Top 5 Luxury Cruise Holidays, part 1

When choosing a luxury holiday, sometimes you just want to be taken care of.  In that situation, a cruise is the ideal holiday.  Virtually all cruises are all-inclusive, so you won’t need to worry about purchasing meals or drinks.  You’ll also be booked into a variety of activities.  Some might cost extra, but often you’ll be disembarking at particularly exciting stops along the way.

But you don’t have to leave on a cruise from your home, either.  You can head to an exotic destination first.  It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore more of a luxury destination than you would just sitting in a resort for two weeks.  Here are our top five worldwide choices for cruise holidays.

1. Aranui III in Tahiti

This fantastic journey is actually taken on a cargo ship; but don’t worry, it’s just as luxurious as you would expect.  All that means is the ship often stops in the most exclusive stops for a few hours of land time.  In this case, it’s the remote Marquesas Islands.  The Aranui III is actually their only lifeline to the rest of the civilised world.

As a result, the Marquesas are among the most beautiful, uninhabited places in the world.  There are people, but there are few roads and cars and it will be easy to imagine yourself alone on the island.  There are wild horses, ancient tiki statues, and towering mountain peaks.  You’ll visit all six Marquesas islands and will explore villages, archaeological sites, and natural wonders in the company of experienced guides.

On the ship, you’ll have an en suite cabin with a picture window.  If you’re feeling extravagant and booking early, you might be able to score a suite with your very own balcony.  On board, you’ll find a guest lounge, library, swimming pool, gym, shop, and bar, with talks by lecturers to let you in on the islands’ fascinating history.  All onboard meals are served in the restaurant and if you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to music and singing by the crew.

2. Jayavarman Mekong River Cruise in Vietnam

This luxury liner is the only cruise headed out of Saigon and it’s well worth at least taking the four day journey, whether you’re headed from Saigon or its destination, Siem Reap in Cambodia.  The boat is a stunning mix of Indochinese and French colonial style, with individual spacious staterooms and suites, all of which boast panoramic windows and private balconies.

There are plenty of amenities onboard, too.  Each day starts with Tai Chi – if you’re up early enough – and continues with traditional Khmer music and Apsara dance performances.  You’ll find yourself joining in on a variety of workshops, including drink tasting and Cambodian cooking, and enjoying movie and lecture nights.  The cruise also boasts a spa, a sun deck, an observatory lounge, and a bar for the ultimate in relaxation.

Heading off board each day, you’ll discover parts of Cambodia and Vietnam that you may never have seen before and probably never will again.  Experienced local guides will take you in traditional transport to view all the exclusive sights.  You’ll want to get right back on when the cruise is over.

Come back next week for part 2 – three more luxury cruise holidays we think you shouldn’t miss!