Tuesday, April 9, 2024

The 11 Best Luxury Cruise Lines, According to T+L's Experts

best us cruise lines

Each year, cruise lines would dispatch hundreds of ships, each packed with hundreds or thousands of travelers, sailing into the seven seas for weeks at a time. However, come 2020, the allure of clinking glasses and poolside sunbathing dissipated into thin air as these luxury watercrafts became hotspots for COVID-19 infestation. The other perks included in your cruise fare will depend on how much you pay; many larger cruise lines offer multiple tiers of fares.

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The Discovery Princess has advantage over other cruise ships as the vessel is designed to sail deeper into the crevices surrounding Alaska than normal cruise ships. French luxury cruise line Ponant aims to make passengers feel as if they're traveling on their own private yachts. Guests enjoy Ladurée macarons, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, and luxurious Hermès bath products on board. Each of the company's ships features an onboard spa with massage cabins and either a Turkish bath or sauna. Ponant's luxurious small ships sail to remote destinations like Antarctica, incorporating once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as eclipse spotting from the edge of the earth.

Are there any cruises that stay in the United States?

The line's not stopping there -- it's expanding the number of solo cabins across its entire fleet. The memories of the challenges European cruisers faced last year surely contribute to U.S. cruises’ popularity boost. Besides, it’s so much easier (and far less costly) to find ports to drive to, or only require a short flight. Most American cruises possess the added allure of international flair, visiting the Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada. Nearby waters deliver breathtaking natural beauty, adventurous shore excursions, and ship vibes that range from nonstop high-energy to pampering luxury. Here, several upcoming voyages sailing from American ports that rival any cruise in far-flung locales.

7 Best Luxury Cruises - Cruise Critic

7 Best Luxury Cruises.

Posted: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

How to choose the right cruise ship cabin

best us cruise lines

Moreover, it offers unique excursions on the shore, as its smaller ships are able to dock into ports around the world that aren’t equipped to handle large or medium-sized liners. Each cruise also hosts a signature White Nights party, a memorable gathering atop the pool deck where attendees get to revel under the stars. Luxury cruises tend to be smaller, with more staff per guest and more deluxe amenities. Among the amenities, passengers can enjoy upscale accommodations, spas and sauna facilities, water sports equipment and fine dining.

Disney is famous for its attention to detail and focus on the guest experience in its theme parks, and those attributes extend to its cruises, too. Families will enjoy meet-and-greets with Disney characters, themed restaurants, and a slew of onboard activities and entertainment. Staterooms are also family friendly, with storage that’s designed to accommodate multiple guests. Single cruisers also have access to an exclusive shared social space called the Studio Complex and Lounge.

Best cruise lines in the Caribbean

The lowest tier will be the cheapest, but you should expect to pay out of pocket for extras like drinks, certain restaurant meals and activities and excursions once you’re on board. Higher fare tiers include more amenities but are significantly more expensive. Paul Gauguin Cruises operates just one ship, but it is exquisite, hosting 330 guests and sailing only in the South Pacific to destinations like Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. The ship is small enough to access private ports at remote beaches and take travelers well off the beaten path.

Best for Solo Travelers: Norwegian

Food options include gourmet specialties, quick-serve bites and 24-hour room service, so you and your family can eat anytime you're hungry. Parents can even book a romantic dinner while the kids have fun at one of the supervised youth clubs. McDaniel notes other ways in which ship size affects the cruising experience. “There’s also a greater space ratio onboard, allowing for less crowding and more space for guests to spread out and enjoy,” she says.

Oceania Cruises

Here are five river cruises that will show you the U.S. in a whole new light. Off-ship experiences include sampling local beer and oysters in Astoria, Oregon; visiting Multnomah Falls or hiking Beacon Rock; and having a private vineyard visit and downtown wine walk in Walla Walla, Washington. Complementing the itinerary will be gourmet Pacific Northwest cuisine and more than 40 regional wines curated by an onboard culinary team. A naturalist, historian and geologist will be on hand to guide you on excursions by foot, kayak, Zodiac and jet boat. A game changer in lowering emissions, Ponant’s brand-new hybrid-electric Le Commandant Charcot can operate on less-carbon-intensive battery power and liquefied natural gas and has room for 245 guests. The game-changing ship, which has already hosted eclipse watchers on a trip to Antarctica and sailed to the geographic North Pole, also offers adventures in places such as Iceland and Svalbard.

Are pets allowed on cruises?

It is especially lauded for its land expeditions, including some which explore the farthest regions of Alaska. Passengers are allowed to venture ashore the ice cloaked terrain with trained teams of guides and geologists, interact with the area’s wildlife, and drink in the sight of colossal glaciers, icy waterfalls, and radiating hot springs. Silversea has a long list of accolades from various outlets including being the “Ultra-luxury Cruise Line of The Year” and the “Expedition/Adventure Cruise Line of the Year” in 2024. On these voyages, you'll sail with anywhere from 100 to 400 other guests aboard either modern riverboats or classic paddle wheelers that hearken back to a different time. Like their European counterparts, river cruises in the U.S. typically package everything at a single price, including staterooms, meals, guest lectures and enrichment programs, entertainment, and most shore excursions.

Vicksburg, Mississippi, is home to one of the Civil War's most famous battlefields. Baton Rouge, Louisiana's capital, has something to satisfy every interest, from Cajun cuisine to tours of the restored World War II-era USS Kidd. It's part of the Royal Caribbean Group, which also operates Royal Caribbean International, which took home a "Silver Award" in this category. "[The company] ended the year in the best-booked position we have ever seen, both on price and occupancy, setting 2024 off to an amazing start." No, you can usually go on a cruise without being vaccinated for COVID-19 or other diseases.

During a call on Richland, Washington, you can admire the scenic beauty around the confluence of the Columbia and Snake rivers at Sacajawea State Park. You can cruise the entire length of this mighty river as you visit 14 cities in seven U.S. states on Viking's two-week sailing. Windstar has a series of 2023 itineraries on the 156-cabin Star Pride and 171-suite Wind Surf that hit yachty Caribbean ports like Jost Van Dyke, in the British Virgin Islands, and Anguilla.

The best time to cruise in the USA will vary greatly depending on the region. Cruises sailing from or stopping in Florida or Southern California are available year-round, but regions like Alaska, New England and the Pacific Northwest are primarily summer and early-fall destinations. Spotting wildlife and sipping wine go hand-in-hand on this UnCruise Adventures expedition around the Pacific Northwest. The seven-night round-trip journey from Portland isn't your typical leisure cruise. Instead, passengers get to go on rainforest hikes, rafting adventures, winery visits, and scenic kayaking excursions through dramatic canyons.

There aren’t many lines where, when the clubs and bars wind down, the party continues deep into the night. With its endless dedication to kids, Disney Cruise Line breezes to the top of the pack when it comes to the family cruise experience. Larger-than-average staterooms with double-bathrooms, free room service and fountain sodas, and Disney’s spectacular kids facilities and production shows help set the line apart. But Disney doesn’t forget that adults are footing the bill and crafts a memorable experience for them, too. Disney dominates the family cruise category, as it has every year since U.S. To qualify for this category, at least 62% of a cruise line's online traveler reviews must be made by couples.

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