How Do You Define Luxury?
How Do You Define Luxury?
lux•u•ry as defined by Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition
1 : a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort : sumptuous environment 2) an indulgence in something that—while not absolutely necessary—provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease
Luxury. It’s a word bandied about quite often. What exactly makes one ship “six-star spectacular” while another is merely “first rate”? Luxury, six-star, spectacular, first-rate …nebulous terminology all!
That’s why the editors here are challenged to continually review and define what actually makes the cruises we discuss special. To put a fine point on it, here are a few of the criteria we routinely consider:
- Itineraries
- Ship Capacity
- Passenger Space Ratio
- Passenger-to-Crew Ratio
- Service
- Stateroom Options
- Gourmet Cuisine & Wine List
- Itineraries. You probably cruise for a variety of reasons, but one of the foremost is your desire to experience new places and meet new people. For us, knockout itineraries are a major contributor to a ship’s “luxe factor.” Do you prefer tendering to Guadeloupe’s Iles des Saintes or docking at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal for a dazzling day and night in New York City? Both can be exhilarating experiences. Have you cruised the Nile or explored the Galapagos? These unique destinations hold the key to the past and to our place within nature’s grand scheme. Discovering something new about the world and yourself…now that’s what we consider “luxury”.
- Ship Capacity. Some travelers prefer large ships that may as well be floating skyscrapers. Others yearn for more yacht-like getaways. Both camps offer unique—yet totally different—cruise experiences.
- Passenger Space Ratio. Related to a ship’s capacity is the amount of space each person has to him or herself. What good is a huge boat if it’s so jam-packed you can’t snag a lounge chair on deck or enjoy dinner at your preferred time?
- Passenger-to-Crew Ratio. The lower the passenger-to-crew ratio, the better. End of story. It just makes sense. The ship needs to have enough hands on deck, so to speak, to do the job.
- Service. For many “professional” cruisers, the level of service onboard a ship is the deal breaker. Is the staff thoroughly trained to handle all situations with confidence and ease? Does each crew person exude the cruise line’s mission? Does your waiter remember your name and beverage preferences at each meal? The level of onboard service can certainly define a cruise experience.
- Stateroom Options. Who doesn’t enjoy lounging on their private verandah after a long day of touring an interesting port? In addition to the trend of all-balcony or all-ocean view staterooms, luxury cruise lines also generally offer larger cabins than their mass-market contemporaries. In addition to the larger floor plan, high-end lines offer upgraded bathrooms, fine linens, in-room Internet access, entertainment systems including iPod docking stations, and much more. These lavish amenities push many cruise lines into the luxury stratosphere.
- Gourmet Cuisine & Wine List. Fine food and libations are important to many cruisers. Some “luxury” lines offer all-inclusive cruise fares that include wine and some spirits. All upper end lines promote their chef’s culinary skills and pamper guests with afternoon tea, evening hors d’oeuvres, five course meals, and special spreads (think beach BBQ or midnight chocolate extravaganza).
Of course, individual travelers have different preferences and needs and every cruise line caters to a slightly different personality type. Whether you prefer black tie and evening gown affairs or salsa dancing by the pool, there’s a luxury cruise line that’s right for you and LuxuryCruiseBible.com will help you find it.
While we’re covering a limited number of cruise lines right now, we’ll be adding others (including river cruises in Egypt, Europe, and China). If your preferred line isn’t covered here, let us know. And, tell us how you define luxury cruising.
Happy cruising!
Andrea M. Rotondo,
Editor-in-Chief
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Disclaimer
The editors of Luxury Cruise Bible have made every effort to insure that the above information is accurate. However, cruise line policies and procedures may change at any time. Luxury Cruise Bible cannot be held responsible for incorrect or outdated information that may be listed here. Confirm all details directly with the cruise line.