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Multiple dining options include the main restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the ship's wake and a steakhouse on the Lido Deck. For cocktails, head to either of two piano bars, the Dome Observation Lounge or the Atlas Lounge, just outside the lecture theatre. Like Silver Endeavour, Seabourn Venture will spend the year in the polar regions, with long repositioning cruises in between, such as a 51-day Antarctica, Atlantic and Northwest Africa voyage from Buenos Aires to Malaga, Spain. Passengers can enjoy a relatively large spa and fitness area, plus multiple dining venues, including Asian, Japanese, French and Continental restaurants. With Ponant's French pedigree, it's not surprising that food is a cut above, especially the desserts, cheeses and wine. Dine outdoors on the pool deck or in the elegant indoor restaurant.
Traveler Editors' Favorite Cruise Ships in the World: Gold List 2024 - Condé Nast Traveler
Traveler Editors' Favorite Cruise Ships in the World: Gold List 2024.
Posted: Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
No. 5: Viking Star - Viking Ocean Cruises
It is packed with onboard amenities including a small spa, fitness center, library and even an infinity pool (which lies at the back of the top deck next to an open-air bar). Meanwhile Paul Gauguin Cruises (No. 3) may have slipped a bit from its 2022 ranking but still posted a score of more than 92 points. That’s thanks to its luxurious service — most rooms come with butler service — and, no doubt, its dreamy itineraries that visit remote atolls in South Pacific and the cruise line’s private beach on Bora Bora. “It's the only way to see this part of the world,” one voter shared. For premium tall ship cruises we recommend Windstar Cruises, and their fully-rigged sailing vessels. Like any good expedition ship, Ocean Victory has one lounge dedicated to lectures with large flat screens to view presentations.
More from The Times and The Sunday Times
There were jeeps or ATVs available to rent for those who wanted to beach-hop, but we settled into the sand at Sun Bay. Virgin Island of St. John the following day, there were yachts and catamarans everywhere – and the Sakara fit right in. Seabourn Quest offers a variety of dining options to suit every taste and every mood, with never an extra charge. On a small cruise ship, you have more breathing room, more personal attention from staff, and more chances to get up close and personal with the astounding destinations you visit. Luxury expedition cruising comes with priceless views when sailing with Atlas Ocean Voyages. A commitment to sustainable cruising and ethical exploration on each and every sailing, whether seeking a secluded port in Northern Europe, a forgotten beach in the Caribbean or a secret sea in the Arctic.
Seabourn Ovation
I was on the maiden voyage of the 360-foot Sakara, a December 2023 sailing with the added glamor of a Champagne christening in San Juan, Puerto Rico, led by the ship’s godmother Kelly Craighead. She is president of Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade organization. Introducing Seabourn Ovation, the sister-ship to the already prestigious Seabourn Encore. Seabourn Ovation represents another welcome stage in the evolution of small ship cruising, which Seabourn pioneered and has consistently expanded and enriched for all of our small ship cruises. These unique vessels redefine the art of cruising by focusing on close-knit ambiance and impeccable service. Intrigued by the sound of small ship cruising — but not sure which cruise line is right for you?
A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Viking Cruises is a river and ocean cruise line that recently added expedition sailings and the Great Lakes trips to its repertoire. "T+L readers rave about the consistency of Viking's vessels and their Scandinavian design," cruise expert Fran Golden reported when Viking once again topped T+L's World's Best Awards last year. Viking came in at No. 1 in T+L's best mid-size ship category and river cruise category. Golden said the WBA Hall of Fame honoree's 50 river "longships" are "light-filled floating boutique hotels."
Best Luxury Cruise Lines: AmaWaterways
Cruisers appreciate the beautiful infinity pool, sun decks and water toys, like kayaks and snorkeling equipment that lend a private yacht vibe. Expect Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, generously poured wine at lunch and dinner and a nicer price tag for a cruise on the Azzurra than on comparable ships. Cruise lovers couldn't wait to get back out on the sea, and Travel + Leisure readers who prefer compact vessels have been delighted to find that the voyages have only gotten better.
The Best New Small-Ship Cruises to Book in 2024 - AFAR Media
The Best New Small-Ship Cruises to Book in 2024.
Posted: Mon, 22 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
They sport a striking X-bow design (an inverted ship bow design for fuel efficiency), a polar class rating of PC 5 Category A (a notch above most Antarctica cruise ships), and a dynamic positioning system that keeps the ships hovering quietly in place. The ship will spend the summer and fall cruising the Mediterranean Sea – heading for the French and Italian rivieras, Croatia and Greece – with eight-day itineraries from $5,100. The Emerald Sakara will be back in the Caribbean next December, with eight-day cruises starting at $4,100. The next day, we stopped at the nearby island of Vieques, which is filled with wild horses – about 2,000 of them – most of whom are fully accustomed to the photo op.
Luxury Small Ship Cruises
This year, T+L adjusted the World's Best Awards cruise categories to reflect the industry and traveler experience. The ships in the small-ship ocean cruise lines category are now those with 150 to 299 cabins, while smaller ships (with fewer than 150 cabins) are in an all-new intimate-ship category. Typically thought of as a midsize-ship line, Viking took top honors in this category, too, thanks to its twin ships Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis.
EXPEDITION SUBMARINES
In place of an observation bow with direct views of the water, as many similar ships offer, Victory has a pair of viewing platforms on each side of the ship, thanks to its distinctive X-bow design. These platforms are cantilevered directly over the water for great views of bergy bits and potential marine life. Its sizable expedition team, which can number 18 on select voyages, comprises seasoned authorities in a wide range of fields, such as geology, whale communications and photography. Team members lead complimentary excursions on sea kayaks and 18 Zodiacs so passengers can experience glaciers, icebergs and wildlife up close. There's an impressive spa, salon and gym with panoramic ocean views and several lounges for drinks (always included) and lectures. Silversea Cruises is a pro at luxury small-ship cruising — the line has been at it for more than 30 years.
Here are ten of the best small-ship cruises for this year and next. Despite its small size, Kontiki Wayra offers a lot of upscale amenities, including a sun deck, two outdoor lounges, bar, Jacuzzi, spa treatment room and fitness area. Combining crocodiles and adventure by day with champagne and caviar by night, they offer a return to the intimacy of days gone by, not to mention the ability to visit enchanting ports the larger vessels could only dream of. Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized and trusted cruise bloggers and is better known to her audience as CruiseMiss. As well as maintaining an award-winning cruise blog, she also works as a freelance writer, content manager and social media professional covering all aspects of sea travel.
Each measures over 2,000 square feet with a huge forward-facing teak-lined terrace, complete with a large whirlpool tub. In the winter, Royal Clipper island hops around the Caribbean, sailing round trip from Barbados to some of the lesser-known islands. During the summer, it cruises the Mediterranean along the French and Italian rivieras and explores the coast of Croatia and the Canary Islands. The line's iconic weekly beach barbecue on a remote stretch of sand, complete with Champagne and caviar in the surf, is a cruise highlight on all itineraries. An open bar contributes to the social atmosphere on board, and watersports from a stern marina when conditions are right are a great perk for active travelers. What the ships lack in modern touches, they make up for in experience and service.
Here are 18 of the world's best ocean-going small cruise ships, both older and new. Each carries fewer than 400 passengers and all are ideal for your next intimately sized travel adventure. “Sakara” is a Sanskrit word meaning “thoughts become things” – a fitting name, given the thought that went into the ship’s chic design. And our itinerary for the week couldn’t be more yacht-like – an island-hopping experience in the West Indies, stopping in out-of-the-way ports that larger cruise ships can’t manage. And while some smaller boats can feel rocky, the Sakara’s stabilizers keep the ship on an even keel.
A few small-ship lines moved up in the World's Best Awards voting this year, as travelers sought distinctive experiences in far-flung ports — the sorts of adventures that only the smallest vessels can deliver. For example, No. 4 Lindblad moved up four spots this year, posting a better score for 2021 than 2020. Its vessels will go to Alaska and Iceland this year, and this summer should also see the inaugural cruise of the brand-new National Geographic Endurance, a 126-guest expedition ship that will sail the polar regions. Ahead, 12 best luxury cruise lines to embark on this year for an unforgettable ocean or river-borne adventure. All, effortlessly stretching your sea legs with best-in-class service, exceptional itineraries and awe-inspiring views. On the Paul Gauguin, a sense of place permeates everything from the Polynesian-influenced décor and color palette to the local cuisine travelers sample onboard.
Readers said the travel opportunities these smaller vessels unlock are the key to what makes them so wonderful. Ranging from authentic sailing experiences, on tall ships, to lavish excursions on some of the most magnificent yachts in the world. Local flavours enhance exceptional culinary flair onboard – there are even opportunities to go shopping with the chefs. Plus, top-notch educational and shore excursion programmes add to the destination experience. Celebrity Cruises' new Edge Series ships are taking things up a notch.
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