In the next article (part 2) we will cover SeaDream Yacht Club, Seabourn and Silversea Cruises. In p

In this article we look at Crystal Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises as part 1 of this three-part series. In the next article (part 2) we will cover SeaDream Yacht Club, Seabourn and Silversea Cruises. In part 3 we look at the three lines that are unique enough to have a category of their own; Cunard Lines, Oceania Cruises and Windstar.
The luxury cruise lines are almost as diverse as the entire world of cruising. Is there a world s best cruise line that we would place at the top of the luxury category? Yes, but more importantly there are unique aspects to each of these lines that make them favorites for their loyal patrons.
Some of the differences among the five lines we put in the luxury category include their dining options, whether tips are included canadian rocky mountain train tours in the cruise fare, whether alcoholic beverages are included, whether canadian rocky mountain train tours they have children s programs, the size of their ships, and where they sail.
To learn more about these lines, read our cruise line and ship reviews for each one by clicking on the links below. This article attempts to point out the differences among the lines for comparative purposes.
Based in Los Angeles, Crystal has long been a favorite of the well-heeled canadian rocky mountain train tours west coast crowd. Crystal s formal nights are apt to be the most sequined and accessorized at sea. The spa is designed in accordance canadian rocky mountain train tours with the principles of feng shui, and the guest lecturer on board is just as likely to be an expert in buying jewelry as history. Passengers are well-heeled but gregarious enough to crave a relatively large ship and the broad range of activities and facilities it can offer. The line s two ships -- the older Crystal Symphony (51,000 tons, 940 passengers) and the newer Crystal Serenity (68,000 tons, 1,080 passengers) are both very large by luxury cruising standards, but with a relatively low number of passengers for the size of the ship.
Given the size of its ships, Crystal s dining plan is the only one in the luxury sector that requires two seating times, with assigned tables and waiters. In fairness, it is a good plan for a ship this size; one thing that will cause dining problems on a luxury ship is an open seating policy canadian rocky mountain train tours that results in a rush hour glut, which can slow down service. There are alternative canadian rocky mountain train tours restaurants onboard, including excellent pan-Pacific cuisine (Crystal s parent company is Asian). These restaurants have open seating and there is no service charge, though a tip ($6 per person) is recommended and you sign it to your shipboard account. Celebrity chefs, such as Nobu Matsuhisa, bring in the world-class cuisine.
Crystal now includes both tips and all beverages in its cruise fare, although for years it didn t. It s ships are much larger than average for luxury cruise lines, but Crystal qualifies as luxury in every other sense -- especially the accommodations and service on its ships, which are impeccable. The towels and linens are heavenly, the staterooms are expansive and comfortable, the bathrooms include showers, granite tubs and separate sinks, canadian rocky mountain train tours and the European stewardesses and butlers will make sure your every desire is fulfilled.
canadian rocky mountain train tours Crystal is highly popular with singles, mostly ladies of the senior canadian rocky mountain train tours variety. Every cruise canadian rocky mountain train tours includes a slate of gentlemen hosts to dine and dance with the unescorted ladies. The line s uncommonly low singles supplement canadian rocky mountain train tours of 25% is part of the reason. The officers are also ready to engage in the social graces, and a single male might even be asked to dance by one of the lovely young female cruise staffers - if he can fight off the single lady passengers.
Crystal s core following appreciates great cuisine, socializing, canadian rocky mountain train tours comfortable accommodations and many choices of enrichment classes and lectures evetry day. The focus is on luxury and pampering more than port-a-day itineraries. Crystal tends to have more days at sea than almost any other cruise line, and when one is in such surroundings, why leave the ship?
Crystal likens its onboard enrichment program to a university at sea, with an extensive slate of regular classes on every cruise. It also schedules special cruises with a unifying theme, canadian rocky mountain train tours such as Big Band Music, Food and Wine, Health and Fitness or Golf.
Crystal has expanded its onboard enrichment program arguably more than any other cruise line; it recently canadian rocky mountain train tours added stone sculpting, digital video editing, memoir writing, piano lessons canadian rocky mountain train tours and college-level computer science to its roster of classes.
Crystal was the first cruise line to offer an excursion to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, and recently launched Crystal Private Adventures, offering guests personalized shore excursions. canadian rocky mountain train tours One of its most unique new shore adventures is flying a Russian MiG fighter jet over Moscow. The tour includes air from St Petersburg to Moscow and then a ride to the airbase where you board the MiG, with a trained pilot, and jet over Moscow at 700 mph and then perform aerial manuevers. Bring your camera! says the tour information canadian rocky mountain train tours , and I would recommend some Dramamine as well.
While Regent Seven Seas Cruises has the ships that approach the size of Crystal s, that is about the only similarity. Regent has a fleet of three regular canadian rocky mountain train tours ships. The Voyager (700 passengers), Mariner (700 passengers) and Navigator (490 passengers) canadian rocky mountain train tours follow exotic itineraries worldwide year-round. Mariner was the first all-suite, all-balcony canadian rocky mountain train tours cruise ship ever built. The Regent ships are known for simple yet tasteful elegance and fantastic personal service.
The cruise line was then sold to Prestige Holdings, the same parent company that owns Oceania canadian rocky mountain train tours Cruises and is primamry controlled by the Apollo Management Group, founded by Leon Black and also owners of the AMC Entertainment, Harrahs Entertainment and half of Norwegian Cruise Line.
Regent includes beverages, gratuities and even shore excursions (of up to $220 in value) in its cruise fare. This makes the company most unique and has it ranking as the number canadian rocky mountain train tours one cruise line in many polls. The line features Le Cordon Bleu chefs, and all-balcony-cabin ships (with butler service available in the top 88 suites). From these balconies, passengers can enjoy some of the industry s most exotic itineraries, including ports not visited canadian rocky mountain train tours by any other line. Indeed, as exotic and unusual shore-side experiences take center stage in the luxury cruise sector, Regent is setting the pace with tours like live game drives through East Africa s Amboseli reserve, in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
In the next article (part 2) we will cover SeaDream Yacht Club, Seabourn and Silversea Cruises. In part 3 we look at the three lines that are unique enough to have a category of their own; Cunard Lines, Oceania Cruises and Windstar.