When you’re talking cruises, luxury comes in all shapes and sizes, from mega-resort ships such as Royal Caribbean’s 5400- passenger Oasis of the Seas, set to make her debut late in 2009, to luxury barges carrying as few as six passengers along idyllic European waterways – with a glut of appealing choices in between. There are sleek, yacht-style cruisers, fully-rigged sailing clippers, Turkish gulets, decorative dhows and a myriad of other vessels… almost anything that floats can be decked out to appeal to discerning cruise-goers.
Perceptions of what constitutes luxury afloat are changing as more and more ships become all-suite and all-balcony, with fivestar appointments and services: marble-clad bathrooms, walk-in closets, multiple-choice dining, enormous spas and much more. With a capacity for 5400 passengers, Oasis of the Seas doesn’t claim to be exclusive and is oceans away from the genteel luxury liners of yesteryear. Instead, it’s promoting a more modern style of cruising with a group-friendly “urban living” concept that will incorporate treelined onboard neighbourhoods, shopping promenades, an amusement park, an Aqua Theatre, a bar (aptly named the Rising Tide) and a selection of lavishly appointed loft suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and every imaginable amenity. In the ship’s Royal Loft suite, which can accommodate six, there’s even a grand piano. Oasis might not be everyone’s idea of tranquility afloat, but it’s perfect for groups and intergenerational cruising.
 Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria ensure the line’s enduring livelihood by offering different classes of onboard accommodation to suit cruisers of varying means, echoing the old-world first- and second-class traditions of an earlier, more elegant era. These days, neither can be considered a luxury ship in its entirety, as only their Grill Classes (Queen or Princess) are truly five-star.
In recent decades, smaller (hence more exclusive) vessels have become the height of contemporary luxury cruising – and wellheeled Australians are keen to join the elite. Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises is seeing record growth in new guests, attracting increasing numbers of passengers who haven’t previously sailed with their line. We give our cruise editor Maggy Oehlbeck the delightful task of checking out the best, most luxurious cruise ships on the seven seas.
 Silversea is appealing to cashed-up new-generation cruisers with fullyinclusive fares that cover all drinks and gratuities throughout its cruises and across its fleet of five small ships. “We are targeting new-to-Silversea and first-time cruisers by going after a larger share of the lucrative babyboomer market,” says Steve Odell, Silversea’s senior vice-president for the Asia Pacific region. “Younger people have the money and time to travel, and can appreciate the exceptional value of our inclusive luxury fares when compared with land-based vacations. This region now represents over 15 percent of all Silversea passengers worldwide.”
Recently, I set my new gold standard for luxury cruising aboard a Silversea ship: having a cosy plaid blanket wrapped around my shoulders by a thoughtful crew member. This instance of personalised service occurred, entirely unbidden, on Silver Shadow, as I stood (possibly shivering) on deck, observing the magnificent spectacle that is Alaska’s Inside Passage. The glass of mulled wine and foaming hot chocolate that followed didn’t go astray, either. Factor in Silver Shadow’s executive chef, tossing a mouthwatering mélange of mussels, mix of vegetables, herbs and white wine in a hot wok on deck, then serving up the resulting concoction to a select group of salivating guests, and you have the essential elements for luxury cruising in my book.
 For some, haute cuisine, including copious quantities of champagne and caviar, is the apogee of luxury. A voyage can turn into an epicurean adventure aboard Crystal Cruises, its signature restaurant helmed by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. Then there are the Todd English-run restaurants on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria; Regent Sevenseas’ Le Cordon Bleu restaurant at sea; Silversea’s memorable Relais & Châteaux experience; and the wonderfully creative cuisine of consultant chef Charlie Palmer, a highlight of cruising on any of the three superlative Yachts of Seabourn.
For others, luxury means designerbrand toiletries, or spas that offer every beauty, health and wellbeing program imaginable, such as those available on Crystal Cruises.
Then there’s shopping. Many luxury cruise ships have alliances with highprofile jewellers or designers – Bulgari, Stern, Graff, Hermes et al; some ships even have their own diamond suppliers (Marilyn Monroe, eat your heart out). Celebrity Cruises’ new liner Celebrity Solstice, due to set sail in November, will feature a highend jewellery shop showcasing one-off “solstice” diamonds, mined in Canada and faceted in a style that will be unique to the ship. The gemstones will be available in a variety of settings, with no two pieces alike: snap one up as an extra-special keepsake from your voyage, perhaps.
To some, a ship’s fitness facilities are priorities. Some won’t sail without shopping options; while cultural and intellectual activities are essential to others. Crystal has its educational bases covered with a Computer University@Sea facility, a Creative Learning Institute and golf clinics, while Regent Sevenseas has a diverse Circles of Interest program that covers art, photography, marine life, the environment, wellness and nutrition, and more. Meanwhile, Queen Mary is importing an orchestra – or rather, six members and a director from Washington DC’s National Symphony Orchestra, an artistic affiliate of the Kennedy Centre. It doesn’t get much better than that.
For still others, the luxury may be in the destinations, shore excursions or specific themes – from wildlife to photography, history, local culture or art. Cruise Express, which specialises in special-interest cruises, is offering a religious cruise-tour of Europe in 2009; past expeditions have included a “Rats of Tobruk” cruise-tour to the Middle East for World War II veterans and other interested parties.
Those with a lust for discovery needn’t fear hardship or deprivation thanks to the rise of soft-adventure cruising. Luxury cruising has extended its velvety tentacles into this lucrative and growing market with the debut of Silversea’s 132- passenger Prince Albert II, named after Monaco’s playboy prince.
With its ice-strengthened hull, Prince Albert II is equipped to navigate both polar regions smoothly while guests enjoy the convivial, cosmopolitan ambience and creature comforts on board. The ship offers luxurious amenities and the sort of five-star facilities generally found only on larger ships, including a library, an Internet café, boutique shopping, a full-service spa, beauty salon and fitness centre, sauna, and brace of top-deck whirlpools.
Prince Albert II will cruise the alluring waters of French Polynesia from March to October 2009. Itineraries will feature less-travelled regions and will take in territory stretching from the southernmost Austral Islands to the Tuamotus and intriguing Marquesas, the northernmost island group in the area, famous as the home and final resting place of Paul Gauguin.
For cruisers who like to be pampered (and who doesn’t?), service is a crucial component. For seven successive years, Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa has retained its five-star-plus rating in the prestigious Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships – the only ship to do so. Among the key factors netting Europa Berlitz’s top gong are outstanding cuisine and impeccable service: on board this exceptional floating hotel, white-gloved attendants in tailcoats are just one indication of the allround, cut-above service. Europa will visit Australian waters next February, following a 19-day, bi-lingual (German/English) cruise from Tahiti.
Relaxed VIPs, sociable honeymooners and anyone seeking a little privacy afloat might want to bask in the area’s balmy waters with less than 75 others on one of Bora Bora Cruises’ stunning super-yachts. This is the sort of luxurious indulgence that would be hard to replicate. The yachts are cleverly configured so you can choose to mix with other guests or have near-total privacy, enjoying all the onboard privileges either way.
If this style of cruising is your speed, you’ll also love Seadream Yachts, with their French-Riviera style glamour. And if wearing a jacket and tie is anathema to you, don’t fret: there’s no need for such formalities on the new flotilla of luxury ships. (The same is true of Australia’s premium home-grown expedition cruise ships, Orion, True North and Oceanic Discoverer.)
For folk who love old-fashioned cruising traditions combined with contemporary Euro-style sophistication (and don’t want to make waves), river cruising could be just the ticket. The oh-so-chic River Cloud I and River Cloud II ply Europe’s waterways; those fond of sailing might prefer Sea Cloud I or Sea Cloud II.
Perhaps the ultimate option for classy cruisers is owning your own “corner of the world”. Lastly, but of course far from least, The World is billed as the planet’s only residential community at sea: individuals can purchase a residence on board the ship either for their own use, or to rent out, with regular cruises ranging from six days in length to several weeks. The World is an exclusive, privileged community, with security guaranteed, luxurious appointments and amenities, an array of onboard activities, and an endless itinerary of intriguing destinations.
Travel Facts
- Celebrity Cruises, contact Discover the World on 02 9959 3696 or visit www.discovertheworld.com.au or www.celebrity.com
- Club Med 2, phone 1800 258 263 or visit www.clubmed.com.au
- Cruise Collection (representing all major cruise lines), phone 1800 624 834 or 08 8217 8000 or visit www.cruisecollection.com.au
- Crystal Cruises, phone 1800 251 174 or visit www.crystalcruises.com
- Cunard (Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria), phone 132 441 or visit www.cunardline.com.au
- Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (Europa), contact Landmark Travel on 02 99 77 71 00 or visit www.landmarktravel.com.au
- Premium Cruise Holidays, phone 1800 266 190 or 07 4783 1400 or visit www.premiumcruiseholidays.com.au
- RACT Travel World, phone 1300 368 111 or visit www.racttravelworld.com.au
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Paul Gauguin), contact Wiltrans Australia on 1800 251 174 or visit www.wiltrans.com.au or www.rssc.com
- River Cloud and Sea Cloud, phone Mary Rossi Travel on 02 9957 4511 or visit www.maryrossitravel.com
- Royal Caribbean International (Oasis of the Seas), contact the Cruiseco Concierge on 02 9492 8520 or visit www.cruising.com.au or www.royalcaribbean.com
- Silversea (Prince Albert II), phone 1300 880 943 or visit www.silversea.com, or contact Wiltrans on 1800 251 174 or visit www.wiltrans.com.au
- Ultimate Cruising, phone 1300 662 943 or visit www.ultimatecruising.com.au
- Virgin Blue Cruise Pilot, phone 1300 721 255 or visit www.virginblue.com.au/cruisepilot
- The World, contact Cruise Traveller on 02 9327 2444 or 07 5575 8094
- or visit www.aboardtheworld.com or www.cruisetraveller.com.au
- The Yachts of Seabourn, phone 13 2402 or visit www.seabourn.com
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