Deluxe Cruise Lines and Ships

Deluxe cruise experiences to worldwide destinations.  Read Line Profile »

Before Celebrity Cruises was bought by Royal Caribbean, Chandris Cruises created it as an upscale line distinctive from the old Chandris Cruises that then became Chandris Fantasy Cruises to distinguish it from the new Celebrity Line. While the first Celebrity ship under Chandris was a second hand rebuild, the line from then on built new ships – Horizon and Zenith - with a high standard of construction and attention to detail in design and décor. Chandris had difficulty getting the higher fares to pay for these quality-built ships and the company sold out to Royal Caribbean. The distinctive reputation of Celebrity has since varied but more recently the line has regained its original luster of offering a higher standard of food and service and a sophisticated onboard atmosphere in attractive surroundings.  Read Line Profile »

Established in 1840, Cunard is by far the oldest name in ocean travel and the cruise business. Once the dominant carrier on the North Atlantic route, Cunard remains the sole provider of regularly scheduled crossings, plus cruise programs based in the U.S. and Great Britain catering to largely North American and European markets.  Read Line Profile »

Holland America got its start as a transatlantic passenger, mail and cargo carrier in 1872 and prospered right up through the 1960s when the line made a successful transition from the transportation business to full time cruising. HAL bought Windstar Cruises and in turn Carnival bought both in 1988. The company has seen tremendous investment in its fleet.  Read Line Profile »

Born out of the ashes of Renaissance Cruises, a youngish line that folded in 2001, Oceania entered the cruise business with some of the same players and one, then two and now three of the former 680-passenger Renaissance ships built between 1988 and 1990. Almost from the start, the Regatta, the first ship, garnered favorable passenger reports, and Oceania did not make the mistake of excluding travel agents the way Renaissance had. The line’s pricing is often different from the pack, sometimes offering two for one rates and free air, but overall, the cruises are very fairly priced for what passengers receive.  Read Line Profile »

The world’s first residence at sea where the apartments are sold like condominiums in the Sun Belt landed in the water in 2002, at first selling like hotcakes, then the market pretty much died until the owners took over control of the ship and hired a management company top operate it. Now virtually 100 per cent sold, although there is naturally a turnover of ownership, the ship known as The World roams the globe.  Read Line Profile »

German-owned, Sea Cloud offers a sailing ship lifestyle aboard two substantially different motorsailors. They are sold to individuals and the affinity groups.  Read Line Profile »

Started as Windstar Sail Cruises with the first three ships coming on line in 1987, 1988 and 1989, the company did not make a profitable venture and was entirely taken over by Holland America Line by 1988, both of which subsequently came under the Carnival Corporation banner. Then in 2007, Windstar Cruises, the “Sail” having been dropped years ago, was bought by Ambassadors International, owners of Majestic America Line and also Seattle-based.  Read Line Profile »