Ultra Luxury Cruise Deals & Lines

Ultra-luxury cruise offers

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What is ultra-luxury cruising?

Put simply, it’s the crème de la crème of cruising, with the most luxurious ships and amenities you can imagine, and price tags to match. Service is top tier, with high staff-to-guest ratios and, depending on the cruise line, butlers for select suite categories.

Fares also tend to be all-inclusive – and while how that’s interpreted varies from line to line – perks often extend to fine wines, premium spirits, speciality dining, Wi-Fi packages and gratuities, with some extras thrown in for good measure, such as shore excursions or exclusive events.

Ultra-luxury ships themselves tend to be on the smaller end of the spectrum for two key reasons: firstly, to cultivate a yacht-like, intimate ambience, and secondly, to access boutique ports that larger ships can’t reach.

Spacious ocean-view suites are par for the course, while public spaces feel generously proportioned, and dining venues are designed to rival the best restaurants on land.

What are the best ultra-luxury cruise lines?

To make the cut and be considered truly ultra-luxury within the industry, a cruise line must deliver far more than spacious suites and high-end toiletries. The overall experience should feel effortless, elegant and intuitively catered to every guest.

Beyond that, each cruise line has its own approach and specific areas of excellence. Crystal, for instance, is well regarded for its solo-friendly offering, while Seabourn has earned a loyal following among gourmets thanks to its culinary calibre. As well as Regent Seven Seas Cruises offering truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury experience

Some ultra-luxury lines also operate expedition-style ships designed for itineraries to remote, far-flung destinations. Notably, Ponant, Seabourn and Scenic all have purpose-built vessels that pair high-end comfort with serious exploration credentials.

Recommended lines

Cruise lines

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Atlas Ocean Voyages offers intimate yachting expeditions of the highest quality, taking each passenger on the cruise of a lifetime. Founded in 2019, Atlas operates with three custom-designed ships – World Navigator, World Traveller and World Voyager – that each focus on famed cruising styles; expedition, classic ocean and epicurean. Regardless of whether you seek culinary excellence or a lesser-travelled paradise, Atlas has you covered with unrivalled comfort and unchallenged style.

Cruise lines

Crystal Cruises

Crystal Cruises - originally founded in 1988 - offers a range of stylish luxury and expedition cruises, bringing a sense of occasion and high-end service to far-flung parts of the world. For over three decades, Crystal has gained awards and accolades by the shipload – and it’s not hard to see why.Operating a fleet of impressive ships decked out with opulent décor and contemporary innovations, Crystal Cruises takes comfort and adventure to the next level. From succulent dining to perfectly-organised onshore excursions, not to mention helicopter trips and submarine expeditions, the cruise line boasts of serious attention to detail, for the ultimate trip of a lifetime.

Cruise lines

Explora Journeys Cruises

Explora Journeys aim to create a relaxed energy within their passengers. Through exemplary service and high-quality surroundings, their itineraries are specifically designed to inspire exploration and discovery, broaden your horizons and trigger new connections. Your journey will be characterised by calm, unity, elegance, and joy – also known as The Ocean State of Mind, an elusive and sought-after mantra.

Cruise lines

PONANT EXPLORATIONS

When searching for a luxury yacht expedition cruise, there’s one name above all else that you need to know – Ponant Cruises. Founded in 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers, Ponant combines succulent luxury with authentic adventures on all seven continents. From classic Mediterranean itineraries and Caribbean sailings, to bucket-list expeditions around Greenland and Antarctica, Ponant cruises proudly counteract the banality of mainstream voyages with a unique take on the concept of small-ship cruising. It’s the absolute trip of a lifetime.

Cruise lines

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent promises to deliver The Most Inclusive Luxury Experience, offering an all-inclusive, ultra-luxury experience that is Unrivalled at Sea™. Explore more than 550 destinations around the world while enjoying the unrivalled space, elegance, and comfort of The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet®.Order your Free Regent Seven Seas Cruises Brochure Today!

Cruise lines

Scenic Ocean Cruises

Scenic started out in 1986 as a coach touring specialist. In 2008, the Australian company launched their river cruise programme.Just over a decade later, Scenic entered the world of ocean cruising. Scenic Eclipse made her debut in 2019 while sister ship, Scenic Eclipse II, set sail on her inaugural journey in April 2023.

Cruise lines

Seabourn Cruises

For decadent luxury that sails hand-in-hand with personalised experience and in-depth access to world heritage, may we introduce Seabourn Cruises. Blending nimble power and grace with beautifully designed spaces, Seabourn ships can be likened to lavish resorts. Except, uniquely, the staff already know you just as they also remember your favourite drink.

Cruise lines

What is SeaDream Yacht Club?

SeaDream led the industry down a path of post-lockdown recovery during a Norwegian cruise. However, the line's two 112-passenger ships are more at home in the Med and Caribbean, where they can offer a "champagne in the surf" experience. Dining and sleeping are offered on deck, thanks to an outdoor restaurant and a series of Balinese beds. Champagne, strawberries and towel swans add to the romance.

Cruise lines

Silversea Cruises

Wellness should be about balanced indulgence, not self-sacrifice - that's the philosophy behind Silversea's new programme called Otium, named after the Roman leisure time dedicated to bathing, talking, singing, drinking, eating and relaxing. The easygoing regime includes a 24-hour room-service menu of comfort food, as well as new spa treatments, relaxing baths and hot chocolate served on your balcony.

Cruise lines

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Uniworld is one of the most luxurious river cruise lines in existence, operating a fleet of 13 unique, opulent and lavish six-star river ships. The company was founded in 1976, becoming part of the Travel Corporation in 2004 – a group which also includes luxurious Red Carnation Hotel. The cruise line operates on the waters of Europe, Arica and Asia, and each Uniworld ship is inspired by its destination.

Cruise lines

Viking - Ocean Cruises

Viking began as a river cruise line and entered the ocean-cruise market with the launch of the 930-guest Viking Star. Viking has already made an indelible mark on the sector with its fleet of stylish, near-identical, adult-only ships. The cruise line currently has 10 ships in its fleet.

Cruise lines

Hebridean Island Cruises

You're looking at the personal choice of HRH Queen Elizabeth II. Hebridean Island Cruises provides an intimate and palatial opportunity to explore the breathtaking landscapes and rich heritage of Scotland’s Hebrides. Boasting a dedicated commitment to highly-personalised service, amid Royal luxuries and a unique mantra oozing with celebrated heritage, these cruises feel like a private yacht experience - without the requirement of marrying into the Windsors.

What are the best ultra-luxury cruise destinations?

Ultra-luxury cruise lines sail all four corners of the world, from the fjords of Norway and capitals of the Mediterranean to remote islands in the South Pacific and cosmopolitan hubs in East Asia.

Of course, given their level of luxury, destinations that attract well-heeled travellers tend to feature heavily on ultra-luxury itineraries. Examples include Cannes in the South of France and St Barths in the Caribbean.

They also typically include a mix of marquee ports and lesser-sailed harbours that larger ships can’t reach. For example, an itinerary might combine popular Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini with less touristed ones, like Patmos or Milos. In the Adriatic, meanwhile, the bustling port of Dubrovnik might be paired with Hvar, which has long been a bolthole for the jet set.

Ultra-luxury lines that double as expedition operators will also sail routes to the hard-to-reach places like Greenland, Antarctica or the Kimberley.

FAQs

What’s included on an ultra-luxury cruise?

Ultra-luxury cruises almost always offer all-inclusive as standard, though what that means can vary depending on your line.

Typically, you can expect the following to be included as a minimum: accommodation in a well-appointed stateroom (usually a suite), toiletries (these are sometimes bespoke), towels, bathrobes, use of onboard facilities, entertainment, port fees and full board in a range of upscale restaurants and premium drinks. Often, Wi-Fi packages and gratuities are included, too.

Beyond that, you get a swathe of generous perks, carefully curated to best suit the clientele the specific cruise line aims to serve.

For instance, Seabourn includes caviar on request as well as complimentary signature events, such as Marina Day, Caviar in the Surf and shopping with the chef. Regent Seven Seas Cruises, meanwhile, includes unlimited shore excursions and valet laundry service.

Note that sometimes, very expensive alcoholic products, such as top-shelf whiskies or rare vintages, incur an additional fee even if drinks are included. Spa treatments are always extra too.

Also, keep in mind that not all ultra-luxury lines include air travel as standard due to how international their clientele is. They will almost always book your airfare if you so wish, and some even arrange private jet access, but it’s not always included in the sticker price.

How expensive are ultra-luxury cruises?

This can vary wildly. On the lowest end of the spectrum, prices start at £2,500 to £3,000, particularly if you can snag an early booking or last-minute promotion.

That said, world cruises and grand expeditions from ultra-luxury cruise lines can be tens of thousands of pounds – upwards or £100,000, depending on duration and suite category.

At the very top end? One couple will spend £1.2 million for a 140-night stay in the most exclusive suite aboard a Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship in 2027 – an eye-watering sum few can imagine spending on a single holiday.

What’s the difference between a luxury and an ultra-luxury cruise?

Ultra-luxury cruises tend to offer a more elevated experience. That usually means a higher ratio of staff-to-guests, smaller and more design-led ships, suite-based accommodation and a more inclusive fare structure than you’ll find on luxury lines.

That said, there’s no hard and fast boundary between luxury and ultra-luxury. Some luxury lines incorporate elements of ultra-luxury, but don’t deliver the same across-the-board experience as the very highest end of the market.

When is the best time to go on an ultra-luxury cruise?

It depends entirely on where you’re going and what your travel aspirations are. The Mediterranean might delight sun worshippers in the height of summer, but it’s far from ideal for those who struggle with the heat.

When in doubt, check to see if the ultra-luxury line you have in mind has any cruises specifically timed for a cultural event, seasonal moment or natural phenomenon that appeals to you. Certain itineraries are timed to coincide with notable occasions, such as cherry blossom season in Japan, Carnival in Rio, or a celestial event like a solar eclipse.

How long are ultra-luxury cruises?

They can vary significantly. You can find three or four-day mini cruises from ultra-luxury lines, including Explora Journeys and Crystal, which are particularly well-suited to those who are short on time or who have never cruised before.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are ultra-luxury world cruises, which are long-haul sailings that visit multiple continents over several months. For example, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has one for 174 nights at the time of writing.

There are plenty of options between those two extremes, including week- and fortnight-long journeys.

What is the dress code on an ultra-luxury cruise?

This varies between cruise lines. Many permit casual, resort-style wear in the day, and smart casual in the evening, apart from gala or formal events that may require evening gowns, tuxes or other formal wear.

Are children allowed on ultra-luxury cruises?

Yes, most ultra-luxury lines do allow children, though not all of them are designed with families front of mind. For example, Silversea does not have a formal kids’ club, and amenities are curated for the appreciation of adults.

A few are more child-friendly, however. The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Ponant, Explora Journeys and Crystal all have spaces or clubs for children.

One thing to consider is that if you’re headed on an ultra-luxury expedition to an isolated destination, children under a certain age may be barred from travelling. For example, Atlas Ocean Voyages welcomes children on Antarctic expeditions, but only if they’re eight or above.