lux·u·ry (luk´sh r), n. 1. something inessential but conducive to pleasure and comfort. 2. free indulgence in the comforts and pleasures afforded by such things. 3. a means of ministering to indulgence. 4. a pleasure out of the ordinary allowed to oneself.

Luxury cruises have always been the ultimate travel adventure. Enjoy the finest dining, entertainment and service afloat. Visit exotic ports of call and land programs around the world.

Crystal | Cunard | Regent | Seabourn | Silversea | Windstar

For eleven consecutive years, Crystal Cruises has been named the "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" by readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine.

There are only a few places in the world where you can enjoy the comforts of a great resort, have the choice of a thousand different things to do, and be served by people who take genuine pleasure in seeing you smile. Each of these places is a unique destination in its own right, but is made all the richer by the scenery outside, which literally changes every minute. Crystal calls these exceptional places Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.

Quiet elegance, simple comfort. When you stay with Crystal, you are pleasantly surprised by the balance of the elegance of your room with its simple, comfortable livability. This is a room that invites you to sleep late, or come back in the afternoon and watch a move or catch up on the news. Best of all, this is where you can sit back and read about an exotic destination, then find it outside your window the next morning.

A wealth of possibilities. No other vacation offers so many choices. Weather you are looking to recharge your batteries, or are interested in personal growth, at sea you can do all the things you never have time to do on land. There is time to relax in the sun, time to tone your body, time to learn new things. Every minute of the day, there is the freedom to be yourself and to make new discoveries.

The great cuisines. When you sail with Crystal, you may choose from a variety of restaurants, offering the world's greatest cuisines, created and served at the highest level. You can enjoy a wine cellar with more than 150 - over 20,000 bottles in all - and the freshest regional specialties bought in port by our chefs that same day.

Nights filled with life. As you might expect, Crystal gives you a number of ways to spend the evening, from large Brodway-style productions to classical recitals; from all types of movies to intimate cabaret performances. And these are just the choices you find on a typical night. For variety and excitement, Crystal's entertainment would be exceptional anywhere; when you take in a performance at sea, it becomes even more of an occasion to remember.

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If travel is meant to be savored, then crossing the oceans should be a majestic experience, not merely a hop across the pond, as some would have it. For travelers of this persuasion, only one name evokes the pleasures of a golden era. That name is Cunard Line.

Discover a lifestyle fit for a queen. There's no better way to explore the world. Be dazzled by a ship that's larger than life. It's not just their extraordinary speed and tate-of-the-art amenities that make Cunard's ships legendary. It's also their refined relaxation and gracious service in keeping with the elegance of a more leisurely era. Enjoy countless civilized diversions with fellow guests who share your interests, from morning strolls to the wrap-around deck to formal-dress evenings awhirl with champagne and conversation. Gain insight from explorers, authors, archaeologists and artists whose presentations are part of Illuminations, Cunard's ground breaking entertainment and enrichment programme. Applaud performances across the musical spectrum from classical ensembles to West End caliber productions. Be inspired to acquire a new interest or hobby. Practice your swing on the golf driving range. Or unwind in the spa. Feel the thrill of making a grand entrance in the largest ballroom afloat where an orchestra awaits. Aboard Cunard, every day at sea brings new discoveries and each night is an affair to remember.

Be pampered aboard Cunard in the style to which you are accustomed. Like the grand hotels of Europe, Cunard has a wide range of accommodations to suit your individual desires and dreams. Each level of accommodation is paired with an elegant sea-view restaurant. No matter which style you select, enjoy excellent cuisine and the superb service of Cunard's gracious staff.

Cunard is famous for its culinary flair. Indulge in wild berries and croissants from the buffet or scones and clotted cream for afternoon tea. Savour grilled dishes for lunch at the casual Pavilion near the pool. Later, feast on lobster at the Captain's Gala Dinner in one their sea-view restaurants. In the tradition of ocean liners from the past, your main restaurant for the voyage is assigned in accordance with the accommodation you select. But wherever you dine, Cunard chefs create a variety of continental cuisine to delight the most discerning palates.

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The spirit of adventure lies within all of us. Who doesn't enjoy following in the footsteps of intrepid explorers, discovering new worlds? It's especially gratifying when your quest is in the company of Regent Seven Seas, where even if you travel to the ends of the earth, it will be in style.

Such is the philosophy behind "Luxury Goes Exploring". When Regent ships sail the world, unraveling its mysteries, it is in six-star luxury. Comfort is the watch word as you cruise through the Panama Canal, around the radiant Caribbean and other exotic ports of call.

Even when far from home, travelers want all the comforts of home. It's only natural to choose accommodations where you are always content. So when you open the door to this private retreat, you will feel at ease. To that end, each of Regent's staterooms and suites has been designed to be a home away from home.

At times, we all go above and beyond, seeking nothing more than a smile as a reward. But to truly excel at it, to always be selflessly attentive, is a rare quality. You won't find that sort of dedication just anywhere. Yet it does exist at sea where Regent's staff always aims to please. Each of Regent's ships boasts one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in cruising. The majority of the staff are alumni of the world's finest hotels, and where are the first cruise line to be a member of the Guild of English Butlers, a prestigious company that trains butlers for discreet service around the world. All of this detailed preparation shows, as the staff effortlessly fulfills even the most involved requests. Want coffee served on your private balcony as the sun comes up? Our pleasure. Wish to have friends over for canapés and cocktails? We will gladly arrange it. Our magic isn't limited to the ship either, as the concierge quickly makes reservations in a popular restaurant ashore.

Think back to your most memorable meals, those precious moments in time where all the elements converged in harmony. The presentations were fine art. The cuisine tantalized. Service rose to perfection. If only every meal could be just as unforgettable. Regent believes they can be. In fact, Regent is so passionate about creating an extraordinary dining experience they have left nothing to chance. Seating is open, allowing you to dine whenever, wherever and with whomever you wish. Or you may opt for a reservations-only restaurant.

The freedom to enjoy life exactly as you please is quite appealing. What a joy to awake with nothing more pressing than deciding how you wish to spend the day. On Regent ships, there are plenty of choices, and relaxing is often at the top of the list. After all, doing little, if anything, can refresh both the body and spirit.

As the sun dips below the horizon, signaling the end of another glorious day, you can sense a change in the air. At first it's almost imperceptible, then the excitement builds. Spirits soar. Laughter comes so naturally, everyone's caught up in the moment. Night has fallen, setting the stage for new adventures. Enjoy familiar songs in the lounge or a Broadway show in the show lounge. Feel free to dance or listen to a pianist or harpist who will play your favorite melody in the nightclub. Enjoy yourself in the casino as Lady Luck makes her presence known with ringing jackpots and squeals of delight around the roulette wheel.

Imagine sipping a frothy café au lait on your private balcony, as the ship pulls into chic St. Bart's, the aroma of French cuisine wafting from the harbor cafés. Picture yourself out on deck at dusk, the bright lights of Acapulco twinkling in the distance, the prospect of dinner and dancing ahead. Think how wonderful it would be to tour the canopy of a rainforest riding in an aerial tram.

New ports. New adventures. Isn't it time luxury went exploring with you?

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Some say a sense of proportion is the true measure of elegance. The intimate size of these luxury yachts assures their exclusivity.

Aboard these all-suite ships, your fellow guests number no more than 208 well-versed voyagers. The ambiance is inviting with mellow lounges, an open-seating Restaurant, a spa and a unique Watersports Marina for swimming are just some of the amenities that enrich your days.

The new balconies in some Seabourn suites afford the ultimate panorama. Doors open to fresh ocean breezes - a perfect way to toast the sunset. Suites of pure luxury, measuring 277 square feet or more, are the rule aboard Seabourn ships. Interiors are sleek and elegant, with large walk-in closets, and an ingeniously crafted coffee table that converts to a dining table for intimate meals. Select our Classic, Double or Owner's Suites for a grand voyage.

"Luxury" is such an overused word in today's travel lexicon. Which is why Seabourn prefers "ultra luxury" to describe the level of personal care, attention and service guests enjoy aboard the Yachts of Seabourn. Not mere hype, ultra luxury is the sum total of Seabourn's Signature Delights - a marvelous collection of unique services, amenities and activities that define the Seabourn difference.

Ultra luxury cruise pioneer Seabourn Cruise Line has secured the services of renowned American chef-restaurateur Charlie Palmer to design over 200 new signature recipes for cuisine to be served in the exclusive, single seating restaurants aboard the line's elegant, yacht-like ships.

Seabourn makes pursuing the pleasures of the game during your cruise as simple as teeing off at your favorite country club. Play the famed West Course at Wentworth Golf Course outside London,where Mark O’Meara bested Tiger Woods in 1998. Challenge your handicap at Valderrama in Spain. Or enjoy a round at Sydney’s visually stunning New South Wales Golf Club in Australia.

Seabourn’s new golf program is designed for the utmost in flexibility. You decide where you want to play, with a selection that includes some of the most revered and challenging courses around the world from Belgium to Brazil.

When the sun sets, the Yachting Life shines. The intimate banter of a pianist sets the tone for the nightly cocktail hour in the Observation lounge. The ambiance is inviting, an irresistible way to begin a magical night on the town, Seabourn style.

It's hard to imagine a more pampered existence. Yet you deserve no less.

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Since the earliest days of sail, there has been something special about traveling by ship. It's about fresh air and sunshine. Breathtaking vistas nd 360 degree views. New cultures and delightful discoveries. It's unhurried and relaxing. It is the magical experience of discovering the world and enjoying the special ambiance of an immaculately run ship that drives everything done at Silversea Cruises.

You'll revel in the space, privacy and fine appointments of Silversea ships. An onboard experience like no other. Giving guests space and privacy is a priority. The ships are like intimate and exclusive resorts. When you retreat to your suite, you'll revel in the space, privacy and fine appointments. More than 80% of our suites have private teak verandas where you can watch the world go by. Crisp bed linens, plush bathrobes, Bulgaria toiletries and personalized stationery; nothing has been overlooked. Intimate public rooms on the ships are conducive to meeting your fellow guests. The atmosphere is relaxing and inviting, much like that of a fine private home.

Silversea’s service is simply the world’s best. It is a philosophy, an attitude – complemented by distinctive European style and inherent in all that we do. Achieving perfection is driven by our desire to please. To see you smile. It begins the moment you step aboard with a warm welcome and a flute of champagne, and follows throughout your voyage with an unspoken anticipation of your needs. Sailing on Silversea’s intimate ships is like visiting a friend’s home; you’re greeted by name and your personal preferences are always remembered.

Aboard Silversea's ships, you will find all the things you love most about cruising, plus one more distinctive benefit: unmatched, all-inclusive value. Other cruise lines claim to offer one truly all-inclusive fare. Yet only Silversea covers virtually every little detail, such as your gratuities and port charges. All beverages including, wines, champagnes, and spirits are complimentary everywhere throughout the ship. We even treat you to a complimentary shore side event, The Silversea Experience, on many sailings.

A leader in travel since inception, Silversea has created Personalized Voyages. With Silversea's Personalized Voyages, enjoy the flexibility and convenience of creating the luxury cruise vacation that you have always imagined - choosing the length of your voyage and embarking and disembarking from your choice of a wide selection of enticing ports. For example, relive a romantic springtime in Capri, then board Silver Wind for a voyage to the French Riviera. Design your own itinerary as you would at a fine resort - arriving and departing as your travel preferences dictate.

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Where Next? The sweetest two words in the dictionary, surely. (A traveler never really returns home, they're simply in between trips.) Windstar offers a world of tempting possibilities.

Here's one: take off your shoes, feel the sand between your toes and spend an hour, no, a week, discovering fascination new people, including your spouse. Or return for the ship after climbing to the top of the 13th-century Roman citadel (244 steps; did you count?), and later soothe body, mind and spirit with a relaxing massage.

That's the beauty of Windstar's world - the choices before you are ever-appealing, and you have oceans of time, space, freedom and grown-up privacy to take them all in. A swim before lunch? a game of backgammon? A midnight stroll under the stars? Your ocean-view stateroom is a haven of soft light, deep comfort and high-tech amenities. Its serenity and romance too tempting to resist.

Windstar's ships are officially masted-sail-yachts (msy), but the designation belies the vessels unique rigging. Unfurling in two minutes at the push of a button, billowing white sails reach to the sky. All functions are operated from the bridge by computer micro-chips and navigational devices. The unusual "open-bridge" operation allows guests to drop by and acquaint themselves with the veteran captains and officers who demonstrate the ship's intriguing capabilities to modern day explorers.

It's a unique feeling being under sail. It's quiet; you are connected to the ancient power of the wind (micro-managed here by sensors in the ship's computerized bridge). Today we saw dolphins leaping along side; first a streak of white underwater and then - two, three, four. That's what's great about being up on deck. You never know what will appear. I've heard the sports platform will be lowered today, where you can kayak from the ship. Or perhaps there will be a parasailing excursion later this afternoon. There's no need for schedules - you can do what you like when you please.

Lunch is in the cool, glassed-in Veranda or under the umbrellas topside. They're featuring Asian cuisine today. But pace yourself, dinner is amazing too: imaginative recipes, created for Windstar by renowned chefs Joachim Splichal and Jeanne Jones. On tonight's menu? An abundance of choice meats and fresh fish, local flavors and an extensive selection of fine wines.

What is paradise? Is it a place with perfect beaches, spectacular sunsets and dramatic coastlines? Or a perfect state of mind? It is both. An exotic destination that sets the stage for romance and discovery. The rest is a mix of fine cuisine, friendships, and most of all, the "feeling" of a place.

On Windstar, the ambiance is elegant but relaxed. You are welcome any time in The Bridge, for example: it's fascinating to chat with the officers about the workings of the sails. In The Restaurant dinner is wide open - no formal dress code, no reservations, a table for two or twelve - it's up to you. And room service is available 24 hours a day.

Wind Spirit and Wind Star each sail with 148 guests, Wind Surf, 380; with more than one crew member for every two guests. You are surrounded by service that is immediate and intuitive. All the more amazing, considering Windstar's "tipping not required" policy.

These are just some of Windstar's secrets. But don't worry. There are many more awaiting you on board.

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