For some people luxury means having a butler, and other people running around in fine dress, with white gloves, tending to their every need. Thankfully, this “Mr. & Mrs. Howell” version of luxury is the exception, rather than the rule.
Most luxury is casual… it seems that those ready to pay more for a luxury experience, are also those least likely to want pretense and over-the-top attention. You’re much more likely to find tuxedos and ball gowns on the contemporary or premium cruise lines than you are on the small-ship or river cruise lines.
For me, luxury means I can do what I want when I want, and I don’t have to do anything with hundreds of others that makes me feel like I’m being herded like cattle.
I would urge you to define those things that are most important to you for a vacation experience, and then let us help you match those things to the best product. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- SPACE: It’s hard to get excited about living in a 100 square foot room with no windows that are offered on some cruise lines. Conversely, for many people, the stateroom is a place to sleep and shower. What is more important for you?
- INCLUSIONS: A luxury product usually offers a single payment for your cruise fare, that doesn’t require a bunch of room charges. Conversely, so people would rather pay individually for drinks or specialty meals. Many of the cruise lines agonize over whether to include shore excursions or not because people have vastly different ideas of what they like to do on shore.
- CHOICES: Are there different options for food, entertainment or enrichment?
- CROWDS: Will you be competing with thousands of others for space at the pool, or in restaurants or entertainment venues? The big-ship cruise lines do a reasonable job of engineering their ships to NOT feel crowded, but I don’t think it’s possible to have a true luxury experience if you’re on a vessel with 4000 or 5000 people. Those ships are just fine… as long as your expectations are properly set.
- EXCLUSIVITY: Can the cruise line or land-tour operator get you privileged access to shore attractions? Often this comes in the form of visits before opening or after closing, or perhaps “skip-the-line” options.
- SERVICE: We’ve had excellent service on many cruise lines (including the big-ship lines). What makes a luxury experience different is whether the crew is anticipating what you’re going to ask for next, and then consistently delivering that. Do they know your favorite drink? Do they know your name? Are you having to repeat the fact you have a gluten allergy?
- FOOD QUALITY: This is often in the eye of the beholder, and it’s worth noting that Americans do eat differently than our European cousins, as well as those in other economically advanced countries. We value volume more than they do, and some of the complaints we sometimes get about food on some river and ocean cruise lines is that the portions were not large enough. If larger portions are part of the food quality equation for you, be ready for that, and don’t be afraid to ask for more.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
Oceania Black Friday Sale
Oceania is best described as segmented luxury. They have a fantastic culinary program, and many clients from the Premium cruise lines that are looking for a small ship experience end up here. The pricing on the cruises below are available until December 5, and due to our exclusive arrangement with Oceania, we can also get you free pre-paid gratuities on these voyages. They also include a $400 per person shore excursion credit, beer/wine with meals, wifi on the ship and specialty dining.
- Istanbul to Venice departing June 19, for 10 days.
- Visit Istanbul (overnight), Izmir, Santorini, Argostoli, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Hvar, Koper, Venice
- Concierge Verandas start at $3999
- Amsterdam to Oslo departing June 24, for 12 days
- Visit Amsterdam, Antwerp (Overnight), Paris, London, St. Peter (UK), Cork, Dublin, Glasgow, Stavenger, Arendal, Oslo.
- Verandas from $4799
- LA to Vancouver with Alaska departing May 1, for 12 days
- Visit LA, San Francisco (overnight), Portland, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver.
- Verandas from $4199
- NOTE: This will be Regatta’s last season in Alaska if you like the small (680 guests) vessels.
- Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro departing March 5, for 10-days
- Visit Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Punta del Este, Itajai, Sao Francisco, Sao Paulo, Parati, Ilha Grande, Buzios, and Rio.
- Verandas from $3599
- New York to Montreal departing October 17, for 11-days:
- Visit NYC, Newport RI, Boston, Portland MN, Saint John, Halifax, Sydney, Cornerbrook, Saguenay, Quebec City, Montreal.
- Verandas from $6099
Explora Journeys Exclusive Sale
This new luxury lifestyle brand is taking the world by storm. We were on board in October, and found the entertainment to be the best we’ve seen anywhere, and we appreciated their strong focus on culinary and unique itineraries. The rooms are huge, if you like extra space. Here are some itineraries that stood out, and are available until December 4:
- 50% off: Athens round-trip departing October 5 for 9-nights
- Visit Athens, Mykonos, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Venice Split, Kotor.
- Verandas from $3125.
- 40% off: Miami to Barcelona departing May 31 for 19-nights
- Visit St. Barthelemy, St. John’s, La Palma (Spain), Lanzarote (Spain), Casablanca, Tangier, Malaga, Cartagena, Majorca, Barcelona.
- Verandas from $6090
- 50% off: Miami round-trip departing December 6 for 14-nights
- Visit Miami, St. Thomas, Antigua, Dominica, Martinque, Barbados, Grenadines, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, BVI
- Verandas from $4700
AMA Waterways
AMA is offering 20% off select 2024 sailings, and you’ll also receive pre-paid gratuities and a $150 on board credit.
- Paris to Normandy Wine Cruise departing March 14 March for 7-nights
- Visit Les Andelys, Le Havre, Normandy Beaches, Rouen, Vernon (for Monet’s Gardens)
- You will be hosted by Chik & Polly Brenneman of Baker Family Wines, and your fare includes insightful discussions about making premium handcrafted wines, as well as wine tastings.
- French Balconies from $4179. Represents 20% off.
- Southeast Europe departing March 31 for 7-nights
- Visit Mohacs, Vukovar, Belgrade, Iron Gates, Vidin, Rousse, Bucharest
- Get to this part of Europe before it is fully discovered
- Balconies from $5179. Represents 20% off.
Train Journeys with Collette
- Switzerland for 9-days. Great for pre or post Rhine River Cruise.
- Experience 3 trains: GoldenPass Panoramic, Glacier Express, Bernina Pass.
- Visit Lucerne, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lake Maggiore.
- July and August departures from $3569
- Alaska Northern Lights for 7-days.
- Visit Fairbanks, Talkeetna, and Anchorage. Travel by Alaska Rail, go dog sledding, and a Winter Glacier cruise in Prince William Sound.
- Depart March 25 or 30 from $3509
Have something to say about this?
Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid034n1XqSLe5tSF4qHgu5iqrzgHFY8pFoonU3nfXUxHMkcUXzEPeKY9vYoXCWPy9yXRl
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
