Once-in-a-lifetime complimentary excursions. Private, course-by-course, in-suite dinners. Turndown chocolates. Evian spritzes at the pool. Butlers to make dinner and spa bookings. In-cabin hors d'oeuvres including foie gras, all-you-can-eat caviar and crab legs. Yawn...
Can you tell I'm blase? I'm not alone among some cruise travelers who feel that these posh perks, which have been on most cruise lines' menus from the get-go, have become commonplace.
Nowadays, as travelers become more sophisticated, and every cruise line clamors for even more points of differentiation, the upscale envelope has been pushed. Fantasy, thrills of a lifetime, upper-crust adventures and red-carpet treatment await today's cruisegoers, proving that you don't have to be rich to enjoy Trump-like travel.
Nowadays, luxury has morphed to mean an unbridled experience, one that may cause jaws to drop, and intuitive (almost miraculous) achievements by the staff that elicit head-shaking amazement and delight. Like the time Regent Seven Seas Cruises' chefs were able to replicate the exact menu served during the 2001 Nobel Prize ceremonies by only seeing pictures of the various dishes. Or the time when Crystal Cruises' staff fulfilled a passenger's request for a birthday party by chartering six helicopters and flying celebrants -- and waiters -- to an Alaskan glacier for a lavish picnic.
For me, true luxury in travel is an experience that may have an element of the unexpected; that features lavish, over-the-top attention to detail; and that offers abundance, plush pampering and ultimate convenience. Some of my favorite aspects of luxury cruising include:
Personalized surprises, such as a pair of the cruise line's logo pajamas, monogrammed with your name, given as a gift on the first night aboard SeaDream Yacht Club (we also love their tradition of sprinkling rose petals across the bed at turndown. It sure did "trump" chocolates!).
Over-the-top, unique experiences -- think an excursion to a private, manicured Tahitian island on RSSC's Paul Gauguin or a private evening (another RSSC offering) at the pyramids at Luxor, complete with white linen dining. One utterly memorable afternoon? SeaDream Yacht Club staffers opened the ship's sports platform and we kayaked, sailed, snorkeled -- and rode the Wave Runner -- off the coast of Dominica.
Ultimate convenience: Silversea's Personalized Voyages allow guests to embark and disembark on their schedule, rather than on a fixed itinerary. (We also love Seabourn's new "Personal Valet," shipping luggage from home to cabin.)
Even as luxury goes overboard, it's important to point out that the nickel and diming that has become standard fare on mass-market ships is now trickling into the luxury segment. Of course in this case the extra charges are positioned as merely offering exemplary choice, but the move more adequately reflects the luxury lines' economic needs more than passenger clamor to spend more, more, more.
The most significant example is Silversea's new plan to use its Le Champagne and Saletta alternative restaurants to host dining events accompanied by premium wines -- plan to pay at least $150 per person for the pleasure. In other cases, the expansive open bar concept is rapidly being whittled; some lines offer wine only at mealtime, tthough Silversea is among those that has remained resolutely no charge. In the most common example of revenue enhancement, cruise lines that already offer complimentary wines at mealtime (which is a good chunk of them) are now introducing new "reserve" lists for those who prefer to buy their own.
Regardless, the only thing better than being a VIP is being treated like one, which all of these cruise lines fulfill. And whether you're searching for a once-in-a-lifetime splurge or simply trying to find the cruise line that best suits your personality, here are the creme de la creme of luxury cruise ships, some of their latest and greatest services, and why they're superb sailings.
If the Line Were a Celebrity It Would Be...: Uma Thurman or George Clooney
Why I Get Goosebumps: This is a small-ship line of the highest level that's really designed for folks who otherwise eschewed the concept of cruising -- mainly through unprecedented flexibility. Peerless amenities include caviar available through 24-hour room service, fabulous service across the board, top-notch culinary options and a lavish spa that's a member of the prestigious Spa Association of Bangkok.
Complimentary shore excursions include snorkeling trips with the captain, shopping trips with the chef and visits to patisseries with the pastry chef. Decks feature Balinese Sun Beds that are raised above the sightline of the railings, providing unobstructed views. Captains have authority to adjust for whims, so, for example, ships can depart later than scheduled if folks want more time on shore -- or can stay out at sea to allow more play from the watersports platform. Cabins feature the latest high-tech toys (DVD and CD players, flat-screen televisions), high-level cotton bedding and gorgeous bathrooms with a shower built for two.
Food For Thought: There are two restaurants; the more formal is the Main Dining Salon while Topside, located on one of the ships' uppermost decks, offers dining al fresco. All meals are open seating. The open-bar policy includes fine wines and spirits poured complimentary throughout the trip.
Famous For: The Caviar and Champagne Splash, served in the pool or right at the ocean's edge on a secluded beach.
State Of Staterooms: Yachts only hold 47 - 55 couples. Of 55 guest accommodations, 54 are 195 square ft.; there is one 450-square-ft. Owner's Suite.
Caveat: Neither of SeaDream Yacht Club's identical ships offer cabins with balconies (though we must admit the top deck Balinese beds were such a fabulous way to be outdoors we never missed a verandah).
If the Line Were a Celebrity It Would Be...: Sean Connery, Angela Lansbury
Why I Get Goosebumps: A new "Personalized Voyages" program allows guests to embark and disembark from the cruise at their convenience, for days at a time, allowing ultimate flexibility. Plus, the once-in-a-lifetime ($12,985) adventure of flying in a Russian MIG-fighter jet in St. Petersburg, with dinner in a historical mansion.
Food For Thought: The Restaurant is the fleet's main dining venue while the Terrace Cafe offers buffet options and al fresco dining. All four ships feature an altnerative restaurant; on Silver Wind and Silver Cloud it's called Saletta and on Silver Whisper and Silver Shadow it's known as Le Champagne. In each, the line is introducing the aforementioned dining event that includes premium wines. All restaurants are open seating. All wine and spirits, plus a stocked in-suite beverage cabinet, are included, so you can enjoy every cocktail from appletini to zombie.
Famous For: The "Silversea Experience," a complimentary shore-side event, might include dinner under the stars in the Namib Desert (available on selected sailings). Silversea is also known for its one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio, and offering small-ship intimacy with large-ship amenities. Service is awesome: Every day of my cruise, Sujith the pool bartender handed me a fresh-squeezed diet lemonade made with Splenda soon after I arrived. As he told me, "On Silversea, there is no 'no.'" Entertainment is first-rate; we especially liked Scottish singer Andrew Robley, who performed on our Christmas cruise -- a sailing my husband and I highly recommend, for its endlessly festive atmosphere.
State of Staterooms: All suites; 80 percent have verandahs (Vista suites do not). Largest are the Owner's Suites (1,264 square ft.) with butler service and unlimited Pommery Champagne.
Caveat: Silversea can get lost in its own hype; for instance, everyone I spoke to onboard went crazy for the Zero-Zero ice cream, but it actually has 100 calories and 3 grams of fat per 4-ounce serving. Silversea is also the first high-end line to charge for service at one of its boutique restaurants -- there is a nominal fee to dine in the new Relais & Chateaux onboard restaurants, named Saletta and Le Champagne (nor are wines included with the meal); it's estimated that the experience will cost about $150 per person, depending on the wine served, according to a spokesman.
If the Line Were a Celebrity It Would Be...: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Donald Sutherland, Joan Collins
Why I Get Goosebumps: The one incomparable "Exclusively Seabourn" shore-side experience on every cruise. For example, after Ephesus closes to the general public, Seabourn guests are met by costumed actors bearing torches and fruit-filled cornucopias, and enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while being serenaded by a string quartet. Free massage moments on deck are another trend-setting feature. But what keeps travelers coming back to Seabourn is its beyond-fabulous service; on a long shore excursion from Warnemunde to Berlin, we were greeted upon return by a red carpet lined with crew from all areas of the ship bearing flutes of Champagne.
Food For Thought: Each ship has two restaurants with the Restaurant serving as the more formal venue. The ship-top Verandah is more casual, and beginning soon dinners there will be transformed -- inspired by Charlie Palmer, the line's resident celebrity chef, Verandah will at night morph into an eatery offering a daringly contemporary style menu showcasing tapas-like dishes. All alcoholic beverages and French Champagne are included, plus there's a stocked bar in every suite. However, ultra premium wines cost extra. All dining is open seating.
Famous For: "Pure Pampering" beauty and well-being products. Surprise your spouse with a complimentary stewardess-prepared bath featuring any of five aromatherapy preparations, plus scattered flower petals.
State of Staterooms: All-suite accommodations. Each yacht carries 208 guests maximum. Only six suites -- the Owner's and Classic varieties -- on each ship have private verandahs; the 36 additional suites (measuring 277 square ft.) only have sliding glass doors leading to a small step-out balcony.
Caveat: There are no true balconies. The concept of butler service does not exist (though to be honest the service is so personal there seems to be no need). The spa and gym reflect the ships' modest sizes -- adequate but not over the top.
If the Line Were a Celebrity It Would Be...: Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, Ian McKellan
Why I Get Goosebumps: RSSC's Paul Gauguin offers a sublime onboard -- and in-port -- experience. One highlight was a foray to the private, manicured island of Mmotu Mahana, where Paul Gauguin takes guests for a day. As I sat waist-deep in the turquoise Tahitian waters, butlers waded by toting wooden rafts that held a floating cocktail bar wrapped in palm fronds -- an image I will never forget. The vow renewal ceremony my husband Bill and I experienced, as we sailed into Moorea, is another magical memory, as were the excellent lectures on Polynesia given by anthropologist Mark Eddowes. (The onboard boutique even has a "try before you buy" policy, so I wore a different strand of black pearls to dinner every night.)
RSSC just unveiled a new "Travel Concierge" program that humorously refers to itself as "thinking out of the bus." Passengers can design their own experiences in ports of call, such as renting a vintage sports car in Tuscany or dining by candlelight in the Cisterns of Istanbul, by calling a dedicated toll-free line. The line also just introduced DVD players in all suites.
We also love RSSC's Circles of Interest program. Available on select cruises, the program focuses on various themes (history and archeology, food and wine, photography) and features a guest expert who leads both onboard workshops and on-shore excursions.
Food For Thought: Restaurant names tend to vary among the ships but all have Compass Rose, the ships' main dining rooms. On Voyager, for instance, other options included Signatures, a formal French restaurant inspired by Le Cordon Bleu, and the quite theatrical Latitudes. La Veranda, the line's buffet venue, is the best at sea. All meals are open seating.
The line recently expanded its liquor policy from complimentary wine at dinner to an all-inclusive liquor and wine anytime (top shelf wine and spirits not included can be ordered for a charge) policy.
Famous For: Exclusive excursions, such as the gourmet dinner we had at Chateau Carbonnieux in Graves, France -- just steps from the vineyards. We especially enjoyed first-rate entertainment including award-winning magician Maverick (who's been a guest on "Late Night with David Letterman") and British comedian/singer Sally Jones.
State of Staterooms: In certain Penthouse categories, passengers receive services that include free pressing on the first night of embarkation and butler service. On all ships, cabins are supplied with an initial liquor-set-up. On Mariner and Voyager all cabins are suites-with-balconies. Seven Seas Navigator is also all-suite though not all come with a balcony. On Paul Gauguin, there is a mixture of cabins with balconies and those with portholes (splurge for the balcony -- in the South Pacific there's nothing more awe-inspiring than eating breakfast on your verandah as the ship approaches the peaks of Bora Bora).
If the Line Were a Celebrity It Would Be...: Regis Philbin and his wife Joy; Mary Tyler Moore
Why I Get Goosebumps: I've never, ever felt as pampered on a cruise as I have on each of the three I've taken on Crystal; their crew is absolutely first rate. Love the only Feng Shui-inspired spa at sea; mohair lap blankets in all staterooms; plus its Trident ice cream bar offering -- are you ready? -- 30 different ice creams (including low-carb), 24 homemade sherbets and 20 nonfat yogurts throughout each cruise.
Food For Thought: Crystal is the most traditional of luxury lines in its attachment to a set seating, set tablemate policy in its main dining room, and food and service can vary. Crystal's alternative options, however, are fantastic, ranging from its Italian and Asian restaurants to elaborate luncheon buffets on sea days. Full room service menus are available, and meals from the dining room can be offered during the appropriate hours.
Famous For: It may seem incongruous but Crystal -- even with the biggest ships in the luxury market, accommodating nearly 1,000 passengers -- offers outstanding service. What makes it so special is that crew members seem to genuinely enjoy interaction with passengers. Crystal was the first line to launch C Wines, its own wine label. Crystal's spas are among the best in the business; the larger size of its ships means there's more room for fitness and treatments.
State of Staterooms: More than half of its cabins feature private verandahs. Those on Crystal's penthouse level come with superb butler service and complimentary liquor set-ups. You can order up pillows from a pillow menu.
Caveat: Crystal is the most a la carte of the luxury lines; wine, for instance, is not complimentary with meals (it must be noted, though, that we also have found the line to be incredibly generous with freebies, such as cocktails and elaborate hors d'oeuvres, at various events).
If the Line Were a Celebrity It Would Be...: Jane Fonda, Martin Sheen, Meg Ryan
Why I Get Goosebumps: New hammocks for two on the flying bridges. The new "Degrees of Difference" program adds an amuse bouche and Riedel stemware to all meals; custom Sealy Posturepedic Premium Plush Euro-Top mattresses; and complimentary fully loaded Apple iPods will be gradually incorporated throughout 2006.
Food For Thought: All ships have the Restaurant, the main dining venue, and La Verandah, a lovely top-deck indoor/outdoor buffet. Wind Surf, slightly larger than siblings Wind Star and Wind Spirit, also has the Bistro, which was billed as an alternate, elegant eatery -- we found it woefully mediocre and ultimately wound up ordering dinner items from the main restaurant's menu! All of Windstar's dining venues will get a makeover in 2006. Restaurants are open seating.
Famous For: The ships' water-sports platform that turns a pristine lagoon into a private water park and the ability of the ships to get into more intimate, off-beat ports of call.
State of Staterooms: All staterooms, save for a handful of suites, are 188 square ft., oceanview and feature third-rate sheets and bedspreads, though VCR's are offered.
Caveat: Staterooms, none of which have verandahs, are truly gloomy and substandard (Windstar has announced a program to upgrade soft furnishings and high tech accessories in 2006). The auction art lining the walls of public rooms is tacky and out of place on a supposed luxury vessel. Service can be inconsistent ... but when it's good, it's memorable.
If the Line Were a Celebrity It Would Be...: Catherine Deneuve, Marcello Mastroianni
Why I Get Goosebumps: The mid-sized Europa, rated top in the world by Berlitz, is so elegant and refined -- and yet unpretentious -- that it really offers the best combination of big- and small-ship service, cuisine, entertainment and recreation that we've experienced.
Food For Thought: Dining in the main restaurant at dinner follows a European model and is of the arranged variety -- but there's only one seating and you own the table for the night. That also applies to the excellent Italian and Asian alternative restaurants; there is no service fee charged. The top-deck buffet is the most elegant we've ever experienced and serves fabulous themed dinners, particularly after long days in exotic ports.
Famous For: Service is outstanding in a crisp, Germanic sort of way. The ship is gorgeous with elegant artwork and high ceilings in main hallways. The ship rarely repeats a port much less an itinerary in a calendar year. And its newly created, open-to-the-sea Sansibar -- cruising's hippest, loveliest and most convivial bar afloat -- was our favorite spot onboard.
State of Staterooms: All staterooms are classified as suites with walk-in closets and lovely bathrooms with bathtubs; a significant percentage feature private verandahs. Soft furnishings include highest quality cottons and duvets. Each cabin features state-of-the-art interactive television systems that just recently were updated to include offerings in English as well as German.
Caveat: Just about everything is priced on an a la carte basis, from cocktails to wine with dinner. There's no such thing as a "plain" glass of water; in the European mode, you must order a bottle (still or sparkling) and it can be more expensive than wine by the glass! Also, the line offers only a handful of voyages marketed to English-speaking passengers; while you can sail at anytime, some might find disconcerting the fact that fellow travelers onboard, not to mention guest lecturers and waitstaff, speak German (and only German) -- though it didn't bother us at all.
If the Line Were a Celebrity It Would Be...: Dame Judi Dench, Rupert Everett, Jane Seymour
Why I Get Goosebumps: Queens Grill's grandest suites are duplex units with their own personal butler, private fitness room and Canyon Ranch amenities (thanks to the onboard Canyon Ranch SpaClub -- be still my beating heart!). Hermes and Chopard retail shops definitely top the gold-by-the-inch stalls. The new 2006 South American voyages offer exciting adventures such as a 5 1/2-hour chartered jet flight over the Straits of Magellan and Cape Horn, descending to 1,000 ft. and offering spectacular views of Antarctica's seals and penguins. Dressing for dinner is still an event to be savored. Other pluses include a ratio of one staff member to each couple and the first-ever Veuve Clicquot Champagne bar at sea, featuring seven of its labels.
Food For Thought: There are three categories of accommodations aboard this ocean liner, which is part mass-market cruise ship, part upscale luxury vessel. Most folks book in the big-ship-style Britannia class (which corresponds to the set tablemates, set seating dining venue to which they are assigned). More monied patrons frequent the higher-end Princess Grill and the even more chic-chic Queens Grill. And it's not just staterooms that reflect the difference in stature -- so do the dining experiences. The top-priced cabins entitle you to eat in the most exclusive "Grill Class" dining rooms, Queens and Princess respectively; both feature anytime seating at tables of two, four and six during designated mealtimes (much more restaurant-like -- and less cruise-like -- than the Britannia, which is a two-seating ballroom-type venue).
Note: The Queens Grill differs from the Princess in a few ways: It offers more tableside service (such as preparation of sole and duck) and an expanded a la carte selection. Even better, Queens Grill patrons have their own lounge, open from 10 a.m. until midnight (you can get coffee, cocktails, afternoon tea, and, from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m., complimentary hot and cold canapes accompanied by live piano music). Queens and Princess passengers enjoy a separate room service menu much more elaborate than that offered to Britannia folks. And if they choose to eat with the hoi polloi in Britania, well that's just fine, too.
Otherwise, QM2 has a number of eateries open to all, where class distinction is not quite so blatant. These include Olives, Todd English's first seagoing restaurant and the ship's most elegant alternative restaurant (plan to pay $20 for lunch and $30 for dinner ... and even then reservations can be hard to come by). Other options include In the Chef's Galley, a demo kitchen; the $35 per person cover there includes wine. Kings Court, the ship's buffet venue, offers a carvery, and Asian and Italian cuisine among others. And don't miss the Queen's Ballroom at teatime. Those English sure know how to do it.
Famous For: QM2 boasts the only planetarium at sea, the largest library at sea (8,000 volumes), $5 million worth of art onboard, 30,000 bottles of wine, and a ConneXions lecture enrichment program that covers everything from fashion to foreign languages.
State Of Staterooms: The QM2 features five ultimate Queen's Grill Grand Duplex apartments measuring 1,566 - 2,249 square ft., which are lavishly appointed with two marble baths, large balconies, walk-in closets, one piece of equipment (such as a treadmill or Stairmaster) in a special fitness area, and stocked bars. Four more forward suites in Queens Grill measure 796 - 1,194 square ft., with two suites (Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth) boasting a private elevator entrance. Below that are 75 Princess Grill junior suites measuring 381 square ft. All Queen's and Princess Grill accommodations feature posh amenities such as Frette linens, flat-screen televisions, velour robes and slippers, and a bottle of bon voyage Champagne.
Caveat: It's important to remember that QM2 is not a luxury ship across the board. In fact it's a hybrid -- and the only real place where the vessel qualifies for this story is within its Grill class accommodations.
--by Debbi Karpowicz-Kickham. Karpowicz-Kickham, formerly editor of Robb Report Magazine, also contributes to publications ranging from Canada's National Post to Weight Watchers Magazine. Updated by Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor.
Once-in-a-lifetime complimentary excursions. Private, course-by-course, in-suite dinners. Turndown chocolates. Evian spritzes at the pool. Butlers to make dinner and spa bookings. In-cabin hors d'oeuvres including foie gras, all-you-can-eat caviar and crab legs. Yawn...
Personalized surprises, such as a pair of the cruise line's logo pajamas, monogrammed with your name, given as a gift on the first night aboard 
Ships: 
Ships: 
Ships: 
