Luxury Cruises: Worth It?

People who follow the cruise industry with regularity know that cruise lines fall into specific categories that often (but not always) connote the quality and value of the on-board experience.

Mass-market cruise lines, such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL — typically offer the lowest lead-in prices and the fewest added extras. Don’t expect free booze, upscale bath amenities or other perks, but don’t discount mass-market cruises either. They deliver great value.

Next are premium-category cruise lines, such as Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises (and arguably Oceania Cruises and newcomer Azamara Cruises, which characterize themselves as upper premium and deluxe, respectively). Typically, ships are smaller, carrying 2,000 or fewer passengers. Space ratios are greater, meaning that the ship will feel less crowded, than on mass market ships. You’ll get better bath amenities. Free booze? Forget about it on most premium cruises.

You will get free booze on luxury lines that operate small ships — Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas, for example. You’ll also get larger staterooms, better bath amenities, even greater space ratios than on premium-category ships and pampering aplenty. You’ll typically pay more for a luxury cruise, but not always.

Sample Sailings:

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