- 7 months ago
Set sail on a journey of ultimate opulence! Join us as we count down our picks for the most lavish vessels cruising the seas today. From intimate yachts with private butlers to polar expedition ships with submarines, these floating palaces redefine luxury travel on water. Which floating paradise would you most want to experience?
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00:00Today, I have the great pleasure of sailing on board the beautiful, brand new Seabourn Pursuit.
00:05Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most opulent and expensive cruise ships in the world.
00:11For this list, we will be focusing exclusively on high-end luxury cruises.
00:15This is hands down the most beautiful cruise ship we have ever sailed on.
00:20Number 10, Aquamare, Aqua Exhibitions.
00:23Welcome aboard the Aquamare, a 160-foot Italian superyacht so intimate and exclusive.
00:30It carries only 16 guests in seven Zeretti-designed suites.
00:33Refitted for the Galapagos, it's one of the most exclusive ships in the world.
00:41Guests can luxuriate in an outdoor jacuzzi before viewing the sunrise through panoramic windows.
00:47Days aboard the ship pivot around twice daily.
00:49Small group excursions with two naturalist guides.
00:52Evenings bring a menu curated by award-winning chef Pedro Miguel Cifiano.
01:00Between dives with sea lions or hikes among blue-footed boobies, guests can relax in a sun-deck jacuzzi or the Aft Beach Club.
01:11Recently published fairs on Aqua's site list seven-night sailings from $29,610 per adult.
01:17It's less a cruise and more of a private island experience that just so happens to move.
01:21Number 9. Octantis. Viking Cruises.
01:29Launched in 2022, Viking Octantis brings Scandinavian serenity to the ends of the earth.
01:34This 378-guest expedition ship combines Arctic-ready engineering with five-star minimalist elegance.
01:40And what you're going to find here is a beautiful merging of an incredible expedition vessel, also all the amenities of a larger cruise ship.
01:48The suites are equipped with heated floors, drying closets, and the signature Nordic balcony, where the glass lowers to let in the polar air.
01:55Guests can unwind in the Nordic Spa's snow grotto or soak beside fire pits on the Finns Terrace.
02:01Now this is named after the Finns Plateau in Norway, once again tying into the Norwegian heritage.
02:05When they're ready to head out, they can hop aboard Zodiac boats or one of two submarines straight from the hangar.
02:11A full science lab hosts real research partnerships, while dining ranges from sushi and grill fare to fine dining.
02:18Typical voyages run from the Great Lakes to Antarctica, starting around US $8,000 to $14,000 per person.
02:24Number 8. Crystal Symphony. Crystal Cruises.
02:31The Crystal Symphony was getting long in the tooth after decades at sea.
02:35In 2023, Crystal Cruises funded a multi-million dollar refit, sailing again under new ownership.
02:40It lost none of its devotion to old-school glamour.
02:43This is the tennis and pickleball court found on board.
02:48So you can come up here and play those anytime.
02:50There's a small putting green.
02:51The 781-foot ship carries just 606 guests, cared for by 545 crew members.
02:58Crystal Cruises touts the near one-to-one service ratio as the definition of true luxury.
03:04So you have everything here from makeup to perfumes to luxury goods.
03:08You're going to have diamonds and you have things like luxury handbags, watches, clothing.
03:15State rooms and penthouses were redesigned with Italian marble baths, private verandas, and fine linens.
03:21Dining includes Nobu Matsuhisa's Umi Uma.
03:24Evenings bring live jazz in the Avenue Saloon or wine tastings in the Vintage Room.
03:29Guests enjoy world-class enrichment programs and destination-focused itineraries from the Mediterranean to Asia.
03:36Fairs typically start around US $3,800 to $6,000 per person for a week-long voyage.
03:42Well, our verdict is in.
03:44It's unquestionably a symphony.
03:46It's Mozart, not Metallica.
03:48Pavarotti, not Paramore.
03:50It's a ship for grown-ups who appreciate the finer things.
03:54Impeccable service, outstanding food, and the luxury of personal space.
03:587. Ovation and Encore
04:00Seaborne Cruises
04:01If luxury made a noise, it might sound like the quiet hush of Seaborne Encore gliding into Santorini at sunset.
04:08Together with their sister ship, Seaborne Ovation, these 690-foot yachts set the gold standard for small ship opulence.
04:15Talking of Seaborne Square, we should start our tour here, as this is the hub of the ship.
04:21Each carries just 600 guests served by 450 crew.
04:24Their interiors are designed by Adam D. Tahaney.
04:27Think sculpted curves, champagne tones, and art that wouldn't look out of place in a penthouse.
04:32Every suite features a private veranda, marble bath, and walk-in closet.
04:36Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller oversees the dining program across venues.
04:40Unlike other luxury cruise lines, with Seaborne, there's no cover charge or any extras for eating in one of the speciality restaurants.
04:49And that is a really big plus.
04:51Factor in the world-class spa, caviar service on deck, and ports from the Maldives to the Med, and you've got floating boutique hotels.
04:58A week's voyage can run about US$5,000 to $8,000 per person.
05:066. Le Commandant Chacot
05:09Built for explorers who like adventure with a side of champagne, Le Commandant Chacot is the world's first luxury icebreaker.
05:16It's also the only passenger ship capable of reaching the geographic North Pole.
05:21Launched in 2021, this hybrid electric vessel runs on liquefied natural gas, cutting emissions, while its Polar Class II hull plows through solid ice.
05:30If you're wondering what makes this ship's PC2 Polar Class rating so special, it's that most other expedition cruise ships are only ice-strengthened at PC6 or PC5.
05:40And the lower the number, the stronger the hull is.
05:43Thus uniquely making Le Commandant Chacot a true icebreaker.
05:47The ship carries 245 guests in balcony suites that mix expedition grit with French sophistication.
05:53You can expect Hermes bath products, indoor and outdoor pools, and a full spa with a snow room.
05:59Past the reception desk is a welcoming lobby, complete with suspended hammock-style chairs, to wait in before getting magnificent massages, professionally conducted, and equally stylish treatment rooms.
06:10Dining ranges from fine French cuisine to relaxed buffets framed by polar panoramas.
06:14It's again mighty impressive and comparable to an upmarket luxury hotel, with the addition of champagne.
06:21Two-week voyages typically start around US $20,000 per person.
06:25On Le Commandant Chacot, guests receive white glove service at the edge of the world.
06:29Number 5. Seaborne Pursuit, Seaborne Cruises
06:32If the name sounds unusually exciting for a cruise ship, have no fear, it definitely fits.
06:38Seaborne Pursuit is built for travelers who crave both indulgence and exploration.
06:42This incredible purpose-built expedition yacht really truly delivers the seaborne promise of incredible service, delicious food in all seven continents.
06:53Launched in 2023, this Polar Class PC-6 expedition ship carries 264 guests, with a 132-suite all-veranda layout.
07:03Every single guest cabin faces the sea.
07:05The design blends five-star comfort with real expeditionary flair.
07:09Guests can embark on one of two custom-built submarines, 24 Zodiacs, or a veritable fleet of kayaks.
07:15To participate in a kayaking excursion is an additional $250 per person, and you've got to be under a certain height limit and weight limit.
07:25Indoors, guests find an elegant exhibition lounge, a spa and wellness center, and dining led by Chef Thomas Keller's Culinary Partnership.
07:33From Antarctica to the Kimberley Coast, every voyage feels intimate, yet impossibly grand.
07:38Fairs generally start around U.S. $9,000 to $12,000 per person for 10-night itineraries.
07:48Number 4. Silver Dawn. Silver Sea Cruises.
07:52The name alone smacks of luxury, and the Silver Dawn certainly delivers.
07:56Silver Sea debuted the Dawn in 2021, distilling the brand's signature elegance into one of the most refined small ship experiences out there.
08:03Whenever you're sitting around the pool, and you fancy a drink, someone is always able to bring you one.
08:09Every suite includes a private teak veranda and dedicated butler service.
08:13Interiors shimmer with Italian marble and soft leather.
08:16Again, back to that word, ambiance. A great ambiance.
08:19Guests can savor salt, or sea and land taste.
08:22Experiences with cooking demos and region-specific menus inspired by each port.
08:26The vessel's Optium Spa was modeled after Roman designs, with eight restaurants, including La Dame's French Hot Cuisine.
08:33The ship brings world-class dining around the globe.
08:36Is it worth the splurge when the free food is already world-class?
08:40Well, for a special occasion, or if you're a devout Francophile, absolutely.
08:45It's the difference between flying business class and flying first.
08:48Number 3. Explorer One. Explora Journeys.
08:52The Explorer One is the epitome of grandeur.
08:55Less than three years old at the time of writing, it is the first of six ships from the new brand known as Explorer Journeys.
09:01This ship is the first in the fleet, and you're going to find that they got so many things incredibly right.
09:06It carries 922 guests and 461 oceanfront suites.
09:11Each features private terraces averaging more than 300 square feet, among the largest at sea.
09:16The design blends European sophistication with an almost homey vibe.
09:20Think walk-in closets, rainfall showers, and fret linens.
09:23Guests can unwind across six restaurants, 12 bars and lounges, and four pools.
09:28I also wanted to point out, on the far side of the pool, you have an extra large LED screen.
09:33It's something they can utilize for all kinds of different options, especially when they close the roof.
09:37It gets a little bit later in the evening. It's a wonderful feature as well.
09:40Like most of the vessels on this list, the Explorer has a well-reviewed wellness spa.
09:44Dining spans Mediterranean to Pan-Asian, led by chefs formerly of Michelin-starred kitchens.
09:49So this is where you can find elevated burgers.
09:52They've got Salmon Burger here, you've got that Black Angus Texan Burger that I'll be back for as well.
09:56Chicken Scallopini, some flat steaks, and then different styles of skewered steaks.
10:01Now once again, a wide variety to choose from.
10:03The Explorer 1 is a floating boutique hotel, crossed with a five-star resort.
10:08Number 2. Ilma.
10:09Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
10:11Some ships aim for splendor.
10:13The Ilma was built for perfection.
10:14The second yacht from the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Ilma has redefined Seaborne Ultra Luxury.
10:20This is the signature suite, coming in at a total of 560 square foot in size.
10:26First up, the living room with a firm yet comfy sofa, ideal for watching movies on the 55-inch television.
10:33Every one of the 224 suites provides guests with a private terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows.
10:39Interiors channel sleek European minimalism.
10:41Handcrafted furnishings and marble bathrooms are comparable to those of the brand's best penthouses.
10:47Guests can unwind at the Infinity Pool or the Ritz-Carlton Spa.
10:50The spa offers several treatment rooms, sauna, and even a salon.
10:57It should come as no surprise that the ship's fine dining restaurant, Memories, was designed by a Michelin-starred chef.
11:03To start with the Shrimp Tempura Sushi, Dragon Roll Sushi, and King Salmon Nigiri.
11:09If for whatever reason that didn't appeal, there are four other restaurants to choose from.
11:13With its first ceilings along the Mediterranean and Caribbean,
11:16Ilma brings one of the world's premier hotel brands straight to the sea.
11:20I honestly struggle to find areas of improvement on board.
11:23The staff are phenomenal.
11:25The food was sublime.
11:26And despite not having a main theater, we were kept entertained dancing and watching live music each evening.
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11:46Number 1. Splendor, Explorer, and Grandeur.
11:52Region 7 Seas Cruises.
11:53If you're looking for the pinnacle of oceanic indulgence, Region 7 Seas is it.
11:58Its trio of sister ships, 7 Seas Explorer, Splendor, and Grandeur,
12:03are considered by many to be the most luxurious fleet ever built.
12:06On deck 11 forward, you're going to find the Observation Lounge.
12:09This is the third of the lounges on board and has the unique view being on the very front of the ship.
12:15So what you see from here is what the captains see above you.
12:19Each carries around 730 guests in all suite, all balcony accommodations.
12:24Every inch feels as if it was crafted delicately, painstakingly by hand.
12:28The Italian marble, Murano glass chandeliers, and custom art collections rival small museums.
12:34The newest, Grandeur, features a $500,000 Fabergé egg sculpture and suites designed like private penthouses.
12:41So really, it's broken up into five areas, and let me show you all of them.
12:45From French elegance to Asian fusion, the dining options are Epicurean perfection.
12:50Everything is covered by Region's Everything Included philosophy, to avoid nickel and diamond guests.
12:55Being an all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruise line, Region is certainly more expensive than the majority of cruise lines in the market.
13:02Yet, this is a case of actually getting what you pay for.
13:06Are you an aficionado of the Open Seas?
13:08Let us know your favorite luxury cruise experiences in the comments below.
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