Cruising in luxury

Cruising has become a popular way of escaping the everyday life. It not only boasts destinations and sceneries that you would not be able to see otherwise, but it also brings forth an element of adventure and the unknown.

If you are familiar with cruising holidays, you’ll know that luxury cruising is one of the most service-oriented holiday experiences in the world. Globally, luxury cruising has become an art of its own, with some cruise ships’ suites giving land-based hotels a run for their money. To earn their stripes of luxury, cruise lines have to go above and beyond what their passengers expect. This means high-end cuisine in elegant dining venues, sophisticated entertainment, immersive shore excursions, private spas and absolute relaxation in luxuriously appointed suites.

As the saying goes, a rising tide raises all boats. This is certainly true with an elite handful of luxury river and ocean cruise lines raising the bar. From epic ocean crossings to sailing the world’s mighty rivers, Regent Seven Seas, Cunard, Silversea and Uniworld are some of the names to keep in mind.

River cruising is currently a rising trend that has recently started providing ocean liners with some good, friendly competition. Navigating rivers, which run through popular destinations, really brings you to the centre of the action. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is undoubtedly the world’s most luxurious, all-inclusive river cruise line, offering all-inclusive itineraries in Europe, Russia, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, and Egypt. Every Uniworld ship is a masterpiece, designed as a one-of-a-kind floating boutique hotel, that offer personalised and exclusive excursions, delicious farm-to-table cuisine and local wines.

River cruises are not the only cruise options to offer intimate cruising experience, though. On the high seas, Regent Seven Seas Cruises also perfected luxury experiences in over 450 destinations worldwide. Sophistication is key on their five luxuriously ships, designed to maintain a personalised experience. Whether savouring an al fresco lunch overlooking the ocean or indulging in haute cuisine in Parisian fine dining splendour, the elegant décor and flawless presentation makes you feel like you’ve arrived.

Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman of Silversea Cruises, says their principles are rooted by their heritage. He refers to the Silver Muse cruise liner as a divine ship and an inspirational work of art. She is described as a boutique ship in size, which gives her access to ports that larger ships can’t visit. It also gives her that cosy, home-away-from-home feeling. “She is a proud ship too,” he says, “large enough to offer the superlative quality of luxury service and options that we are famous for.” He doesn’t believe that bigger is always better. According to him, the right size is better.

Whether you’re keen on cruising the mighty rivers or the open seas, cruising in luxury is not as far fetched as one would have thought.

Written by: Renate Engelbrecht

Source: bigambitions.co.za