25 ways luxury cruises
are superior
There is a marked difference between what you experience on a luxury and a typical mainstream cruise ship. Although luxury cruise fares are higher than mainstream ones, you gain a lot for the extra money you spend.
All-inclusive fare
Covers
gratuities, alcoholic beverages, and some other items charged by mainstream lines
Cabins
Most
are spacious suites with verandas, walk-in closets, and
separate seating areas
They
are stylishly furnished and decorated - and use top
notch linens, pillows, and mattresses
Cabins have
high-tech electronic entertainment equipment systems - and an extensive
choice of free major movies shown on the flat-screen TV
Many
cabins come with butler service
Dining
Quality
of the food, presentation, and tableware scores high marks
Dining
tables are not closely situated, giving you more privacy
Buffet
restaurants don't feel like cafeterias
Entertainment
It's
tasteful and geared for discerning audiences
Service
Staff
is attentive and well trained as well as personable and
genuinely eager to please
High
crew-to-passenger ratio
Felow passengers
They're
educated, sophisticated, and well-traveled - and easy to meet
Loud, inconsiderate
passengers are rare
Children
Few if any children
are onboard, therefore no dashing, screaming kids in the pool, restaurant,
and other areas to disrupt your peace
Public spaces
They
are spacious, tastefully furnished, and uncrowded
Ship
Ships are
noticeably smaller and more intimate than mainstream ones
Passenger
capacity is lower than on mainstream boats (for example, the
Allure of the Sea carries 50 times more passengers than the
SeaDream vessels do)
Space-to-passenger
ratio is high (if a luxury and a mainstream ship are equaled in length,
the passenger capacity of the luxury one will likely be about half of the
mainstream one)
Ambiance
You
won't be disturbed by incessant PA announcements
The
low-keyed environment is perfect for vacationers who want
to unwind - and for honeymooners and anniversary celebrants
Itineraries
You don't just visit the famous
large ports - you experience the small interesting ones as well
More luxury cruise amenties
Waiting
lines are few if any
Embarkations and
disembarkations are swift
Shore
excursion groups are small
Lectures
are selected with high standards
Libraries
are relatively large and thoughtfully stocked
You
seek activities like waterslides and glitzy big-stage Las Vegas and Broadway
style production shows
You're
taking your children and teenagers (there are no specialized facilities or
programs for them on luxury cruise ships)
Your budget is tight
Read these pages
Best 5 luxury cruise lines
Luxury-upmarket cruise lines
Luxury vs mainstream cruise lines
Luxury cruise ship photo gallery
Luxury cruise ship fact sheet
Silversea Cruises
Cruise Lines International Association
World's Top 100 Wonders
World's Top 1000 Wonders
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