Cruise Lines

Setting Sail in Style: Celebrity Cruises vs. Seabourn Cruises

“The Unvarnished Traveler” by Brian Raymond Cruising has become an increasingly popular vacation choice for adults seeking a luxurious and unforgettable experience. With so many cruise lines to choose from, it’s essential to understand what sets each one apart. So let’s delve into the differences between Celebrity Cruises (a premium cruise line) and Seabourn Cruises (an ultra-luxury cruise line), two renowned names in the industry, focusing on dining, entertainment, educational enrichment, onboard activities, and staterooms. The Dining Experience Celebrity’s Suites Restaurant – Luminae Celebrity Cruises is known for its diverse range of ......

By |2023-05-20T10:05:30-07:00May 20th, 2023|

Beyond the Suite: Exploring Celebrity Cruises’ Premium Experience

“The Unvarnished Traveler” by Brian Raymond While Celebrity Cruises advertises a “relaxed luxury resort at sea” and offers suites that provide a near-luxury cruise experience, it falls short of being classified as a true luxury cruise line once you venture beyond the suite accommodations. Several factors differentiate Celebrity Cruises from luxury cruise lines, including the guest-to-staff ratio, food quality, personalized service, and the focus of its education programs. ……

By |2023-05-14T08:58:08-07:00May 14th, 2023|

Embark on an Unforgettable Family Cruise Experience with Explora Journeys

“The Unvarnished Traveler” by Brian Raymond Welcome to the world of Explora Journeys, the new luxury cruise line that sets sail this July. Designed with families in mind, Explora Journeys offers an inspiring and inclusive adventure for all ages. In this article, we will delve into the remarkable features that make Explora Journeys the perfect choice for multi-generational travelers. From thoughtfully designed accommodations to exciting activities and a commitment to environmental stewardship, get ready for an extraordinary journey filled with cherished memories. ……

By |2023-05-13T09:52:21-07:00May 13th, 2023|

MSC: Delivering Cheap Cruises and Meeting Guests’ Expectations

“The Unvarnished Traveler” by Brian Raymond When it comes to providing value for your money, MSC truly understands its audience. After experiencing a cruise with MSC, it becomes abundantly clear that they know their demographic inside out and deliver exactly what they desire. During our conversations with many of our fellow guests, the two words that they used over and over to describe their primary reason for choosing MSC was because of their “cheap fares.” ……

By |2023-05-12T13:47:28-07:00May 12th, 2023|

MSC – Hits and Misses – Things to know before you book

“The Unvarnished Traveler” by Brian Raymond Let’s be upfront. We usually sail upper premium cruises (Celebrity) and luxury cruise lines. So normally our expectations are pretty high, but for this cruise we have tempered our expectations appropriately. This time we were interested in experiencing something different and wanted to see what MSC Cruises had to offer. MSC is based in Switzerland and is one of the largest cruise lines in the world. ……

By |2023-04-24T09:54:23-07:00April 24th, 2023|

Our first MSC Cruise vacation

"The Unvarnished Traveler" by Brian Raymond Later this month we'll be taking our first cruise on MSC Cruises. In the past, we've only cruised on upper premium and luxury lines. We prefer a more mature clientele without the noise and activities that little ones bring. In addition, we enjoy a higher quality of cuisine and service that tends to be found on upscale cruise lines. However, this year we are going to explore two mass-market large-ship cruise lines and travel on the MSC Meraviglia (4,500 passengers) and the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas (5,494 passengers). We've reset ......

By |2023-04-09T08:31:29-07:00April 9th, 2023|

What is “Wave Season” and what do the cruise lines offer?

During Wave Season, cruise lines offer discounts, reduced deposits, and other promotions to entice travelers. It’s the perfect time to book your dream cruise. With so many deals and discounts available, it’s easy to find the perfect cruise to fit your budget. ……

By |2023-02-24T12:40:31-07:00February 24th, 2023|

Celebrity announces new “Always Included” pricing program – Well, not always

Celebrity Always Included ad - February 21, 2023 UPDATED January 2023 - Celebrity boasts about its "Always Included" program, which we love, and so do our clients. However, for months, when you go to the Celebrity website, you'll see them advertise "Drinks. Wifi. Tips All Included." However,  the prices advertised on their site don't include anything but the bare-bones fare - no wifi, no drinks package, and no gratuities. This is disappointing and upsetting to guests who don't realize what they are purchasing. While you might be accustomed to Celebrity's advertised rate as including all the perks, ......

By |2023-02-21T13:45:37-07:00February 20th, 2023|

Crystal Cruises and a new name, Crystal, new website and a launch date

Crystal Cruises has announced its return with a new shorter name, ‘Crystal,” a new website, and new itineraries. Its first sailing is on the Crystal Serenity for a 12-day voyage from Marseille, France to Lisbon, departing on July 31, 2023. The Crystal Symphony’s first voyage will depart Athens, Greece, on September 1, 2013, for a 7-day cruise to Istanbul. ……

By |2023-02-05T10:18:32-07:00February 4th, 2023|

Celebrity Cruises confuses passengers by promoting no perks pricing

UPDATE: Celebrity "Always Included" offering includes beverages, WiFi, and gratuities but ADVERTIZED rates don't include those perks Celebrity has changed its pricing once again and it is confusing buyers. After introducing its "Always Included" program several years ago, which included its Classic Beverage package, Wifi, and gratuities. Celebrity is now promoting bare-bones fares which do not include anything - no Classic Beverage package, no WiFi, and no pre-paid gratuities. (Suite guests receive the Premium Beverage package and premium WiFi, and pre-paid gratuities unless they select a bare-bones rate.) Celebrity's guests have come to expect the "Always Included" perks in ......

By |2022-11-22T09:34:03-07:00November 21st, 2022|
Sophisticated Travel® & Sophisticated Cruising® ( Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm Off.)
Sophisticated Travel a division of Jocund FL, LLC
Go to Top