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You’ll find an elevated cruise experience at a price point that won’t break the bank.
For many travellers, a luxury cruise is an aspirational undertaking – a once-in-a-lifetime journey. But for those looking to leave the bigger ships behind and upgrade their cruise experience, there is a way to sail in style – for less.
Between the “mainstream” cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean and the luxury lines like Seabourn and Silversea, there is an intermediate category of ships that are smaller and more intimate, and typically visit more far-flung destinations. Sometimes called “Premium lines” these include companies like Azamara, Cunard, Oceania and Viking Ocean Cruises.
Azamara has a fleet of attractive, mid-sized ships that focus on port-intensive itineraries, several which features overnight calls in significant ports. Staterooms, suites and verandas are well-appointed with plenty of lavish touches, and public rooms more resemble a casual country club than a big, flashy cruise ship – and that’s just how Azamara guests like it.
During late-night or overnight port stays, Azamara distinguishes itself by offering something it calls AzAmazing Evenings: nighttime outings that can include concerts, cultural performances, or other special events, exclusively for guests.
Cunard, on the other hand, is all about tradition. The line founded by Samuel Cunard in 1840 is still going strong, with the massive Queen Mary 2 reigning supreme as the only modern-day transatlantic ocean liner operating service between New York and Southampton, England. Cunard also has a fleet of two other vessels – Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria – that operate traditional cruising duties around the globe.
While you can book an economical inside stateroom or a lavish suite, what distinguishes Cunard from its competitors are its British traditions, from classic pub lunch to white-gloved afternoon tea, which aboard Queen Mary 2 is served up in the grand setting of the largest ballroom at sea. Both features are complimentary, and Cunard also rolls out world-class enrichment lectures free of charge as well. Add to that an upscale environment and exacting service, and you have the makings of the grand days of transoceanic travel, retooled for the modern cruiser.
Oceania is all about food; it’s fleet of intimate small-ships are renowned for their mouth-watering dining venues, which are consistently rated among the best in the industry – even when compared to the line’s luxury counterparts. A foodie’s dream come true, these ships are also an interior designer’s fantasy, with some of the most understatedly-lavish public rooms and suites afloat.
Like Azamara, Oceania specializes in port-intensive itineraries with a number of late-night and overnight stays. Oceania offers worldwide itineraries with cruises to suit any length and budget. But for those with the time and money to spare, Oceania’s grand “Around the World in 180 Days” World Cruises are some of the longest and most elaborate in the industry, and come at a fraction of the cost of a World Cruise on a luxury line.
Viking Ocean Cruises is the new kid on the block. Founded in 2015 with the launch of the 930-passenger Viking Star, Viking quickly won awards and accolades for its classy and adult-oriented onboard product. It also took a page from its European river cruises, including beer, wine and soft drinks, Wi-Fi internet access, and at least one shore excursion in every port of call with every passenger’s cruise fare.
Viking specializes in worldwide itineraries, with a focus on Norway, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean. Viking offers some of the best Nordic and North Atlantic itineraries of any line out there, and is quickly making inroads into the Caribbean, Alaska, Canada and New England, and Asia and the South Pacific. What wins most passengers over, however, are the ships themselves: works of art laden with books at every turn, staffed with some of the friendliest crews at sea. Viking even throws in the Thermal Suite – a relaxing enclave in the LivNordic Spa featuring a hydrotherapy pool, heated ceramic loungers, and a snow room with real snow -free of charge. Other lines charge hundreds of dollars per person for similar experiences; that’s the Viking difference.
No matter which line you choose, you’ll find an elevated cruise experience at a price point that won’t break the bank. But be forewarned: once you cruise at this level, there’s no going back!
Cruising The World
