Aldi or Waitrose?

Where do you go for your weekly food shopping? I bet you are thinking what a strange question to ask, in relation to my job here at Cruise! To solve the mystery the reason why I am asking is really showing the comparison between luxury and non luxury cruises.  The luxury cruising market is rising steadily  along with the expedition cruising, and I would put this sector in the Waitrose bag, the others would of course go from Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury’s etc!

I think the general feel people have is that luxury cruising is much more expensive than the norm. If you compare prices at first I understand why but when you see what you are getting for your money, I think it all falls into place. For example Royal Caribbean’s prices with the drinks packages “added on as a incentive to book” are huge! – now check out a luxury cruise line which includes the drinks, you may be surprised.  Most luxury cruise lines include drinks all day, at no charge. Some even include some excursions.

So what is actual “luxury cruising?” Apart from being much smaller ships they do offer you a much more relaxed and informal style of cruising. The luxury market is also seeing an increase in people who want to perhaps have lecturers on board or travelling to different ports. Remember these ships are smaller and can get to the lesser known ports.

Then we have the dining which let’s face it is very important to us cruisers!  We have a huge choice of dining options with some of the most fantastic chefs working alongside. For example, you have Seabourn with Thomas Keller, Alain Ducasse for Ponant, Nobu Matsuhisa for Crystal cruises etc etc. Many of the luxury cruise ships do not charge you for the speciality restaurants, another one to add on if you are comparing.

The accomodation on board a luxury cruise ship is fantastic, most are spacious suites with verandas, walk-in wardrobes, and separate seating areas, they are stylishly furnished and decorated, and many of the cabins come with butler service.

I have been really lucky and cruised a few times on these luxury ships and the one thing I noticed above anything else was the space and the quiet. You really do not have to worry about getting a sun bed on deck or having to queue anywhere!

Now that Ritz Carlton have come into the luxury cruise market i think we will see the other cruise lines changing their game a little and to be honest with you I do think a couple need to.  Not because they are awful, just maybe resting on their own laurels a bit!

One thing I do have to say though is if you love the big Vegas type entertainment or the slides and gizmos around the pool then luxury cruising is perhaps not for you. If you do want that fantastic service (which lets face it is part of your holiday) the most fantastic food, great accomodation on board and just that something different then try them out.

Till next time x