Indulge in the luxury cruise of your dreams

Escape to exotic destinations on a luxury cruise. Credit: flickerized.

By Kim Windyka

Every once in a while, we need to treat ourselves to some much-deserved pampering. Luxury cruises can be a great way to kick back, relax and enjoy plush accommodations and five-star dining and service, all in the same place. Plus, your destination options range from classic Bermuda, Caribbean, and Mexican Riviera sailings to more exotic choices like the Mediterranean, Tahiti, and the Panama Canal. There’s no shortage of captivating locales to pick from and there are quite a few luxury lines out there, each bringing something different to the impeccably-set table.

Azamara luxury cruises

If you’re seeking a smaller ship experience with more personalized attention, try Azamara Club Cruises. The line offers authentic English butler service for suite guests, and extra touches that scream “you’re worth it”, like a daily fruit basket and flowers and complimentary wine with meals. Itineraries tend to include longer stays in port, which means more time to explore each exciting destination.

For more traditional, big-ship sophistication Crystal Cruises feature mostly balcony staterooms with restaurants managed by such celebrity chefs as Wolfgang Puck and Nobu Matsuhisa. For a cruise that caters to your culinary interests, Crystal even offers themed wine and food festival sailings.

Oceania cruise ships fall somewhere in the middle, size-wise, boasting more than 1 staff member per stateroom, gourmet fare by Jacques Pepin,  as well as a full orchestra, string quartet and concert pianist to enjoy as you sail.

Seabourn cruise line

You’ll find the ultimate in intimate cruising on a Yachts of Seabourn sailing, which includes complimentary shore excursions on most itineraries. Free massages, movies and dancing under the stars, and designer in-room bath products from Chanel and Hermes are also included. Ooh la la!

Don’t forget about river cruising – climb aboard a Uniworld or Viking ship for upscale and cozy accommodations, English-speaking staff, and meals that reflect the staples of the region you’re cruising in.

While the amenities and services on each ship vary, you can rest assured that any luxury line you choose will allow you to put your feet up and enjoy the best that cruising has to offer — even if the idea of a personal butler takes a little getting used to!

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Kim Windyka is a travel brands copywriter, bona fide Twitter addict and freelance feature writer whose work has appeared in Metro Boston, the New Hampshire Visitors Guide and the Nashua Telegraph. Despite being a Northeast native, she dreams of palm trees daily.

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