Amanda PhillipsEvery cruise line claims to provide their guests with the ultimate in luxury travel, but it can be hard to know which ships are the real deal until you’re in the middle of the ocean! When purchasing a luxury cruise experience, you should expect the very best from a world-class holiday where your every need is met, while you sail from port to port without a care in the world. We wanted to give you some tips on what to look for and expect from a luxury cruise.
Entertainment
Most cruise itineraries generally include several full days at sea, without any shore visits. Time can pass quite slowly when you’re staring out at the vast blue ocean, so you should make sure that your ship offers plenty of entertainment! During the day, this can include sporting facilities such as miniature golf and rock climbing walls, craft workshops, fitness classes, film screenings and numerous poolside activities.
By night, you will be entertained by some of the top performers in the world: singers, comedians, actors and magicians are all devoted to the cruise ship scene, and on luxury cruise ships, the standard is set extremely high.
Facilities
This is where the truly luxurious cruise ships really stand out from the crowd. Look for a selection of swimming pools, games areas and dining options where you can while away the day at your leisure. In your accommodation, expect flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee facilities, and a very tempting room service menu.
On a more practical note, your ship’s facilities should include a state of the art medical centre, with at least one experienced doctor on standby at all times. Some larger cruise ships have a helipad onboard which can be extremely useful in emergency cases.
Relaxation
A cruise is meant to be one of the most relaxing experiences, and a luxury cruise will do all it can to create the ultimately blissful environment in which you can truly unwind. Look for an onboard spa which offers a full range of treatments, from massages and body wraps to facials and waxing.
Your ship should also include a number of quiet spots – a meditation room, a yoga studio or a library, for instance – where you can sit and enjoy your surroundings in peace.
Locations
Before you book, take a close look at the ship’s itinerary. Major cities tend to offer more for short-term visitors, and your cruise line should have a tour guide on standby to help you fit in as many of the sites as possible during your visit.
If you opt to stay onboard during port visits, a luxury cruise ship will make sure that you have access to all the usual ship facilities and entertainment.
Accommodation
On a luxury cruise, we recommend you choose a room with a window so that you can enjoy the view, or even better, aim for a room with a balcony for true luxury. Kick back on your private balcony and enjoy the sunset.
Larger suites offer more space, including a well-equipped en-suite bathroom and a balcony, while staterooms generally include a sitting area and a mini office.
Food and drink
If you have any special dietary requirements, the cruise line will ensure they are catered for. Most luxury cruise ships will have specialist chefs onboard to provide proper kosher or halal meals, gluten-free dishes, vegan selections, and more. Let the cruise line know in advance if you have any special requirements and they should go out of their way to accommodate you.
In recent years, some luxury cruise ships have been inviting celebrity chefs onboard to host special meals and workshops – your luxury cruise consultant will be able to find out what sort of culinary delights you can expect.
Unique Features
And finally, for a truly luxurious experience, most luxury cruise ships will offer something completely different that you can’t find anywhere else. This can include an open-air cinema, an on-board carousel, 300m-high viewing capsule, or simply that ‘je ne sais quoi’ to make your holiday unforgettable.
For more information on luxury cruising, contact our experts.