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In the winter, Royal Clipper island hops around the Caribbean, sailing round trip from Barbados to some of the lesser-known islands. During the summer, it cruises the Mediterranean along the French and Italian rivieras and explores the coast of Croatia and the Canary Islands. I also gravitate to the off-beat itineraries small ships offer because they focus on unusual and remote places that only small vessels can access. I'm drawn to the intimacy and instant community that develops between a small number of passengers and crew cruising together.
The 16 Best Cruises to Book in 2023, According to T+L's Expert
When the weather's good, skip the main restaurant and eat at the buffet, which is set up at the back of Deck 7, adjacent to the attractive (and heated) infinity swimming pool. L'Austral explores both polar regions and spends time in the Mediterranean, cruising along the coast of Croatia and around the smaller, less touristy Greek Islands like Amorgos, Milos and Delos. Star Clippers' handsome five-masted tall ship Royal Clipper is considered the largest square rigger in service. Modeled after the great 1902 German clipper Preussen, the ship is a real throwback, with lots of wood and brass features and nautical-style elements. Passengers choose from 10 original cabins, including Post's own suite with its Louis XIV–style bed and nightstands, marble fireplace and bathroom, chandeliers and intricate moldings.
The Caribbean, South Pacific, and Australia With Windstar Cruises
SeaDream Yacht Club's 40-year-old ships may not be new, but they're still some of the prettiest classic luxury yachts afloat. However, they're spacious, recently refurbished, and feature wood details that evoke a classic nautical feel. High-tech toys, such as a remotely operated vehicle and underwater video camera, hydrophone, remote-controlled aerial camera and video microscope, allow guests to view footage of undersea life wherever the ships may be. Lindblad's newest 128-passenger ships, National Geographic Resolution (2021) and National Geographic Endurance (2020), were built for hard-core exploration in the polar regions they call home.
Best for Solo Travelers
As a result, it draws far fewer families than the vessels above and caters more to an older crowd of mostly couples. In designing the vessels, Royal Caribbean took a page from solo-targeting Norwegian Cruise Line's playbook and added several cabins specifically for solos. Quantum of the Seas offers 28 of these dedicated studio cabins, each measuring from 101 to 119 square feet.
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To view the full details of each category, visit the 2023 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards. “And if someone has cruised before–or considers themselves an avid cruiser–we hope this list helps introduce them to new options, whether an entirely new line or new possibilities offered by some of their favorites. Layered clothing accommodates the region's variable weather, while specialized gear might be necessary for specific excursions. The height of summer can be marred by heavy rainfall, while it’s possible to get sunburnt in the snow-covered conditions of February and March. If you’ve ever wanted to dive into the culture of the Vikings or explore what makes people in the Nordic region the so-called happiest on earth, you could do a lot worse than book a Scandinavian cruise. The pappardelle was lighter and chewier than my previous experiences, which I preferred.
Travel + Leisure hand-selected 16 different types of on-the-water adventures to consider in the year ahead. Silversea Cruises topped the list as Best Luxury Cruise Line for the second year in a row. Cruise Critic just announced its annual list of the Best Cruise Lines of The Year.
For older travelers looking for a Royal Caribbean ship that isn't jammed full of children, it's hard to beat Rhapsody of the Seas. The only things you won't find are the most over-the-top Royal Caribbean attractions found on newer Royal Caribbean ships, such as zip lines, skydiving simulators and bumper car pavilions. Note the suite complex is a gated community — one where you'll only be surrounded by other swells who have paid top dollar for exclusivity. Nobody can get into the area unless they have a keycard showing they're a resident. Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Departures, TripSavvy, and other publications.
7 Best Luxury Cruises - Cruise Critic
7 Best Luxury Cruises.
Posted: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Ten of the best small-ship cruises - The Times
Ten of the best small-ship cruises.
Posted: Sun, 21 Apr 2024 23:05:33 GMT [source]
The highly regarded intimate-ship line wins frequent accolades from T+L readers for its on-board service and well-appointed vessels. MSC’s gorgeous MSC Yacht Club is proof that not all luxury suite complexes are created equal. This private enclave boasts all the requisite perks you might expect, from lavish suites to grand lounges and private dining areas. MSC sets itself apart by making that complex more accessible than ever before, thanks to the line’s value-priced MSC Yacht Club Inside Staterooms that provide a lot of luxe for a little dough.
At 78,808 tons, Rhapsody of the Seas is a third the size of the biggest Royal Caribbean ships. Expect a more intimate experience than what you'll find on the bustling Icon-class, Oasis-class, Quantum-class and Freedom-class ships mentioned above. In addition, Quantum of the Seas ships is particularly known for its unusual range of activities, from skydiving simulators to bumper cars that you can enjoy just fine as a solo traveler. In short, the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for you, if you're traveling with children, might not be the same as the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for a solo traveler or the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for a retiree. Just refurbished, the 165-cabin Paul Gauguin will be exploring the Pacific in 2023, with trips to the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Marquesas, and the Society Islands. The single-vessel brand was voted the very best small-ship cruise line in the World’s Best Awards 2022, as T+L readers gave particularly high marks to the Paul Gauguin’s on-board staff.
Because short sailings tend to attract a more lively crowd, passengers can expect lots of dancing, socializing and late nights at Henri's Dance Club. During the day, passengers enjoy spending time around the pool and grabbing free burgers from Guy's Burger Joint. With that in mind, one ship that offers slightly more exclusive options is Carnival Horizon — the second vessel in Carnival's three-ship Vista class. It offers a top-deck, adults-only Serenity sun deck area; an extensive menu of spa treatments, salon services and fitness classes at the onboard Cloud 9 Spa; and a handful of upmarket cabin offerings. Some Royal Caribbean ships — such as the line's Oasis-class vessels and recently launched Icon of the Seas — are built with far more family-focused activities than others. Some, such as the two-year-old Wonder of the Seas, have added features that appeal to luxury-loving travelers.
World Navigator is a deluxe expedition ship sporting a 1B Ice Class-certified hull and the latest technologies, such as a GPS-based dynamic position system to minimize movement and noise. Itineraries focus on the Mediterranean during the summer, with mostly one- to two-week cruises that call on ports along the coasts of Croatia, Albania, Italy, France, Turkey and the Greek Islands. Ponant has been busy launching six new ships in its impressive Explorers series.
You'll find an ocean-view fitness center, a small spa and an outdoor pool with two hot tubs. Landings and Zodiac safaris are included on Antarctica cruises, but excursions are not included on other itineraries. All non-polar cruises offered from April through October are called Epicurean Expeditions (with one complimentary wine- or food-focused experience per cruise).
There are so many reasons to get excited about a Royal Caribbean® cruise. Choose from itineraries that take you to top-rated holiday destinations, from sun-soaked Caribbean isles to ancient temples in Asia and everywhere in between. No matter which ship you choose to sail on, this is a fleet filled with incredible feats. These engineering wonders take home awards every year for their cutting-edge design, first-of-their-kind attractions, world class dining and accommodations, and unforgettable experiences. From the tallest slide at sea, to culinary concepts that take guests from Japan to Italy to Wonderland, the world’s largest cruise ships are full of adventures guaranteed to wow every kind of explorer.
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