Luxury cruise lines offer a heightened cruise experience, with gourmet cuisine, more spacious accommodations and services which are a cut above the standard offering. This feeling of luxury has, over time, paved the way for a new sector within the industry known as ultra-luxury – which delivers to a specific clientele who expect the very best.
There are currently four lines which claim to offer passengers this feeling of ultra-luxuriousness. Spacious ships with a higher crew-to-passenger ratio and fewer other passengers on board collectively create a sense of exclusivity. This is then taken to another level with on board restaurants that have been endorsed by some of the finest celebrity chefs in the world – ensuring your culinary on board culinary offering is nothing short of spectacular.
But what differentiates one ultra-luxury line from another? Understanding what each line has to offer and what sets them apart will be highly advantageous when it comes to trying to sell them to your customers. So, without further ado, Cruise Franchise has compiled a short guide to the ultra-luxury sector and what makes each individual line different.
Ship size
Tonnage: 28,550 GT
Length: 170 metres
Capacity (Ratio 1:1.44)
Crew: 340
Passengers: 490
Ship size
Tonnage: 42,363 GT
Length: 206 metres
Capacity (Ratio 1:1.56)
Crew: 447
Passengers: 700
Ship size
Tonnage: 48,075 GT
Length: 216 metres
Capacity (Ratio 1:1.57)
Crew: 445
Passengers: 700
Ship size
Tonnage: 54,000 GT
Length: 224 metres
Capacity (Ratio 1:1.35)
Crew: 552
Passengers: 750
Some of the most modern vessels in the ultra-luxury sector, complete with elegant interiors. All guests on board can enjoy the spaciousness of their own suite as they float from one destination to the next. This is one of the key selling points of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, is that you can enjoy the spaciousness of larger ships, but with fewer passengers on board.
Uniquely, Regent Seven Seas offers everything included in the cost of the fare – which means passengers can enjoy unlimited excursions, speciality dining, drinks and much more at no extra cost.
Ship size
Tonnage: 32,346 GT
Length: 200 metres
Capacity (Ratio 1:1.34)
Crew: 335
Passengers: 450
Ship size
Tonnage: 32,346 GT
Length: 198 metres
Capacity (Ratio 1:1.36)
Crew: 330
Passengers: 450
Ship size
Tonnage: 32,346 GT
Length: 198 metres
Capacity (Ratio 1:1.34)
Crew: 335
Passengers: 450
With approximately three crew members to every four passengers on board each ship, Seabourn offers one of the best crew to passenger ratios in the ultra-luxury sector. The crew will take the time to get to know your personal preferences and will even get to know you on a first-name basis.
Established in 1986, Seabourn was one of the first lines to deliver ultra-luxury cruising experiences and this shines through on board each of the line’s ships today. Furthermore, on board the ship, you can enjoy a range succulent meats and seafood in The Grill, by world-renowned American Chef, Thomas Keller. Off the ship, you can visit a range of spectacular landmarks around the world thanks to a partnership with UNESCO.
Ship size
Tonnage: 16,800 GT
Length: 157 metres
Capacity (Ratio 1:1.33)
Crew: 222
Passengers: 296
Ship size
Tonnage: 16,800 GT
Length: 156 metres
Capacity (Ratio 1:1.41)
Crew: 208
Passengers: 294
Ship size
Tonnage: 28,258 GT
Length: 186 metres
Capacity (Ratio 1:1.29)
Crew: 295
Passengers: 382
Ship size
Tonnage: 28,258 GT
Length: 190 metres
Capacity (Ratio 1:1.29)
Crew: 295
Passengers: 382
Ship size
Tonnage: 36,000 GT
Length: 196 metres
Capacity (Ratio 1:1.43)
Crew: 376
Passengers: 540
Ship size
Tonnage: 32,346 GT
Length: 198 metres
Capacity (Ratio 1:1.45)
Crew: 411
Passengers: 596
While other ultra-luxury lines offer the services of a personal butler for an additional surcharge, Silversea is the only ultra-luxury line to include it in the fare. Every want and need you could possibly have during your cruise will be catered for by on board experts and this is also reflected in the low crew to passenger ratios.
Butler services and the smallest-sized ships of the ultra-luxury sector combine to create a truly intimate style of cruising. This also enables the ships to visit a range of smaller destinations that are inaccessible to larger vessels. After each day of exploration on-shore, you can enjoy outstanding French cuisine in one of the only Relais & Chateaux restaurants at sea.
If you love cruising and love sharing your passion for travel with others, you may be interested to learn more about the exciting business opportunity available with GoCruise. For more information, contact us via the number above or complete an Online Enquiry Form.
