Luxury cruising offers a sophisticated blend of relaxation, exploration, and world-class service, providing travellers with an extraordinary way to explore the world. Shore Travel’s owner, Mary Buckley, returned last month from a European trip that included a Regent Seven Seas cruise around the Mediterranean and a private luxury small ship charter cruise in Croatia.
Unlike standard cruises, luxury lines prioritise personalised service, often maintaining a high staff-to-guest ratio to ensure each traveller is pampered from the moment they board. Accommodations are elegant and spacious, with many suites offering private balconies, marble bathrooms, and luxurious amenities that rival top hotels.
Dining is a major highlight, with gourmet meals crafted by renowned chefs, offering culinary experiences that range from fine dining to wine pairing. The smaller, more intimate ships used in luxury cruising allow access to exclusive destinations that larger vessels cannot reach, providing a more peaceful atmosphere and opportunities to explore off-the-beaten-path locations.
Many luxury cruises operate on an all-inclusive basis, which can cover not only meals and beverages but also shore excursions, gratuities, and sometimes even airfare. This creates a seamless, stress-free experience for guests.
Shore excursions are carefully curated, providing immersive cultural experiences and private tours led by expert guides. Privacy is also a key feature of luxury cruising, with fewer passengers on board, ensuring more personal space and an intimate, crowd-free environment.
Mary’s Europe trip experienced two different luxury cruises, firstly, on Seven Seas Voyager cruising from Istanbul to Trieste (Venice) via a scattering of Greek islands. With only 650 passengers, delicious restaurant options (that include Prime 7 and Chartreuse French bistro) and a huge array of free shore excursions, this was a perfect way to enjoy key Mediterranean destinations in between relaxing on this well-appointed cruise ship.
This cruise was followed by private charter of a luxury small ship in Croatia with 32 like-minded travellers. This was a highlight of Mary’s European trip. There is nothing like spending each morning swimming off the ship in the beautiful clear Adriatic Sea in a sheltered bay, before exploring a historic Croatian village during the afternoon. The meals on board this luxurious ship were delicious and plentiful and the crew were friendly and attentive. This charter is surprisingly affordable with a variety of ships and itineraries available to choose from.
For those seeking a refined travel experience that combines comfort, adventure, and VIP treatment, luxury cruising is a perfect choice. Whether visiting iconic landmarks or discovering hidden gems, luxury cruises offer a unique, unforgettable way to experience the world in style.
Enquire with Mary and her team at Shore Travel to learn more about the variety of luxury cruise options on offer.
