With the recent announcement of the much anticipated Four Seasons Yachts opening their inventory, many have asked me if it’s worth splurging on an ultra-luxury cruise.

How do ultra-luxury cruise lines compare to each other? Is this higher category of cruising a game changer in the cruise industry? After all, you’re still stuck on a ship with other people visiting the same destinations as the mass market brands.

Let’s start here: Ultra-luxury and Mass Market/Premium cruising could not be any more different, and I’ll tell you the differences as well as why you should consider spending more for an ultra-luxury cruise.

What is an Ultra-Luxury Cruise?

Ultra-luxury cruising is the best of public cruising. Brands that fall within this category typically have a higher staff to guest ratio, higher standards of dining, opulent accommodations, smaller ships (more intimate experience), and all inclusive fares that avoid the nickel and diming feeling. The only higher you can get is chartering or owning your own yacht to travel around the world. If that’s you and you need a travel agent – call me!

Keep in mind, this is different from expedition cruising. Though some ultra-luxury cruise brands, such as Ponant, also offer expedition cruises, I’m writing today about non-expedition cruises. Expedition cruise ships typically visit harder to reach destinations such as Antarctica and the North Pole. They’re also equipped with Zodiacs for land excursions.

Who is Ultra-Luxury Cruising For?

First time reading about ultra-luxury cruising? Don’t be scared off by the “ultra-luxury” aspect – you’d be surprised how affordable many of these cruises can be. The question is whether you think paying more for an elevated experience is worth it to make your vacation stand out.

Ultra-luxury cruising is for travelers who prefer cruising on smaller and less crowded ships. They’re for anyone who appreciates a higher level of attention, support, and care from staff to make your trip stand out. Art lovers and anyone who appreciates the educational component of travel will enjoy the art pieces and lectures ultra-luxury ships offer. In general, ultra-luxury cruises welcome families but you won’t see go-karts and water slides on the tops of the ships. This is one of the main reasons why this category of cruising is more popular with older folks, but I wouldn’t write it off if you’re looking to travel with family!

Ultra Luxury vs. Premium vs. Mass Market

There is a clear distinction in the cruising industry between mass market, premium, and ultra luxury offerings. Companies like Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings have multiple brands with higher tiered quality: NCL (mass market), Oceania (Premium), and Regent Seven Seas (Ultra luxury). Other companies are solely known for their operation of ultra-luxury cruise brands (such as Ponant). Here is a general breakdown of a few ultra luxury, premium, and mass market cruise brands for reference:

Category	Brands	Features	Avg. # of Guests	Avg. Pricing
Mass Market	Carnival, MSC, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean	Large ships, budget-friendly, family-friendly, many dining options, many entertainment options, undesirable guest to staff ratio, add-on costs	2,500 – 3,500 depending on the specific ship	Depending on cabin category it can range from $270 – $5,000 per person.
Premium	Celebrity, Cunard, Disney, Holland America, Princess, Virgin Voyages, Oceania	Slightly smaller ships, accessible pricing, better quality dining and entertainment options, better guest to staff ratio, less add-on costs and more inclusions	650 – 3,000 depending on the specific ship	Depending on cabin category, ship, and itinerary it can range from $270 – $5,000+ per person.
Ultra-Luxury	Ponant, Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, Scenic, Ritz Carlton Yachts, Four Season Yachts, Explora Journeys	Small ships, high quality dining and entertainment, more exotic locations visited, high quality furnishings, more inclusions, small group excursions, fine dining on board, butler service (some brands), ideal guest to staff ratio	150 – 750 depending on the specific ship	Depending on category, $3,000 – $10,000+ (not including world voyages)

Ponant

Ponant is a fantastic choice for travelers looking to take part in a unique expedition in the most luxurious style. Unlike the Italian-rooted Silversea or Explora Journeys, Ponant is proudly French, and you’ll see that reflected in their design, menus, and staff. Their cruises take you to unique and often off-the-beaten-path destinations, from polar regions to quaint, culturally rich cities. The ships are small and chic, offering a boutique hotel vibe with comfortable, stylish accommodations.

Onboard, you can expect top-notch service with a high crew-to-passenger ratio, ensuring you get personalized attention. The dining experience is a highlight, featuring delicious French and international cuisine made with fresh ingredients, along with a great selection of wines. Ponant also offers enriching activities like expert talks and exclusive experiences such as private concerts and local tours. They partner with multiple renowned travel groups, such as Smithsonian, to bring in high caliber experts.

I love Ponant because they are focused on ultra-luxury cruising only – so they know what they’re about! Additionally, one of the standout features of Ponant is its commitment to sustainability. They use eco-friendly technology and work to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the places they visit. Plus, I cannot emphasize enough that all cruises have a lovely French flair, from the décor to the food, adding a touch of elegance to your journey. It’s a perfect choice for travelers who want a luxurious, intimate cruise experience with a bit of a unique twist.

Brand	Known For	# of Ships	Avg. # of Guests	Staff to Guest Ratio
Ponant	Ultra-luxe expedition cruising, exotic locations, emphasis on education, French design and cuisine, partnerships with travel clubs, modern accommodations	13 ships ranging from a sailing yacht to exploration ships.	184-270 depending on the ship. Sailing yacht holds max. 32 guests.	Depends on ship, but close to 1:1.5

Seabourn

You may be surprised to hear that Seabourn is owned by the Carnival brand! Seabourn Cruises is renowned for delivering a small-ship ultra-luxury cruising experience that combines intimacy, elegance, and exceptional service.

The cruise line’s small, all-suite ships offer a refined and comfortable atmosphere, with spacious accommodations that often include private verandas. Guests are treated to gourmet dining, with menus crafted by world-class chefs, including dishes inspired by renowned chef Thomas Keller, ensuring a top-notch culinary journey. Seabourn’s attentive staff provides personalized service, with a high crew-to-passenger ratio that guarantees a pampered experience.

Seabourn is also known for its unique and enriching experiences, both on board and during shore excursions. Guests can enjoy expert-led lectures, cultural performances, and exclusive tours that offer deep insights into the destinations visited. Seabourn’s itineraries are carefully curated, featuring a mix of popular and lesser-known locations, allowing travelers to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations in style. The all-inclusive nature of Seabourn cruises, covering fine dining, premium beverages, gratuities, and often even shore excursions, adds to the luxurious and hassle-free experience.

Brand	Known For	# of Ships	Avg. # of Guests	Staff to Guest Ratio
Seabourn	Ultra-luxe small ship cruising, exotic locations, all-suite accommodations, all-inclusive fares	7 ships including leisure and expedition	264 – 600 guests depending on the ship	Depends on ship, but between 1:1.2 to 1:1.4

Silversea

Silversea is the ultra-luxury segment of the Royal Caribbean brand. Originally owned by an Italian gentleman in the 90’s, the cruise line now honors its roots by offering Italian cooking classes and cuisine on board.

Silversea Cruises is known for delivering an ultra-luxury cruising experience that feels like a floating five-star resort. They specialize in all-inclusive luxury, meaning once you’re on board, everything from gourmet dining and fine wines to gratuities and shore excursions is covered. The fleet is made up of small, ocean view all-suite ships. Most importantly, each suite comes with a personal butler, ensuring you get the personalized attention you deserve.

The dining on Silversea is top-notch, with a variety of restaurants serving delicious cuisine from around the world, often featuring fresh, high-quality ingredients. The service on board is exceptional, with a high crew-to-passenger ratio that ensures every guest feels pampered and well cared for. Silversea is also known for its diverse and unique itineraries, taking travelers to remote and exotic destinations around the globe, including some off-the-beaten-path spots.

Brand	Known For	# of Ships	Avg. # of Guests	Staff to Guest Ratio
Silversea	Ultra-luxe small ship cruising, over 900 destinations in all continents, all-suite ocean view accommodations, all-inclusive fares, door-to-door fare options, butler service at all levels	12 ships including leisure and expedition	100-728 guests depending on the ship	Most sources say nearly 1:1

Regent Seven Seas

Regent Seven Seas is the ultra-luxury cruise line of the Norwegian Cruise brand. Most of the time when you think of high end cruising, Regent SS is what comes to mind because of their extravagance. They’re known for offering one of the most luxurious and all-inclusive cruising experiences out there.

When you book a cruise with Regent, pretty much everything is covered, from gourmet dining and fine wines to gratuities, shore excursions, and even airfare. This means you can truly relax and enjoy your vacation without worrying about extra costs piling up, unlike mass market cruise lines who nickel and dime passengers any chance possible. The ships themselves are spacious and elegant, featuring all-suite and all balcony accommodations that provide a high level of comfort and luxury.

Dining on board is a real highlight, with multiple restaurants serving delicious cuisine from around the world. They also offer a selection of specialty restaurants where you can enjoy everything from Italian dishes to classic steakhouse fare. The service is exceptional, with a crew that goes above and beyond to make sure your every need is met. While there isn’t a butler in all categories like Silversea, the staff go above and beyond to ensure their guests have an incredible trip.

Brand	Known For	# of Ships	Avg. # of Guests	Staff to Guest Ratio
Regent Seven Seas	Ultra-luxe cruising, over 550 destinations (not all continents), all-suite all-balcony accommodations, all-inclusive fares, door-to-door fare options, opulent furnishings	6 ships with two more announced. Leisure cruising only (no expedition ships)	490-750 guests depending on the ship	Around 1:1.5

Ritz Carlton Yachts

The world renowned Ritz Carlton brand was smart to move into the ultra-luxury cruising industry. Their first ship, also known as a “superyacht”, debuted just in 2022, and it was a landmark moment! Since then, Four Seasons, Aman, and Accor’s Orient Express have followed suit trying to bring their hallmark quality and service to the seas.

Despite being new, the reviews have come in mostly positive. The design of the superyachts are stylish, chic, and modern. Suites are spacious for a cruise starting from 300 sq ft. going all the way to 1,091 sq ft. all featuring a balcony. The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection features 5 dining concepts, one of which requires an additional charge. You won’t find buffets on any of their superyachts as curated dining is one of their featured offerings.

Similar to other super and mega yacht experiences, there are water toys at the Marina which you can use when the sea conditions are calm. There are plenty of shorter itineraries for those wishing to experience their superyachts ranging from 3 days all the way to 13 days for a transoceanic voyage. I would personally give the Ritz Carlton a bit longer to become experts in ultra-luxury cruising as they are still so new to the industry.

Brand	Known For	# of Ships	Avg. # of Guests	Staff to Guest Ratio
Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection	Ultra-luxe “superyacht” cruising, itineraries in Europe + Caribbean + Asia, all-balcony accommodations, 4 restaurants included, modern chic furnishings	2 ships with a third debuting in 2025	298-452 guests depending on the ship	Around 1:1.21

Scenic

Scenic was originally known for their river cruise offerings, but they’re a total underdog (in my opinion) for ocean cruising. Their ships are built to handle both polar expeditions and ocean voyages. Now they’re known for offering a truly all-inclusive and luxurious cruise experience that’s perfect for travelers who want everything taken care of.

Whether you’re cruising the oceans on their Scenic Eclipse yacht or exploring rivers on one of their elegant river ships, you can expect top-notch service and amenities. The ships are beautifully designed, combining modern elegance with comfort. One of the highlights is their all-inclusive nature—pretty much everything is covered, from gourmet meals and premium beverages to shore excursions and even gratuities.

The dining experience on Scenic is fantastic, with a variety of restaurants offering delicious dishes prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. There’s also a focus on local flavors, so you get a taste of the destinations you’re visiting. The service is exceptional, with a crew that’s dedicated to making sure your journey is as smooth and enjoyable as possible. They also offer personalized butler service in some categories, adding an extra touch of luxury to your stay.

Brand	Known For	# of Ships	Avg. # of Guests	Staff to Guest Ratio
Scenic	Ultra-luxe “superyacht” cruising, multi-purpose leisure and expedition cruising, all-balcony accommodations, visits all seven continents	2 ships	200-228 guests depending on the ship	Nearly 1:1

Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys is a newcomer to the industry. They’re the ultra-luxury tier of MSC cruises having just launched their first ship in 2023. They have another ship, Explora II, setting sail starting this September with plans for 4 more ships in the future.

There are plenty of amenities on each Explora ship including 5 pools, a spa with 11 treatment rooms, 12 indoor and outdoor bars and lounges, and upscale entertainment. There are 6 restaurants on board in addition to a café and a marketplace-type dining experience. One of the restaurants, Anthology, requires a fee to dine but the rest are included in your fare.

Both ships are designed with modern luxury in mind. You’ll find refined touches, neutral color palettes, chic lighting, and a minimalist aesthetic that highlights the ocean views outside. Each ship contains 461 suites in total with some of the largest entry level suites in the industry (377 sq ft.). Their staff to guest ratio isn’t bad either! Reviews for the Explora Journeys experience are still coming in, and initial feedback is positive. I would give Explora Journeys a bit more time to establish themselves and work out the starting kinks.

Brand	Known For	# of Ships	Avg. # of Guests	Staff to Guest Ratio
Explora Journeys	Ultra-luxe “superyacht” cruising, modern furnishings, all-suites, large entry level cabins,	2 ships	922 guests (this is probably the most in ultra-luxury cruising)	Around 1:1.25

Final Thoughts

It’s safe to say that ultra-luxury cruising is here to stay, especially with the expansion of luxury hotel brands into the cruising industry. The products are just going to keep getting better and more refined, and I love to see that competition. Ships are now being built with top technology, modern furnishings, high class dining, and sustainability in mind.

While most of the ultra-luxury cruise lines offer similar features (high staff to guest ratio, all suites, all inclusive fares, unique destinations, etc.) each brand has their own distinct personality. Clients who typically cruise with Regent Seven Seas’ opulent ships may find it challenging to cruise with Explora Journeys’ ultra-modern ships, for example. Guests who are used to butler service on Silversea may find it difficult to cruise with Ritz Carlton Yachts who only offer butler service in select categories. It’s important to work with a professional (like me!) who can guide you towards the right cruise for you.

I have to mention that when you book any of these cruises with me, you’ll receive additional complimentary perks as opposed to booking yourself. You’ll also have an experienced travel professional in your corner to liaise with cruise contacts prior to your stay to ensure everything is ready for you. Stress-free planning for a seamless trip! Bonus: I don’t charge any fees to book your cruises.

Have you been on any of these cruise lines before? Let me know in the comments below!