Laid Back Luxury Cruising

We don't cruise much. Our one time in the last 20 years was in a suite on NCL.

My wife and I might be interested in a better cruising experience - but want nothing to do with formal nights, tuxes or suits on a cruise. It appears that many of the high end lines have these requirements. To even raise the subject on some of those boards seems to throw everyone into high dudgeon.

My wife and I are middle aged and have had relatively successful business lives - we now own a growing internet company. We wouldn't dream of wearing jeans, let alone shorts or t-shirts to the main dining room. However we want to be comfortable and more importantly feel comfortable with fellow passengers. We certainly don't want to do or wear anything that might offend fellow cruisers.

We know that Azamara seems to be pretty relaxed. Are there other premium lines where we might feel at home? Or might the better alternative be land based resorts - very few of which in our experience worry about their guests' dress and suites on mass market lines?

Have you looked at SeaDream. They offer a luxury cruise with a casual atmosphere.

Here is a link to their web site.

http://www.seadream.com/

I would suggest Regent since you do not want any formal dress in the evenings.

Nancy

can always eat in another venue,,than main dining room...or on luxury lines,can always have room service,,,right from DR,,,,same menu,etc...I ve been on SeaDream,,,very small,with great service and food,,but cabins small with no balcony,,,a deal breaker for me...Regent was great,,,big cabin,BR with tub,,,balcony,,,all inc...tips,drinks,excursions,,,etc....even booked another one for Dec...Then going on Seabourn,,in May,,,not planning on taking formal wear,,,just regular dress pants,and tops,,,hubby may bring sport coat,,just because....so expand your search,,,and whatever you decide,,have a great time...Also,how about river cruises???;)

We're also looking for a high quality but mostly casual alternative. We're in our fifties, well educated but not in a position to afford $20K for a 7 or 10-day cruise. We've cruised RCI and Princess a total of 9 times and tried NCL recently - mostly in suites or "mini" suites, and always with our kids. We cruised without kids on the Royal Clipper last year. We liked that ship, loved the dark and very quiet main deck at night with the sound of the waves close by, but there were enough things "off" that Star Clippers is not a first or even second choice to repeat. Very close quarters during meals, literally bumping elbow-to-elbow at tables of 8 or more in the dining room with only 2 tables for 2, food quality not much different than the giant ships, no top-deck grill or alternate dining venue, and poor to non-existent service at the stops. The stirring music played every time the sails are raised is stirring for about the first 2 times but gets annoying after a week and the sails themselves are not used for much sailing. They're only up for photo moments or when leaving port. Still, the masts and sails and accompanying lines, etc. made for a very cool topside experience, and the few moments the ship ran with just the sails were neat.

We like dressing nicely as if we were going to a good restaurant when we're going to dinner in a main dining room - as long as the food and service returns the favor - but don't want the formality of coats, ties, fancy dresses, formal night, etc. We also like a casual, shorts and tee shirt atmosphere everywhere outside of the specific more formal venues at all times, at least on deck. We would never think of entering a more formal area without proper attire but, heck, we're on vacation, and relaxing casually on deck and being able to use the swimming pool or hot tub after 6pm is as important to us as it is during the day.

We were about to give Windstar a try but, with the parent company filing bankruptcy. the business model not working, and an aging fleet for the new owners to deal with, aren't going that direction until we know things have settled out with either no drop in quality or a commitment to even higher standards.

Any suggestions?

It sounds as if Regent would be a fit for you. It has an "Elagant Casual" dress code, and is more inclusive than other luxury lines. In addition to alcohol, tips, Regent includes round-trip airfare, transfers, most excursions (some do have a charge) and a pre-cruise night at a hotel. Two of their three ships are all-suite, all-balcony.

We just returned from a 26 night cruise on the Regatta, and it's exactly what you're looking for.

We just returned from a 26 night cruise on the Regatta, and it's exactly what you're looking for.

Watch yourself, while we agree, you'll be blasted on this thread for even suggesting Oceania is Luxury!;)

Thanks for the warning, but we enjoyed it and that was the whole purpose of the cruise, and that was our opinion, had very little to complain, none of

complaints diminished our enjoyment.

Thanks for the warning, but we enjoyed it and that was the whole purpose of the cruise, and that was our opinion, had very little to complain, none of

complaints diminished our enjoyment.

Agreed, love Oceania and are leaving on Regatta April 26 for 30 days.:D