Just like so many of you, we travelled on the bigger ships long before we got into river cruising and small-ship ocean cruising. I still look back on those experiences with fondness, and had some truly memorable vacations.
When we did our first luxury cruise, I was apprehensive. I had no doubt it would be a great experience, but I really didn’t want to be a “Gilligan” on a ship full of “Mr. & Mrs. Howells”. Neither Bob nor I take any great pleasure in tuxedos or ballgowns. We both enjoy a nice meal, but caviar or foie gras is NOT something we’d eat on purpose. We’re just not fancy people.
The big ships also served another purpose for us: they were great for our kids. Our kids are adults now, so we don’t need the children’s programming, go-kart tracks or zip lines to keep them entertained.
All of this is to say that the big ships serve a real purpose, and some of them do a really good job of it – we’ve experienced it personally.
But can a luxury experience be delivered on a mega ship? I think you need to start by defining what luxury means to you.
For some people luxury means the caviar and foie gras I mentioned above. However, when we talk to our clients about what elevates a travel experience for them, it falls into a few categories. Everyone values things differently, and there are trade-offs to be made between these dynamics, so let’s look at those categories.
- Crowds (or more precisely, lack of crowds). It’s not a big leap to say that the fewer people, the higher-end a cruise will be. However, fewer people also may mean fewer choices. The megaships may carry 5000 people, but they also offer over a dozen restaurants, several entertainment venues and other volumes of choices that aren’t available on smaller ships.
- Space. A small cruise ship room is about 125 square feet. On a luxury line, the best-priced room on the ship will be double this size. Explora Journeys entry-level room is TRIPLE this size! It’s not just the size of the cabin – in some ways the amount of public space may be MORE important. The measure to look at here is called passenger-space ratio, and it is calculated by dividing the size of the vessel (tonnage) by the number of guests on board. The higher the number, the more space per person there is. It’s worth paying attention to this.
- Choices. This one is ambiguous. The mega ships have the most choices for restaurants, entertainment and activities because of the size of the vessels. However, if there are 20 restaurants on board, but you only value one or two of them, then the volume of choice is a false benefit. Conversely, if you get to choose between a bunch of appealing options – then that is luxury.
- Service. When we travelled on the big-ship premium cruise lines, the service was really good. We then travelled with Seabourn on their 450-guest ship to Alaska, and discovered service excellence. The crew knew our names, and we’d sit down in a lounge, and our favorite drink would just show up without our having to ask. It’s not that the service was bad on the Premium cruise lines – in fact, quite the contrary. It’s just that it is an order of magnitude better on the luxury lines.
- Quality of food. We’ve had some fantastic meals on big ships. However, in the past few years, they’ve resorted to charging an additional fee for the specialty restaurants. The food in the main dining rooms on the big ships is fine. Most of our clients report that the really good meals are in the specialty restaurants that you pay an additional fee to get into. On the luxury lines, the food quality comparable to the very best meals available on the mega ships is included in your fare. Some cruise lines, like Oceania, compete with Michelin starred restaurants on shore… and it’s included in your fare.
- Inclusions. Our clients regularly comment about not wanting to be “nickel & dimed” when they’re on cruise. They would rather pay once, and have everything included. The Premium lines like Celebrity, Holland America, and Princess have caught on, and offer a more inclusive fare option. Keep in mind an open bar is not about more booze – it’s about the culture on the ship. Do you have to produce your key-card every time you order a drink, or does the waiter just fill up your wine glass? On the mega-ships that offer the cheapest cruises available, it’s not unusual for your on-board charges to exceed your cruise fare. It might still be cheaper than a luxury ship, but you DO need to look at the total cost – not just the cruise fare.
So is it possible to get a luxury experience on a mega ship? It depends on how you value the attributes of luxury that I mention above. I am dubious about the mega-ships that charge luxury prices on a ship with 5000 people. It is true you get a lovely suite, but you need to carefully look at what that same amount of money will buy you on a small ship.
Everything is a trade-off… so you need to determine what things you value, and to what degree.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
New Viking River Itineraries
Typically the river cruise lines in Europe don’t run in January and February due to lack of demand. Given how busy Europe has become at other times of the year, Viking is offering their guests the opportunity to beat the crowds by travelling January through March. Sure… you’ll have to wear a jacket, but a Rhine River cruise is never a tropical vacation.
Amsterdam to Basel for 10-days departing January, February or March 2024:
- Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Arnhem (Holland), Cologne, Mainz, Heidelberg & Speyer, Strasbourg, Breisach, and Basel (overnight).
- Optional pre/post extensions to Amsterdam, Basel or Lucerne.
- Veranda cabins from $2999, with air add-ons starting at $599.
Amsterdam to Avignon (France)
- Mix the history and culture of the Rhine River, and the culinary highlights of France’s Provence region on the 15-day adventure
- Visit Amsterdam, Kinderdijk, Cologne, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg, Breisach, Basel, Burgundy & Lyon, Vienne, Tournon & Viviers, Arles, Avignon.
- Optional pre/post extensions to Amsterdam, Antwerp, or the French Riviera
- Departures in April from $5499, May from $6199, or June from $5799
Oceania Marina from Copenhagen to Amsterdam departing September 14 for 12-days.
- This itinerary is the perfect combination of European marquis ports, with some out of the way port stops as well.
- Visit Copenhagen, Berlin, Kalundborg (Denmark), Gothensburg (Sweden), Oslo, Kristiansand (Norway), London (overnight), Paris, Bruges, Amsterdam (overnight).
- Verandas start at $2599 per person
- See our ship tour video of Marina here: https://youtu.be/KvgJJ2bE1OU
Tauck Canadian Rockies and Glacier NP Montana
- See the majesty of the Rocky Mountains in style with Tauck. This “land-cruise” features stays at Fairmont Hotels, and includes guided explorations of several National Parks in Canada and Montana. It is also round-trip from Calgary, making the air logistics easy.
- Visit Waterton Lakes and Glacier NP, Kootenay & Banff NP, Morraine Lake, Icefields Parkway, Jasper NP.
- July, August or September departures from $7890 (space is limited)
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online or by phone. Our clients worry that if they book on-line, that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation.
We’ll check over your booking to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).
Also, in case you’re wondering, there is NO fee to work with us. We get paid commission by the cruise lines after our clients travel. So, please get in touch to let us know about your existing reservations (including those made while on board).
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
