What makes a cruise “luxury”?
- Smaller ships: often a few hundred guests rather than several thousand, with fewer queues and more personal service.
- More space: many luxury ships are all-suite, often with a balcony.
- More included: fares commonly include drinks, gratuities and Wi‑Fi, and sometimes excursions, specialty dining or flights.
- Different ports: smaller ships can reach harbours and overnight stays big ships can’t.
Is a luxury cruise worth it?
The upfront fare is higher, but the gap can shrink once you add the extras a mainstream cruise charges for: drinks packages, gratuities, Wi‑Fi, specialty restaurants and excursions. Make a quick list of what you’d buy on a mainstream ship and compare the true total.
Luxury lines also differ: some are formal and traditional, others relaxed and casual, and some focus on expedition voyages. Choose the style that suits you, not just the price.
Premium, luxury or ultra-luxury?
Cruise lines are often grouped as mainstream, premium, luxury and ultra-luxury, although there’s no official definition. Premium lines sit in between, with more refined dining and service than mainstream ships but fewer inclusions than true luxury lines. Compare what each fare actually includes rather than relying on the label.
Last updated: 13 October 2026
