Luxury Cruises - How To Prepare And What To Expect

You've decided to treat yourself to a luxury cruise, but it's your first time on one and you're not sure what to expect. Contrary to popular belief, they are not just for high flyers or millionaires. You are just as likely to find people who may have had a windfall or saved up to treat themselves to what they'd consider a 'once in a lifetime' experience. Another image that tends to spring to mind is one of passengers constantly dressed 'up to the nines'. Not so. Yes, you will sometimes have to be dressed formally, but most ships have several dining options and you don't always have to wear a gown or a tie. As for the staff, they are trained to provide the best service possible, not to look down on you. As more and more people 'treat themselves', staff on luxury cruise ships are used to passengers who have not experienced such first class services before, butlers for example, and are there to help you enjoy the experience.

Hopefully you're feeling a bit more relaxed now. Here are our top tips for preparing for your first luxury cruise.

Ask the Experts

Your first port of call should be the travel agent, preferably one who specialises in cruises. A good agent can discuss the different cruise lines and ships in detail, for example average age, type of entertainment, shore excursions and dining facilities. Make sure they know what you like and don't like, such as your preference for dancing in the evenings or listening to guest lecturers, and what you're looking for. Maybe you fancy glamour, in which case maybe try Silversea Cruises' Silver Cloud or Silver Wind. Or for something traditional how about one of Seabourn's three ships?

Don't Be Shy

Be honest (and firm) with your travel agent about your budget. When they know exactly how much they've got to work with they can weed out the obvious no's and see if they can get you a deal. Double check what is and isn't included in the price - on some cruise liners the tips are included in the fare and sometimes selected drinks. Cruises on SeaDream Yacht Club's ultra-luxury yachts, for example, include cocktails, tips, caviar, watersports...

Have an Onboard Budget

With all those wonderful facilities onboard, it can be tempting to splash out on relaxing spa treatments, mementos from the shops or trying your luck in the casino. Difficult for first timers, but decide on a budget and stick to it. Keep a running tab of what you've spent so you can keep a careful eye on expenditure and ensure you don't get a shock at the end of the cruise. Easier said than done we know, especially if you're onboard a ship like Crystal's Crystal Symphony or Crystal Serenity with their Feng Shui inspired spa and Caesar's Palace casino.

Research

A travel agent may be able to tell you quite a bit about the cruise, but the internet is a great research tool. For honest opinions you can find reviews from people who have been on the cruise(s) you're interested in or even join a forum where you can ask other members for any tips or comments about particular cruise(s).

Relax

Don't forget, you're there to enjoy yourself. All the staff are trained to make your cruise as pleasurable as possible and are there to help. Make the most of them. Try not to think of making what you might consider social gaffes - it's highly unlikely anyone will notice and if they do, so what? Everyone makes mistakes.

So go on, book that luxury cruise and enjoy.

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Expect Royal Treatment On Luxury Cruises

Commercial cruises are fine, but for a really delightful experience wouldn't it be better to be able to relax on a private yacht? And wouldn't is be great to travel at your own pace rather than be rushed to get back on the cruise liner before its sails away? Hard as it may be to believe, many people actually pay more for a trip aboard an overcrowded cruise ship. Why not discover the ultimate way to cruise in style, your ultimate luxury cruise? That' where yachts charters are making their marks. They are becoming increasingly popular. Why? Because they make it possible for discerning travellers to enjoy an intimate as well as flexible vacation. Add to that the fact that they staff pampers you to your heart's delight, and you may never go on a "regular" cruise again. With Private Yacht Charters you are in complete control of your itinerary. With private yacht charters you can change your mind and stay that extra night on your favorite island or do whatever else you please. This would never be possible on a commercial cruise line... you would simply miss the boat, literally and figuratively.

Private Yachts Are The First Choice Of Honeymooners

Many honeymooners prefer the private yacht charter as do families who wish to have a reunion or wish to spend time together without the crowds, the hustle and bustle of large cruise liners. Most of all, when you choose a yacht charter with crew, you can be sure that your every whim will be catered to. Also, the private yacht charter captain acts also as a personal guide who can lead you to the most secluded beaches or the quietest anchorages to suit your individual tastes and preferences.

Though most cruise lines offer luxury in their cruise plans, there are some that push the limits and are often referred to as Luxury Cruise Lines. You'll find much more than what is available on the typical cruise line offerings. For one thing, you can expect a memorable experience that is far above and beyond standard luxury concepts. Some of the notable luxury lines worth mentioning are Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, and Windstar Cruises.

The well trained staff aim to please, and they are good at it. You will receive service amazing service aboard these luxury cruise liners is amazing. There offer more staff, more exotic itineraries and more all-inclusive services than you would ever imagine. You can expect almost telepathic service because crew and staff are trained to anticipate the guest's every whim and fancy while providing courteous and quick service. The luxury cruise ships are generally smaller than mainstream liners and typically cater to fewer than one hundred and fifty to just under four hundred guests. If there is one exception to the rule, it would be Crystal Cruises. It has three ships with a capacity of around nine hundred guests. Still, this is significantly less than what you would find on the crowded decks of the mainstream cruise lines.

Luxury cruise ships display high priced art, delicate china, rare woods as well as the finest fabrics and best in leather on board their liners and have expansive wine cellars as well as relatively bigger accommodation to provide the best of the best. These luxury cruises do not come cheap. You can expect to pay anywhere between three hundred dollars to two thousand dollars per person per day, depending on the ship you choose, the length of cruise as well as type of accommodation and destination you choose.

Cunard cruise line also offers much in the way of luxury cruises. It typifies the best in luxury cruises and offers relaxation with a level of pampering that makes them the first choice for the demanding traveler. With such amazing ships like the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2 and the soon to be completed Queen Victoria, you can expect their luxury cruises to be a unique experience, unmatched by any other ship in the world. The Queen Elizabeth 2 is renowned for catering to millionaires, royalty as well as celebrities and you will be transported to exotic destinations while indulging yourself in the ultimate in luxury aboard these famous ships.

The primary attraction of luxury cruises is the fact that they offer lots of fun, adventure and freedom and integrate it all seamlessly with a liberal supply of indulgent service, pampering and unequalled luxury that you can enjoy for the entire duration of the cruise. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is unique in luxury cruises in that it is the first cruise line to provide all-suite, all-balcony ships and is first also when it comes to providing Le Cordon Bleu restaurants at sea. In addition, it provides an all-inclusive value that includes gratuities, non-alcoholic beverages, and wines at dinner as well as an in-suite bar without having to pay extra for it.

For those that wish to experience a floating country club, the Oceania is a luxury liner that lays emphasis on excellence in cuisine, and is an entry-level luxury line whose ships travel to unique cruise destinations and have distinctive stateroom amenities as well as. The Silversea is the elite of the elite mid-sized all-suite ship whose privileged guests are served unparalleled cuisine with sophistication and intimacy. These luxury liners cater to anyone who desires the finer things of life"... love, laughter and untold luxury!

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