A Luxury Cruise: Is it worth it?
This is a good question and one many people ask. So what does the extra dollars buy?This is a question many clients ask. This is your holiday and the time is precious. You want everything to be just right and maybe a bit special. But what does “special” mean in the cruising world?
All inclusive
This is a very big difference. Many of the luxury lines include wine, beer and alcoholic beverages, as well as pop, bottled water, juices and specialty coffees. The wines are usually of a good quality and well chosen to complement the cuisine.These small items can add up very quickly as anyone who has cruised can testify!
Cabins
Cabins are usually all suites with no inside cabins. How important is this? Well, when you are exhausted from touring and you have gone back to your cabin to freshen up for dinner , when you have a private balcony you will not miss the sail out from Venice or the fjords of Chile and Norway or the wonderful little islands outside Helsinki. In the privacy and quiet of your cabin, you can notice these things and sit on your own private balcony and continue your sightseeing at leisure, perhaps with a glass of wine or sparkling water in hand. If the weather is not terrific, no problem -just curl up in your private balcony cabin and watch the world go by.
Fittings , Finishes and Amenities
Would you prefer a formica countertop or a marble one with a double sink in the bathroom? How about a bath tub? Maybe you would like space to turn around in the shower without making best friends with the shower curtain?The drapes will actually block out ALL the light and not have you up at the crack of dawn. Terry bathrobes, Bvlgari/ L”Occitiane amenities and a well lit makeup area are appreciated features too.
No Tipping
Luxury ships generally include all gratuities and they actually mean it. Their staff is paid at a higher rate and they don’t expect it. In fact, usually the staff will respectfully decline. Furthermore, since they are very well paid according to industry standards, they tend to attract the best of the best in terms of crew. Service is always based on the concept that the customer comes first. You will not often hear the word “ no” when a request is made on a luxury cruise.
Oh, the places you’ll go!
Usually smaller ships dominate the luxury class and they are able to go to the smaller ports. Why does this matter? Would you rather be the only ship in port with 200 people or with 3000 of your new closest friends? Make that times 3 if there is more than one mega ship in port at the same time. Smaller ports can provide a hassle free destination where you can often walk into the nearest small town and be the only tourists on the street! Now that is an authentic experience.
A more in-depth travel experience
Luxury cruise lines often include lectures, authentic experiences and private opportunities to enjoy the “special” qualities of a destination. You go to the “real” ballet inSt Petersburgduring your 3 day stay. Any one who has visitedSt. Petersburgwill tell you that 2 days is definitely not enough and the luxury cruise lines give you this extra time. Some luxury lines even include their shore excursions in their up front pricing to make it a truly all inclusive experience. Now that is a tremendous savings while in Europe orChina or South America!
SPACE!
Yes, this does deserve capital letters. Recently, I was on one of the mega ships and I looked down on a luxury ship’s deck. I was scrunched elbow to elbow with the person next to me around the crowded pool. The luxury ship looked like there was no one on board when in fact it was fully booked. No lines, no fighting for deck chairs, no listening to every word of your neighbour’s conversation while you are trying to read…..when you have space. Freestyle dining with space between the tables makes a much more relaxed and personal dining experience
Casual Atmosphere
This does seem counter intuitive when using the term luxury, however, most of the higher end cruise lines realize that many of their clients spend their days in suits and business clothing. They don’t really want a formal night with the fancy clothes. There is much less to pack and you don’t have to worry about wearing a tie or suit on a holiday.
So, when you are thinking about value, remember that you want to get the most for your hard earned dollar. The difference between a good holiday and a great holiday may not be all that much different in terms of cost. It might make sense to upgrade to a luxury ship when you consider the bottom line and all the inclusions!
