Rate the top luxury lines

[English Voyager]

Having previously cruised with Seabourn, Regent, and Silversea, top of my list-- in fact I now only cruise with them-- is Hapag-Lloyd's MS Europa 2.

 

Although not inclusive for alcoholic drinks, prices are very reasonable, with no added service charge, and the selection is very extensive.

Edited June 15, 2016 by English Voyager

[Haworth]

When we first "graduated" to luxury cruises we tried both Silversea and Seabourn whilst we enjoyed both we have since those early days only sailed with Seabourn.

 

We wont sail with Regent as you are paying up front for services that you may not want or need, ditto Viking Oceans but they do have some interesting itineraries and ship features.

 

1. Seabourn

2. Silversea

[bspill]

It really depends on what is important to you. If you like extravagant shows and lots of Casino action, Seabourn or Silversea is probably not for you. Personally we like the small ships with open seating dining a d personal service therefore, we stick with Seabourn or Silversea. We consider them equal from an overall cruise experience perspective. Haven't tried Regent and Crystals dining arrangement doesn't suit us.

[patnlcc]

bspill - agree with you 100%.

[oregon50]

For starters, I'm not sure luxury lines exist today. To me, it's all about comfort and fit. And how many people have been on five so called luxury cruise lines?

 

A person doing twenty cruises on Oceania thinks she is living in luxury every time they step aboard. Same with Celebrity or any other upscale line, including Silversea.

[wripro]

And a person driving a Toyota Avalon may think he is driving a luxury car but he is not. Or someone staying in a Marriott may think he is staying in a luxury hotel but he is not. That is not to say these products are not luxurious enough for that person but it doesn't change the quality compared to true luxury products.

[Ka Honu]

... true luxury products.

 

So who gets to determine what constitutes "true luxury products?"

 

The word "luxury" is more or less defined as "a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort." That implies a varying standard for different people relative to their individual situations and lifestyles.

 

For any individual to decree what luxury should mean to someone else by imposing their own standards would seem to be condescending.

 

Maybe this thread should have been titled "high end" or "expensive" lines. It would be much easier to define which line fit the category and might have avoided the patronizing (and offensive) attitude implicit in the whole "ilk" thing.

Edited June 16, 2016 by Ka Honu

[vistaman]

Having previously cruised with Seabourn, Regent, and Silversea, top of my list-- in fact I now only cruise with them-- is Hapag-Lloyd's MS Europa 2.

 

Although not inclusive for alcoholic drinks, prices are very reasonable, with no added service charge, and the selection is very extensive.

 

and i agree with you - i only do MS Europa 2 and MS Europa and maybe and very occasionally something else "high end" at a very special fare

Crystal : too many changes and cutbacks after all inclusive and strong evolution to 2 class system PH and the others

Seabourn : far too narrow budgets for the F and B operations

the original triplets were real luxury.

Silversea : ingredients not so great and same as on SB no fresh orange juice;) however very good wine list

and for some however for most not luxury :

Oceania : exuberant prices for special wines and service from time to time very soso - was twice in PH - some unpleasant staff in leading functions.

i was invited once on a Ponant ship for lunch - was a meal announced normally served at dinner time - not so great

i am curious if the Q Grill degree on Cunard is still luxury?

[Emperor Norton]

So who gets to determine what constitutes "true luxury products?"

 

The word "luxury" is more or less defined as "a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort." That implies a varying standard for different people relative to their individual situations and lifestyles.

 

For any individual to decree what luxury should mean to someone else by imposing their own standards would seem to be condescending.

 

Maybe this thread should have been titled "high end" or "expensive" lines. It would be much easier to define which line fit the category and might have avoided the patronizing (and offensive) attitude implicit in the whole "ilk" thing.

 

Neither high end nor expensive really do a good job of capturing luxury imo. There's a lot of expensive junk out there and I can go out and buy a high end torque wrench. That's not exactly luxurious.

 

How about we use the Googles and see what they have to say about luxury.

 

"the state of great comfort and extravagant living."

synonyms: opulence, luxuriousness, sumptuousness, grandeur, magnificence, splendor, lavishness, the lap of luxury, a bed of roses, (the land of) milk and honey; informal the life of Riley

 

 

To some a 25 year old single malt mixed with mountain dew and served over rocks is the bees knees, to others it's an abomination (as well as a waste of perfectly good mountain dew - I jest). If someone wants to avoid the mountain dew and single malt crowd, what's wrong with that?

[oregon50]

i am curious if the Q Grill degree on Cunard is still luxury?

 

Not even close. At least they serve freshly squeezed OJ, as they do in Princess.

[wripro]

So who gets to determine what constitutes "true luxury products?"

 

The word "luxury" is more or less defined as "a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort." That implies a varying standard for different people relative to their individual situations and lifestyles.

 

For any individual to decree what luxury should mean to someone else by imposing their own standards would seem to be condescending.

 

Maybe this thread should have been titled "high end" or "expensive" lines. It would be much easier to define which line fit the category and might have avoided the patronizing (and offensive) attitude implicit in the whole "ilk" thing.

 

For one thing, the product itself. Ask Oceania and they will tell you they are not a luxury product.

[KIWICRUZER]

Hi, I have travelled on Seabourn and Silversea , and recently on Ponant, Ponant is the the worst cruise line I have ever experienced and I have traveled over 450 days on various cruise ships. Check the reviews on C/C particularly Le Soleal , bad food , terrible officers, no entertainment etc.... .Looking forward to cruising with the best all round luxury line Seabourn in August!

[Ka Honu]

For one thing, the product itself. Ask Oceania and they will tell you they are not a luxury product.

 

Hmmm... Less than 5 minutes ago I received a marketing Email from Oceania titled, "Luxury Aboard, Royalty Ashore."

[mgfraser]

I have only tried Seabourn and Crystal of the luxury lines and Seabourn is certainly the number one.

 

Regular Seabourn balcony cabins are superior in size and quality as opposed to the smaller Crystal cabins. I also like the food and service better on Seabourn then Crystal. The smaller ship and crowds of people are also a good benefit of Seabourn.

[lincslady]

My understanding of 'luxury' in cruise lines is that one would probably work from the Berlitz guide? I know we all disagree with some of the findings, but they, or maybe there is another, would be generally considered to be the judges of this category.

 

If one is also considering smallish size to be important, my take for what it is worth would include Europa (Hapag-Lloyd), Crystal, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea and Seadream. I don't know anything about Sea Cloud, but maybe that too. No doubt some would include the Grills Class on Cunard (not me). Of those, Europa and Cunard are not all-inclusive, which again to me is important - it is that feeling of never being hassled to buy anything or sign for anything. I have cruised with four of the five lines I personally consider to be 'luxury' - low passenger numbers and inclusive, and have whittled my choice down to just one. None are perfect, but one comes nearest for me because what I consider most important are what it does well.

 

Fortunately we all have different priorities, so they can all flourish.

[wripro]

Hmmm... Less than 5 minutes ago I received a marketing Email from Oceania titled, "Luxury Aboard, Royalty Ashore."

 

And I've seen ads offering a night of luxury at a Marriott. Means nothing. That's an ad or promotion, not a rating.

 

Oceania itself does not call itself a luxury cruise line. End of story!

[notjaded]

Haven't tried Regent and Crystals dining arrangement doesn't suit us.

 

As a first time Seabourn cruiser, and having never done Regent/Crystal, I would appreciate it if you could you expound on the differences in the "dining arrangement?" Thanks.

[notjaded]

Not even close. At least they serve freshly squeezed OJ, as they do in Princess.

 

Seabourn: I got fresh-squeezed OJ in room service every day.

[patnlcc]

Notjaded, if you pop over to the referral coupon 'sticky' at the top of the Seabourn Cruises page, you will see I've offered a $400 coupon which will give both of us $400 onboard credit. Feel free to email me. My info is in that thread. I'm not supposed to do it here!

[notjaded]

Notjaded, if you pop over to the referral coupon 'sticky' at the top of the Seabourn Cruises page, you will see I've offered a $400 coupon which will give both of us $400 onboard credit. Feel free to email me. My info is in that thread. I'm not supposed to do it here!

 

Thanks, but by "first time," I meant that I sailed one time. :)

[patnlcc]

Ok, it was worth a shot. I still have the coupon if you hear of any other Seabourn newbies.

[Ka Honu]

Oceania itself does not call itself a luxury cruise line. End of story!

 

Sorry. I guess my substandard ilk, lack of experience, and/or inability to read English led me astray.

Edited June 18, 2016 by Ka Honu

[markham]

Ka Honu,

 

Don't beat yourself up over it. There is enough nonsense going on in the English speaking world already.

 

Aloha!

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[2SailingNomads]

Knowing Ka Honu I can assure you he was not being serious in his last comment. He is a very well travelled, intelligent gentleman and certainly proficient in the English language.

[oregon50]

I've often wondered if he pulls off the superior-than-thou attitude in person as well as he does in print.

Edited June 19, 2016 by oregon50