Which cruise line to choose.

[ducklite]

Interesting - I know several Seabourn staff who have left to work on the new Viking Star......

 

 

I know that all of the staff of the triplets were given the option to renew contracts with Windstar except a handful who Windstar wasn't interested in due to less than stellar feedback from guests...

[Donsyb]

I know that all of the staff of the triplets were given the option to renew contracts with Windstar except a handful who Windstar wasn't interested in due to less than stellar feedback from guests...

 

I doubt that applies to the people I know. My understanding is they chose not to renew.

[calliopecruiser]

Crystal, Oceania, going down the list. The reviews reveal what cruisers hold most dear on a cruise.

and they are not necessarily what I would focus upon.

 

That's important to recognize, and it will help you find a good match for you. It's neither right nor wrong, just different - we want different experiences, we value different things, etc. Crystal suits a lot of what I want and value, but I can see some of the reasons I have loved it will be reasons someone else would hate it. That's life.

[wripro]

That's why we have options.

[roothy123]

I would look at number of passengers, itineraries, amenities, inclusiveness of line (drinks, shore excursions, spa use, air fare), cost (after trying to normalize each cost depending upon what's included that you'll likely use), passenger characteristics (age, formality, kids/no kids), etc. I also like port intensive itineraries, rather than ones with a lot of sea days. I consider how formal each line is, as I don't like dressing up for dinner (although I don't want to wear shorts either). I do like having more than one dining venue, including a very casual one, as eating in the same place several times a day gets old. I don't care about a butler or casino, and I've seldom used the spa, hair salon (and never with hair coloring) or cooking classes. Unless you're on a long itinerary, you may not even want the many amenities and activities that some cruise lines offer, especially if you're focused on the ports of calls. Then again, if your style is more relaxed, and you want to enjoy your first cruising experience in pure luxury night and day, those things might be more important.

 

I would not go on a new cruise line on it's maiden voyage. That's a tough crowd over there on the Viking Oceans board - some of them are definitely expecting a 24/7 five star experience on a maiden voyage! Then again, I don't know if I consider Viking Star (or Oceania for that matter, although it's a ten star in my book) a "luxury" cruise. It's what YOU are seeking that makes a cruise line stack up as luxury or something less. Yep, it's good to have all the choices we have!

Edited May 29, 2015 by roothy123

[Azulann]

Roothy,

 

Your post matches the title of this forum.

 

Luxury Cruising : Is it a state of mind?:)

 

Being landlocked for now, I can dream of coming cruises, new ships and itineraries. Being able to travel is indeed a luxury to satisfy my curious nature, love of being a stranger in a foreign land, experiencing ancient cultures, new landscapes, well read and travelled companions.

Edited May 29, 2015 by Azulann

[roothy123]

Roothy,

 

Your post matches the title of this forum.

 

Luxury Cruising : Is it a state of mind?:)

 

Being landlocked for now, I can dream of coming cruises, new ships and itineraries. Being able to travel is indeed a luxury to satisfy my curious nature, love of being a stranger in a foreign land, experiencing ancient cultures, new landscapes, well read and travelled companions.

 

Hhm...yes, I guess it does! I love to travel, and often getting somewhere I haven't been is more important than the method of getting there. If the method is fabulous, it's certainly icing on the cake, though!

[wripro]

Roothy123,

 

Agree completely. Viking will never be a luxury cruise line even after five years in service. And neither will Oceania. They seem to be included on this luxury board for some obtuse reason.

[Magnum60]

We sailed aboard the [new] Windstar Pride (former Seaborne Pride which we've used several times) for a Med cruise last August. We enjoyed every bit of the experience and while not as upscale as a Seaborn product the tour was great value for the money.

I've sailed aboard the old Cunard Sea Goddess, QE2 and QM2, the Seaborn ships, Crystal and a bunch of other 'premium' ships and any more pampering above what these ship presented would be irritating to me. Everyone has there own definition of what luxury should be but for me luxury is not having to deal with menial tasks, comfortable and impeccably clean accommodations, outstanding food as well as having a professional yet nearly invisible staff that knows how to anticipate your every move. Luxury shouldn't be overpriced drapes, imported chocolates thrown on your pillow at night, bowing and scraping, gold fixtures in the bath or expecting to be treated as if you are part of the aristocracy. The aristocracy doesn't cruise - they have yachts ;)

[roothy123]

We sailed aboard the [new] Windstar Pride (former Seaborne Pride which we've used several times) for a Med cruise last August. We enjoyed every bit of the experience and while not as upscale as a Seaborn product the tour was great value for the money.

I've sailed aboard the old Cunard Sea Goddess, QE2 and QM2, the Seaborn ships, Crystal and a bunch of other 'premium' ships and any more pampering above what these ship presented would be irritating to me. Everyone has there own definition of what luxury should be but for me luxury is not having to deal with menial tasks, comfortable and impeccably clean accommodations, outstanding food as well as having a professional yet nearly invisible staff that knows how to anticipate your every move. Luxury shouldn't be overpriced drapes, imported chocolates thrown on your pillow at night, bowing and scraping, gold fixtures in the bath or expecting to be treated as if you are part of the aristocracy. The aristocracy doesn't cruise - they have yachts ;)

 

I'm with you. Too much pampering would be oppressive. Actually, I don't know even what I would do with a butler, so I'm totally fine with the level of service and the staterooms that Oceania and Viking Oceans provides (as far as I can tell for Viking Oceans, when you consider that some of the negative reviewers seemed to have expected something more like Seabourn for the price of the lowest stateroom on Oceania). I like great itineraries, including some smaller ports, a casual but dignified atmosphere and dress, prefer smaller ships with great and food and service at a reasonable price for what you get. That rules out a number of cruise lines for me, but some people may have other priorities and be fine with those lines. It all comes back to the need for people to look at more than just the level of luxury and star rating of a cruise ship, but the other factors that make each line and ship before picking a cruise line.

[wripro]

I'm not saying that Windstar and Oceania do not provide excellent food and service. They do and for many people it is exactly what they are after. My grip ls with this board which calls itself a luxury board yet includes many less than luxury lines. It would be the same if the board were for luxury hotels yet many people who are very happy with Hiltons and Hyatts post there.

[roothy123]

Don't worry, I didn't take your comment to mean you didn't like those lines, and quite honestly, I have no clue which lines SHOULD be considered luxury and which not. I'm rarely in this section, and truth be told, was a little surprised to see Oceania was considered luxury. I think they're great, but I haven't cruised any of the other lines mentioned, so don't know if they're in the same class as the other lines Cruise Critic has chosen to include. One thing I do know, however is I don't think I'd want to have to distinguish between luxury and whatever's below luxury! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

In a similar vein, I was curious about how Venice rates its hotels. It is pretty objective (presence of elevator, AC, table and chair in the room, bathroom, food, and things like that). The U.S. doesn't rate hotels, but of course AAA does, and they seem to focus on things like appearance and upkeep in addition to the more objective rating criteria.

[wripro]

Glad you understand. I have sailed Oceania several times and loved it so if you choose them you'll have a great time. And Windstar is a terrific product too. Having sailed on these power ships when they were Seabourn hundreds of days I can tell you they are the best ships at sea imo.

[flag fan]

Well, as long as someone questioned what constitutes a "luxury line" I'll throw in my 2 cents.

 

Luxury lines: Crystal, Seabourn, SeaDreams, Silversea, and Regents Seven Seas.

 

Premium plus: Azamara, Oceania, Windstar, maybe Cunard.

 

(Note, I am leaving off lines that do not cater to English speaking passengers, such as Hapag-Lloyd and Ponant.)

 

It does not bother me that some cruise lines that are not "luxury" are discussed on this board.

[English Voyager]

flag fan,

 

Hapag-Lloyd's MS Europa 2 definitely caters to English speaking guests.

Edited June 15, 2015 by English Voyager

[Floridiana]

 

(Note, I am leaving off lines that do not cater to English speaking passengers, such as Hapag-Lloyd and Ponant.)

 

It does not bother me that some cruise lines that are not "luxury" are discussed on this board.

 

Ponant crew caters to English speaking passengers. I say crew because some of the French passengers seem to be unaware, but they don't fill Ponant ships outside Europe.

 

Maybe you define it as 'cater exclusively' to English speaking passengers.