Best Luxury Cruising

A great cruise is much more than a journey. Blending the grandeur and nobility of seafaring with the imagination and style of the good life, it is my favorite way to explore the world. Moving up to a luxury ship helps make memories that endure forever.

The right ship or cruise line is one that makes you very comfortable and very special while fulfilling all your vacation desires. You need to look at the size of the vessel, the nature of the experience, the activities available, dining schedules, on board dress code and the style of service. Equally important are your itinerary, the type of accommodations, and the cost of the cruise, along with the inclusions that may be offered.

Ships in the luxury category are generally smaller than the mass-market vessels with passenger capacities ranging from less than 100 to near 900 and offer the most generously proportioned and inviting accommodation. Many of the staterooms will feature private verandah, sitting areas and rich décor and deluxe amenities. The standard of service you will enjoy can be measured by looking at the crew to guest ratios.

Exceptional service will be found on ships that have a ratio of one (or more) crewmembers to every two guests and mirror the warmth and discretion of finest hospitality. The following unique cruising styles can be celebrated each in its own right - so you can choose to travel elegantly with companions who share your sensibilities.

Ultimate luxury cruises are quite formal and embody the ceremony of cruising, recalling the days when traveling by ship was an event in itself. Voyages in this category offer the ultimate travel experience and excellence in every detail.

These Luxury Cruises are breath taking in every respect and offer you an atmosphere of sumptuous refinement with service that is truly indulgent. Guests are treated to the finest meals in exquisite dining rooms and in a single seating. Jackets and ties are generally the rule for dinner and tuxedos are not uncommon with a dress code that is observed faithfully.

Casual elegance cruises offer a luxurious cruise experience with a “resort elegant” country club type of shipboard atmosphere. Windstar Cruises, vessels are wonderful examples for traveling in unregimented, graceful and subtle luxury. Shipboard lifestyle on this type of cruise is generally unstructured, with few organized activities. In keeping with the contemporary, easygoing atmosphere on board these ships, the style of dress is casually refined. Jackets, if worn, are casual and ties must be left at home!

The dining experience is flawless with the added flexibility and convenience of open seating. You ennjoy dining at your leisure with your choice of new found friends. Ships in this category tend to be smaller and the service on board is of the highest calibre.

The last category of luxury cruise is “unique exploration”. You can explore many of the world’s most intriguing destinations while enjoying a friendly comfortable cruise experience. The ships in this category offer overall excellent cruise value. The ships themselves are anything by ordinary and each have their own unique features and highlights. The emphasis for these voyages is on the special itineraries.

Ports of call have been carefully selected to highlight the history and culture of each region. Each offer you the opportunity to experience, learn and explore. Most of the vessels in this class include an official guide or guest lecturer, theatres for lectures, enrichment programs and often an extensive library.

The on board environment is relaxed and the service is very personal.

The dress is generally resort casual by day and varies for evening dining depending upon the ship. Whether experiencing an Antarctic expedition, the Amazon River or the national heritage of the legendary clipper ship, this class of cruising gives you a unique blend of style and adventure.

When choosing your next Luxury Cruise, take time to examine the possibilities of Seabourn, Windstar, SeaDream Cunard, Radisson, Crystal, and Silversea. These cruise lines allow you to follow your own desires and inner rhythms, discovering your own unique vision of Utopia.

Luxury Cruising in the Mediterranean

A classic Mediterranean cruise visits major port cities located on the northern shores of the Mediterranean Sea in the countries of Spain, France, Italy, Monaco, Greece and Turkey and the islands of Malta, Crete and Sicily.

Some cruises also include stops in Egypt. The Mediterranean cruise season is April to November when the weather is generally sunny and mild. Many cruise lines sail the Mediterranean and while there is most likely a cruise that appeals to any style and budget, we’ll focus on luxury cruises here.

Radisson Seven Seas is a luxury carrier in the small cruise line category. As such, a small number of passengers (only 198 to 700 based on individual ship capacity) are treated to personal service by a cruise line that has been selected by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure to be the “World’s Best Small Cruise Line”. Radisson Seven Seas appeals to the sophisticated traveler.

Based upon service, quality dining, upscale accommodations, and service, Radisson Seven Seas has earned a six-star rating. The cruise line’s special accommodations include two 700 passenger all-balcony suites ships, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner, and one 490 passenger all-suites ship, Seven Seas Navigator. The Radisson Diamond is another unique ship due to its twin hull design. The Radisson Diamond carries 350 guests in luxury.

The Seven Seas Voyager and the Radisson Diamond routinely cruise the Mediterranean Sea, departing from or terminating at ports such as Rome, Venice, Athens, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Istanbul normally for a 7-night cruise. These cruises stop at some of the most famous European cities that occur between the start and end points such as Florence, Italy; Marseilles, France; St. Tropez, France; Dubrovnik, Croatia; the island of Sicily; and others.

Crystal Cruises is another award-winning six-star cruise line. A reader’s poll by Travel + Leisure magazine named Crystal “World’s Best” in cruise line service. Conde Nast Traveler magazine has awarded Crystal “Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” while Travel + Leisure called Crystal the “World’s Best Large - Ship Cruise Line”, both titles being given for the past nine years. Crystal Cruises boasts “extraordinary cuisine” coupled with impeccable service.

Crystal offers a large number of 7- to 12-night Mediterranean cruises, many with romantic overtones. For example, the Renaissance Reflection cruise originates in Lisbon and stops in Barcelona, Cannes and Monte Carlo. The Italian Treasures cruise spends seven nights on the west coast of Italy. The Path of the Phoenicians is a twelve-night odyssey from Athens to Istanbul followed by stops at the historically famous Greek islands of Kusadasi, Rhodes, and Santorini before terminating at Venice.

The Yachts of Seabourn cruise line advertises that they provide “Ultra Luxury” by “delivering the highest levels of personalized service to an exclusive group of guests aboard intimate, elegant ships that could visit the most enticing destinations worldwide.” Seabourn sails three identical all-suite ships that cater to only 208 passengers each. Of course, dining and service is world-class.

Seabourn offers longer, leisurely cruises that can explore a small or unique area in-depth. For example, the 17-day Spring Time in Spain cruise originates in Lisbon, Portugal, stops at six Spanish ports plus ports in Monaco, France and the Balearic Islands. Many of the stops were selected due to the availability of golf courses.

The 16-day Mediterranean Odyssey II begins at Istanbul; spends six days at Greek ports, four days at Italian ports along with several days at sea before terminating at Lisbon. The 7-day Capitals of Antiquity cruise begins at Cairo, Egypt; tours the historic Greek islands of Rhodes, Mykonos, and Kusadasi before terminating at Istanbul.

7 Star Cruising

A luxury cruise is just what the name implies, a cruise at the upper end of the spectrum, not just five stars but a six-star cruise. There are six cruise lines that are in the luxury class: Crystal Cruise Line, Cunard Cruise Line, Radisson Seven Seas, The Yachts of Seabourn, Silversea Cruise Line, and Windstar Cruises.

Crystal Cruise Line has received numerous awards for excellence. For the last nine years, Conde Nast Traveler has named Crystal “Best Large-Ship Cruise Line”. Also for the last nine years, Travel + Leisure magazine has given Crystal the status of “World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line”.

And for service, a Travel + Leisure reader’s poll voted Crystal “World’s Best”. Crystal Cruise Line operates only three ships: Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. These ships carry approximately 1,000 passengers each and Crystal Cruise Line boasts the greatest passenger space per guest of any cruise line.

Do you recognize the ship names Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth? These great ships come from Cunard, a name long synonymous with luxury and elegance in cruises. “With Cunard, the journey may be even more magnificent than the destination” states their promotional literature.

Cunard operates just two award-winning luxury ships. The Queen Mary 2, launched in January, 2004, is known as the longest, tallest and largest ocean liner and carries 2,620 passengers. It is replacing the Queen Elizabeth 2 for transatlantic crossings but the QE2 will still be available for cruises.

Radisson Seven Seas is a small luxury cruise line. Small here means that the ships carry a small number of passengers. Fewer than 700 fortunate passengers per cruise are pampered by attentive staff. Radisson Seven Seas has been named by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines to be the “World’s Best Small Cruise Line”. Radisson Seven Seas appeals to the sophisticated traveler.

The Yachts of Seabourn cruise line advertises that they provide “Ultra Luxury” by “delivering the highest levels of personalized service to an exclusive group of guests aboard intimate, elegant ships that could visit the most enticing destinations worldwide.” Seabourn sails three identical all-suite ships that cater to only 208 passengers each. Of course, dining and service is world-class.

Silversea Cruises is a new company, founded in 1994, for the express purpose of providing an ultra-luxury cruise experience aboard small and intimate ships with all the features of a large cruise vessel. The Silverseas ships Cloud, Wind, Shadow, and Whisper provide all-suite accommodations that between 250 square feet and over 1,300 square feet in size.

Silversea vies with Radisson Seven Seas and Crystal Cruise Lines for the accolades of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure in the world’s best categories. Silversea Cruises has also has been named by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines to be the “World’s Best Small Cruise Line” many times since its inception.

Windstar Cruises offers a totally different sailing experience. Windstar Cruises offers motor-sail-yachts instead of cruise ships. Yes, their ships actually have sails that are computer-controlled with the latest in technology. Windstar’s four ships carry just 148 to 308 passengers in staterooms or luxurious suites, giving the feel of being aboard a personal yacht. Even with such a small fleet, Windstar Cruises sail to over 47 countries around the world.

If you’re in the market for a luxury cruise, there are a number of excellent cruise lines to chose from.

Luxury Crusing : Food Allergies

The SuggestionsTraveling by cruise ship can be one of the most relaxing vacations possible. Food allergies don't go on vacation so the same vigilance that is required at home when you eat out is also required on the ship.
Following are suggestions for before and during your cruise to make your experience as pleasant and stress free as possible.
*Always book your cruise with a trusted travel agent. Your agent should be experienced and show a genuine interest in you and your medical concerns. If you do not have an agent look for a Master Cruise Counselor at: www.cruising.org.
*Always purchase travel insurance. Purchase a comprehensive policy that covers pre existing conditions as well as cancellation and emergency air evacuation.
* Choose a set dining time rather than freestyle dining. Assigned tables allow the waiter and the Maitre D to better assist you at every meal.
*When you book your cruise advise the agent at time of deposit that you have one or more passengers with life threatening food allergies.
*Specify if you always have an Epi-pen with you.
*List all known food allergies. If your list of foods that cause allergic reactions is extensive then it would be helpful to also include a list of foods that do not cause any reaction. This will allow the chef to carefully consider his menu for you.
*Ask the agent to send a fax to the cruise line with this information at the time they make deposit. I would provide all of this information to the agent by email. In the fax request that a copy also be sent to the Head Chef. The fax should include your various contact information including all phone numbers. Ask for a copy of this fax and take copies with you to the ship.
*Wear a MedicAlert bracelet: http://www.medicalert.org.
* Take with you the names and phone numbers of all of your physicians along with any other pertinent medical information including all medications and allergies.
*Pack all of your medication and medical information in your carry on bag.
*If your cruise requires an air flight don't forget to call the airline and inquire if meals will be served. If so request a special diet or take a meal or snacks with you.
Getting to the ShipWhen you get to the ship do the following:
*Check in with the Maitre' D. He will have a station set up before the ship sails. Give him a copy of the fax that your agent sent to the cruise line. Ask for a waiter with excellent English speaking skills.
*With a child who will be in the Children's program, attend the meeting on the first day for you to meet the youth counselors.Advise them of the food allergies and give them a copy of the fax as well. If you do not want them to give your child food if you are not present please discuss this with them.
*If you have a life-threatening allergy take a copy of your medical information sheet to the medical facility on board and write your cabin number on the top.
* Take all of your meals in the main dining room so that the wait staff can be of more assistance with your allergies. It is not advisable to eat in the buffet area, as the ingredients are not readily available. Buffet lines also pose the risk of having utensils moved from a dish that would be dangerous to a dish that looks safe. Avoid snacking at cocktail parties and at the bars, as the wait staff may not be as familiar with the ingredients. Remember that many of the staff outside of the main dining room have limited English-speaking abilities and may not fully understand your questions or concerns.
*At dinner the first night notify your waiter that you have discussed the food allergies with the Maitre' D and request his assistance in meal selection. Ask if he would like a copy of the allergies to give to the Chef.
*Each night request the menu for the next day so that you can go over it with the Maitre D or Chef if necessary.
*When you go ashore take your Epi-pen and oral Benadryl with you as well as your travel insurance card and your medical information sheet. If you are on a full day tour ask for a ³box lunch² to take with you so that you know you have appropriate food.
Cruise ships have vast kitchens and feed thousands of meals a day, however, they do an excellent job of meeting all types of special dietary needs. Keep in mind that just telling one person does not insure that everyone in the chain at the restaurant knows of your special needs. Don't hesitate to repeat your special needs or conditions as often as necessary.The ultimate weapon against food allergies is an informed consumer with a take-charge attitude.Never assume that anyone on land or sea knows of your special medical concerns.With so much at stake repetition of the facts is your best defense.