Politics, religion, sports, the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show: They don’t hold a candle. Nothing is more controversial than a cruise.
To its devoted boosters, the many virtues of vacationing aboard a gargantuan ship are plain and unambiguous. It’s easy (gluttony at your figure tips).
It’s convenient (wake up and you’re there with no bags to repack). It’s — to the minds of many — fun (pool parties, magic shows, nightclubs and gambling galore). But to cruising’s detractors, it’s a supposedly fun thing they’ll never do again. It’s hell on the high seas; the antitheses of authentic travel.
But what if there was a compromise — a happy synthesis of the positions — a way to not just have your cake, but eat it a la mode?
As Europe’s peak travel season approaches, we’ve scoured the market for sailings that thread that needle. We hunted down cruises with all of the benefits the zealots swear by without the endless buffet lines and employees dressed up as trademarked cartoon characters in oversized vinyl heads. We found ships that take you to hidden islands and boutique cultural destinations, rather than the industrial ports of well-trod tourist towns.
We discovered vessels offering unlimited Ruinart and personal butlers; the kind of exclusive amenities and experiences you’d expect from a five-figure-per-night resort, not an all-inclusive boat ride.
Call it the Diet Coke, the zero-proof spirit or the decaf coffee of cruising. Below is our guide to the best of both worlds via charter yacht and small- to medium-size cruise ships sailing throughout Europe this spring and summer.
Large and in charge
The most obvious and best way to get it all is, of course, to charter.
Charters come in all shapes and sizes, but if you want a real cruise ship equivalent, consider Carinthia VII. One of the world’s first true megayachts, this 381-footer has entered the charter market after undergoing an extensive makeover in 2023.
True to the terms of “diet cruising,” it’s more like a floating five-star hotel than your typical boat, equipped with eight cabins, a glass-paneled swimming pool, a putting green, a large-screen cinema, an art collection, a gym, a teppanyaki bar, a spa and a beauty salon.
This spring and summer, she will be in Greece and the Mediterranean with 33 experienced crew members. Bask on some of the best beaches on earth in the Ionian Islands, see and be seen in St. Tropez, and spend some quality time on the yacht — you are paying for the privilege, after all. So what does it cost (roughly $1.5 million per week).
Middle ground
Designed with the critics of large cruise ships in mind, Explora II provides the sophistication, luxury and cultural immersion the enlightened crave from a European vacation. All 461 suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views, walk-in wardrobes and heated bathroom floors.
On board, travelers can unwind at the tricked-out spa, equipped with a hydrotherapy pool, a Finnish sauna, a salt cave and heated marble loungers.
Get a head start on souvenir shopping at high-end European boutiques such as Rolex, Cartier and Buccellati, the Italian jeweler’s first store at sea. During her premier spring season, Explora II will sail across the Mediterranean calling at popular ports like Rome, Lisbon and Barcelona.
Destination experiences are also available at each stop. You’ll learn flamenco in Granada and spit wine during a tasting in Sicily. It’s all tailored to give a deeper look into each country’s heritage (from $2,210 per person).
Small world
Still can’t quite make up your mind between a yacht charter or a cruise ship? Consider the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, a boutique, small-ship sailing option that offers the luxury and intimacy of a charter without the shocking price tag.
Ilma, the brand’s second vessel, will embark on inaugural voyages to the Baltic Sea, Nordic shores and northern Europe this summer. Navigate Norway’s majestic fjords, soak in Iceland’s thermal baths and dock at vibrant cities like Bergen, Amsterdam and Oslo. Along the way, book a massage or facial at the Ritz-Carlton Spa or lounge by the infinity pool.
On board, dining includes Seta Su Ilma, a contemporary Italian restaurant from Michelin-starred Chef Fabio Trabocchi, and the Beach House, which highlights South and Central American food created by James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Mina.
Suites, each boasting a private terrace, 24-hour in-suite dining and Suite Ambassadors who help with pesky tasks like unpacking, are among the most spacious in the industry (from $8,400 per person).
Super soaker
If you’re looking for a charter that says, “I’m wealthy,” but don’t feel the need to rent a yacht that’s nearly the length of a soccer pitch, this one’s for you. At a (relatively) modest 163 feet, Anjelif still holds her own, size-wise, with five staterooms that accommodate 11 guests and 11 crew.
The brand-new, custom-built superyacht launched in 2024 and can be chartered in the Mediterranean this spring and summer. Float down to the secluded bays of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, island hop in Spain’s Balearic archipelago or anchor alongside the sun-kissed, golden beaches of Puglia.
Wherever you decide to go, Angelif can turn into your own beach club thanks to a fold-down lateral platform and main-deck swimming pool featuring an elegant bar. All you have to do is whip out the water toys and make the ocean your private playground (from $357,000 per week).
Bubble bath
A trip to Champagne, the birthplace of bubbly, is reliably ebullient. But cruising through this effervescent region on Coquelicot, A Belmond Boat? That’s a level of decadence that compromises nothing.
The storied hospitality brand’s floating villa, decked out in real rose gold, oak-paneled ceilings and a skylight made using traditional French techniques, accommodates up to six people.
Designed in partnership with Ruinart, the oldest established Champagne house, the curated itinerary begins in Châlons-en-Champagne with — what else? — a Champagne reception.
Sip your way through iconic cellars, including Veuve Clicquot and Dom Pérignon, and savor an exclusive tasting at Ruinart’s “Secret Cellar.” On board, indulge in dinners prepared by your private chef, expertly paired with fine French wines and Champagnes and eat alfresco on the top deck as you pass by famed vineyards (from $81,150 per week).
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