Luxury Archives - Sophisticated Travel

Upscale Cruise Deals – 3/31/25

"The Unvarnished Traveler" by Brian Raymond Embarking on an upscale and luxurious cruise offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the world's most captivating destinations with elegance and ease. Here are some exceptional cruise deals that promise unforgettable journeys: 1. Crystal Cruises: Suite Dreams Upgrade Offer Indulge in the epitome of luxury with Crystal Cruises' Suite Dreams Upgrade Offer. For a limited time, enjoy a complimentary suite upgrade on select 2024 voyages, along with included garment care and dry-cleaning services. Offer Details: Complimentary suite upgrade on new reservations for 2024 voyages. Included garment care and dry-cleaning services in all ......

By Brian Raymond|2025-03-31T12:52:14-04:00March 31st, 2025|

Affordable Luxury: Discovering the UK’s Finest Under £200

"The Unvarnished Traveler" by Brian Raymond For those seeking a touch of indulgence without an extravagant price tag, the UK offers a surprising array of luxurious yet budget-friendly accommodations. While “luxury” often conjures images of hefty price tags, it doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank—especially if you’re savvy about when and where you travel. Many upscale properties become significantly more affordable during the off-season, allowing more travelers to enjoy refined comforts at a fraction of the usual cost. Why the Off-Season Matters The idea of traveling off-season—typically outside the peak summer months or major holidays—has gained traction ......

By Brian Raymond|2025-01-28T09:52:57-05:00January 28th, 2025|

What’s Included On A Luxury Cruise?

Are luxury cruises all-inclusive? What's included varies by cruise line Ever wonder what the difference is between upscale luxury cruise lines? You aren't alone. Luxury cruises aren't all the same. Most aren't truly all-inclusive. In fact they are very different. Regent Seven Seas offers the most all-inclusive fares, while you might be surprised to learn that Cunard offers the least. These different pricing strategies allow guest to choose the cruise line that most closely aligns with their tastes, preferences and budget. If you don't drink alcoholic beverages or take shore excursions maybe you'd choose a cheaper fare on a ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:37:16-05:00May 9th, 2020|

Celebrity fleet upgrades to Edge Class design

THE CELEBRITY “REVOLUTION” We have lots of fans of Celebrity Cruises among our clients. With the launch of the Celebrity Edge, we keep getting asked if and when the rest of the fleet will be updated to reflect the Edge designs. The answer is the process has already begun. The Celebrity Millennium and Summit have already been refurbished (Celebrity calls it the “Revolution”), and the schedule below shows how it will roll out across the entire fleet. A MAJOR REFURBISHMENT This isn’t just a minor fluff and paint. It is a major $500 million fleet-wide renovation. Every stateroom in ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:38:52-05:00April 9th, 2019|

Five trends in luxury cruising

The luxury cruise market is changing. It is becoming younger, more active and adventurous, offering access to new exotic destinations, and delivering the service and quality they are know for on brand new elegant and sophisticated purpose built ships. 1) GROWING MARKET As cruising has become more mainstream, more and more cruisers are moving up to the luxury cruise market. Most started with the mass market cruise lines like Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean and then moved to the premium lines like Holland America and Celebrity. Now these experienced cruisers are now looking for more. They want a higher ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:38:54-05:00March 17th, 2019|

We are excited about the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Learn why!

RESERVATIONS OPEN FOR 2020 SAILINGS Relaxed yachting with immersive experiences It is an exciting time for sophisticated cruisers. New cruise lines are entering the market. Existing lines are adding new and more modern ships. We've got lots of choices. One of the new lines is the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection from the award-winning Ritz-Carlton brand. Known for personalized service, elevated dining and luxury accommodations on land, the Yacht Collection extends the Ritz-Carlton gold standard of service and luxury to the sea. Three custom-built ships have been ordered to launch this brand, with the first 298 passenger yacht beginning service in ......

By Brian Raymond|2024-02-02T13:38:55-05:00February 13th, 2019|