Regent Seven Seas Explorer
Passenger-to-Crew Ratio: 750 to 542
About the Ship: When luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises launched the palatial Seven Seas Explorer in July 2016, it told the world that she was the "most luxurious ship ever built." As the flagship for the line, Explorer exemplifies the hallmarks of exquisite cuisine and the super all-inclusivity that Regent is known for. If you're looking for extraordinary accommodations at sea, look no further than this ship. All cabins are suites, and if you love balconies, Seven Seas Explorer features some of the largest in the industry, ranging from 55 to 995 square feet. (Some apartment-dwellers in Manhattan don't have that kind of space!) Likewise, the public spaces are stunning. The ship features an enormous amount of granite and marble (half of it is Carrara) plus almost 500 chandeliers made of Czech crystal and glass. Art lovers will enjoy the 2,500 pieces of art displayed throughout the vessel, including some specially commissioned paintings by Spanish artist Eduardo Arranz-Bravo and works by masters such as Picasso.
For foodies, all you need to know is that each restaurant excels. The two main restaurants are Compass Rose and La Veranda/Sette Mari. La Veranda is the buffet option for breakfast and lunch, and then the space transforms to Sette Mari in the evening, offering a hybrid experience that includes a buffet as well as an a la carte menu. There are also three complimentary specialty restaurants: the Pan-Asian-style Pacific Rim; Chartreuse, which has a French flair; and the line's signature steakhouse, Prime 7.
About the Cruise Line: When it comes to pampering, you can't do better than the completely all-inclusive nature of a cruise aboard Regent Seven Seas. The fare includes business-class intercontinental flights for all U. S. passengers in 2017 (and expanding cross the fleet starting in March), as well as premium alcohol, wine, spirits, beer, soda, water and sports drinks plus all dining (with at least one meal at every specialty restaurant onboard), unlimited Wi-Fi, unlimited shore excursions (though there is also a list of upgraded tours with a la carte pricing) and gratuities. Throw in use of the ship's thermal suite or experience across the fleet -- even if you don't have a spa treatment booked -- and the list of inclusions is impressive, making for a stress-free, chit-free vacation.
Who Sails This Ship: The passenger mix skews to English speakers: mainly Americans and Canadians, with some travelers from Australia and the U. K. mixed in. Nearly all are 60 or older and incredibly well traveled -- especially when it comes to cruising. Many are Regent repeaters. You won't see many children or families, with the exception of summer and holiday sailings when the little ones are traveling with their parents and/or grandparents.
Itinerary Highlights: Seven Seas Explorer winters in the Caribbean with 10- to 14-night itineraries, summers in Northern Europe and the Baltic, and spends spring and fall in the Mediterranean.
Other Ships in the Fleet: Regent has three additional ships in its fleet. Two of them -- Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager -- host 700 travelers per cruise, while Seven Seas Navigator is the smallest ship in the fleet, with a capacity of 490. The luxury cruise line likes to say that it offers "6-star service" on all its vessels.
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Crystal Serenity
Passenger-to-Crew Ratio: 1,070 to 655
About the Ship: Crystal Serenity offers a solid enrichment program that regularly hosts well-known authors, politicians and other experts and luminaries (think NASA astronaut Captain Scott Kelly and U. S. Marine Corps General (Ret.) Anthony Zinni) as guest speakers. American Contract Bridge League instruction is available on all sailings, and many tournaments take place throughout the year. PGA golf pros are also onboard many sailings to share their expertise. Travelers get the sense that Crystal Cruises will do all it can to provide access to the most interesting and knowledgeable people in the world.
The ship also excels when it comes to its entertainment options. If you love listening to music in the lounge or enjoying a show, Crystal Serenity will thrill you. You'll come across performers all over the ship -- from a classical quartet playing during afternoon tea service to a jazz or Broadway singer in the lounge as you sip a pre - or post-dinner cocktail. After dinner, there's karaoke and dancing at Pulse Disco. And if you love ballroom dancing, you can do so at Palm Court and even find a gentleman host dance partner if you're traveling alone or with a companion that has two left feet. Broadway-style productions are staged at the Galaxy Lounge, and the casino -- conveniently located on the way to the theater -- has a respectable number of gaming tables and slots.
Dining is also an area that excels aboard Crystal Serenity. The main dining venue, the Crystal Dining Room, is elegant yet comfortable and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are two specialty restaurants: Silk Road (with the Sushi Bar located within) and Prego. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is the culinary mind behind Silk Road, and its Asian-fusion menu and sushi keep cruisers coming back for more. (Passengers get one complimentary meal at each specialty restaurant, and additional reservations may be available for $30 per person.) Even the ship's Bistro coffee bar and Lido Cafe buffet exceed expectations.
About the Cruise Line: Despite the fact that Crystal Cruises is currently expanding into the river cruise and yacht sectors, the company still places great emphasis on its oceangoing ships. In fact, in a move that reinforced Crystal's commitment to ocean cruising, it's announced the addition of three new ships -- all with onboard residences -- that will make their debut in a few years' time.
Who Sails This Ship: Crystal Cruises feels more formal than the other luxury cruise lines (though it has relaxed its dress code policy in recent years). Even so, Crystal still attracts a crowd of retirees and older professionals. You will sometimes see families with children on this line; as far as luxury lines go, it's a popular option for grandparents traveling with grandchildren as well as multigenerational gatherings. North American passengers are the norm, though you'll often meet Australians and Brits on the line as well, and sometimes a few people from other European countries.
Itinerary Highlights: In summer 2016 Crystal Serenity completed an historic, 32-day journey through the Northwest Passage. The challenging voyage through the Canadian Arctic was a huge success and the line will repeat the voyage in 2017. In addition to the Arctic, Crystal Serenity sails Antarctica; the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America; South America; and the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Other Ships in the Fleet: Crystal Symphony is a bit smaller than Serenity, accommodating 960 cruisers, and the ship strives to make vacations memorable with touches like its renowned on-deck jazz brunch. The line also sails Crystal Esprit, a 62-passenger yacht (which you can learn more about below). Crystal's second yacht -- Crystal Endeavour, a polar-class mega-yacht -- debuts August 2018. Crystal introduced the first of its five riverboats, Crystal Mozart, in July 2016, with two more coming on line in 2017, and three Crystal Exclusive Class oceangoing ships are also in the planning stages.
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Oceania Riviera
Passenger-to-Crew Ratio: 1,250 to 800
About the Ship: Riviera is known for its myriad dining venues, including complimentary specialty restaurants. Dining venues include the Grand Dining Room and other favorites like Jacques, a French bistro with menus designed by famed chef Jacques Pepin; Polo Grill, a refined steakhouse serving USDA prime and dry-aged beef; the Italian restaurant Toscana, where tables are set with custom-designed Versace china; and Red Ginger, which serves Asian classics. Two very special, intimate dining options are also offered for a fee. Each evening, 24 passengers can enjoy a seven-course meal at La Reserve by "Wine Spectator." As you can imagine, the wine pairings are of special note there. Three menus are available, starting at $95 per person. Privee is an even more exclusive option and can be reserved for up to 10 people for a fee of $250 per evening. Dinner from either Polo Grill or Toscana is included in the price, but wine is not.
Foodies might also wish to pay a visit to the well-equipped Culinary Center onboard Riviera (as well as on twin sister Marina). It's a self-contained cooking school at sea that offers a hands-on experience at 12 individual cooking stations (two people per station). Classes focusing on a variety of topics do incur an extra fee, but get rave reviews from participants.
About the Cruise Line: Oceania Cruises ' pricing structure is more a la carte than all-inclusive, but its offerings in terms of accommodations, itineraries and dining venues means that it must be mentioned alongside the luxury lines discussed above. Oceania's OLife Choice and OLife Ultimate promotions on select itineraries level the cruise-fare field with offerings such as free airfare from certain gateways, unlimited Internet plus one or more perks like six shore excursions, a House Beverage Package and/or shipboard credit per passengers.
Who Sails This Ship: Expect to see a 65+ crowd on Riviera with the exception of its shorter voyages, which draw younger vacationing professionals. Most cruisers are American or Canadian but you will encounter some Australians, Brits and travelers from other European countries. You won't find many families sailing except on holiday or summertime itineraries, or in Alaska where the line offers the Alaska Explorer Youth Program.
This is the ship for anyone wishing to book a suite: There are 147 of them in various configurations, in addition to 478 non-suite staterooms. If you do want a suite, book as soon as you can because they sell out fast. The 2,000-square-foot Owner's Suites are knockouts, featuring Ralph Lauren furnishings throughout the living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. Oceania sweetens the suite pot by offering extra amenities including priority 11 a. m. check-in, priority luggage delivery, 24-hour butler service, priority online specialty restaurant reservations, unlimited access to the Canyon Ranch SpaClub's private Spa Terrace and much more. The perks make a suite worth considering.
Itinerary Highlights: Oceania Riviera spends its time sailing the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Greek Isles.
Other Ships in the Fleet: Note that Oceania's Marina is nearly identical to Riviera. The line also sails four 684-passenger ships: Nautica. Insignia and Regatta. which were part of Oceania's original ship lineup, and Sirena that was added to the fleet in April 2016 after an extensive refurbishing. All four smaller vessels are R-class ships that formerly sailed for Renaissance Cruises. These well-designed ships are favorites among cruisers, who find it easy to get around onboard and love the layout of the cabins.
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Viking Star
Passenger-to-Crew Ratio: 930 to 550
About the Ship: Like Oceania, Viking Ocean Cruises is more of an upper-premium line, but it rivals luxury lines when it comes to the inclusiveness of its fares, spa options and design aesthetic. The first thing you notice about Viking Star is its open, airy feel and the care put into the design of every space onboard.
All accommodations include a veranda, and the tightest quarters -- the Deluxe Veranda and the Veranda categories -- are comfortably sized at 270 square feet. Larger accommodations include the Penthouse Veranda at 338 square feet, the 405-square-foot Penthouse Junior Suite and the Explorer Suite, which spans more than 757 square feet. Thoughtful touches in all cabins include bedside USB ports, quiet-closing drawers, heated bathroom floors and anti-fog mirrors.
Restaurants, including all specialty options except The Kitchen Table, are included in the cruise fare. The Restaurant (the main dining room) and The World Cafe (buffet) serve international menus in light-filled venues, with options to open floor-to-ceiling windows on balmy days. Manfredi's (arguably the best restaurant onboard) offers Italian fare, and The Chef's Table offers a rotating menu of themed, set course meals. If you'd like to sample Norwegian delicacies, don't miss Mamsen's with its heartily topped waffles, open-faced sandwiches and bacon-and-pea soup -- all inspired by the recipes of Viking chairman Torstein Hagen's mother. If all of those freebie dining options aren't enough for you, book The Kitchen Table experience. It's only offered twice per cruise, and participation is limited. You'll start by accompanying the chef onshore for a market tour in the morning; in the evening, you'll join the chef and help him prepare a gourmet meal that you then devour.
About the Cruise Line: Viking Ocean Cruises was birthed out of requests from loyal passengers who loved their experiences on Viking River Cruises itineraries. They wished the company would replicate the onboard experience, Scandinavian design sensibility and emphasis on destination immersion that's found aboard the line's riverboats and translate that to an oceangoing cruise line. Viking Ocean Cruises began sailing in 2015, and in that short span of time it has gained kudos from past river cruise passengers and traditional ocean cruisers alike.
The line's ships are sleek and modern, and sail to some of the world's most interesting ports of call. A focus on the destination at hand means that Viking Ocean Cruises stay longer in port -- and often even overnight -- so passengers can get a true taste of the locality. As a tip of the hat to its river cruise roots, the line offers a choice of included tours in every port (though there are for-fee options available as well). Itineraries range from eight-night voyages to cruises of more than a month.
While Viking isn't branding itself as a complete luxury experience, you'll find plenty to love about the cruise fare, which includes transfers, complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner, no-fee specialty restaurants and free unlimited Internet.
The line programs interesting lectures that teach travelers about the region in which the ship is sailing, but other daytime activities are limited. Likewise, the ship is fairly quiet at night with no casino and limited entertainment options. The line doesn't cater to families; no one under the age of 16 can sail with Viking. While the line won't be right for everything, Viking Ocean Cruises is gaining ground for curious travelers who want a beautiful new ship, excellent service and plenty of time to focus on the ship's ports of call.
Who Sails the Ship: Viking originally targeted well-traveled passengers ages 50 and older who were value-oriented. While you'll still find plenty of older but adventurous travelers on Viking Star, it also draws a younger crowd that appreciates itineraries that emphasize the destination over sea days, and the amazing Nordic-style spa that's complete with a refreshing snow grotto.
Other Ships in the Fleet: In addition to Viking Star, the nearly identical Viking Sea set sail in April 2016. Viking Sky will arrive in early 2017, and Viking Sun will begin sailing at the tail end of the year. In 2018, the line will launch Viking Spirit and, finally, in 2020, the sixth ship -- Viking Song -- will take to the sea. All of the sister ships share a design and layout, so you'll get the same experience regardless of which vessel you choose.
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