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Telegraph
11-03-2025
- Telegraph
These boutique cruises are redefining luxury at sea
Lavish, elevated, extravagant, refined – luxury cruises have many labels, and affordable is certainly not one of them. But there's no denying the value for money a high-end voyage can offer, especially when you consider that your boutique mode of transport will be furnished with priceless artworks, sumptuous suites and designer styling, and the typically eye-watering fare is usually all inclusive. When it comes to itineraries, longer stays and overnights in port are the norm, satisfying those craving true destination immersion. Want to explore lesser-visited enclaves, sip champagne on a private beach, or snowshoe on the seventh continent, Antarctica? A voyage on a boutique ship or slick yacht has you covered. This is an exclusive club of unique vessels, which unlocks a wonderful world of perks, including VIP transfers, Michelin-star dining and superior service levels, that are worth shelling out for. Flex your budget to get on board one of these superlative sailings, and restrictive drinks packages, lengthy check in queues and crushes at the buffet will soon be a distant memory. SeaDream Yacht Club Best for fun on the water Leave the Louboutins behind if you're planning to sail on SeaDream, where you'll while away your time – and there will be plenty of it – on deck, in the water or on the sand. Two mega-yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II, accommodate 56 couples and cruise to exclusive harbours and secluded ports in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Northern Europe and the Caribbean. Sleep under the stars or let loose at one of the signature champagne & Caviar Splash beach parties – the choice is yours. Insider highlight Sleeping under the stars on a Balinese Dream bed. How to do it SeaDream Yacht Club offers the seven-day Glorious Grenadines cruise for £4,226pp, including meals and drinks, gratuities and port fees, departing Nov 23 2025. The round trip from Barbados includes the rarely travelled Lesser Antilles, the island of Bequia and Martinique's French-infused Le Marin. Flights not included. Regent Seven Seas Best for all inclusive It's the hardware that makes this line shine: grand spaces, all suite accommodation with roomy balconies and marble bathrooms. Dubbed 'The World's Most Luxurious Fleet', there are six ships including the latest iteration, Seven Seas Grandeur. Along with butlers, original artworks and Versace tableware, the all inclusive offering includes drinks, Wi-Fi, laundry, gratuities and – unique to Regent – unlimited shore excursions. Insider highlight Unlimited shore excursions in every port for every guest included. How to do it Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers the Spotlight with Chef Chris Gross voyage from Amsterdam to Paris (Le Havre) from £7,752pp, including unlimited shore excursions, unlimited WiFi, unlimited beverages, speciality restaurants, transfers, return flights, pre-paid gratuities and valet laundry, departing Aug 28, 2025. The itinerary features live cooking demonstrations, dining events and Q&As with the chef. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Club Best for yacht-style luxury The 2022 launch of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection made waves as the first luxury hospitality brand to enter the cruising category, and the lines' intimate and exclusive superyachts look right at home docked in European playgrounds for the rich and famous, and Caribbean islands alike. The inaugural, all-inclusive Evrima was recently joined by the 448-guest Ilma, which features all-terrace suites, two suite categories measuring more than 1,000 square feet, five restaurants, seven bars, a marina and spa. Insider highlight Personalised experiences, including private in-suite dining, bespoke on-shore itineraries and tailored wellness rituals. How to do it Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers a seven-night Rome to Athens cruise from £7,659pp including world-class dining, beverages and most amenities, departing May 11 2025. Flights not included. Shop the boutiques of Capri, then take in the diverse landscapes of the Greek Isles including Santorini's whitewashed villages, and the lunar-like seascapes of Milos. Uniworld Best for the Venetian lagoon This all-inclusive river cruise line ticks all the boxes: opulent design, attentive crew, first-class food and impeccable service. Akin to floating boutique hotels, the vessels are designed to reflect the destinations visited, from the décor through to the locally sourced, farm-to-table cuisine. Guests can also admire artwork from artists including David Hockney and Picasso, handmade fabrics from local design houses and hand-carved furnishings. Insider highlight Curated VIP nights out, shore excursions, including exclusive visits to St Mark's Basilica after dark (with only Uniworld guests present) watching the lights come up. How to do it Uniworld offers the all inclusive eight-day Venice & The Jewels of Veneto cruise from £2,298pp, including unlimited premium wines and spirits, flights, transfers in destination, gratuities and full programme of activities, departing April 6, 2025. The only luxury river cruise line on the Venetian lagoon, guests will dock in the heart of Venice, and can expect exclusive after-hours tours, bike rides and food and wine tastings. Silversea Best for butler service A fleet of boutique beauties, Silversea's small ships feature spacious suites with butler service as standard. Most suites also include private verandas for al fresco champagne toasts, while sailing on all seven continents. Silver Ray, Silversea's second Nova-class ship, offers seamless destination connection, while the asymmetrical design includes impressive use of glass in both public areas and suites for uninterrupted views. Insider highlight Premium spirits and butler service in every suite category, plus complimentary champagne on the majority of ships. How to do it Silversea offers a Mediterranean voyage from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Athens (Piraeus) from £8,900, including flights, private airport transfers, all gratuities, premium beverages and shore excursions, departing June 24 2025. Wind through Naples' atmospheric streets, with historic treasures awaiting in Sicily and Malta, before touring Greece's islands and concluding in Athens. Oceania Cruises Best for gourmet dining Oceania's latest build, Vista, and the soon-to-launch 1,200-guest-holding Allura, blend understated luxury with elegant design and bespoke detailing. The foodie-focused line offers guests private dining and tastings, cooking classes and upscale eateries at no extra cost, while visiting lesser known ports globally. Insider highlight The Dom Pérignon Experience at La Reserve, which features a six-course tasting menu paired with three of the best vintages from 2009, 2006 and 2004. How to do it Oceania Cruises offers the Ramparts & Rivieras voyage from £5,379pp, including gratuities, speciality dining, Wi-Fi and laundry services, departing Aug 27 2025. Flights not included. Departing from Rome, guests will explore the markets of Provence, shop in Monte Carlo and discover Barcelona's culture. Cunard Best for transatlantic voyages Old-school elegance and steadfast service is woven into the DNA of Cunard's 185-year legacy. That said, the new ship Queen Anne offers a more contemporary take, with a design that gleans inspiration from the past. There's an elevated focus on health and wellbeing, and more entertainment, dining, and bars than ever. Indeed, with 2025 a momentous year in Cunard's history, its anniversary will be marked with several land-based events and celebratory voyages. Insider highlight The Transatlantic Fashion Week voyage. How to do it Cunard offers the seven-night Norwegian Fjords with Michel Roux cruise from £2,299pp, based on two sharing a Britannia Balcony stateroom, including meals and activities departing May 11 2025. Flights not included. During the voyage, Chef Michel will share insights into his life and work, and showcase his talents with a live cooking demonstration. Azamara Cruises Best for overnights in port Understated and accessible, Azamara is your entry point into luxury cruising. There are no butlers, just helpful crew who remember your name and your favourite drink, while you access smaller ports, often staying longer in the destination, or overnight. The perfectly sized, four-ship fleet includes the newest vessel, the 670-guest Azamara Onward, which has been built to dock at locations that are out of bounds to larger ships. Insider highlight AzAmazing Evenings – one-of-a-kind cultural events that enable passengers to dive deeper into local cultures. How to do it Azamara Cruises offers the 10-night Greece Cruise: Patmos, Santorini and Rhodes cruise from £2,449pp, including drinks, tips, gratuities, and self-service laundry, departing July 8 2025. Flights not included. Departing from Athens, this voyage takes in the Greek islands including Paros and Patmos, before an overnight and disembarkation in Istanbul. Riverside Luxury Cruises Best for Danube River cruises One of the most exclusive cruise lines on the waterways, Riverside's intimate, all-inclusive ships, Mozart and Debussy, have been thoughtfully designed to provide contemporary comfort while meandering along Europe's waterways. Riverside Mozart is one of the Danube's most dazzling: spacious suites replace cabins, there are five dining venues, top-tier excursions and butlers in direct communication with every guest. Insider highlight Butlers use Whatsapp to communicate with guests, taking care of all requests. How to do it Riverside Luxury Cruises offers the four-day Main, Rhine and Moselle River Ramble cruise from £1,350pp, including meals and drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and transfers, departing July 16 2025. Flights not included. This mini cruise from Frankfurt includes historic Koblenz, and finishes in Dusseldorf, a city known for art and culture. Crystal Cruises Best for onboard 'firsts' Acquired by A&K Travel Group in 2022, the reimagined Crystal is a worthy entrant in our list, as luxury is synonymous with the brand. The two ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, are among the most elegant and spacious at sea – every suite comes with a butler, sumptuous bedlinen, Etro robes and Ortigia amenities. Other highlights include cutting-edge wellness offerings, the first and only Casino de Monte-Carlo at sea, and complimentary dining, including the only eatery by Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) at sea. Insider highlight The Crystal Connoisseur caviar menu. How to do it Crystal offers an eight-night cruise from £4,750pp, including meals and drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities and port fees departing September 17 2025. Flights not included. Sailing from Monte Carlo to Barcelona, you'll meander from Monaco to the Balearic Islands, before arriving on the coast of Spain. Explora Journeys Best for boutique accommodation When you check into the generously proportioned suites with boutique hotel styling and roomy terraces, you'll understand why Explora Journeys calls itself 'your home on the water.' Identical ships, EXPLORA I and II, access lesser-known ports with atypical port times, and destinations that remain off-limits to larger ships. There's a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.25, while world-class dining and wellness programmes set the standard for new luxury – EXPLORA I even features the first Rolex boutique at sea. Insider highlight EXPLORA II will be the only ship docked at Port Hercule for the Monaco Grand Prix in May 2025. How to do it Explora Journeys offers the 10-night Journey of Robola Wine, Red-Tile Roofs & Gondoliers cruise for £4,760pp, including unlimited fine beverages, nine culinary experiences, Wi-Fi and gratuities, departing May 5 2025. Flights not included. Sailing from Istanbul to Fusina, Italy, this voyage unlocks Mediterranean gems including Turkey, Greece and Croatia. Swan Hellenic Best for off-grid exploration Want to visit lesser-trodden locations in the lap of luxury? This cultural expedition cruise line blends its British heritage with a global outlook to deliver experiences in remote regions. Three purpose-built ships carry up to 192 guests and feature Scandi-inspired interiors, spacious staterooms, and varied dining venues. Featuring onboard technology including the ability to navigate through ice and cutting-edge facilities, guests are pampered while enjoying insights into wildlife, cultures and even outer space. Insider highlight The chance to sip champagne on a Zodiac surrounded by glaciers and icebergs. How to do it Swan Hellenic offers the 20-night South Atlantic cruise: from South Africa to Antarctica from £10,485pp including pre-cruise accommodation, a balcony stateroom, all meals and most drinks, 24-hour room service, self-service laundry, one selected shore excursion per port of call, standard Wi-Fi, onboard gratuities and port taxes, departing November 15 2025. Flights not included. Sailing from Cape Town to the Antarctic Peninsula, you'll stop at Tristan da Cunha, known for its wildlife, and South Georgia, home to dramatic landscapes. Seabourn Best for accessing smaller ports Seabourn's well-honed offering has many loyal followers, and it's not hard to see why. Six intimate ships, including two purpose-built expedition ships equipped with submarines and Zodiacs, can access ports that larger ships must bypass, creating a private, yacht-like environment with daily enrichment. Bespoke, all-inclusive itineraries sail to destinations including Antarctica, The Chilean Coast, The Kimberley, South Pacific, Indonesia and the Northwest Passage. Insider highlight Complimentary caviar and champagne onboard, and signature Caviar in the Surf beach barbecues (on select sailings). How to do it Seabourn offers the 15-day Wild Labrador Coast cruise from £11,337pp, including all food and drinks, complimentary signature events, and entertainment, departing September 20 2026. Flights not included. Sailing from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, this immersive voyage takes in Greenland's landscapes and historic Canadian islands. Scenic Best for ocean excitement Scenic can make your James Bond fantasies come true, whether you want to soar over Sydney Opera House in a helicopter or dive the depths of the ocean in a submersible – yes, these toys are on board. The all-inclusive yacht Scenic Eclipse II offers exploration opportunities alongside world-class dining, ultra-luxurious suites, state-of-the-art wellness, numerous dining experiences and a Sky Deck featuring a pool, cabanas and Sky Bar for Bonds' signature Martinis – shaken, not stirred, of course. Insider highlight Once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from helicopter tours to submersible voyages beneath the waves. How to do it Scenic offers the 13-day Treasures of the Pacific: The Yasawas to New Zealand cruise from £9,860pp, including flights, transfers, Wi-Fi, excursions and beverages, departing November 21 2025. Journeying from Fiji's Yasawa Islands, discover Vanuatu's Tanna Island, before visiting three of New Caledonia's islands, snorkelling around coral reefs before arriving in New Zealand. Aqua Expeditions Best for wildlife spotting Luxury expedition line Aqua Expeditions explores culturally significant destinations and rivers amidst five-star service and small group activities and excursions. With expert naturalist guides on hand and rainforest-inspired cuisine created by renowned chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino on the menu, the 20-suite Aqua Nera sails the Peruvian Amazon, rewarding guests with up-close wildlife encounters in this biodiverse part of the world. Insider highlight A one-to-one crew to-guest ratio for a seamless and intimate expedition. How to do it Aqua Expeditions offers a four-night Amazon Explorer Cruise from £4,659pp including excursions, lectures and sightseeing costs, departing August 25 2025. Flights not included. Sailing from Nauta to Iquitos, this immersive voyage includes sunrise birdwatching, jungle trekking and spotting elusive pink river dolphins.
The Independent
28-01-2025
- Business
- The Independent
SeaDream becomes first cruise line to accept cryptocurrency payments for all voyages
SeaDream Yacht Club has started accepting cryptocurrency payments from cruise passengers. The luxury brand is believed to be the first cruise line to accept cryptocurrency as a payment option for all voyages. Passengers can now book sailings to destinations such as the Caribbean Mediterranean, Norway, and northern Europe using bitcoin, ethereum and more than 200 of the most frequently used cryptocurrencies. Digital currencies can be used to make secure payments for a cruise holiday on the SeaDream website or to charter its yachts exclusively for celebrations such as weddings or corporate events. Payments will be processed using Coinbase Commerce. The announcement was made during the opening day of WAGMI Miami, a crypto conference in America. Andreas Brynestad of SeaDream Yacht Club said: 'SeaDream has always been an innovator, setting new standards in luxury travel. By accepting cryptocurrency, we are embracing a payment solution that is increasingly sought after by our guests. 'The ability to use cryptocurrency further adds to the convenience and flexibility of our discerning charter guests, eliminating currency exchange challenges and enabling seamless transactions.' Cryptocurrencies have increased in value in recent months, with the bitcoin price hitting a record high of $109,000, helped by support from new US president Donald Trump. One of president Trump's first executive orders identified the development of digital assets as a national priority. This may raise hopes of cryptocurrencies becoming accepted more widely. There was an unsuccessful attempt by enthusiasts in 2020 to create a floating crypto community in the Gulf of Panama. Investors acquired former P&O Cruises ship Pacific Dawn, revamped it and renamed it Satoshi after the Bitcoin founder. The idea was that people could purchase cabins and companies could buy commercial space, with Bitcoin accepted as a form of payment, but the organisers couldn't get insurance for the ship and it was later sold to what eventually became Ambassador Cruise Line.
