What Does Luxury Actually Mean at Sea? A Practical Guide for First-Time luxury cruises
Luxury-first-time cruisers know the word can be slippery. It’s invoked in marketing for everything from a mainstream ship with a fancier-than-usual eatery to a tiny, yacht-like boat on which the crew is barely outnumbered by passengers. That one word doesn’t say much.
If you’re weighing up luxury cruises, it pays to understand what you’re actually getting. These are the experiences you should be comparing before paying your deposit, plus some questions to cut through the brochure speak.
Ship size and passenger numbers
Bigger ships are noisy public spaces, long lines and ports that large ships don’t go to. Check the number of guests, then the space-to-guest ratio – the ship’s gross tonnage divided by the number of passengers. Higher ratios mean more space. Mainstream lines are usually on the low side, with premium and luxury lines higher, but the range varies from cruise line to cruise line.
Size also influences how you experience the voyage. With a smaller vessel, there’s more intimacy and a more laid-back vibe, but there are also less shows, bars and amenities. Will you prefer diversity or tranquility, because the two don’t usually go hand-in-hand?
And one more question you might want to get in: ask about the crew-to-guest ratio. The more crew you have on hand, the faster, more attentive service will be, not just in the restaurant but in the cabin as well. Lines may not always list this, but it’s a good question, and the answer speaks volumes.
What’s included in the fare
Inclusions change more than almost anything else. A few lines include drinks, gratuities, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and some shore excursions in the fare. Others charge separately for most of those, and the final bill can be quite different from the initial fare.
You can compare the options as simply as adding up the final figure. Start with the headline price and then think realistically about what you would spend on drinks, tips, excursions and internet. A seemingly more expensive fare may prove to be a more attractive quote with the extras included. Also read the terms for cancelling, the rulebook for each can vary greatly.
Cabins and suites
Most upmarket ships are all-suite or predominantly balcony cabins but there are differences in size and layout. Look at the size of the cabin in square metres, whether the bed can be used as a double or twin and what the bathroom is like. Some categories include extra benefits like priority boarding or a dedicated lounge.
Position counts, also. Noisy cabins under a pool deck, near a lift, or close to a service area can make just about any cabin unpleasant. Check the deck plan, and don’t hesitate to ask which cabins to steer clear of.
Dining and dress codes
Discover how many restaurants there are, if you need to reserve a table and if they have a cover charge. Some ships have open seating so you can dine whenever and with whomever you like, whereas others still serve fixed mealtimes. If you have special dietary needs let the cruise line know before you cruise not on the night.
Clothing standards are also worth investigating so you pack accordingly. Some luxe ships require evening wear, including blazers, while some do away with them altogether. Neither is right or wrong but it helps to know before you go rather than on your first night when you realize you’ve left your best shoes behind.
Itineraries and port time
Beyond the list of ports Don’t just look at what ports you’ll stop in. Find out how many hours you’ll be able to stay onshore, whether the ship is tendered or docked, and what time you’ll arrive and depart if you want to get off by smaller craft. Some cruises have overnight or late-stay options.
Observe whether the cruise includes excursions and whether you can go ashore on your own. An easy walk from the quayside makes for very different port visits to one that involves a coach transfer, and the best itineraries strike a balance.
It’s also worth inquiring about the small details that make the day-to-day experience more comfortable, like the speed of the lifts during busy hours, the reliability of the Wi-Fi and locations of the tranquil areas. Neither feature is captured in the lavish visuals, but it’s these nuances that determine the reality of a week at sea.
Reviews and the questions to ask
For the latest reviews read: ships are renovated and standards fluctuate. Take notice of service comments, as well as a ship’s cuisine and the kind of traveller it appeals to – the age range and vibe differ quite significantly. Consider accessibility, the medical facilities, and whether there is a policy on children if that is relevant.
Before you book, it pays to ask some simple questions: how many people will be on the boat, what is included in the fare, how do port days work and what is the dress code? If you don’t get straightforward answers, that’s telling you something.
Best of all, luxury at sea is understated; it’s space to sit back, time on land and a crew who can take good care of you. Figure out what kind of luxury you really want and the rest falls into place.
