Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a first time voyager, there’s a cruise that will suit your fancy in nearly every corner of the world. Passport’s writers and editors have cruised the far reaches of the world in recent years and experienced some of the best ships for a perfect voyage at sea or river cruise.
Ecoventura Luxury Cruise – Galápagos
One of the top purveyors of luxury small-ship cruises around the Galápagos, Ecoventura offers a range of trips including a full week with their expert team of naturalists and top-notch service staff aboard the newly-christened Evolve. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience than a massive cruise with thousands of other guests, this ship can only house twenty guests, making for a more personalized trip.
Staterooms aboard the Evolve are elegant and squeaky-clean, dinners are three-to-four courses of bliss, the rooftop deck and bar are never crowded, and the one-on-one knowledge sharing and snorkeling help you get from staff gives a sense of community and safety. Plus, the regulatory boards that help control the number of tourists allowed at each wildlife-centric site every day (visitors must be accompanied by a guide at all times) can more effectively manage and protect the park from overcrowding when travelers arrive via one of these small, luxe yachts. Win, win.
Brand g Vacations – Danube River Cruise
Book an adventure along the Danube River with Brand g Vacations. Their trips are all-inclusive except for airfare, meaning everything is included and paid for upfront: airport, hotel transfers, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, all drinks and meals when on the ship, gratuities, and onboard entertainment. We recommend a Danube River cruise for first-time cruise-goers, and this seven-day voyage on the Amadeus Silver III ship also includes two nights in Prague. With stops in Germany, Prague and more this journey takes you from historic big cities to small villages where you can take a deeper breath of fresh air. Brand g offers cruises like this one on chartered ships for smaller groups of people.This journey on the chartered AMADEUS Silver III offers 84 river-facing staterooms, common spaces including a restaurant and lounge, gym and spa.
Aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Prima”
Cruise ships are constantly elevating and expanding guest experiences, not to mention guest capacity. You could sail on one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) ships in various locations, including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Bermuda, the Caribbean and more, and you’ll experience just as much on the ship as you will off. In a class all her own, the Prima is a giant ship with twenty decks, but only carries 3,100 guests. The ship has larger cabins, more suites and a higher ratio of staff to guests. As Harry Sommers (President of NCL) stated during a meet and greet on the ship before we sailed, “We wanted to create the feeling of a high-end hotel.” And that they did. The ship is sophisticated yet not intimidating. You’ll never get bored aboard the Prima. With elevated dining experiences, plenty of options with two main dining rooms, a food hall and specialty restaurants all which specialize in a variety of world cuisines. Guests can also enjoy plenty of entertainment including mini golf, go-karts, darts, and a gaming complex called “The Galaxy Pavilion.” Try your luck at the ship’s casino or play it safe and head to the Pulse Fitness Center with the latest gym equipment and machines.
Virgin Voyages – Valiant Lady Mediterranean Cruise
Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady Mediterranean Cruises are perfect for those who want to enjoy the many wonders of Europe as they sail from Spain to France and Italy. The Valiant Lady features 78 suites, a standard food hall called The Galley, and a variety of wonderful specialty restaurants. Entertainment includes the first multi-form theater at sea – The Red Room – which can transform into four different configurations; an alley stage for fashion show, a dance floor, and two types of stages. Stay fit at the onboard Training Center and Athletic Club which features an outdoor training zone, boxing ring and gymnastics equipment. Or stretch it out with sunset yoga on the 360-degree ocean view sundeck. Shop for your favorite records at onboard record shop Voyage Vinyl or sing your heart out at Japanese-style karaoke bar The Groupie. The crew aboard the Valiant Lady is diverse and welcoming, and the overall experience is one of the best available on any cruise ship.
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Feature Image: Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady
