Great cruises can be found in every part of the world these days, from those that travel up and down the Nile, to a cruise around the Scottish Isles. But what does a cruise ship need to offer in order to call itself a luxury cruise?

Service. Luxury cruises rely on offering excellent service to keep its clientele happy. It can be the case that the boat itself is not 5-star, but because the service on the boat is spectacular, the cruise as a whole is classed as luxury. Staff should be looking at their best the whole time, be courteous, helpful and never rude to guests. One of the most simple, and yet overlooked, service requirements of a luxury cruise is being able to talk to a member of staff at any time of the day or night to have problems resolved.

Facilities. Because cruise ships are arguably limited in the space and facilities they can provide, it is imperative that what they do offer is of a very high standard, and suitable for the type of clientele on board. The term ‘facilities’ can really refer to anything a guest might use, from restrooms to tennis courts, and luxury cruises will maintain high standards and move with the times. Peter Deilmann Cruises lead the way when it comes to offering top class facilities and giving their guests the latest toys.

Food. Getting the catering right is vital for any boat. The quality of on-board food can really make or break a holiday for lots of people, so it is imperative that standards are high and variety is wide. Luxury cruises often boast one or more world class chefs on board and will provide food all day long so that guests are given ultimate flexibility. Cruise companies such as Oceania cruises pride themselves on the food and drink they offer to guests and actively encourage their guests to ask for tailored dishes.