The Expert Guide to Ultra Luxury 6 Star Cruises

How does it Work?

We all know how the hotel star rating system works, and given a choice, we would no doubt choose the 5-star hotel experience. However, no such star rating system exists for cruises, making it difficult to identify the best luxury cruise lines. The good news is that an unwritten standard has emerged.

It is generally considered that 6 star cruises are the ultimate type of cruise you could ever experience when planning your cruise vacation. But what is a 6-star cruise, and which cruise lines can offer you a 6-star cruising experience? Here is our comprehensive thoughts and guide to why six star cruises are the ultimate in cruising.

What are 6 Star Cruises?

Six-star cruises are also known as Six-Star or Ultra-Luxury cruises. These relate to a small number of exclusive cruise lines offering ultra luxury cruises with exquisite luxury cruise ships offering the most fantastic food and service. Six-star cruise ships take luxury to a whole new level and, in many cases, far exceed anything you would find in a 5-star hotel ashore.

Most 6-star cruise ships generally cater to just several hundred passengers with a high ratio of crew to passengers – 1:1 in some cases. (read our article on the Crew to Passenger Ratio). The Passenger Space Ratio, or the amount of space per passenger, will also be much higher on 6-star cruises.

For in-depth reviews of all the Ultra-Luxurious Six-Star cruises, you might like to consider buying a copy of the Insights Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships, the ultimate reference guide for serious cruisers. We always use this guide as it contains so much helpful information.

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The Five Star Rating

In most industries, a 5-star rating is the best to grade a service or product when you know you’re receiving fantastic products and impeccable services. However, most people don’t understand what 6-star cruises are, and it can all become confusing, especially if you’re trying to book your first-ever cruise experience.

The Six Star Rating

Although there is no ‘official’ Six Star rating, as you would expect, 6-star cruises are the next step up from 5-star cruises and simply the best cruises you can get. There are notable differences between the cruise experience e onboard a 5-star cruise and a 6-star cruise. The big things that set the two ratings apart include the size of the ship, the space available, and the onboard experience’s general ambience of the onboard experience.

As mentioned, 6 star cruising is where absolutely everything is included in the cruise. With 5 star cruises, many but not all things will be included, such as beverages, shore excursions, speciality restaurants, gratuities and more. You will often find that you need to pay for fine dining, alcoholic beverages, treatments at the spa, flights and other luxuries that you can get on board a cruise ship. At the end of your cruise, be prepared for a large additional bill to settle.

Whichever way you choose to cruise, you’ll fall in love with the exquisite, personalised service you’ll receive, along with amenities onboard that are simply perfection.

Enjoying Caviar in the Pool with 6 Star Cruise line Seabourn

6-star cruises are the ultimate way to cruise the world’s seven seas. Here are some of the main cruise lines that offer 6-star cruises:

• Regent Seven Seas– This is a top choice for cultural immersion, solo travellers and a truly all-inclusive experience. Regent Seven Seas Cruises boasts the most luxurious cruise ships at sea and the most exclusive, intimate, and all-inclusive experience. Unlimited shore excursions, 5-star pre- or post-cruise hotel stays, and speciality dining and flights are included in this 6-star experience. Regent Seven Seas Cruises caters to the cruiser looking for the ultimate cruise experience. With Regent Seven Seas, satisfy any travel urge as you can customise your entire cruise experience to meet your exact needs.Read our Regent Seven Seas Cruise Splendor review.
• Silversea Cruises, Thanks partly to its partnership with the Grand Chefs of Relais & Chateaux, promises an elegant and refined approach to gourmet cuisine. You can expect astounding cuisine on all its luxury ships, where dinner is always open seating with anytime dining. Every need is anticipated with prompt service delivered with a crew-to-passenger ratio of almost 1:1.
• Seabourn – Another of the leading Ultra Luxury 6-star cruise lines is Seabourn. Again it is a top choice for food and drink, spa, and pampering. Seabourn’s 6-star cruises have no more than 300 suites each, offering its guests a high guest-to-space ratio. Seabourn hosts a range of complimentary special events, including caviar in the surf beach party, extensive enrichment lectures, West End quality high-class entertainment and water sports that you can enjoy at your leisure. Unwind in pure relaxation in the award-winning spas and enjoy the most intimate 6-star cruises with plenty of space.
  Related: A Guide to the Seabourn Loyalty Program 
• SeaDream Yacht Club – An often-overlooked alternative to “big ship” Ultra Luxury 6-star cruising, SeaDream Yacht Club offers exceptional all-inclusive cruise holidays aboard two distinctively stylish yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II. Whether you are delving into the rich history of the Mediterranean or enjoying a private party on a Caribbean beach, every element of the SeaDream experience has been carefully designed to exceed every expectation.
  When it comes to dining, SeaDream excels and dining with this 6-star cruise line ensures that every meal is a sumptuous experience for all the senses. The award-winning service and cuisine are unrivalled whether enjoying the elegantly appointed Dining Salon or yacht-casual dining al fresco. There is an all-day menu available as well as unexpected treats from the Chef, whilst the yacht’s resident Sommelier can assist with your selection from SeaDream’s Wine Cellar.SeaDream operates 2 luxury yacht-style vessels catering for a maximum of 112 guests. 95 highly-trained crew members offer the best possible service.

Each of these cruise lines has its own personality and has something special to offer its guests. Each has its own band of loyal repeat cruisers who like a particular style, ambience and vibe, many of whom have cruised for hundreds of days.

Smaller 6 star ships visit more intimate ports of call

With Ultra Luxury 6 star cruises, you don’t have many packages to choose from; you pay upfront for almost everything, and you can pay extra for some onshore excursions and treatments at the spas. If you’re not interested in fine dining or alcoholic packages, then 6-star cruises may not be the cruise for you as you can’t cut these packages from the cruise fare.

In this situation, a five-star cruise may be best for you, allowing you to pay for what you want to use – aka “Pay as You Go Cruising“. And if you change your mind about alcoholic beverages or fine dining, then in some cases, you can buy a drinks package to enjoy these services at your leisure. If you have received an onboard credit (obc) you can always put it towards a drinks package. But watch out, these are sometimes not the bargains they seem!

Remember there is no ‘official’ Six Star rating but an unwritten standard has emerged.  If you think that a 6-star Ultra Luxury cruise is for you, it is important to talk to your cruise travel agent about your options. Our article highlights the reasons to book your cruise through a travel agent, particularly when booking a 6-star cruise.

Please contact us if you would like us to recommend suitable travel agents specialising in Ultra Luxury, 6-Star Cruises. Please enjoy.

Related: 9 Reasons Why you should use a Travel Agent when booking a Cruise