Each year, millions of people vacation on Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and other popular cruise lines.
Lesser known are some of the upper premium and luxury brands - upscale cruise lines attracting mature, high-income, well traveled guests who are accustomed to “the best,” and are willing to pay for it. Many of them have cruised on "around the world" voyages.
Here is a look at some upper premium and luxury cruise lines.
Cunard Line's Ships are Fit for a Queen
Cunard Line has a long history dating to the 1800s when Halifax, Nova Scotia merchant Samuel Cunard founded a steamship mail transport company. From this, luxurious passenger ships evolved, such as Cunard’s RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth.
Another renowned ship in the Cunard line was the RMS Lusitania.
In 1998, Cunard Line was bought by Carnival Corporation. Cunard’s current ships, Queen Elizabeth 2 (2010); Queen Mary 2 (2004) and Queen Victoria (2007), exemplify elegant upscale cruise ships offering around-the-world sailings.
Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises Are Inviting
As an upper premium cruise line, Oceania Cruises has long been known for its beautifully appointed ships that feature gourmet restaurants and the Canyon Ranch SpaClub.
In 2012, Oceania will offer theme cruises or what it refers to as “Signature Sailings.” The themes vary from a food and wine focus to an emphasis on music and wellness.
“While groups that share the same interests have regularly sailed with Oceania Cruises in the past, our new ‘Signature Sailings’ create a special opportunity for guests to experience the cruise in the company of fellow travelers who share their passion for the theme,” said Oceania Cruises’ President, Bruce J. Himelstein, in the cruise line’s October 17, 2011 press release, “Oceania Cruises Launches First-Ever theme Cruises for 2012.”
Oceania Cruises visits more than 330 ports in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Americas on the cruise line’s 684-guest Regatta, Insignia and Nautica and the 1,250-guest Marina, which debuted in January 2011. Oceania will introduce a new ship, Riviera, in April 2012 that is a sister to Marina
Prestige Cruise Holdings (PCH) is the parent company of both Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Between the two cruise lines, PCH can claim 5,200 berths in the cruise industry’s upper-premium segment, a number that will increase to 6,400 berths when the Riviera is launched in 2012.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises began in 1995 when Seven Seas Cruise Line merged with Diamond Cruise to become Radisson Seven Seas Cruises – part of the Carlson group. In 2006, the cruise line changed its name to Regent Seven Seas Cruises when it aligned with sister brand Regent Hotels and Resorts.
Regent’s three luxury-class ships have been heralded for their attentive service and all-suite accommodations. Seven Seas Mariner (48,075 Gross Tons) and Seven Seas Voyager (42,363 Gross Tons) accommodate 700 passengers. Seven Seas Navigator (28,550 Gross tons) accommodates 490 passengers. These ships visit more than 300 world-wide destinations on 7- to 119-night sailings.
Between 2008 and 2009, the ships received a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. A significant addition to the ships is a steakhouse/grill, Prime 7. The ships’ dining room, Compass Rose, features a Continental menu and Canyon Ranch Spa Cuisine.
Azamara Club Cruises has Intimate Ships
The upper premium line, Azamara Cruises, was founded in 2007 and then re-launched in 2009 as Azamara Club Cruises. It is part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. The concept behind this cruise line is to provide discerning guests with a refined, country club-like atmosphere at sea. Azamara’s two ships appeal to cruise guests who prefer smaller, quieter ships. Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest debuted in 2007. Both ships weigh 30,277 GRT and accommodate 694 guests. This cruise line prides itself on sailing to destinations larger ships cannot reach.
“Up-market travelers are looking for unique destinations and immersive experiences, and Azamara Club Cruises uniquely delivers them on our remarkable voyages,” said Larry Pimentel, the cruise line’s president and CEO, in an August 31, 2010 company press release, “Azamara Club Cruises to Deliver the Splendor of the British Isles and Norwegian Coast in 2011.”
Azamara Club Cruises offers inclusive amenities such as gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff; complimentary bottled water, sodas, specialty coffee and teas; complimentary boutique red and white wines to accompany lunch and dinner. Suite guests enjoy complimentary English butler service.
Azamara guests will find more late-night departures from, and overnight stays at, ports of call, giving guests more time to experience the destination. Journey and Quest sail to European destinations, including the Baltic and Scandinavia, British Isles, Western Europe, French and Italian Rivieras, Greek Isles, Holy Land and Black Sea, and Asia and South America.
Crystal Cruises' Ships Personify Luxury
Crystal Cruises' beautiful luxury-class ships have been a favorite of discerning cruise travelers for more than twenty years. Crystal has been continuously voted by its guests as World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line.
Crystal’s first ship, Crystal Harmony, debuted in 1990. It has since left the fleet. A sister ship, Crystal Symphony, was launched in 1995. A third ship, Crystal Serenity, debuted in 2003. Both accommodate 950 passengers. The cruise line is owned by Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), a large, successful shipping company headquartered in Tokyo.
Crystal’s ships sail around the world. The cruise line’s guests compare a Crystal cruise to staying at a fine hotel such as a Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton. Not surprising, considering, among other factors, Crystal ships' high quality furnishings – Riedel leaded crystal wine glasses, Royal Doulton bone china, Frette table linens, Brown Jordan teak deck furniture.
Further, Crystal’s Experiences of Discovery theme cruises and its Distinguished Speakers series offer authoritative lectures, performances, demonstrations and festivals that entertain and educate guests.
Silversea Cruises' Small Ships Create a Big Impression
Silversea Cruises' Silver Cloud, Whisper, Wind and Shadow range from 296 to 540 guests and from 16,800 to 36,000 Gross Tons. This luxury line's fleet sails world-wide, features gorgeous oceanview suites with butler service, and boasts Le Champagne, the only Wine Restaurant by Relais & Chateaux at sea.
A segment of the cruising population wants a seagoing vacation experience that’s a large cut above the usual. For them, the higher fare is worth it, and there is no choice other than an upper premium or luxury-class ship.
Roberta Sandler - Roberta Sandler has written more than 1,000 articles that have appeared in scores of magazines and newspapers including Miami Herald, ...
