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While the cruises lines operating some of today’s mega-ships have continued to outdo each other with spectacular on-board attractions, many smaller ships have kept their focus on luxury touches and a more personalised service.
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Here’s what you’ll find on some of the lines that pride themselves on exclusivity and the personal touch.
Regent Seven Seas: The big difference on the all-suite ships of Regent Seven Seas is that everything is included – meals, drinks, speciality dining and unlimited shore excursions in every port. Watch for the arrival of their newest ship Seven Seas Splendor in 2020 which they claim will be the most luxurious afloat.
Crystal Cruises: Crystal has one of the biggest space-per-guest ratios in the industry and November sees the launch of the newly refurbished Crystal Serenity including more of their butler-served Penthouses and a new restaurant by sushi master Nobu Matsuhisa.
Azamara Club Cruises: The luxury line for adventurers, Azamara is renowned for visiting lesser known ports and for innovative shore excursions, some of which even see you staying overnight. Their newest ship Azamara Pursuit has given them the chance to add another 60 destinations to the company’s portfolio including the Falkland Islands.
Ocean suite on Azamara
Seabourn: The five ships in the Seabourn line describe themselves as akin to being aboard a private yacht, with their smaller ships carrying only 458 people (compared to more than 5000 on some of the mega ships).
Cunard: Home to the famous Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mary 2, Cunard offers a throwback to the golden age of sea travel – dressing for dinner is still very much the done thing. 2022 sees the launch of the fourth ship in the line, as yet unnamed. It is the first new Cunard ship in 12 years.
Silversea: Silversea's fleet of small ships are highly tailored to the destinations they serve allowing you to get close up in hard to navigate areas like Antarctica. With a staff-to-passenger ratio of one-to-one, they offer impeccable service, and refurbishment has even seen ships like the Silver Cloud being altered to carry as few as just 200 passengers on some sailings.
A butler on Silversea
Ready for a getaway?
Speak to an RAC travel agent. They quite often have exclusive deals and savings for customers, are cruise-line accredited and meet the industry standard of training.
