Cruises are becoming even more popular, thanks to their unique offerings and experiences. Passengers get a different perspective on their destinations while enjoying various onboard amenities and attractions. However, luxury cruises are also becoming more enticing for holidaymakers looking for a grand experience. According to data from Statista, luxury cruises are expected to carry 1.3 million passengers in 2027, an increase from 615,000 in 2019. Luxury cruises are gaining demand since they’re more intimate, offer more exotic and longer itineraries, and offer five to six-star all-inclusive provisions.
But why upgrade to luxury when mainstream cruises offer cheaper fares with high-quality services, too? Here’s why luxury cruises can be worth it for your next adventure:
Unique itineraries
Sightseeing and excursions are some of the best parts of travelling by cruise, but luxury cruises offer more to passengers than just destination experiences. They boast many itineraries that allow guests to learn more about their ports of call.
Viking Cruises is a major leader in this aspect, providing deep cultural enrichment programs—like the ‘Privileged Access’ series—allowing guests exclusive peeks at rarely-seen art collections and after-hours access to museums, private homes, and palaces.
They also have the Viking Resident Historian program, catering to guests who want to gain a deeper appreciation for the ship’s destinations. Onboard lectures and locally focused entertainment offer a deeper dive into the histories and cultures of the locations. Luxury cruises provide a relaxing and luxurious travel experience and ensure that guests are intellectually stimulated throughout the trip.
Immersive travel
Luxury cruises make it a point to ensure impeccable and immersive experiences on and off the ship. You can visit various places worldwide to learn ancient history, see stunning sights, and experience vibrant cultures. But in between ports, luxury cruises enable you to appreciate the travel experience by providing onboard experiences encouraging you to travel further, immerse deeper, and linger a little longer.
Explora Journeys encourages guests to connect with themselves, others, and nature by cultivating an “Ocean State of Mind.” Rather than seeing a luxury cruise ship as a means of getting from place to place, passengers can see it as an ocean journey ripe with opportunities to appreciate nature and the self. The Explora I and II guests can enjoy sustainable travel on exquisitely designed ships with home-like comfort in mind. Whether through immersive dining with world-class cuisine at six restaurants, engaging in open-air fitness and well-being programmes, or marvelling at the ocean and nature, these luxury cruises aim to make travel immersive for increased appreciation for your surroundings.
All-inclusive packages
Regular cruise lines often charge passengers for extras beyond base cruise fares. However, luxury cruise lines typically include all these and more in your initial base price, so you don’t need to worry about shelling out more money on your cruise holiday. Many luxury cruise lines don’t charge for alcoholic beverages, premium coffee, or soft drinks. All these beverages can be enjoyed and replenished without paying, whether in the cruise’s bar, restaurant, lounge, or cabin. Gratuities are also included in the fare, so there’s no need to tip for the excellent service you’ll be receiving.
Some luxury cruise lines like the Regent Seven Seas even offer complimentary roundtrip first-class air tickets or free shore excursions on select voyages, enhancing the luxury even further. Though you aren’t entirely free of extra charges, comparing luxury cruises’ all-inclusive offerings to mainstream cruise lines’ extra expenses can make the former seem more worth it.
These benefits are just a few reasons a luxury cruise can be a worthwhile adventure, even though it’s not a cheap way to travel. Still, it can provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience worth any price, especially if you want to plan a trip to places like Europe without the additional stress of preparing an itinerary or determining your routes. Whether relaxing onboard the ship or exploring a new destination on an excursion, you can be sure you’re well taken care of on your luxury cruise holiday.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.