Are Luxury Cruises Truly Worth the Investment?

Although the term 'luxury' is frequently misused, the premier luxury cruise lines genuinely provide a five-star experience comparable to that of a grand hotel—complete with the added benefit of all-inclusive pricing and the convenience of visiting multiple destinations throughout your journey.

When you embark on an ultra-luxury cruise, you can anticipate a meticulously crafted travel experience. Having journeyed on numerous luxury cruises globally, I can confirm that on these top-tier vessels, you'll enjoy exquisite design features, fine art, and unlimited champagne and caviar between stops at both renowned and hidden gems. Furthermore, luxury cruise lines prioritize immersive and enriching activities, offering a deeper understanding of the cultures and locations you explore through expert-led lectures and guided excursions. With crew-to-guest ratios often reaching one crew member for every two passengers, you can expect an unparalleled level of service.

Traditionally, the ultra-luxury cruise sector has been dominated by a select few top brands like Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Crystal. However, this landscape is evolving. New brands are emerging, such as Scenic and the recently launched Explora Journeys and Atlas Ocean Voyages, each bringing their own specialties and insights. For instance, Scenic and Atlas are carving out a niche in expedition cruising, while Explora offers a stunning boutique cruising experience on a vessel accommodating over 900 guests. Renowned hotel brands and even railway companies are joining the fray, with familiar names like Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Orient Express, and Aman recently announcing plans to launch luxury cruise offerings for their clientele.

Natalya Leahy, who took over as president of Seabourn last year, notes that the luxury cruise market is expanding for various reasons, chief among them being the fact that over 22 million people in the U.S. possess a net worth of one million dollars or more. Affluent baby boomers are booking luxury cruises, but they’re not alone; Millennials and even younger travelers are getting in on the action too.

Last summer, Dinogo interviewed Leahy in Genoa, Italy, as the brand geared up for the debut of the 264-passenger Seabourn Pursuit, the second ultra-luxury expedition ship in the Seabourn fleet, which will explore remote locations such as Antarctica and Australia’s Kimberley region.

We sought Leahy’s insights on what travelers should be aware of before embarking on a luxury cruise, along with a few additional tips from our side.

How to choose the luxury cruise line that suits you best

Leahy recommends starting by asking your friends and acquaintances who enjoy luxury cruising about their preferred cruise lines. Personal recommendations often play a significant role in the luxury cruise market. “Our guests are our greatest advocates, bringing many newcomers on board,” she explains.

Once you gather some recommendations—or even if you don’t—reach out to an expert. “In general, having either a travel advisor or, if you book directly, a personal cruise consultant is beneficial for luxury travel,” she advises. “Having someone to guide you can be incredibly useful.” (Here’s our comprehensive list of travel advisors who specialize in cruise sales.)

A luxury cruise is meant to be a stress-free vacation experience due to all the included amenities, according to Leahy. She emphasizes that “when you compare land travel with cruising, organizing a cruise is significantly easier.”

However, there are intricacies—among cruise lines, types of accommodations, and what is (and isn’t) part of the “all-inclusive” pricing (for example, certain exclusive excursions may incur extra charges). This is where the expertise of a professional can be invaluable.

Leahy mentions that she seeks guidance even when cruising, often with multiple family members or friends. “If I try to plan it myself, I think we’d all end up as ‘best enemies,’” she laughs. “I genuinely believe travel advisors play a crucial role for us,” Leahy adds. “They understand our brands.”

Approximately two-thirds of Seabourn's clientele is sourced through travel advisors. On any given voyage, about half of the passengers are repeat guests while the other half are newcomers to both the brand and cruising, as stated by Leahy.

Top luxury cruise lines

Luxury cruise ships differ significantly in size and the destinations they cover, along with various factors like what amenities are included in the fare. For example, does the price cover transportation? Wi-Fi? Are there additional charges for specialty dining? Will excursions cost extra? Do you have access to a butler? Each brand highlights its unique features.

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Launched in 2021, Atlas Ocean Voyages is the newest cruise line in the United States. It has rapidly expanded to include a fleet of three yacht-style expedition ships, each accommodating 198 passengers: the World Voyager, World Traveller, and World Navigator. Atlas is recognized for delivering unparalleled comfort and luxury in some of the most extreme polar environments, while also cruising in the warmer Mediterranean waters, where it provides engaging cultural and culinary experiences.

Crystal

The newly revived Crystal Cruises, now under the ownership and management of the prestigious tour operator Abercrombie & Kent, is simply referred to as Crystal. This line features two ships: the 740-passenger Crystal Serenity and the 606-passenger Crystal Symphony, both boasting complimentary Nobu restaurants on board.

Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys, a new luxury brand from MSC Group, launched its inaugural ship, Explora I, last summer. This 922-passenger vessel features an extensive spa, four swimming pools, and exquisite interior design elements. Its sister ship, Explora II, is set to join the fleet in September 2024.

Regent Seven Seas

Regent Seven Seas Cruises stands out by offering a wealth of inclusions in its fares, such as business-class airfare and unlimited shore excursions, on ships that accommodate between 490 and 750 guests. Last November, the line introduced its latest vessel, the 750-passenger Seven Seas Grandeur, touted as one of the 'world’s most luxurious' ships.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

The renowned hotel brand launched its inaugural luxury yacht in 2022. The 298-passenger Evrima features hotel-style suites and skilled bartenders who specialize in crafting personalized cocktails. The 456-passenger Ilma is scheduled to launch in September 2024.

Seabourn

The Seabourn fleet offers complimentary fine dining on ships that accommodate between 458 and 600 guests. Additionally, its two expedition vessels are equipped with 24 Zodiacs and kayaks for exploration, supported by a dedicated 24-member expedition team, along with a six-passenger submarine for underwater viewing.

Scenic

The Australian expedition line Scenic boasts up to 10 dining options on its intimate ships, along with exciting amenities such as an eight-passenger submarine and cutting-edge Airbus helicopters available on its two 228-passenger expedition yachts.

Silversea

Silversea offers ships that accommodate between 254 and 728 passengers, along with two smaller expedition vessels: the 132-passenger Silver Explorer and the 100-passenger Silver Origin. The line’s S.A.L.T. program emphasizes local dining and drinking experiences, and all guests are provided with butler service on its ships, including the newly launched 728-passenger Silver Nova.

Ensure you select the right ship for your needs

While many people begin their vacation planning by choosing a destination, Leahy emphasizes the importance of considering the ship as a crucial factor in your decision-making process.

"What makes cruising special is that your experience goes on 24/7," she explains. "It doesn’t stop when you reach a destination. Once you board, you’re immersed in an experience filled with fine dining, engaging interactions with our crew, and entertainment that includes shows and live music, all of which enhance your journey."

Social media posts and the websites of cruise lines offer insights into the atmosphere aboard specific brands, according to Leahy, who also suggests checking reviews and looking for images to get a clearer picture.

It’s common for guests to refer to Seabourn ships as their 'home away from home,' she notes.

Since you'll spend a significant amount of time on the ship, much like when evaluating land-based resorts, it’s important to understand what amenities are available onboard. Consider the variety of bars, restaurants, lounges, gym and spa facilities, and entertainment options. Additionally, think about the available outdoor spaces, such as outdoor dining areas, pools, bars, and spots for enjoying ocean views. Explore the onboard programming as well to see if there will be lectures, live performances, classes, and other activities that align with your interests.

How to choose the ideal suite and decide if an upgrade is worth it

Luxury cruise ships are typically composed entirely, or primarily, of suite accommodations featuring amenities like spacious bathrooms and walk-in closets. Passengers can expect stunning ocean views and are likely to have private balconies on these upscale vessels.

For those seeking additional space, consider upgrading to a suite that includes a living room and a larger deck. Some luxury suites are the size of apartments and come equipped with amenities such as private outdoor hot tubs.

Cruise line websites usually provide thorough descriptions, layouts, square footage, and images of various accommodations. However, a specialized travel advisor or consultant can assist in evaluating your specific space requirements.

Reflect on how much time you plan to spend on the ship and in your suite compared to exploring ports. This can help you determine if the upgrade is a worthwhile investment. If your itinerary is busy with frequent port visits, it may not be necessary. Conversely, if you have longer days at sea, having a more luxurious suite could be highly beneficial.

Begin with a shorter cruise

Although you can book luxury cruise itineraries lasting weeks or even months, Leahy recommends considering a test cruise first to determine if you enjoy the experience before committing to a longer voyage.

"I believe it's essential to begin your cruising journey with a seven-day trip, whether to the Caribbean, Alaska, or the Mediterranean," she advises. "These are bucket list destinations that won’t overwhelm you as a first-time cruiser. It’s an excellent way to ease into cruising and savor the experience."

Don't overlook land-based experiences

Once you've selected a destination and cruise line, and secured your suite, it's crucial to consider the land-based activities you'd like to engage in at the various ports of call.

One of the benefits of cruising is that your cruise line offers a variety of thoughtfully curated options for exploring the ports, catering to those who prefer not to venture out independently.

Consider whether you would like to extend your stay in either your embarkation city or your final destination, and check if the cruise line can assist with arrangements. It’s common for cruise lines to offer pre- and post-cruise packages that include hotel accommodations and extra excursion options.

Luxury cruise lines, such as Seabourn, are focused on creating more immersive and enriching land experiences, according to Leahy.

Undecided on your cruise destination? We’ve compiled a list of our favorite luxury sailings in the Caribbean, Japan, Norway’s fjords, Alaska’s stunning landscapes, Northern Lights cruises, and more. Once you have finalized your plans and made your bookings, we’ve also created a guide to help you decide on cruise insurance, an essential packing list, and the ultimate guide to tipping on cruises, ensuring you have everything covered before you set sail.

This article was initially published in August 2023 and was updated on August 30, 2024, to reflect the latest information.