular part of the world appealing. From what amounts to a floating hotel, you'll be able to venture out at various different ports, either enjoying activities organised by your hosts, or pursuing your own interests independently.
At the luxury end of the market, cruise holidays offer an experience that can't be attained through other means. You'll stop off in an array of different ports, and benefit from world-class service and dining options onboard. But exactly what do you need to know before placing your booking, and how do you get the best from a luxury cruise?
What Makes a Luxury Cruise Different: Key Features and Benefits
As the label might suggest, luxury cruises tend to offer a superior experience to the other options available. You might see this described as a ‘five-star' experience – but just as there's no agreed standard for what ‘five-star' entails in the world of hotels, it's difficult to say exactly what this means in the world of cruise ships.
In general, you might expect a larger ship with fewer guests on board. This will allow you to enjoy more dedicated service from the crew. This will allow for more personalised service. The bartender might memorise how you prefer your favourite cocktail, and the waiting staff will be able to tweak meals to meet your preferences.
Selecting the Best Luxury Cruise Line for Your Dream Holiday
There's fierce competition in this sector, and reputation is key. You'll want to pick out a cruise company with a proven track record. In many cases, this means looking at online reviews. Larger, mainstream operators like P&O Cruises can provide superior service via their ‘Deluxe' level cabins.
What's Included: Understanding the All-Inclusive Experience
One of the major plus points of a holiday on a cruise ship is that you'll get everything included – even, in some cases, flights. This means less stress, and more peace of mind. In the case of luxury cruises, you might find that even drinks are provided for free, which means that you can relax and enjoy yourself without worrying about the mounting cost of your experience.
Of course, it's worth checking ahead of time exactly what is included and what isn't. Look out for hidden costs, like Wi-Fi.
Onboard Luxury: From Gourmet Dining to Exclusive Services
On most standard cruise ships, you'll be dining via a buffet. This helps operators to cut down on the cost of catering, and, when the ship is crowded, it's the only viable way to get everyone fed.
On a luxury ship, things are a little different. You might have a menu devised by Michelin star chefs, which is brought directly to your table.
The quality of the dining experience is a major point of competition for luxury cruise ships. You should demand excellence – because, in most cases, you'll be able to get it!
Top Destinations for a Luxury Cruise Holiday
So, where in the world might you visit on a luxury cruise? A tour of the Mediterranean, with stops at Monaco, the Amalfi Coast, and Ibiza might be worth considering. Other, more remote destinations, like the Caribbean, or the Seychelles, might be tempting, too. If there's a part of the world you've always wanted to visit, and it's accessible via the sea, then the chances are that a good luxury cruise will allow you to see the best of it.
