Skip to Content

cruise

Introducing Silversea's New Boat: Silver Spirit

Filed under: Journeys, Water

Silversea Cruises

I've been known to rant a bit about the experience of traveling on a large cruise ship -- basically, they strike me as floating shopping malls/theme parks, neither of which I'd ever choose to spend time on.

Even if I'm surrounded by open ocean, which I happen to adore.

But I put smaller ships in a different category, more like a communal yacht, so I was pleased to learn that Silversea, the small ship cruise ship line, plans to launch a new vessel on December 23rd. I was even more pleased when I found out that the new ship, the Silver Spirit, sports a fabulous Art Deco design, and, among its six restaurants, includes one that offers a slow food concept. Check out the gallery for some interior views.

The boat is all-suite, the suites are larger than any the line has offered to date, including two flatscreen televisions, a pillow menu, Carrera marble bathrooms, and a butler assigned to each suite. The maiden crossing from Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale is sold out, but consider signing on for the 91-day inaugural cruise around the Americas departing January 21, 2010, which includes the Christening party and VIP tickets to Rio's Carnival.

Conde Nast Traveler's "Gold List"

Filed under: Journeys

Conde Nast Traveler's
Condé Nast Traveler has released its list of reader-selected best places to stay in the world on Concierge.com.

The magazine's 15th annual "Gold List" is "is your ultimate annotated guide to the world's finest properties and cruise lines, as elected by more than 32,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers."

You can browse by destination, type of award (e.g., service, food, location, cruise lines) or alphabetically, where you can see all on the list. Wondering how they were picked? Here's the methodology.

Silversea Silver Spirit's South American Adventure

Filed under: Journeys, Water


Silversea Cruises is already seeking passengers for their newest ship, the Silver Spirit which will launch in December. The luxury cruise company is offering a 91-day voyage around South America that starts in Fort Lauderdale, stops in to Rio de Janiero and Buenos Aires and then goes up past Lima and slips through the Panama Canal. The adventure begins on January 21, 2010 and costs $39,187 per person, double occupancy. Before that voyage the ship will offer an inaugural cruise from Barcelona to Lisbon followed by the maiden Atlantic crossing from Lisbon to the Caribbean. The ship includes a 8,300 square-foot spa, a fitness center, pool deck, library, internet cafe, boutiques, and a full schedule of enrichment programs.

[via USA Today]

Movie Screens on Cruise Lines, Good Idea Or Not?

Filed under: Water

USA Today's Cruise Blog recently reported on the fact that Princess Cruises is adding 300-square-foot screens on the top decks of seven more of its Princess ships over the next three years (it already has the screens on the top decks of seven ships already). The giant LED screens can show movies day and night as well as broadcasting sporting events such as the Super Bowl and concerts and plans to broadcast an exclusive-to-the-cruise-industry concert by top-selling recording artist Josh Groban. Personally I'm no fan of the giant screens but some of the hard-core cruisers seem to really like them. Other lines including MSC Cruises and Carnival Cruises offer movie screens on deck on some of their ships.

Pricey Cruise To Peep At Penguins

Filed under: Journeys


Think 'luxury cruise' and visions of hot sun and warm blue water probably come to mind, but that couldn't be farther from reality on the latest cruise from Quark Expeditions called "Emperors & Kings: Snow Hill and South Georgia." Leave the sun hat at home and instead grab your ice cleats and arctic gear to sail to Snow Hill Island and South Georgia to see two of the largest and most elusive penguin species, the Emperor Penguins and King Penguins, living in the wild.

The cruise ship, complete with on-board helicopter for shuttling guests to and from the penguin rookery sites, sets sail in November of next year. Prices start at $21,890.

Pinot Lovers' Cruise

Filed under: Journeys, Spirits, Water

The second "Pinot Lovers' Cruise" is scheduled for May 31 - June 12, 2009, and combines the wines of August West with Freeman Vineyard & Winery. The 12-day trip on Oceania Cruises' Insignia makes stops in 12 cities, starting in Rome and ending in Istanbul. Oceania only carries 650 passengers and is known for its relaxed, no-tie policy, and gourmet cuisine, overseen by Executive Chef Jacques Pepin. The cruise includes a private winemakers' dinner, wine tastings and discussions, tours of top Italian wine-estates and plenty of Pinot parties.

Freeman has been named as one of the Magnificent 30 "Hottest Pinots" by the Wine Spectator, while the San Francisco Chronicle recognized August West as one of its top 10 wineries of 2005. Both wineries have received multiple 90+ scores from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine.

Cruise prices range from $3,649 - $7,049 per person double, including free airfare from 20 major U.S. airports. Book by September 1 and receive prepaid gratuities, worth up to $300 per cabin.

Prince Albert II Cruise Ship Launches

Filed under: Journeys, Water


Prince Albert II, the reigning prince of Monaco, recently christened a new cruise ship named after himself, which will be the newest addition to the Silversea line. A gutted expedition ship now completely redecorated and outfitted to suit the most wealthy of customers it is ready for the most rugged of adventures with the most luxurious of accommodations. This 132-passenger cruise ship has adjoining suites occupying the entire top level, an internet center, library, whirlpools on the deck, and a theatre to boot! Rates start at $3,867 per person assuming double occupancy and including shore trips and so far the Prince Albert II plans to visit the coasts of Greenland, Costa Rica, Antarctica, and the Sea of Cortez. Luxury adventures await!

Luxury Cruising Fueled by Baby Boomers

Filed under: Journeys, Water


It seems that baby boomers are loving luxury cruises, and as a result the luxury cruise lines are not only managing to hold their own amidst this country's economic difficulties but are actually doing so well they're looking to expand and grow. They're buying new ships, remodeling existing ships, adding new gourmet foods to the menus, adding new ports to the itinerary ... all with the intent focus on attracting the affluent baby boomer group that is currently spending their money on the less premium cruises like Princess and Celebrity. The "in" cruises now are most likely through Regent or the soon-to-be fleet leader, Silversea.

They say once you go luxury cruising, you never go back!

The Most Expensive Megayachts

Filed under: Journeys, Water


If having a yacht of your own doesn't work for you then chartering one is the next best thing (or maybe it's better? None of the hassles of ownership!) there are lots of choices out there. What amenities are important to you? Where do you want to go? The options are endless, and if money is no object then the luxuries can be too. Ever had the chance to experience any of these megayachts? They're some of the most expensive out there available for charter, and I think they all sound awesome:

Crystal Cruises Ultimate Vintage Room Dinner

Filed under: Dining, Water, Wine

How's this for a booze cruise, sampling a nearly impossible-to-get 1961 German Riesling and a 1959 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac and five other rare wines while cruising from Istanbul to Athens. Crystal Cruises' second Ultimate Vintage Room Dinner will take place on Crystal Serenity's October 6, 2007 voyage from Istanbul to Athens. The seven wines are Krug, Vintage Brut, Reims, France 1990 - Riesling, Auslese, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, J.J. Prum, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany 1961 - Chevalier-Montrachet, Grand Cru, Domaine Leflaive, Burgundy, France 1998 - Barbaresco, Angelo Gaja, Piedmont, Italy 1989 - Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France 1959 - Grange Hermitage, Penfolds, South Australia 1986 - Graham's Vintage Port, Portugal 1955. The seven-course menu features warm oriental duck salad; Goutte d'or, coriander and ginger; steamed scallops Maitre Lurkin; risotto al funghi; mignon of angus beef, shallot sauce, market vegetables; vacherin cheese; and mille-feuilles with red berries and cardamom ice cream. Nice pairings but personally I never miss the chance to pair Port with chocolate. The meal costs $1,250 per person.

The World's Most Expensive Cruises

Filed under: Journeys


People who have money and taste are ever looking for different and more exotic ways to relax and entertain themselves, and the world of cruises is no exception. Trips to the Caribbean and the Bahamas are all but mainstream, so luxury cruises are moving towards smaller more personal ships and less common locations. And the world's most expensive luxury cruises are no exception, with popular locations ranging from the Baltic to Africa to Antarctica, and prices soaring upwards of $2,000 per person per day in some cases. Money like that will get you the best rooms, interesting adventure options (like kayaking in the Antarctic), upscale shore excursions with exclusive perks and privileges, and of course travel at the peak of the sometimes short seasons. Where do you want to go? I don't think I could decide!

The World's Most Expensive Fishing Trip

Filed under: Journeys


Love fishing? Book yourself a spot on the luxury ship Atmosphere for a fly fishing trip along the Chilean wilderness coast. Priced at $15,000 - $25,000, it's the most expensive fishing trip in the world and has plenty of fun luxuries to make that price tag worthwhile. Covering Patagonia by air, land, and water, several different kinds of boats and even a helicopter equipped with all the toys will whisk you away to remote rivers and lakes for dream fishing excursions -- or if you're not in the mood for that you can stay on the ship for awesome food, a massage, and maybe a whale watching excursion instead.

Via Gadling

Pets Cruise with You on the Queen Mary 2

Filed under: Journeys, Pets

Now going on a luxury cruise doesn't mean getting sad puppy eyes as you book a boarding house for your favorite pet -- the Atlantic cruise liner Queen Mary 2 gives you the option of bringing them along! The amenities of their "Pets on Deck" program include fresh-baked biscuits at turn-down, a variety of bedding and blanket options, and even a little coat with the QM2 logo. All pet guests also receive a complimentary gift pack with a mix of essentials and fun stuff, such as a food dish with scoop, a name tag, a frisbee, and a complimentary portrait with their owners.

As a dog owner I think it's great when vacations are pet-friendly, but in this case I can't help but wonder: do people's pets ever get seasick? That would not be pleasant!

Whisky School Cruises To Islay

Filed under: Journeys, Spirits

Now this is a booze cruise. The Whisky School has put together cruises to the distilleries of Islay. Cruise leader Gordon Wright takes cruisers through three days of whisky adventure with two evenings of tutored whisky tastings on the boat. The cruises cost £895 per person sharing a twin or double cabin and includes food and beverages on board. The boat carries just 10 guests and the price includes to and from transfers from Glasgow to the boat. There are two cruises scheduled each month for May, June and August.

[via Islay blog]

Freedom of the Seas' Sickness

Filed under: Water

We spent a bit of time earlier this year covering Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, the largest cruise ship currently in operation, but a story has just come to light that highlights the fact that not all cruises are as relaxing as the luxury accommodations seem to make them. About 10% of the ship's passengers and 46 crew members came down with a norovirus brought on board by a sick passenger. Such viruses, which case less-than-pleasant gastrointestinal problems, are spread through contact and a cruise ship is one of the worst places to be when one strikes. The age and size of the ship are not necessarily factors, but since the Freedom of the Seas carries more than 4,000 people, maintaining a completely sanitized environment is much more difficult than it is on board a smaller ship.



Join Luxist on Facebook!

Featured Galleries

Langham Yangtze Shanghai
Robb Report Limited Edition Series
Agent Provocateur's
Jimmy Choo Launches Project PEP
Jerry Rice in Atherton
Sierra Lodge
Own Original Works of Art - MoMA and Peter Norton Team Up To Raise Money for P.S. 1
James Patterson in Palm Beach
Peter Nitz Bejeweled Handbags