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.

Once the final putt is holed at this week's U.S. Open, the golf world will turn its gaze eastward toward the craggy shores of Scotland, where the British Open will be held at Turnberry next month. With all due respect to New York's Bethpage Black, the rugged site of the 2009 U.S. Open, there is nothing like golf on the Auld Sod, and there may be no finer way to experience it than by taking a private cruise: play a majestic links by day, sail by night.

PerryGolf, a well-respected tour operator, is offering two exclusive seven-night voyages aboard the Harmony II, a beautifully restored mid-twentieth-century mega-yacht. Each sailing can accommodate up to 12 guests. The first trip, from July 20–26 (the week following the British Open), begins in the Ayrshire town of Troon on Scotland's west coast and concludes up in the Highlands, in Inverness. The second journey, beginning July 27, reverses course.

Both itineraries feature six rounds of golf at such storied old links as Royal Dornoch, Machrihanish and the Machrie and the brand-new Castle Stuart (above), which will open in July bearing a timeless seaside look. Cultural excursions include exploring the unspoiled Isle of Islay, home to eight working distilleries, and a visit to Cawdor Castle, with its fictional link to Macbeth. The cost is $8,895 per golfing passenger; $8,495 for nongolfers. The price includes all on-board meals and drinks as well as ground transport and all golf-related fees.

The 120-passenger MS Expedition is the latest yacht to offer cruises to the remote frozen land of Spitsbergen through Hurtigruten cruises. The MS Expedition is no spring chicken. It was built in Helsingør, Denmark in 1972 but underwent a complete rebuilding and modernization last year. The ship features a panorama lounge, expedition lounge, restaurant, library, bar, fitness room and sauna. All cabins face outside and have their own window. Zodiacs are used for expedition landings as well as for navigating the narrow straits of the arctic landscape for up-close views of the glaciers and wildlife. The frozen ecosystem is rich in natural beauty and supports walrus, polar bears, reindeer, seabirds and geese. Tours of Spitsbergen and surrounded areas are available in nine, 12 and 16-day packages and early booking fares start at $5,686. Dress warm.

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.

Hard times for the world of cruising? Royal Caribbean Cruises announced today that they have cut 400 jobs and are making other cost-cutting measures to reduce annual expenses by $125 million. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain has named soaring fuel prices and the economic downturn as a factor in the moves. The announcement followed lower-than-expected second quarter earnings. So far though, bookings have been holding up well with no decline in the number of people booking cruises. The last few years have been strong for the cruise industry as the growing number of baby boomers have fueled the upscale cruising market. I suspect that the economic fallout for the cruise industry may be slower to occur since cruises are often booked farther in advance. Royal Caribbean's dramatic cost cutting may be a way to try and head off the storms ahead.

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.

A company called Aqua Expeditions has launched the first luxury cruise on the Amazon, a region previously immune to the charms of 280-thread-count sheets and en-suite air conditioning. Their first ship, the M/V Aqua, resembles a floating boutique hotel with a dining room, indoor and outdoor lounges, an observation deck and boutique.

Accommodation-wise, there are eight suites and four master suites with giant picture windows affording 180-degree views of the river scenery. The trips, which are organized around the Flooded Season (June-November) and Dry Season (December-May), run for three, four and seven nights. They begin in Iquitos, Peru (an hour and 40 minutes from Lima), and center on a visit to the five million acre Pacaya Samiria Reserve, a remote sanctuary for all kinds of exotic wildlife including monkeys, jaguars and pink dolphins. Rates start at $1950 per person.

[via UrbanDaddy]

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!

What is the future of cruise travel in 2008? A recent AP article sums up some of the trends and predictions regarding the cruise industry for 2008. Cruising has steadily grown over the past few years and cruising has evolved. Now finding cruise ships with rock-climbing walls, bowling alleys and even mechanical waves for surfing is commonplace. Joining these activities will be a chance to play on a lawn while onboard. In December 2008, Celebrity Cruises will launch Celebrity Solstice which will have a half-acre lawn of real growing grass on the top deck.

More ships are also offering shore trips that range from simple sightseeing to more adventurous excursions such as bike tours. Entertainment and education have also improved on ships. Princess ships will host a film premiere the week of February 11, showing "Bonneville," starring Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates and Joan Allen before the movie is in theaters on February 29. Wine tastings and cooking classes are also common on cruises now as are far more sophisticated spa services than were available even just a couple of years ago.

According to the Cruise Lines International Association an estimated 12.6 million people cruised in 2007 and they predict 12.8 million passengers for 2008. The weakening economy is a concern and so there may be some deals to be had, especially for those who are willing to jump in at the last minute or cruise on one of the older ships in a cruise line. Of course that takes some of the fun out of it. Another more serious concern that really takes the fun out of it is the green factor. A recent post on our sister site Green Daily asks whether or not cruise ships are "floating eco-bombs?" Some companies are making moves to offset the toll on the environment but the green quotient of your desired cruise is yet another actor to consider when planning your dream vacation.

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:

• The Christina O $422,000/wk
• The O'Mega $446,080/wk
• The Alysia $912,079/wk
• The Turama $868,644/wk
• The Leander $571,200/wk
• The Lubecker Flender 40 $868,644/wk
• The Princess Mariana $824,840/wk
• The Rm Elegant $618,800/wk
• The Indian Empress $700,000/wk

I've seen cruise ships on the ocean offering condos before (a trend that seems to have begun with Residensea) but this is the first time I have seen condo boats for river cruising. River Cities Condos is selling floating condos that will travel through the intracoastal waterways of the U.S. Amenities include a grocery store, restaurants, concierge service, a rooftop lounge, theaters, activity rooms, a library, hot tubs and pools, fitness equipment, walking tracks, a rooftop chipping course and even fishing. The condos range from studios to two bedrooms and cost between $161,000 and $499,000. Shared expenses for the staff of 30 range from $6,700 to $23,100.

[via Twin Cities]

Those traveling on Crystal Cruises will soon to be able to pick up dazzling new souvenirs. National Jeweler reports that jewelry designer Rhonda Faber Green has designed a collection for sale on the company's two ships, the Crystal Symphony and the Crystal Serenity. The jewelry is done in 18K yellow, white or rose gold with diamonds. Many of the pieces use the Crystal Cruises symbol, the seahorse. The new collection will be on board later this month in the Facets gift shops.

This isn't Green's first partnership with a vacation destination. She has also worked with the Wynn Resorts to create a Wynn-exclusive line that features white, yellow, pink and black diamonds in the card suits including spades, hearts and diamonds.

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!

This may be a first, a luxury ship that launched both in real life and simultaneously in Second Life. The Costa Serena, from Costa Crociere will depart from Venice to Greece, Turkey and Croatia in summer 2007 and from Savona to Canary Islands in winter 2007/2008 .The new ship was christened in Marseilles on May 19 and a virtual cruise ship and cruise terminal were also launched in Second Life.

The new ship is 290 meters long and has accommodation for up to 3780 guests in 1500 cabins. Like other Costa cruise ships this one features the Samsara spa and Samsara spa suites. The ship also has four swimming pools including one with a giant movie screen. The ship has a Greek and Roman mythology theme with 5990 art works including many original pieces. Costa Serena has already embarked on its maiden cruise from Venice to Turkey and Greece. Fares start at $1099.

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!