Luxury sailings take place on a wide variety of ships sailing to destinations all over the world. But some commonalities include:

Unparalleled Service

From the dining room maître d' to your friendly stateroom steward, the staff onboard a luxury cruise ship is well trained in putting your needs first. Spoil yourself silly by booking a suite, and enjoy the unparalleled services of a butler who will act as your personal cruise concierge. He’ll make you a memorable martini, handle your dry cleaning, and arrange for spa services or shore excursions. He might even draw you a bath after a vigorous day in port.

All-Inclusive Pricing

Many luxury brands include loads of perks in their pricing that mainstream lines do not. Costs like gratuities, sodas, and alcoholic beverages add up quickly. When these expenses are factored into the price of luxury sailing, you might pay more upfront but save in the end.

Top-Notch Amenities

Everything on a luxury ship--from the shampoo in your stateroom to the real marble flooring in the foyer--should be of the finest quality. High thread-count sheets, flat-screen televisions, and comfy bathrobes should all be standard appointments.

Gourmet Meals
Award-winning cuisine and menus devised by world-renowned chefs, including Jacques Pépin and Nobu Matsuhisa, are commonplace on luxury ships. Alternative dining options are fantastic, full room-service menus are available, and main dining meals cater to a wide variety of discriminating palates.

Unique Itineraries and Excursions
Smaller luxury ships can squeeze into ports that mega-ships are simply too big to visit (for example, the fashionable ports of Capri and Portofino). Plus, some of the shore excursions offered by luxury lines are simply mind-boggling. Take a MiG fighter jet flight over Moscow, or test drive a Cayenne on the Porsche factory’s racetrack in Leipzig, Germany. The options are limitless.

Uncrowded Environment
Often, luxury ships are smaller, but their staff-to-guest ratios are higher than mass-market brands, meaning that deck chairs are plentiful and you won’t have to wait long for someone to refresh your drink or assist you with your bags.