Luxury Vocation Cruises

These ultra-chic vacation packages cater to every style of comfort – from extremely casual to the elegance of black tie.  In addition to their dedication to the comfort of their passengers, staff members pull out all the stops to cater to their every whim.  In many cases, private butlers are provided and, in all cases, staff members are required to acquaint themselves with the passengers’ names and personal preferences, in an attempt to offer them a top-of-the-line, resort quality vacation.

Far superior to a premium cruise, the luxury cruise is the ultimate in oceanic luxury.  In addition to gourmet cuisine, spacious accommodations and exquisite art displays, passengers can expect amenities such as fresh flowers, fine wine, a 2:1 ratio of staff members to guests and a wonderful combination of exotic stops during their voyage.  Such cruise liners are comparable to the best resorts that terra firma has to offer.

Here's theworld's best luxury cruise lines:

• Crystal Cruises  -  Crystal Cruises offers one of the world's best large luxury-ship experiences. In addition to garnering accolades from discerning travel professionals, the line has won the "World's Best Large Ship Line" awards from the readers of Travel & Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. The Six-Star-rated, 940-guest Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony feature expansive decks, spacious lounges, flexible gourmet dining with two alternative restaurants, an Ambassador Host program for single travelers, a state-of-the-art fitness facility with full-time fitness directors, a lavish spa, a Caesars Palace at Sea casino, and exquisitely appointed staterooms and penthouses, more than half of which offer private verandahs.

• Cunard Line  -  Cunard Line, one of the world's most recognized brand names with a classic British heritage, operated by Cunard Line Limited, has provided the ultimate in deluxe ocean travel experience for the past 158 years. A Cunard cruise is noted for luxurious accommodations, exquisite personal service, gourmet cuisine, attention to detail, and exciting and exotic destination opportunities. The fleet consists of famed liner Queen Elizabeth 2 and the 
  Caronia, a classic ship formerly identified as Vistafjord. The Cunard Line brand, the epitome of the British essence, focuses on recalling the golden age of sea travel for those who missed the first.

• Radisson Seven Seas Cruises - Offers unique and luxurious small-ship experiences, all with the highest standards of service, quality and value. Four distinct and clearly defined luxury ships-ranging from traditional elegance to modern deluxe and adventure cruising-offer personal atmosphere with amenities found on larger vessels, single open-seating dining with gourmet cuisine, highly personalized and attentive service, and spacious, ocean-view accommodations.

• Seabourn Cruise Line - Seabourn Cruise Line, the ultra luxury cruise line with contemporary Scandinavian style vessels, is operated by Cunard Line Limited. Seabourn, highly acclaimed for its luxurious accommodations, impeccable service and award-winning cuisine, operates six ships. The small, elegant, yacht-like vessels of the Seabourn Goddess I and II offer a more casual ambience and casual dress style that appeal to youthful affluent travelers. The larger all-suite yacht-like vessels of the more formal Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend are frequently referred to as country clubs at sea. The global resort cruiser Seabourn Sun, with traditional elegance in grand setting, is ideal for longer at-sea holidays.

• Silversea Cruises  -  Silversea's all-inclusive ultra-luxury vacations appeal to discriminating travelers accustomed to plush accommodations and attentive, individual service. The line's luxurious vessels carry only 296 guests each, in true splendor, with one of the highest passenger-space ratios of any ship at sea. Silversea is distinguished by its award-winning, all-suite ships and impeccable service. Its all-inclusive fares, the most comprehensive in the industry, feature 148 outside suites (75 percent with private verandas), round-trip airfare, pre-cruise deluxe hotel stays, all beverages, all gratuities, all port charges, all transfers and porterage. 

• Windstar Cruises  -  Windstar's sleek ships, with computer-directed sails, pioneered modern luxury sailing. The award-winning Wind Star, Wind Spirit and Wind Song carry only 74 couples each, in spacious, modern staterooms. Sailing under its banner phrase "180 degrees from ordinary," Windstar offers luxury and superb cuisine, yet with a casual, intimate ambiance and relaxed dress code. 
  Windstar guests leave their ties and formal wear at home. Dinner, with dishes by renowned chef Joachim Splichal or light-cuisine expert Jeanne Jones, is served with one open seating.

• River Cruises
  River cruises are an appealing alternative to conventional land tours and larger cruise ships that offer a richer travel experience - one to go beyond the typical tourist sites. Imagine stepping ashore in the heart of a European medieval village, snorkeling among the playful sea lions of the Galapagos archipelago, or gazing up the ancient rock walls of China's Yangtze River gorges. A river cruise offers the opportunity to observe people at work and at play, against a backdrop of walled castles, magnificent cathedrals and ancient villages - to follow a course of thousands of years of history.  Unpack only once and relax as you cruise through the river's ever-changing scenery!

• Small Ship Cruising
  Small Ship cruising is an appealing alternative to conventional land tours and larger cruise ships that offer a richer travel experience - one to go beyond the typical tourist sites. Imagine stepping ashore in the heart of a European medieval village, snorkeling among the playful sea lions of the Galapagos archipelago, or gazing up the ancient rock walls of China's Yangtze River gorges. The ideal way to explore the world is on a small ship, enjoying access to places of historical significance and natural beauty not possible any other way.   Small ship cruising appeals to travelers who prefer a relaxed, comfortable travel style with the emphasis on the destination. Small ships take you beyond the confines of conventional tourism for meaningful experiences with people and places.