Premium
cruise line ships tend to be smaller than those of the contemporary lines,
generally accommodating 500 to 1,500 guests, though some are larger.
Staterooms, on the other hand, tend to be more spacious, with higher-quality
furnishings. Many premium ships have a high percentage of staterooms with private
balconies. Dining is a step closer to gourmet, and entertainment is more
sophisticated. Children are welcome, although special programming and
facilities for kids probably won’t be as extensive as on a contemporary ship,
and may be absent altogether.
Celebrity
Cruises lives up to its name by treating guests like celebrities, presenting
them with a mimosa or a glass of sparkling wine when they step on board.
Celebrity earned headlines in 2008 with the launch of the Celebrity Solstice: its well-designed staterooms received rave
reviews, as did its innovative Lawn Club, a half-acre of real, growing grass
for perfect for bocce ball or a lazy picnic. Since then, Celebrity has added
more ships to the Solstice class and has “Solsticized” many of its other ships.
Holland
America Line maintains some charming traditions on its ships, including
afternoon tea; ballroom dancing (gentleman hosts are available on cruises 10
days or more to dance with ladies who are sailing solo); and an elegant ringing
of chimes to announce dinner. You’ll also find onboard tennis courts, eclectic
shipboard art collections, and – on warm-weather sailings – a frosty glass of
lemonade presented to you just when you are most thirsty. Holland America Line
ships are also known for their Culinary Arts Centers, where you can watch and
learn from experienced chefs.
The
ships of Oceania Cruises combine sophisticated surroundings with a warm, casual
vibe: a “do what you want, when you want” feeling. One thing you’ll want to do
is sample the restaurants on board, including Toscana, which features fresh Tuscan cuisine; steaks, chops and seafood at the
Polo Grill; and Waves, an open-air bistro. There’s also the Grand Dining Room,
where six courses are served at dinner. Note that Oceania
is happy to have children on board, but does not offer children’s programming.
It’s
difficult to generalize about Princess Cruises, which has a large fleet of
beautiful ships in a variety of sizes and styles. One of this line’s recent
innovations is Movies Under the Stars, featuring nightly movies on giant LED
screens above the main pools. The Chef’s Table program gives passengers the
opportunity to observe dinner preparations in the galley while munching on hors
d’oeuvres, then sitting at the chef’s table for a multi-course tasting menu.
Princess is also known for organizing memorable weddings for its guests.
In
addition, Cunard Line offers a combination of premium and luxury cruise
experiences. Standard staterooms are premium-level, with services and dining
options to match. Guests who book Cunard’s suite accommodations, however, sleep
and dine in luxurious elegance that recalls the Golden Age of cruising.
To
explore your options for enjoying the comfort and fun of a premium-class
cruise, talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert.
