Administrators Rare LauraS Posted May 3, 2018 Administrators #1 Share Posted May 3, 2018 Check out this news item from Cruise Critic: Windstar Adds Sommeliers, Offers Beverage Package Discounts on Some Cruises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryhere Posted May 6, 2018 #2 Share Posted May 6, 2018 I may be wrong, but isn’t it a general rule that unless a cruise line includes drinks in its fare it is isn’t a luxury cruise line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted May 6, 2018 #3 Share Posted May 6, 2018 I may be wrong, but isn’t it a general rule that unless a cruise line includes drinks in its fare it is isn’t a luxury cruise line? The exception is Hapag-Lloyd's ships Europa, and Europa 2 which only include in suite beer, and soft drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryhere Posted May 7, 2018 #4 Share Posted May 7, 2018 The exception is Hapag-Lloyd's ships Europa, and Europa 2 which only include in suite beer, and soft drinks. Another illusion gone. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted May 7, 2018 #5 Share Posted May 7, 2018 Another illusion gone. :rolleyes: You might enjoy drowning your sorrows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryhere Posted May 7, 2018 #6 Share Posted May 7, 2018 You might enjoy drowning your sorrows. Great stuff :D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted May 7, 2018 #7 Share Posted May 7, 2018 Never considered Windstar a luxury line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wripro Posted May 7, 2018 #8 Share Posted May 7, 2018 Never considered Windstar a luxury line. It's not. But because they have renovated the three Seabourn triplets and the food is actually very good it comes close. Still you have to pay for tips. pay for alcohol etc and that keeps it in the deluxe category. Still a good choice in many instances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelcat2 Posted May 9, 2018 #9 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Definitely do not consider Wind Star a luxury line, In terms of including alcohol on luxury lines, Hapag-Lloyd is different (in more ways than just included alcohol). The four main luxury lines that CC members sail on the most are (in alphabetical order) Crystal, Regent, Seabourn and Silversea. SeaDream Yacht Club is also luxury but is very small (around 100 passengers) and has no balconies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted May 10, 2018 #10 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Hapag-Lloyd is different (in more ways than just included alcohol). It's ships, Europa, and Europa 2, still have Berlitz's highest rating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelcat2 Posted May 10, 2018 #11 Share Posted May 10, 2018 It's ships, Europa, and Europa 2, still have Berlitz's highest rating. Not saying that they do not deserve the rating but In my opinion, people in different countries have different experiences, and expectations. So, In my opinion, what a travel writer in one country thinks of a cruise line may be different from another travel writer's perspective. Europa and Europa 2 are definitely luxury lines but are different - mainly in two ways (besides for not being all-inclusive): 1. Almost all passengers speak German - very few people from North America onboard (based solely on what I have read on CC) 2. Families and children are welcome. This is generally not the case with other luxury cruise lines (although they are children programs on some luxury cruise lines during the summer and during U.S. school breaks). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wripro Posted May 10, 2018 #12 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Not saying that they do not deserve the rating but In my opinion, people in different countries have different experiences, and expectations. So, In my opinion, what a travel writer in one country thinks of a cruise line may be different from another travel writer's perspective. Europa and Europa 2 are definitely luxury lines but are different - mainly in two ways (besides for not being all-inclusive): 1. Almost all passengers speak German - very few people from North America onboard (based solely on what I have read on CC) 2. Families and children are welcome. This is generally not the case with other luxury cruise lines (although they are children programs on some luxury cruise lines during the summer and during U.S. school breaks). HL ships are DEFINITELY luxury whether they confirm to your American standards or not. The Imperial in Vienna. the Bristol, Crillon and Ritz in Paris, Claridges in London......none confirm to American versions of luxury and thank God for that. There is plenty of beige marble available in Four Seasons hotels (and I know the George V, the Gresham in Budapest and the property in Florence are Four Seasons too but they are the exception, not the rule.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted May 10, 2018 #13 Share Posted May 10, 2018 (edited) Not saying that they do not deserve the rating but In my opinion, people in different countries have different experiences, and expectations. So, In my opinion, what a travel writer in one country thinks of a cruise line may be different from another travel writer's perspective. Europa and Europa 2 are definitely luxury lines but are different - mainly in two ways (besides for not being all-inclusive): 1. Almost all passengers speak German - very few people from North America onboard (based solely on what I have read on CC) 2. Families and children are welcome. This is generally not the case with other luxury cruise lines (although they are children programs on some luxury cruise lines during the summer and during U.S. school breaks). Have you never travelled independently in Europe and been surrounded by local people speaking their own language? On the Europa 2, there is an International hostess, menus, and wine lists in English are available, as are announcements and commentaries from the bridge. Even a daily newspaper of one's choice is obtainable. As has been mentioned on more than one occasion before, on the Europa 2 children are well catered for, and have minimal impact on adult passengers. Edited May 10, 2018 by English Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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