Never before has the selection of upscale cruise ships been so diverse and so enticing. There is a water-based itinerary for every kind of traveler, even those who ordinarily regard themselves as resolute landlubbers. Fans of cruises, on the other hand, may find the vast array of tempting options a little overwhelming.
Andrew Harper’s travel advisors know all the various luxury cruise lines well, and they are happy to help find the itinerary that’s exactly right for you. But doing a little research on your own can be great fun, too. Here’s a guide to help you get started in the right direction.
The sumptuously appointed ships of Seabourn and Silversea, which have maximum capacities of between 296 and 540 guests depending on the ship, have many of the advantages of larger ships (spas, multiple restaurants, pools, most suites with verandas) balanced by the benefits of small vessels (unique ports of call, uncrowded shore excursions, individualized attention).
If the ship is as much of a destination for you as anything, consider an itinerary with Crystal, which has glamorous larger ships hosting about 1,000 passengers, with even more entertainment and dining choices.
In all three cases, alcohol and crew gratuities are included in the price.
Horror stories of lengthy buffet lines and touristy ports filled with ticky-tacky shops are enough to turn anyone off to cruising. But certain destinations beg to be explored by boat, and if you choose a smaller luxury ship, you’ll feel like an exclusive VIP instead of an anonymous face in the tourist crowd.
For example, a cruise is a perfect way to explore the Greek Islands. By traveling from island to island at night, you maximize your sightseeing time each day. You unpack just once, and you don’t have to worry about organizing inter-island ferry crossings or flights. And exploring the Aegean by boat feels terribly glamorous; the sensation of arriving in the port of Santorini aboard a luxury cruise ship ranks among the world’s great travel experiences.
The extraordinarily scenic Norwegian coast also lends itself beautifully to exploration by cruise ship, as do the Galápagos Islands, Scotland’s Hebridean Islands and the atolls of French Polynesia.
>>Related: 8-Day Norway and Scotland Cruise Itinerary
Expedition-style cruises such as those offered by Un-Cruise and Lindblad focus on wildlife viewing and active excursions like snorkeling, hiking and kayaking. The ships tend to lack trappings such as crystal chandeliers and marble baths, but service remains at a very high standard. Guests aboard these vessels usually care less about dressing up for dinner and much more about spotting breaching humpback whales.
Silversea’s expedition vessels tend to be a bit larger, but they also have more luxurious appointments.
>>Related: 8-Day Hidden Ireland Cruise Itinerary
Completely sheltered waters, such as those of Alaska’s Inside Passage, are usually very calm. But to be absolutely assured of smooth sailing, choose a river cruise. Mr. Harper has long recommended the upscale ships of Uniworld, which traverse storied rivers such as the Danube and Rhine and introduce guests to extravagantly beautiful Central European cities and landscapes. In 2016, Crystal launched its European luxury river cruisers, which compete strongly with anything else on the market.
If your group enjoys fine wine and cuisine and the delights of backcountry France, a canal cruise would be ideal. Itineraries typically focus on either the Canal de Bourgogne in Burgundy or the Canal du Midi in southwestern France. A typical day might start with breakfast on deck, followed by some easy biking to a village just off the canal’s tree-lined towpath. After lunch, perhaps tour a top winery or a little-known gem of a palace. Carefully chosen wines accompany each meal, prepared by the barge’s talented chef, and all drinks are included in the price.
Refurbished luxury canal barges come in a variety of sizes. The smallest contain just two guest rooms, making barge charters an ideal choice for groups ranging from four to 20 people, or even more (two barges can travel in tandem).
Alternatively, a small group could charter a yacht for a week. A favorite destination includes the spectacularly scenic Croatian coast. Both sailboats and motor-powered yachts are available.
If these are your enviable circumstances, taking a world cruise would likely rank among the most memorable and pleasurable experiences of your entire life. These extended itineraries don’t repeat ports, ensuring that each day holds some new adventure.
Crystal has three world-cruise options in 2018, including a monumental 129-day itinerary from Cape Town to Rome; in 2019, there is an 85-day cruise from Los Angeles to Monte Carlo. Seabourn offers the remarkable 152-day Great Oceans Exploration Cruise from Miami to Vancouver in early 2018. And Silversea has its own epic journey planned for early 2018: La Grande Bellezza, from Los Angeles to Rome.
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
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