Luxury is used inflationary, not only in the cruise industry, where a crystal chandelier is hanging in a buffet dining and you have to stand and wait in a line with a tray in your hand to get convenient food. Or for toilet paper and other ordinary items. LOUIS VUITTON, nowadays a mass market product, clued together in China, is far away from being luxurious - everybody can buy nearly everything from LOUIS VUITTON and other "democraticised" luxury brands.
Luxury was once something seldom, not common, not for everyone or everybody´s use. Luxury but lost its luster.
by Earl of Cruise
Luxury was once something seldom, not common, not for everyone or everybody´s use. Luxury but lost its luster.
by Earl of Cruise
A crystal chandelier with razed and polished crystal glass
The most of us love James Bond stories and the films, all stories are located in luxurious surroundings, for which we all love these films ... but on the other hand envy rich, but want to be like them.
Since 2010 the market share of luxury cruises is in a permanent upward trend, within a narrow customer group. The purchasing power of the passengers is growing steadily, the luxury customer generally had over € 1,200,000.00 in 2016 and his demands and especially needs are a special experience in his scarce spare time. They don´t want to waste their money for chi-chi!
Marketing men pushed the wording of democraticised luxury ... this "luxury" is nothing else than mass production, with moon prices, most produced in countries with low wages, no labour unions and no caring for the slave like hold employees. The only ones benefitting from this strategy are the owners and shareholders of the once luxury producers. The buyers of these mass market "luxury" products believe they bought an image, or a status - the poor ones wasted their money, the real rich laugh, eventually redicule them, and acceptance will not come with the plastic copy. Eventually social climbers may accept the "show-off" brand users.
Since 2010 the market share of luxury cruises is in a permanent upward trend, within a narrow customer group. The purchasing power of the passengers is growing steadily, the luxury customer generally had over € 1,200,000.00 in 2016 and his demands and especially needs are a special experience in his scarce spare time. They don´t want to waste their money for chi-chi!
Marketing men pushed the wording of democraticised luxury ... this "luxury" is nothing else than mass production, with moon prices, most produced in countries with low wages, no labour unions and no caring for the slave like hold employees. The only ones benefitting from this strategy are the owners and shareholders of the once luxury producers. The buyers of these mass market "luxury" products believe they bought an image, or a status - the poor ones wasted their money, the real rich laugh, eventually redicule them, and acceptance will not come with the plastic copy. Eventually social climbers may accept the "show-off" brand users.
And money is no guarantee for taste or style.
The golden glittered penthouse appartment of a certain person in a bronze-golden tower in Manhattan
In my opinion the typical look of: I have money, but no taste or style
Most the word luxury is missused too. What is named luxury today is not worth the money you pay for. This especially in the cruise industry.
Only about 10% of the cruise ships belong to the luxury category - if any. Nevertheless the mythos of the "luxuyliner" persists. Even with ships in the mass market segment, which is then taken over by the media unreflected. Mostly by authors who have never been on a ship, or a liner, or even know true luxury or have a clue what a luxury lifestyle is. In the case of traveling passengers, this always leads to false expectations and a frequently distorted perception of cruising. I have experienced it myself in my former travel agency. It would actually not be synonymous to everyone, describing each hotel as luxuyhotel. And the airlines are known for their differenciation between First, Business and Economy, and everybody knows the enormous quality and price differences.
And for other luxury items, as design objects and luxury cars it is similar - the really luxurious ones, and handcrafted, are rare and expensive.
And for other luxury items, as design objects and luxury cars it is similar - the really luxurious ones, and handcrafted, are rare and expensive.
But how is luxury to be defined at sea?
First Premium and Upper Premium may eventually be compared with Premium Economy in an airliner, but they never are a luxury product.
You get what you pay for, hopefully ...
Design
On luxury ships seductive materials, restrained, today's unpretentious elegance and high-quality design elements, such as taste-assured art and real plants, create an atmosphere of class and authenticity. Less is not just here just more. Shrill color orgies, cheap imitations and materials, and obtrusive Wow-effects are also dispensed, with, as in the mass market (advertised today as "premium"!). Surfing and parachute simulators, ice and robotic bars, and adrenaline kick producings such as water slides, go cart tracks, wasted space stations, climbing walls, surfboards and parachute simulators are dispensed and are displaced.
There is disproportionately much space and space per passenger (PSR / Passenger Sapce Ratio), including nice outer edges, mostly with real teak. Space, always scarce on a ship, always costs money! This is too for the cabins and suites - real suites!, with two and more seperate rooms! (a suite is a suite is a suite), not big staterooms with "suite service"! They have to be big and offer ample space. Bur ample space needs high cielings, 3m minimum in the staterooms and suites and more than in public rooms.
Unfortunately interior designers tend to copy interiors of land based hotels. this is the norm on mass market cruisers, but is more and more used too in luxury ships. This makes them too compatible to hotels. Sometimes you feel like being in a beach hotel, which has nothing to do with cruising.
First Premium and Upper Premium may eventually be compared with Premium Economy in an airliner, but they never are a luxury product.
You get what you pay for, hopefully ...
Design
On luxury ships seductive materials, restrained, today's unpretentious elegance and high-quality design elements, such as taste-assured art and real plants, create an atmosphere of class and authenticity. Less is not just here just more. Shrill color orgies, cheap imitations and materials, and obtrusive Wow-effects are also dispensed, with, as in the mass market (advertised today as "premium"!). Surfing and parachute simulators, ice and robotic bars, and adrenaline kick producings such as water slides, go cart tracks, wasted space stations, climbing walls, surfboards and parachute simulators are dispensed and are displaced.
There is disproportionately much space and space per passenger (PSR / Passenger Sapce Ratio), including nice outer edges, mostly with real teak. Space, always scarce on a ship, always costs money! This is too for the cabins and suites - real suites!, with two and more seperate rooms! (a suite is a suite is a suite), not big staterooms with "suite service"! They have to be big and offer ample space. Bur ample space needs high cielings, 3m minimum in the staterooms and suites and more than in public rooms.
Unfortunately interior designers tend to copy interiors of land based hotels. this is the norm on mass market cruisers, but is more and more used too in luxury ships. This makes them too compatible to hotels. Sometimes you feel like being in a beach hotel, which has nothing to do with cruising.
Stateroom for challenged on board EUROPA 2, except for the cieling it could be in any hotel ashore - courtesy HAPAG-LLOYD Cruises
And for the ship´s design it should be a must: good and elegant lines, never near to a condo that found its way on top of a hull.
Latest luxury ships have a quiet, low-vibration drive and efficient stabilizers. More recently, green technologies are being implemented and have to be as for TIER III.
With the exception of the SEABOURN ships and the ultra-modern EUROPA 2, the ships in the luxury segment tend to be rather conservative in a conservative style. Where the criticisms for the EUROPA 2 are relatively devastating: "Here one wanted to, but could not!" And for the European taste the latest SEABOURN ships appear as a mirror of "Cowboy Millionaires".
PSR - Passenger Space Ratio
The Passenger Space Ratio explains what space is available for 1 passenger. It is mathematics. The total GT (Grosstonnage) of a passenger vessel is divided by the maximum number of passengers.
While mass market cruise vessels have an average PSR of around 30, EUROPA 2 has 77,5.
With the exception of the SEABOURN ships and the ultra-modern EUROPA 2, the ships in the luxury segment tend to be rather conservative in a conservative style. Where the criticisms for the EUROPA 2 are relatively devastating: "Here one wanted to, but could not!" And for the European taste the latest SEABOURN ships appear as a mirror of "Cowboy Millionaires".
PSR - Passenger Space Ratio
The Passenger Space Ratio explains what space is available for 1 passenger. It is mathematics. The total GT (Grosstonnage) of a passenger vessel is divided by the maximum number of passengers.
While mass market cruise vessels have an average PSR of around 30, EUROPA 2 has 77,5.
Rendering by YRAN STORBRAATEN DESIGN, Norway, QUINTESSENTIALLY ONE, a project never realized as QUINTESSENTIALLY was not able to finance the project - courtesy YRAN STORBRAATEN DESIGN
Despite the bow, which is a modern AXE BOW, not the recalling of some "TITANICesque Design", same for the funnels,this modern design is recalling elements from the glory days of liner travel. Such classic elements are surched by the luxury clientele.
PassengercapacityLarge ships with high passenger numbers do not fit with luxury! The upper limit, in order to offer a personal, individual travel experience with luxury claim, is in my opinion at 500 passengers maximum. For me any passenger capacity above of 500 is a mass market product. The luxury companies say 1,000 (e.g. CRYSTAL CRUISES or VIKING OCEAN CRUISES). In contrast to this, the massive mega-ships of the "mainstream providers" currently accommodate up to 6,000 passengers and more, such as the OASIS OF THE SEAS, or the 40,000 GT smaller CARNIVAL CORP. high density resorts for up to 8,000 passengers. Most luxury ships range from 300 to 700 passengers, some of them have less passengers (SEA DREAM YACHT CLUB). However - not all small ships automatically belong to the luxury category.
The higher the Passanger Crew Ratio is the better - best a minimum ratio of 1 to 1 and more! Some of the shore bound luxury hotels have a 2 to 1 ratio and more!
SILVER MUSE, the pool at night - courtesy SILVERSEA CRUISES
Exterior the SILVER MUSE is not the hit, as she is loosing with her passenger capacity - 298 cabins and suites for 596 passengers on a 40,700 GT ship
Cabins and SuitesOutside and balcony cabins or all-suite-rooming are now the industry standard. Ships with interior cabins can not be assigned to the luxury category. They are simply mass market ships.
But as I mentioned above - a suite is a suite is a suite, is not offered in and on most luxury cruise vessels. They name staterooms of now min. 27 qm, most including a balcony, a suite. It may have the service of a suite, but a suite is a number of seperate rooms - a wall, a door to the next room. A suite is not a more or less big stateroom with an area for a bed and another for a sofa and some stools.
EUROPA has only two real suites, EUROPA " has four suites, any other passenger accomodation is a more or less big stateroom.
And why bathtubs are installed nowasays in cabins or bedrooms withdraws from my knowledge and understanding. The invention and implementation of a seperate bathroom is a cultural progress!
They industry is lying with their most suite named rooms, only to sell them at a higher price and fraud the customers.
A walk-in closet has to be a walk-in, and not only a big closet.
One of the four real suites on board EUROPA 2, one deck above the bridge - courtesy HAPAG-LLOYD CRUISES
LifestyleSimilar to noble boutique hotels on land, the atmosphere on board is predominantly quiet, relaxed and stylish family. There are as few announcements as possible and no loud background music. Though it can sometimes be danced hard and "rocked" on luxury ships. But permanent animation and mass coverage, as they often occur on the mass market ships, are neither in demand nor desired by the guests on board.
Today, caviar and champagne are no longer the main thing to define a luxury product at sea. Today's luxury clientele - at least from traditional markets - is increasingly looking for authentic travel experiences combined with positive emotions beyond purely material values and too obtrusive opulence. Above all, this also includes a lot of space for personal development. Something that is not always easy to realize on the large mass ships. Today's luxury clientele is already adequately subjected to all kinds of constraints in their workplaces, which is why they want to move freely and freely during their holidays. But here too, style and attitude must be shown.
There is a strict Adults Only atmosphere on most luxury ships. Here the EUROPA 2 is a splendid exception. As family travel is becoming more and more important in the luxury segment, luxury cruise operators have to adapt.
Other mass market companies are trying to find a ship in a ship concept, similar to the old Liners with their classifications. Here are MSC CRUISES and NCL. It based on the wish to participate on the luxury market, without building special ships. However, MSC has greatly reduced its YACHTCLUB because it does not appeal European customers - they simply hate to show-off. On the other hand the GARDEN VILLAS of NCL in the US American market are sold quite well. But because of their quantitative enlargement, both the offered space and the service suffer.
The ship in ship concept is only benefitting the show-offs and wanna-be´s who are in need to prance at home. The real luxury clientele is avoiding these offers.
Crewing and Hotel Service agency for HAPAG-LLOYD´s EUROPA 2 is SeaChefs, if you are looking for handpiked crew ...
Luxury ships are characterized by a better trained, more attentive and motivated crew, as well as a higher number of crew members per guest (PCR - Passenger Crew Ratio). Normally with higher wages than payed in the mass market. The emphasis is on hospitality that is as natural as possible. Flexible, personal, individual and untroubled service with a lot of time for the guests and interaction at the same level. No anonymous, submissive "service drill". Whilst there is often a lot of noise in the main restaurants on mass market or mainstream ships and because of a tight time corsage, two sittings, a hurried standard service has to be carried out, luxury ships also have the credo of peace and relaxation. If the service is smiling, which may be, the smile is frozen - "Freeze Frame".
Stress should be a foreign word on luxury ships!
However: within
the framework of "cost optimization programs" of some shipping companies
with continuously increasing demands on the service crew with the same
crew size, this is no longer always guaranteed in the luxury segment.
PCR - Passenger Crew Ratio
The Passenger Crew Ratio measures the relationship between passengers and crew members, and allowes clear conclusions about the offered service quality.
On EUROPA 2 we have a ratio of 1,4, which means 1,4 passengers/guests "share" 1 crew member.
In the mass market we have a 3 to 4 and eventually more passengers for 1 crew member, which normally is an underpayed Asian who earns "only" US$ 600.00 per month and 14 to 19h work per day. The cruise company has to pay to the crew service agency an extra handling fee per crewmember of 50% on top of the crew wage.
And most of the agency crews have to pay for their education in advance, without knowing if they will be hired by the agency.
PCR - Passenger Crew Ratio
The Passenger Crew Ratio measures the relationship between passengers and crew members, and allowes clear conclusions about the offered service quality.
On EUROPA 2 we have a ratio of 1,4, which means 1,4 passengers/guests "share" 1 crew member.
In the mass market we have a 3 to 4 and eventually more passengers for 1 crew member, which normally is an underpayed Asian who earns "only" US$ 600.00 per month and 14 to 19h work per day. The cruise company has to pay to the crew service agency an extra handling fee per crewmember of 50% on top of the crew wage.
And most of the agency crews have to pay for their education in advance, without knowing if they will be hired by the agency.
A varied kitchen, which does not allow any repetitions in the menu, even on long journeys, are obligatory in the luxury segment. Fresh, high-quality, often also local ingredients are used, which are prepared à la minute and presented "high style". Convenient food is a no-go onboard luxury ships. Except eggs, as for the irrational US regulation that is forbidding the use of natural eggs in shells.
On the mass market, where
many things have to be prepared industrially for cost reasons, the kind
of preparation as on the luxury ships would be almost impossible
because of the masses of food to be prepared. In addition there is the logistical and hygienic effort. Therefore, you may disagree the food is of "convenient" quality. The next step in the mass market may be canned food ...
There are stricter hygiene regulations on all ships than ashore, and the luxury cusine simply can not be carried out on mass market ships, even not in speciality restaurants with extra payment.
On luxury ships the menues will be served in one sitting, with long and flexible times. Further a 24h room service is offered without extra payment. The restaurants on board luxury ships normally offer far more two seat tables. The wine service is exquisite, and wines are presented by a somelier. And orange juice is made of fresh pressed oranges and not any nektar ...
Served food is presented stylish and it will look more like the photos from the broshures than in the mass market ...
When sailing onboard the CARNIVAL TRIUMPH, I had to ask three times to get a hot dish, the forth time they got it. And for the wine ... a disaster, only the third choosen bottle from the wine card was available. It was during my first evening on board ...
Entertainment
Characteristic for a high-quality and high-level entertainment program, coupled with numerous opportunities to train in popular leisure areas and to learn new things. Usually with the absence of any permanent ananimation or announcements of bargains in the board shops.
The use of renowned lecturers and prominent artists is assumed by the customers in the luxury segment. Guests on board luxury ships expect free WiFi, a diverse music and reading offer, as well as a free movie and video library.
Regularly, more exotic, smaller ports are embarked, amoung those e.g. Portofino, Bonifacio, Marigot, etc. and varying routes are offered off the usual "race tracks" of the masse market offerers. But if the big must-to-be ports are embarked, a special program is expected. These could be a museum visit after the closing hours, a special music gala performance, tailor made small group shore excursions with a private tourguide, and more ...
Overnight stay in ports was invented from the luxury cruise industry, copied by the mass market. But have you stayed in e.g. Barcelona during a night on a cruise, or had the chance discovering the bristeling night life of Mykonos, or that soigné night life in Monaco? Or experienced Portofino or Capri, when the day tourists are gone?
Luxury ships offer often world-circumnavigations, expeditions - but not each expedition cruise vessel is a luxury ship!
Luxury ships, which is to be seen more often, have overnight stays in ports. They will embark in ports after the mass market ships, stay overnight and sail again after the next megalodons embark in port.
Contrary to a predominantly popular opinion, one has to dress up on luxury ships "over the top", the trend onboard also moves in the luxury segment in the opposite direction. Just as you do not walk around in a hotel in your swimwear only, you will also be dressed differently on a ship, even in the mass market. Swimwear is neither in a hotel, nor on any ships in the restaurants tolerated, which alone the healthy understanding explains. Steamer trunks with a lot of clothing for different occasions, and for each day different clothing, was the "norm" amoung the VIPs on board the Transatlantik liners during their high time in the 1930s and was lost after 1945 ... Modern luxury liners are far more "casual" than in the heyday of liner travel. The mass market cruises, despite its modernity, often celebrate the old fashion with costum balls, galas and such, as an attempt to celebrate the golden days with an elmulated, yes faked, luxury ...
I once have realized this on board a CARNIVAL cruise vessel, where other passengers appeared in a "Love Boat" styled fashion during the gala diner ... And not that, but fake styled, on board other mass market cruisers.
Unfortunately the days of the big evening or gala wardrobe are however over. But be asured, the on board dress style will be be sealife-style oriented. A clue for the "required" wardrobe would be found in places like the Cote d'Azur and similar.
Additional Costs
For the majority of luxury ships, a variety of beverages, specialty restaurants, tipps, as well water bottles for excursions, shuttle busses to the city center, daily newspapers, etc. are included in the travel price for a relaxed travel experience (soft all-inclusive). Some shipping companies also include land excursions, as well WiFi, internet and the like.
Particularities
Maintaining the details is a priority on luxury ships. Some dapper dishes, high quality, comfortable deck and lounge chairs, reasonable quality hanger for clothing, discreet, moody but effective reading light, towels from terrycloth in public restrooms, exquisite care products in the private bathrooms, etc.
Among the individual travel experiences are sometimes also privileges, such as a publicly accessible bridge.
Aggressive, on-the-fly sales campaigns, as usual on the mass market ships, have lost nothing on board of luxury ships. In case of unforeseen events, such as a weather-related failure of a port entrance, the alternative is surched flexible, uncomplicated and actively sought for alternatives or compensation, this alternative may not be offered by the large mass market ships, and might not be of interest.
... for the contrast, the bling-bling pseudo glitz of a mass market floating amusementpark hotel
If someone may argue against the interior of NORMANDIE, should calm down and start here ... this is not even over the top, this is simply vulgar.
Conclusion
The conception of what is to be understood under luxury may well be different, and depend on the particular origin of each one. An officially binding star categorization, as usual with the hotels usual, unfortunately does not exist. So it is with each shipping company, how it categorizes their ships. And unfortunately here, as in the advertising usual, is lied and deceived wherever it goes. Unfortunately, the US American companies are particularly prominent here (e.g. CARNIVAL´s SEABOURN), and invented a 6 Star category, which is nowhere else recognized and laughed at except in the USA. Now who needs it ...
However, there are clearly defined parameters which determine whether or not a vessel is classified as a luxury category.
Reading BERLITZ CRUISE GUIDE or FROMMER´s I am sometimes more than surprised ... how did some companies bribe the authors? An example from Germany, BERLITZ rated DEUTSCHLAND in the early 2000s as 4,5 Star plus, which enraged Mr. Deilmann who saw his vessel as true 5 Star ... Unfortunately, I have sources, he did not want to go the BERLITZ way. They met in front of a court, and BERLITZ is never again published in Germany ... Think a bit!
For each cruiser there is the ideal ship, which is a good thing. But too low fares should each one using and a bargain cruise, should/must make him think - how does it work? Of which questionable quality can the food be? How may 2,000 crew serve 6,000 and more passengers? Would you work there? But be true to yourself!
Luxury providers must already fulfill the above, and moreover, if they attach the luxury button as a luxury shipping company.
A crystal chandelier hanging from a cieling, and some glitzy wall fixtures do not make a luxury surrounding, neither can´t they create a luxurious atmosphere.
There are stricter hygiene regulations on all ships than ashore, and the luxury cusine simply can not be carried out on mass market ships, even not in speciality restaurants with extra payment.
On luxury ships the menues will be served in one sitting, with long and flexible times. Further a 24h room service is offered without extra payment. The restaurants on board luxury ships normally offer far more two seat tables. The wine service is exquisite, and wines are presented by a somelier. And orange juice is made of fresh pressed oranges and not any nektar ...
When sailing onboard the CARNIVAL TRIUMPH, I had to ask three times to get a hot dish, the forth time they got it. And for the wine ... a disaster, only the third choosen bottle from the wine card was available. It was during my first evening on board ...
Characteristic for a high-quality and high-level entertainment program, coupled with numerous opportunities to train in popular leisure areas and to learn new things. Usually with the absence of any permanent ananimation or announcements of bargains in the board shops.
The use of renowned lecturers and prominent artists is assumed by the customers in the luxury segment. Guests on board luxury ships expect free WiFi, a diverse music and reading offer, as well as a free movie and video library.
Port and old town of Mykonos - own photography made in 2010
Port of Monto Carlo - courtesy photographed by my friend Herbert Fricke
RoutingRegularly, more exotic, smaller ports are embarked, amoung those e.g. Portofino, Bonifacio, Marigot, etc. and varying routes are offered off the usual "race tracks" of the masse market offerers. But if the big must-to-be ports are embarked, a special program is expected. These could be a museum visit after the closing hours, a special music gala performance, tailor made small group shore excursions with a private tourguide, and more ...
Overnight stay in ports was invented from the luxury cruise industry, copied by the mass market. But have you stayed in e.g. Barcelona during a night on a cruise, or had the chance discovering the bristeling night life of Mykonos, or that soigné night life in Monaco? Or experienced Portofino or Capri, when the day tourists are gone?
Luxury ships offer often world-circumnavigations, expeditions - but not each expedition cruise vessel is a luxury ship!
Luxury ships, which is to be seen more often, have overnight stays in ports. They will embark in ports after the mass market ships, stay overnight and sail again after the next megalodons embark in port.
Bay in Buzios, Brazil - courtesy BRAZIL TOURISM
Like St.Tropez a former fishing village, discovered by Brigitte Bardot
DresscodeContrary to a predominantly popular opinion, one has to dress up on luxury ships "over the top", the trend onboard also moves in the luxury segment in the opposite direction. Just as you do not walk around in a hotel in your swimwear only, you will also be dressed differently on a ship, even in the mass market. Swimwear is neither in a hotel, nor on any ships in the restaurants tolerated, which alone the healthy understanding explains. Steamer trunks with a lot of clothing for different occasions, and for each day different clothing, was the "norm" amoung the VIPs on board the Transatlantik liners during their high time in the 1930s and was lost after 1945 ... Modern luxury liners are far more "casual" than in the heyday of liner travel. The mass market cruises, despite its modernity, often celebrate the old fashion with costum balls, galas and such, as an attempt to celebrate the golden days with an elmulated, yes faked, luxury ...
I once have realized this on board a CARNIVAL cruise vessel, where other passengers appeared in a "Love Boat" styled fashion during the gala diner ... And not that, but fake styled, on board other mass market cruisers.
smart/elegant casual for women 2018 - courtsey The Trend Spotter
smart/elegant casual for men 2018 - courtesy The Trend Spotter
The dresscode on board todays luxury cruise vessels is "smart/elegant casual" ... For the rest of their life the luxury guests have to be dressed-up, business dress code, and take a break from during their holidays. But that does not implement they are stolling around in sweat pants, wifebeaters and such. "Smart/elegant casual", an American invented fashion term, is to be true a business outfit. The dresscode demands the right balance between casualness and elegance. Unfortunately the days of the big evening or gala wardrobe are however over. But be asured, the on board dress style will be be sealife-style oriented. A clue for the "required" wardrobe would be found in places like the Cote d'Azur and similar.
For the majority of luxury ships, a variety of beverages, specialty restaurants, tipps, as well water bottles for excursions, shuttle busses to the city center, daily newspapers, etc. are included in the travel price for a relaxed travel experience (soft all-inclusive). Some shipping companies also include land excursions, as well WiFi, internet and the like.
Particularities
Maintaining the details is a priority on luxury ships. Some dapper dishes, high quality, comfortable deck and lounge chairs, reasonable quality hanger for clothing, discreet, moody but effective reading light, towels from terrycloth in public restrooms, exquisite care products in the private bathrooms, etc.
Among the individual travel experiences are sometimes also privileges, such as a publicly accessible bridge.
Aggressive, on-the-fly sales campaigns, as usual on the mass market ships, have lost nothing on board of luxury ships. In case of unforeseen events, such as a weather-related failure of a port entrance, the alternative is surched flexible, uncomplicated and actively sought for alternatives or compensation, this alternative may not be offered by the large mass market ships, and might not be of interest.
If someone may argue against the interior of NORMANDIE, should calm down and start here ... this is not even over the top, this is simply vulgar.
The conception of what is to be understood under luxury may well be different, and depend on the particular origin of each one. An officially binding star categorization, as usual with the hotels usual, unfortunately does not exist. So it is with each shipping company, how it categorizes their ships. And unfortunately here, as in the advertising usual, is lied and deceived wherever it goes. Unfortunately, the US American companies are particularly prominent here (e.g. CARNIVAL´s SEABOURN), and invented a 6 Star category, which is nowhere else recognized and laughed at except in the USA. Now who needs it ...
However, there are clearly defined parameters which determine whether or not a vessel is classified as a luxury category.
Reading BERLITZ CRUISE GUIDE or FROMMER´s I am sometimes more than surprised ... how did some companies bribe the authors? An example from Germany, BERLITZ rated DEUTSCHLAND in the early 2000s as 4,5 Star plus, which enraged Mr. Deilmann who saw his vessel as true 5 Star ... Unfortunately, I have sources, he did not want to go the BERLITZ way. They met in front of a court, and BERLITZ is never again published in Germany ... Think a bit!
For each cruiser there is the ideal ship, which is a good thing. But too low fares should each one using and a bargain cruise, should/must make him think - how does it work? Of which questionable quality can the food be? How may 2,000 crew serve 6,000 and more passengers? Would you work there? But be true to yourself!
Luxury providers must already fulfill the above, and moreover, if they attach the luxury button as a luxury shipping company.
A crystal chandelier hanging from a cieling, and some glitzy wall fixtures do not make a luxury surrounding, neither can´t they create a luxurious atmosphere.
You are absolutely right about the fact that the word Luxury is quite misused in the cruise industry. You say that 10% of the cruise ships are luxury, I say hardly 1% of Cruises are actually luxury.
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