6 star travel uk

0800 810 8481

7 Days • 9AM - 9PM

MON - SAT 9AM - 8PM • SUN 10AM - 6PM

Sail from UK

Luxury Cruises 2024, 2025 & 2026 from The Cruise Village

The Cruise Village is an award winning, 4th generation family business, specialising in five and six star luxury cruises.

A premium luxury cruise is a voyage like no other. In a five star hotel on the ocean, visit all your favourite destinations without compromising on comfort or service. At the Cruise Village, we pride ourselves on providing the best that the cruising world has to offer and we only work exclusively with luxury cruise lines such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises , Seabourn , Explora Journeys , Silversea and selected others, which you will find in the ‘Luxury Cruise Lines’ navigation menu above.

Our respected relationships with the world’s leading cruise lines, enables us to offer our clients a wide variety of luxury cruises all over the world, including the Norwegian Fjords , the Far East & Asia , the Caribbean , the Mediterranean ,  USA and beyond. We focus on visiting all seven continents on luxury ocean cruises, luxury river cruises, ultra-luxury small ship, yacht cruises and expedition cruises. Alternatively, visit them all in one journey on a World Cruise or sector.

We cater for solo travellers, couples, groups and families. Coupled with outstanding first-hand knowledge of the industry, you can trust our cruise experts to help you along your booking journey and beyond.

When curating your dream holiday, you will receive the highest standards of service from our dedicated & friendly luxury cruise team. We are available to take your call 9am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 6pm on Sundays! Experience our award-winning customer care today.

Luxury Cruise Deals

From rivers and oceans, to super yachts and tall ships, we have the best offers from the finest cruise lines, right here.

All Inclusive Luxury Awaits with Silversea

Scenic Eclipse Cruise Deals

Huge Savings of up to 40% Off!

Discover Boutique Luxury on the rivers with Uniworld

Save up to 30%

HAND-PICKED SPECIAL OFFERS

Mediterranean Enchantment

Itinerary: Piraeus, Itea, Cephalonia, Parga, Corfu, Sarandë, Kotor

Epicurean Awakening

Itinerary: Southampton, Saint-Malo, At Sea, Bordeaux, Bordeaux, San Sebastian, Gijón

Windward Island Escape

Itinerary: Bridgetown, Fort-de-France, Gustavia, Roseau, Castries, Kingstown, Saint George's

Exclusive Package! Luxury Athens, Homeric Odysseys and Adriatic Pearls

Itinerary: Fly UK to Athens, 7 nights at the Grand Resort Lagonissi (Athens), Piraeus, Pátmos, Fiskárdo, Dubrovnik, Zadar

Exclusive Luxury Journey – Orient Express & Adriatic

Itinerary: Orient Express - London to Paris, Venice-Simplon Orient Express - Paris to Venice, 2nt stay at Belmond Cipriani hotel, Private transfer to Fusina cruise port, Fusina, Trieste, Zadar

Itinerary: Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Corfu, Corfu, Itea

Home Of The Rising Sun

Itinerary: Tokyo, Nagoya, Kochi, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Busan, Hiroshima

Exclusive Benefits! Curated Caribbean

Itinerary: Miami, Florida, At Sea, At Sea, Oranjestad, Willemstad, Kralendijk, Saint George's

Itinerary: Athens, Itea, Corfu, Corfu, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik

Exclusive Fares! Divine Pacific Oases

Itinerary: Papeete, Tahiti, Bora-Bora, Bora-Bora, Uturoa, Raietea Island, Rangiroa, Cruising the South Pacific, Nuku Hiva Island

Our Luxury Cruise Partners

BLOG & CRUISE NEWS

Check out the latest news from the cruise industry, and find out what we thought about our recent trips. From exploring the newest cruise ships, to discovering unique destinations, we’re even giving you insights into our own holidays!

Why Choose A Cruise To Japan?

Cruising to Japan, a country where ancient temples stand beside towering skyscrapers, and where sushi and sake are just the… Read More Here

Setting Sail into Luxury: Exploring Emerald Yacht Cruises New Ship For 2026 – Emerald Kaia

Joining Emerald Yacht Cruises’ fleet of innovative luxury yachts in 2026 will be the Emerald Kaia. The new yacht promises… Read More Here

New Winter 2025 & 2026 Cruises Announced For Azamara

Ready your passport for a voyage of discovery in 2025 or 2026, as Azamara Cruises unveil exciting new itineraries, promising… Read More Here

Oceania Cruises Release Tropics & Exotic 2025-2026 Collection

Embark on an extraordinary voyage with Oceania Cruises latest Tropics & Exotic Collection for 2025-2026. This season of exploration is… Read More Here

SEARCH ALL LUXURY CRUISES BY MONTH

Choose from the list below:

2024 Luxury Cruises

• Luxury Cruises April 2024
• Luxury Cruises May 2024
• Luxury Cruises June 2024
• Luxury Cruises July 2024
• Luxury Cruises August 2024
• Luxury Cruises September 2024
• Luxury Cruises October 2024
• Luxury Cruises November 2024
• Luxury Cruises December 2024

2025 Luxury Cruises

• Luxury Cruises January 2025
• Luxury Cruises February 2025
• Luxury Cruises March 2025
• Luxury Cruises April 2025
• Luxury Cruises May 2025
• Luxury Cruises June 2025
• Luxury Cruises July 2025
• Luxury Cruises August 2025
• Luxury Cruises September 2025
• Luxury Cruises October 2025
• Luxury Cruises November 2025
• Luxury Cruises December 2025

2026 Luxury Cruises

• Luxury Cruises January 2026
• Luxury Cruises February 2026
• Luxury Cruises March 2026
• Luxury Cruises April 2026
• Luxury Cruises May 2026
• Luxury Cruises June 2026
• Luxury Cruises July 2026
• Luxury Cruises August 2026
• Luxury Cruises September 2026
• Luxury Cruises October 2026
• Luxury Cruises November 2026
• Luxury Cruises December 2026

Theresa Bacon Passionate about all forms of travel, especially cruise, and loves South America.

Sam Charij An expert in travel, most recently cruising on the River Seine

Alison Swallow Travelled extensively around the world, including through the amazing Panama Canal

Becky Hawker An expert in luxury travel at sea, on the rivers and on land!

Lyndsay Patterson Loves a luxury river cruise! A true expert on all types of cruising.

Diane Ware Well-travelled and exceptionally knowledgable in all aspects of luxury cruising. Most recently seen aboard Scenic Eclipse!

Gill Williams TTG Cruise Agent of the Year 2023 and Godmother to River Ship Emerald Radiance! You’re in safe hands!

Sign up to our Luxury Cruises newsletter

Want to receive cruise deals for P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and more? Sign up to our Southampton Cruise Centre newsletter here , or visit the website .

Share this page:

Back to Top

Enquire Now

The Expert Guide to Ultra Luxury 6 Star Cruises

Mar 13, 2021 | CRUISE TIPS | 0 comments

Reading Time: 3 Mins

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Click to read our Affiliate Disclosure

THE FACTS – 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. There is no such star rating system for cruises, but an unwritten standard has emerged.

6-star cruises are the ultimate type of cruises that you could ever experience when going on holiday on the water. But what is a 6-star cruise, and which cruise lines can offer you a 6-star cruising experience? Here is our comprehensive guide to why 6-star cruises are the ultimate in cruising.

What are 6 Star Cruises?

6-star cruises are also known as Six Star or Ultra-Luxury cruises, and these relate to a small number of exclusive cruise lines with exquisite cruise ships offering the most amazing food and service. Six-star cruise ships take luxury to a whole new level and, in many cases, far exceeds 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 Luxury Six Star cruises, you might like to buy a copy of the Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships which is the ultimate reference guide for serious cruisers.

Cabin or Staterooms are generally referred to as suites, and most have a balcony. The latest Ultra Luxury cruise ships boast “All Balcony All Suites”, and some even have Duplex Appartments and Owners Suites.

The other big differentiator is that Ultra Luxury 6 star cruises are generally all-inclusive, including speciality restaurants, shore excursions, flights, alcoholic beverages and impeccable service from all the crew onboard. It’s essentially as luxurious as you can get but with everything included.

What’s the Difference Between 5 and 6 Star Cruises?

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 know what 6 star cruises are, and it can all become confusing, especially if you’re trying to book your first ever cruise experience.

As you would expect, 6 star cruises are the next step up from 5 star cruises and simply the best kind of cruise 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

Cruise Lines Offering 6 Star Cruising

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

There is a huge range of complimentary amenities and enrichment onboard all Crystal Cruises’ cruise ships. There is enough variety for people of all ages and personalities to find individual interests and pursue new hobbies onboard. Crystal Cruises also operate 6 star River Cruises. Read our Crystal River Cruises review .

Watch this space as Crystal cruises is being resuracted by high-end travel company A&K Travel Group who announced it had bought the bankrupt line’s brand name and two biggest oceangoing ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, with plans to relaunch the brand in 2023.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises really does cater for the cruiser looking for the ultimate cruise experience. With Regent Seven Seas, satisfy any travel urge you may have as you can customise your entire cruise experience to meet your exact needs. Read our Regent Seven Seas Cruise Splendor review.

• Silversea Cruises Thanks in part to their partnership with the Grand Chefs of Relais & Chateaux, promises an elegant and refined approach to gourmet cuisine. You can expect astounding cuisine on all their luxury ships where dinner is always open seating with anytime dining. Every need is anticipated with a prompt service delivered with a crew to passenger ratio of almost 1:1.

Seabourn host 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.

When it comes to dining, SeaDream excel and dining with this 6-star cruise line ensure 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

What if I Don’t Want Everything Included in my 6 Star Cruise?

With 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!

Booking your 6 Star Cruise

If you think that a 6 star cruise is for you, it is important to talk to your 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.

Best Selling Cruise Travel Gear

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s

What are the 6 star cruise lines.

The expert Guide to 6 Star Cruises highlights the following: Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club

Which Cruise Line is the Most Luxurious?

About Luxury Cruising rates the following 6 Star Cruise Lines as the most luxurious:

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Oceania Cruises

What are the top cruise lines?

It depends on what criteria you are using, but we rate the top cruise lines as follows:

Is Silversea better than Seabourn?

These two cruise lines are similar in that they are both 6-star Ultra-Luxury Cruise lines but have different styles. Seabourn is more relaxed and has a contemporary feel whereas Silversea is a little bit more sophisticated and has a better range of dining options.

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Submit Comment

Welcome all cruise enthusiasts! We’re Mike & Anita, your spirited guides to cruising the high seas (and Rivers), and we’ve clocked in over 600 days at sea.

This blog is dedicated to all you cruise lovers out there. It is a place to dive into the wonderful world of cruising. Join us on this exciting voyage where we share not just tips but insider secrets and money-saving gems about cruising.

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a first-time cruiser, get ready to explore, learn, and soak up the joy of our seafaring adventures. Happy Cruising! 🚢✨

Find Out More

BEST SELLING CRUISE BOOKS

You might also like ....

• SHIP TRACKER

Subscribe For Updates

We really do hope you enjoy our blog and all that we have to offer.  Don't miss out on our latest money-saving tips and tricks by joining our mailing list and becoming a Smart Cruiser!

We promise not to spam you and you can unsubscribe at any time...

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list and become a Smart Cruiser!

Pin It on Pinterest

• Destinations
• Hotels, Resorts & Villas
• News, Features, Tips & Advice
• Private Jets
• LLM Readers’ Travel Awards 2024

The Latest Travel Features

Food & Drink

• Healthy Eating & Drinking
• Recipes, Cooking Tips & Tools
• Restaurants, Bars & Clubs
• Sweet Treats & Savoury Bites
• Wines, Beers, Cocktails & Spirits

The Latest Food & Drink Features

Style, Beauty & Health

• Men's Style & Grooming
• Women's Fashion

The Latest Style, Beauty & Health Features

• Drive, Sail & Fly
• Homes & Gardens
• Money & Business
• Sport & Entertainment
• Tech, Gadgets & Gaming
• The Luxury Lifestyle List
• The Best of the Rest
• Work with us: Luxury SEO Content
• Advertising Terms & Conditions

The very best 6-star cruises for 2021

As 2020 cruises by with barely a holiday in sight thanks to the current Covid-19 pandemic, many of us are beginning to look ahead to 2021 and plan a truly spectacular getaway to make up for the ones we’ve missed. And, when it comes to getting the rest, relaxation and all out luxury you crave, what could be better than the prospect of a luxury six-star cruise?

Yes, you heard that right – six-star. Gone are the days when a five-star experience was as good as it got, and in 2021, it’s all about pushing the boat out and going one bigger and better. The highly coveted six-star recognition is awarded only to the most exquisite cruise ships around the world, so book onto one, and you’ll be guaranteed only the finest in everything, from the moment you set foot on board, to the moment you disembark.

Six-star cruise ships offer a slightly more intimate experience than their five-star counterparts, with a maximum of only 800 passengers on board at any one time. Cabins already start at suite level – balcony included – with all-inclusive food (fine dining, of course), drinks and spa access with your stay. And, of course, the service is second to none, with a greater crew-to-passenger ratio than you’d find on any other cruise – so you’re guaranteed to want for nothing at any point on this truly lavish trip.

So, where exactly can you find yourself one of the best six star cruises to book for 2021? We’ve rounded up five of the best.

Crystal Cruises

Popular amongst families and solo travellers alike, the Crystal Cruises experience is perfect for those in search of an off-the-beaten-track adventure. Taking you to harder to reach destinations like Antarctica, the Crystal Endeavour offers impeccable service, mouth-watering cuisine and a huge array of complimentary amenities on board. And, with an emphasis on entertainment, you can enjoy cabaret and bingo by night. It’s definitely worth brushing up your skills and checking out some bingo offers online beforehand, because the sizeable prizes on offer on board are not to be sniffed at.

A top choice amongst foodies, Seabourn cruises offer an extra-intimate experience, with just 300 suites on board each ship in total, and an impressive crew-to-passenger ratio (the highest in the industry, in fact) to guarantee impeccable service throughout.

Pushing the boat out on entertainment, Seabourn cruises offer special events such as beach parties and steel band performances, while watersports are available to enjoy at your leisure. The spas on board are not to be missed, either, offering guests hours of rest and relaxation with opulent massages, facials and other treatments all included.

With their unrivalled sense of style and elegance, Seabourn’s luxury cruise ships will take you to far flung destinations around the world, from Asia to Alaska, offering a feeling of real exclusivity with its highly personalised service.

Regent Seven Seas

If immersing yourself in culture is one of your favourite ways to spend your luxury getaway, then don’t hesitate t book yourself onto a six-star cruise with Regent Seven Seas. The most luxurious cruise line currently at sea provides an intimate and exclusive space on board, with the Executive Collection offering an even greater level of exclusivity than other passengers. You’ll get to enjoy numerous shore excursions, five-star hotel stays and fine dining experiences, all included in your package – plus, your trip is entirely customisable, allowing you to tailor it to suit your own personal tastes.

Regent offers some great itineraries, and is a great choice if you’re keen to take in some of the most glamorous cities in Europe in style, with trips touring the likes of Barcelona, Montecarlo, Stockholm and more. If you’ve got plenty of time on your hands, then why not take the Barcelona to Auckland or Lisbon to Cape Town route, both of which will allow you to take in multiple continents?

Silversea Cruises

Offering gourmet dining, sprawling luxury suites and world class service, a Silversea cruise is guaranteed not to disappoint. With over 900 destinations on its roster, highlights include the Galapagos Islands and South America, and with a crew to passenger ratio of almost 1:1, you’ll practically have your own personal butler throughout.

Offering an extra attractive package for those opting to cruise solo, you can even book yourself a dinner host and a dance partner for the evening, in an intimate setting where you’ll never feel short of company and conversation.

Our top pick? Cruising the South Pacific Islands, where you’ll take in the likes of Easter Island, Tahiti and Valparaiso. Paradise beaches don’t get much better than this.

If you’re planning a getaway to end all getaways in 2021 after a year of standing still, then a six-star cruise is a great way to go. Offering all the convenience of a standard cruise and opulence coming as a premium throughout, it’s the perfect way to see the world, soak up a little culture and relax in all-out luxury.

•   FAQs
• Your Booking
• FREE Appointments

Call FREE on Speak to a cruise expert FREE on 0161 798 5333 View our Opening Times

CALL US FREE TODAY 0161 798 5333

Cruise Sales Lines are open:

• Monday to Friday 8 A.M until 8 P.M
• Saturday & Sunday 9 A.M until 5 P.M

Cruise Aftersales Lines are open:

• Monday to Friday 9 A.M until 5 P.M
• Saturday & Sunday CLOSED

Already Booked? Contact Customer Service

0808 273 6065 • e: [email protected]

Six-Star Cruises

Search for your perfect cruise.

• Cruise Only

Search for a Cruise

Exclusive extras & huge savings.

Ensuring our customers find their perfect cruise package for the best possible price is at the very heart of our ethos. Every member of the Cruise Club UK team is passionate about cruising and our consultants regularly travel with all the major cruise lines, experiencing the delights on offer.

Did you know?

• All bookings made with Cruise Club UK are 100% ABTA and ATOL protected.
• Cruise Club UK always guarantee you the best price with all your favourite cruise lines.
• Our expert cruise consultants can tailor make any cruise package!

Six-Star Collection

A six-star holiday doesn't always have to break the bank. We have selected the most diverse and unique six-star cruises that feature a wide-range of amenities, including: ✓ Drinks Package. ✓ Butler Service. ✓ Fine Dining. ✓ Lavishly Fitted Suites, and much, much more...

Whale-watching Expedition - Vancouver to Seward from only £4974

Onboard: Seven Seas Explorer

Departs: 1/May/24

Duration: 7 Nights

Itinerary: Vancouver, Canada - Ketchikan - Juneau - Skagway - Hoonah - Seward

Sacred Aegean Sanctuaries from only £CALL

Onboard: Seven Seas Voyager

Departs: 8/May/24

Itinerary: Istanbul - Ephesus - Marmaris - Antalya - Santorini - Mykonos - Piraeus (Athens)

Glaciers & Alaska Inside Passage from only £4095

Onboard: Seabourn Odyssey

Departs: 24/May/24

Itinerary: Vancouver, Canada - Ketchikan - Sitka - Inian Island, Alaska - Icy Strait Point, Alaska - Haines, Alaska - Juneau

Iberia's Innumerable Charms from only £3049

Onboard: EXPLORA I

Departs: 7/June/24

Itinerary: Lisbon - Cadiz - Malaga - Barcelona

A Journey to Moroccan Medinas & Moorish Forts from only £3349

Duration: 12 Nights

Itinerary: Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands - Casablanca - Tangier - Malaga - Cartagena, Spain - Valencia - Barcelona

Journey from Lanzarote to Barcelona from only £3399

Departs: 9/June/24

Duration: 10 Nights

Scotland Intensive from only £3289

Onboard: Azamara Onward

Departs: 20/June/24

Duration: 11 Nights

Itinerary: Southampton - Edinburgh, UK - Dundee, Scotland - Invergordon - Kirkwall, Scotland - Stornoway (Isle Lewis) - Oban, Scotland, UK - Glasgow - Dublin

Glaciers & Alaska Inside Passage from only £8092

Departs: 28/June/24

Duration: 14 Nights

Itinerary: Vancouver, Canada - Ketchikan - Sitka - Inian Island, Alaska - Icy Strait Point, Alaska - Haines, Alaska - Juneau - Tracy Arm Fjord - Wrangell, Alaska - Misty Fjords, Alaska - Prince Rupert - Alert Bay - Vancouver, Canada

A Journey to Saints, Sunsets & Gods from only £7049

Departs: 17/July/24

Duration: 13 Nights

Itinerary: Piraeus (Athens) - Paphos - Kusadasi - Patmos - Santorini - Sibenik - Marghera(Venice), Italy

Copenhagen to Stockholm from only £6369

Onboard: Silver Dawn

Departs: 12/August/24

Itinerary: Copenhagen, Denmark - Ronne, Bornholm - Gdansk, Poland - Klaipeda - Riga - Tallinn, Estonia - Helsinki, Finland - Stockholm

Savour Europe from only £3816

Onboard: Seven Seas Navigator

Departs: 25/August/24

Itinerary: Southampton - Vlissingen (Zeeland), Netherlands - Amsterdam - Zeebrugge - Dunkirk, France - Calais - Honfleur - Cherbourg - Southampton

Wild Guianas to the Amazon Basin from only £11212

Onboard: Seabourn Venture

Departs: 7/October/24

Itinerary: Bridgetown, Barbados - Charlotteville, Tobago - Georgetown, Guyana - Paramaribo, Surinam - Devils Island, French Guiana - Macapa - Guajara - Santarem - Parintins - Manaus

Aristotle's Treasures from only £2999

Onboard: Riviera

Departs: 8/October/24

Itinerary: Istanbul - Kavala, Greece - Kusadasi - Rhodes - Antalya - Bodrum - Santorini - Piraeus (Athens)

Civitavecchia (Rome) to Barcelona from only £5983

Onboard: Silver Ray

Departs: 12/November/24

Itinerary: Rome (Civitavecchia) - Naples, Italy - Siracusa, Sicily - Valletta, Malta - Tunis - Palermo - Cagliari - Palma De Mallorca - Barcelona

Magic of the Mexican Riviera from only £5971

Onboard: Seven Seas Grandeur

Departs: 29/December/24

Itinerary: Los Angeles, CA - Ensenada - Cabo San Lucas - La Paz - Mazatlan, Mexico - Manzanillo - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Los Angeles, CA

Amazon Trailblazer from only £6599

Onboard: Sirena

Departs: 1/January/25

Duration: 22 Nights

Itinerary: Bridgetown, Barbados - Scarborough, Trinidad - Santarem - Boca De Valeira - Manaus - Parintins - Alter Do Chao, Brazil - Devils Island, French Guiana - St Georges, Grenada - Iles Des Saintes - Rodney Bay - Bridgetown, Barbados

• $400 Shipboard Credit per stateroom

The Sounds of New Zealand - Auckland to Sydney from only £10454

Departs: 3/January/25

Itinerary: Auckland - Bay of Islands - Tauranga - Napier, New Zealand - Wellington - Christchurch, New Zealand - Dunedin, New Zealand - Milford Sound, New Zealand - Burnie, Tasmania - Melbourne - Sydney, Australia

Bridgetown to Bridgetown from only £3765

Itinerary: San Juan, Puerto Rico - St Georges, Grenada - Kingstown - Roseau - Gustavia, Saint Barthelemy - St John's, Antigua - Point-a-Pitre - Fort de France - Basseterre - San Juan, Puerto Rico

French Polynesia from only £7720

Onboard: Silver Shadow

Departs: 26/January/25

Itinerary: Papeete - Fakarava, Tuamotu Islands - Atuona, Hiva Oa, Marguesas Isl - Nuku Hiva - Rangiroa - Bora Bora - Raiatea - Moorea - Papeete

Sun-Drenched Islands - Miami to Miami from only £3200

Departs: 17/February/25

Itinerary: Miami, Florida - Costa Maya - Roatan, Bay Islands - Harvest Caye, Belize - Key West - Miami, Florida

Buoyant Rhythms - Buenos Aires to Rio De Janeiro from only £6650

Onboard: Seven Seas Splendor

Departs: 3/March/25

Itinerary: Buenos Aires - Montevideo - Punta del Este - Balneario Camboriu - Santos, Brazil - Ilha Grande - Buzios - Rio de Janeiro

Epicurean Awakening from only £3699

Onboard: Vista

Departs: 3/June/25

Itinerary: Southampton - St Malo - Bordeaux - San Sebastian, La Gomera - Gijon - La Coruna, Spain - Bilbao - La Rochelle - Brest - Paris - Southampton

Scotland Intensive Voyage from only £3785

Onboard: Azamara Quest

Departs: 19/June/25

Itinerary: Southampton - Edinburgh, UK - Aberdeen, UK - Invergordon - Kirkwall, Scotland - Lerwick, Scotland - Stornoway (Isle Lewis) - Oban, Scotland, UK - Glasgow - Dublin

Croatia Intensive Voyage from only £2854

Onboard: Azamara Pursuit

Departs: 12/July/25

Itinerary: Piraeus (Athens) - Kotor - Dubrovnik - Korcula - Split - Sibenik - Zadar, Croatia - Pula - Venice, Italy

Golf & British Isles Voyage from only £4083

Onboard: Azamara Journey

Departs: 15/July/25

Itinerary: Southampton - Liverpool - Dublin - Belfast - Glasgow - Aberdeen, UK - Dundee, Scotland - Edinburgh, UK

Greenland, Newfoundland & Quebec Voyage from only £4556

Departs: 21/July/25

Duration: 15 Nights

Itinerary: Reykjavik - Prince Christian Sound - Qaqortoq, Greenland - Paamiut, Greenland - Nuuk - Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Newfoundland, Canada - Saguenay - Quebec City, Canada - Montreal

Vibrant Northern Capitals from only £4599

Itinerary: Southampton - Copenhagen, Denmark - Berlin - Tallinn, Estonia - Stockholm - Oslo - Zeebrugge - Southampton

British Isles Bounty from only £4159

Departs: 4/August/25

Itinerary: Southampton - Edinburgh, UK - Invergordon - Lerwick, Scotland - Stornoway (Isle Lewis) - Glasgow - Dun Laoghaire, Ireland - Belfast - Waterford, Ireland - Fowey, Cornwall - Southampton

Bucolic British Isles from only £3399

Onboard: Marina

Departs: 24/August/25

Itinerary: Southampton - Edinburgh, UK - Kirkwall, Scotland - Stornoway (Isle Lewis) - Dun Laoghaire, Ireland - Belfast - Holyhead, UK - Cork, Ireland - Torbay, England - Southampton

Our customers love cruise club uk

Enjoy a FREE Case of Six Fine Wines when you book by 8pm 25th April 2024  T&C's Apply

Call 08082394989

Call us FREE   08082394989

Opening Hours - Office closed, we'll open at 8:30am

• Types of Cruise

6★ & Ultra-Luxury Cruising

Unique personal service awaits.

Discover the unique personal service aboard the world’s finest cruise ships. Have your every wish met as stunning locations greet you each morning.

Featured Luxury Cruises

Silver Spirit 03 Jan 2025 24 nights Fly Cruise Flights Included Victoria

Included Shore Excursions, Drinks, Gratuities & Wi-Fi*

FREE safari game drive excursion for all bookings*

FREE three night 5★ stays in Seychelles & Cape Town*

Exclusive savings of up to £11,600*

(full fare £9,399) Suite from £7,699 pp

Queen Mary 2 11 Jan 2025 35 nights No-Fly Cruise Southampton

Exclusive Savings - Only available when booking with ROL Cruise*

Just a deposit required to book*

No-Fly, Full-Board Luxury Cruising from Southampton*

Complimentary On Board Credit of up to $2,060*

(full fare £3,749) Inside from £3,369 pp

Queen Anne 16 Nov 2025 10 nights No-Fly Cruise Southampton

No-fly cruising

Book with the Top Partner for Cunard*

Sail direct from Southampton*

Complimentary On Board Credit of up to $880, Car Parking OR Coach Transfers*

(full fare £1,029) Inside from £1,019 pp

Popular 6★ & Ultra-Luxury Cruise Destinations

Buenos Aires

Galapagos Islands

Kuala Lumpur

Rio de Janeiro

What is an ultra-luxury cruise?

Superb service, fine dining and opulent surroundings make for the ultimate in luxury cruising.

Dining whenever and wherever you want, you’ll mingle with some of the most interesting people in the world - adventure seekers like yourself who expect the very best and have earned their passage aboard the world’s most exclusive cruise ships. The atmosphere is both elegant and gloriously informal, giving you the chance to unwind and let the cares of the world drift by without the need to dress to impress.

But unforgettable days and nights at sea will be only half the story. Smaller ships can reach the destinations that large liners cannot, without requiring the use of tenders. Unshaken but stirred, you can simply stroll down the gangplank into another paradise destination, handpicked to take you far from the madding crowd of tourists and sunseekers.

Which destinations can you sail to on an ultra-luxury cruise?

The world is your oyster on an ultra-luxury cruise. Sail to all four corners of the world and enjoy the scintillating cities and sensational scenery of Australia , or head to Asia and the Far East where ancient and modern, traditional and futuristic, provincial and metropolitan perfectly blend. What about South America, the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon ? Enriching for the mind, body and soul, a cruise here will make it impossible not to embrace the Latin American spirit as your ship salsas into port. Or, enjoy all of this and so much more on a world cruise . A truly unforgettable experience, a world cruise offers the unique pleasure of months of adventure aboard a luxury cruise ship sailing the seven seas.

Which cruise lines offer ultra-luxury cruises?

Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers the ultimate in ultra-luxury, priding itself on creating cruises that simply ooze glamour and extravagance, making memories that will last a lifetime. Scenic Ocean Cruises offer 6★ ultra-luxury yacht experiences paired with state-of-the-art innovation for the adventure of a lifetime. A passion for service is where Seabourn truly excels. With an expanding fleet, the cruise line offers travellers the opportunity to cruise more regions across the world, visiting destinations not accessible by larger ships.

From the Blog

ROL Cruise: 2024 cruise calendar

Planning ahead is the name of the game. In our handy 2024 cruise calendar, we’ll guide you through different types of cruises & when you should go on them.

13 Dec 2023

Regent Seven Seas Cruises ships by size

Regent Seven Seas Cruises prides itself on creating cruises that ooze glamour. Here, we take a look at the Regent ships by size, from biggest to smallest.

30 Nov 2022

Top things to do on Celebrity Silhouette

Celebrity Solstice showcases spectacular public spaces & demonstrates innovation at its finest. Here are the top things to do on Celebrity Silhouette.

19 Jan 2022

Six Star Cruising

Luxury travel has long had an appeal for many, thanks to the promises it purports. Sumptuous décor, fine dining, premium wines and good service are all par for the course. But the interpretation of ‘luxury’ differs amongst us all and it is for that reason terms such as ‘elite’ and ‘six star’ exist. For the holidays that can be called truly six star are in a different league to the rest. This is luxury which is simply unparalleled. It isn’t just that everything is included within the price you pay, and we mean everything, but it’s the standard of what is included.

Champagnes, caviar, immersive excursions, butler service – these are just a few of the extras you can expect when six star cruising that won’t cost you a penny more. But more than that, it’s the feeling that you will enjoy throughout the duration of your holiday. You will feel indulged at every moment. There will be no request too great for the crew to assist you with. Your every need will be attended to. You will be an absolute priority from the moment you step on board, to the moment you disembark.

Six star cruising is a luxury holiday with a difference. Exquisite dining is taken to a new level with world-renowned chefs defining menus and using a farm to table ethos that means your palate will be delighted at every meal. Fine wines and premium spirits follow Champagne and cocktails created by expert mixologists.

Your in-suite butler will cater to your every request at the drop of a hat. They will get to know any personal preferences you have and tend to your suite accordingly, as well as make any necessary arrangements you need. Your name will be remembered by the crew and staff throughout the ship and your personal preferences will be met in your suite.

Most importantly, six star cruising will take you on a real voyage of discovery, for that is what is at the heart of every cruise. The destination is the focal point and with good reason; the itineraries are carefully curated by experts in order that guests can see the very best of the region they are visiting.

In addition, you will be offered an extensive range of shore excursions – many of which are included in the price – to ensure you have complete destination immersion.

You will be able to pick from a choice in each port so that you can have the sort of experience you prefer, and allowing you to personalise your holiday even more. The luxury cruise lines work extremely hard to keep their itineraries up to date so you even if you have sailed a certain area before, the next time you choose an itinerary there could take you to different places. They are consistently adding new ports and new excursions to their programmes to keep their guests exploring, year after year.

There are different degrees of six star cruising, from premium luxury to ultra-luxury which are highlighted below. You will often find that even with the premium luxury cruise lines, an ultra-luxury experience can be had when you opt for one of the higher-grade suites.

Six star cruising involves taking a luxury cruise with a difference and if you have yet to step aboard, we can promise you that you will have an experience you will never forget. Read our guide below and find out everything you need to know before getting in touch with one of our expert Connoisseurs to start planning your luxury adventure.

Six Star Cruise Lines

All of the cruise lines we offer at Panache Cruises are brilliant examples of luxury cruising. Many of our partners are classified within the six star cruising category, with superior, ultra-luxury offerings even in the lower grade of suites. Read on to see the highlights of each luxury cruise line...

Elite Ocean Cruise Lines

Azamara offers premium luxury cruising but would not be known as ‘ultra-luxury’ until you start choosing one of the higher end suites. However, Azamara still offers six star cruising for a variety of reasons. Firstly, this is boutique cruising so your ship will be stylish and welcoming.

Secondly, there is a real focus on the destination when you sail with Azamara and you’ll feel it from the moment you set sail. Their ethos on destination immersion and the opportunity to stay longer in ports with events such as AzAmazing Evenings is a six star cruising luxury that won’t be afforded to you by all cruise lines. You can also enjoy plenty of inclusions such as drinks throughout your cruise.

Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys is the fantastic new luxury brand from MSC Cruises, which will be debuting its first ship, Explora I, in Spring 2023, followed by a new ship each year for three consecutive years. With a capacity of 922 passengers across 461 all-balcony suites and exquisite European design, the Explora ships are firmly positioned in the luxury segment.

Explora Journeys prides themselves on creating cosmopolitan, relaxing voyages at sea. A journey of the mind of the soul, their beautiful fleet offer guests space to restore balance and combine discovery and appreciation for wellbeing and nature.

Oceania Cruises

A laid back, country club style ambience awaits you on your Oceania cruise and you will not be disappointed when you step onto one of their stylish fleets.

Whilst Oceania would classify within the premium end of the six star cruising category, you can upgrade your experience by adding in drinks packages and choosing a higher grade suite.

Food is one of the key focuses on your Oceania cruise and you will enjoy excellence overseen by Masterchef Jacques Pépin.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

This is where six star cruising really comes into its own with the most inclusive cruise experience offered by Regent.

The fabulously appointed ships (some known as the most luxurious in the world), welcome you with style and grace as do the well-trained staff.

You will find more inclusions on a Regent cruise than you would have thought possible, from your pre-dinner Champagne to the most incredible shore excursions, and a wide range of choice too.

If you’re seeking ultra-chic six star cruising, then Seabourn is the way to sail. They have the youngest and arguably the most modern fleet of all the luxury ocean cruise lines and you’ll fall in love.

Fully inclusive, the staff offer excellent service as well as added extras such as ‘Seabourn Moments’ – personal touches designed to make you feel special and create a lasting memory. You’ll also benefit from excellent staff to guest ratios.

Silversea are one of the mor adventurous cruise lines, heading to over 900 destinations across all seven continents of the world, so your itinerary will be one of the best.

Not only that, you’ll find your suite has a dedicated butler who will tend to your every wish and ensure you have a fully personalised experience for the duration of your cruise.

You’ll enjoy fine wines, fine dining and luxurious facilities which are all included when six star cruising with Silversea.

River Cruise Lines

Amawaterways.

AmaWaterways sail the waterways of the world in moderate luxury but as we focus on six star cruising at Panache Cruises, we only offer the newest ship in their fleet, AmaMagna.

This is a double width river ship that sets it apart from the others in the market and allows it a great deal of extra space in order to house many more facilities, some which are highly innovative.

You won’t have a fully inclusive cruise experience but the special nature of this ship and the excellent itineraries she sails mean your river cruise with AmaWaterways will give you a six star cruising experience.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon provide a premium luxury experience on board in that not everything is included. For example, you’ll have drinks with lunch and dinner included and excursions but should you wish to have any extra drinks, you will need to pay for these on disembarkation.

However, Avalon have been sailing the world’s waterways for many years and as such have award-winning ships. There is plenty of space per guest on board and you’ll also be tended to by an excellent team of crew and staff. Your itinerary is what will set the holiday apart too.

Crystal Cruises

The service offered on the elite ocean ships is mimicked on the river cruise ships to ensure you have an excellent experience.

Fully inclusive, these beautiful ships will take you to the stunning ports on their itinerary and you’ll be immersed thanks to the excellence of the excursions included.

Crystal’s reputation precedes itself on the rivers and you will have nothing but a fine six star cruises experience if you take a river cruise with them.

Emerald Cruises

Whilst Emerald technically offer a premium luxury experience when you sail the rivers with them, the ships themselves are state-of-the-art which is what helps to ensure your cruise is six star.

Emerald have lots of experience in sailing to the heart of destinations and showing their guests the best parts of the region and this will add to your time on ship to create a fantastic luxury river cruise holiday.

Scenic River Cruises

This will be a true six star, fully inclusive river cruising experience. Scenic is one of the best providers of river cruising thanks to the ultra-modern Space Ships which will sail you to every port in absolute style and luxury.

Scenic offer a signature service which excels beyond other providers on the waters to ensure that guests receive everything they want and more whilst on board.

Your excursions are included and you can pick and choose the ones which are right for you to give yourself and even more personalised experience.

This is six star cruising with a difference. Each Uniworld ship and suite is individually designed to reflect the itinerary it is sailing, which gives the ships a very boutique feel.

No two suites are alike and this, combined with the excellent service of the staff and crew on board, means you will feel extremely special throughout the duration of your cruise.

With everything you would need included, you’ll want for nothing at all.

Expedition Cruise Lines

Aurora expeditions.

Aurora offer some truly incredible itineraries around Antarctica, which in itself would offer a six star cruising experience. They have purpose-built ships for this region so that the environmental impact is reduced – conscious cruising immediately increases the luxury level to six star cruising standard!

You’ll be guided by an expert expedition team whilst you meet the local cultures and wildlife and enjoy the scenery and it is this kind of memorable experience which sets a cruise like this apart.

Celebrity Cruises

A mainstream cruise line on the whole, Celebrity have actually got an excellent luxury offering for their expedition cruises. Award-winning ships have been designed with the Galapagos in mind (which is where they explore exclusively) and as such, have won numerous awards.

They also have a fully inclusive offering which leaves you wanting for nothing. A Celebrity expedition is the perfect way to explore one of the most magical places on earth so you’ll really feel you’re having a six star holiday.

Hurtigruten Expeditions

This is a cruise line well-known for exploring the most remote and even coldest parts of the earth in rustic style. However, they have recently added two ships to their fleet which enables us at Panache Cruises to offer them as part of our suite of expedition cruises.

If you sail on board MS Roald Amundsen or MS Fridtjof, you’ll have a superior level of comfort and you will even find many of the suites have hot tubs for you to recharge in. Polar region sailing doesn’t get much more six star than that!

Offering expedition and yacht-style cruising, what makes Ponant a six star cruising experience is their dedication to the French way of life and their focus on reaching the most stunning destinations. One of the leading expedition cruise lines in the endeavour to make cruising more sustainable and recognised for a second year running with a Green Marine certification, Ponant prides itself on laying the foundations for responsible tourism. Leading the way for more than 30 years in the field of eco-responsible cruises, PONANT takes actions on a daily basis, particularly through the Ponant Foundation.

They are the only cruise line to sail under the French flag and the influence is evident throughout your time on board. They truly embrace the chic French way of life and you’ll have meals and service to suit.

Quark Expeditions

Quark Expeditions are the perfect choice for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers who want an immersive expedition experience with multiple polar landings. Quark Expeditions is profoundly committed to environmentally responsible tourism.

They aim to work with other leaders in the industry and with our guests to address the complex and challenging issues facing the polar regions. The newest ship in the fleet, Ultramarine, is set to deliver the ultimate polar expedition experience.

Scenic Eclipse

Already legendary in the luxury river cruise world, Scenic ventured into an unknown world with the launch of the World’s First Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse. This incredible ship is perfect for six star cruising from every angle you look at it. The facilities on board are simply excellent, from an impressive range of exquisite dining opinions, to suites which are extremely well-appointed. The service will astound you for all the right reasons as you realise there is no request too large or small and you’ll find opportunities to learn exceed others.

A qualified, expert expedition team will be on board, and you’ll benefit from highly immersive enrichment programmes to ensure you get the most out of the places you visit, aided by the support of an on board science centre. The excursions will be enough to create lasting memories but if you really want a little more, you could take a trip in the helicopter or submarine which the ship carries with it. This could be one of the most exciting cruise experiences you’ll ever hope to have!

Known for their appreciation of the far-flung corners of the globe, it is no wonder Silversea are so adept at exploring via their expeditions. Your voyage can be any number of discovery missions, and not one of them will disappoint you.

The first destination specific ship built by Silversea, Silver Origin is the height of experiential travel in the Galapagos. A team of Ecuadorian national expert guides, the highest crew-to-guest ratio in the Galapagos, 8 Zodiacs, and seamless hybrid spaces all offer an extraordinary voyage – for extraordinary people.

Yacht-Style Cruises

Already featured in expedition cruising above, Ponant also have a range of sailing type ships that will add immeasurably to that French charm. You’ll sail the high seas in intimate luxury, tended to by a service that is quintessentially French, exploring the world in ultimate luxury.

The World’s First Discovery Yacht tends more towards the expedition style of cruising but it absolutely offers a yacht-style experience too. Regardless of how you sail on board this impressive ship, you will be in a true six star cruising dream thanks to the service, inclusions, facilities and destinations you can take advantage of.

Your World Cruise frequently asked questions answered...

Seadream yacht club.

SeaDream Yacht Club is dedicated to yacht-style six star cruising and they are absolutely experts in it. Their smaller, intimate ships are perfectly sized to sail right to the heart of destinations and the itineraries will take you to places you never thought you’d see on a cruise. Visit the smallest Caribbean islands such as Jost Van Dyke, a port of call unique to SeaDream cruises.

Recently refurbished, SeaDream yachts are now beautifully light and accentuate the space on board in every cabin and public space. Soak up the sun by the pool or swim with beautiful sea life on an excursion before dining under the stars and enjoying a sublime evening on board.

Specialising in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, this is an all-inclusive cruise holiday with genuine service that you will want to repeat again and again.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar’s small yachts and personalised approach to cruising brings guests closer to each destination than ever before, creating intimate moments and allowing full immersion into the world’s most unique and exotic cultures. With fewer than 350 guests onboard each vessel, a voyage with Windstar will feel like you are on your own private yacht.

Shore excursions and destination immersion are at the heart of Windstar Cruises’ ethos. Choose from the Essentials collection, ideal for first-time cruisers and includes must-see sights; the Concierge collection involving smaller groups for hands-on cultural and culinary themed activities; or the Beyond Ordinary collection, featuring extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime experiences for the most enthusiastic and adventurous travellers.

With their slogan “180° from ordinary”, Windstar Cruises prides itself on outstanding service, destination authenticity, and exclusively personal travel experiences.

Destinations for Six Star Cruising

You can sail all over the globe in luxury when six star cruising, especially when you choose one of the cruise lines offered by Panache Cruises. The cruise lines that we work with sail to all the corners of the world in complete style and luxury so are the perfect way for you to head to new and exciting locations. The main benefits of a luxury cruise holiday are that you get to see more of the regions you are visiting thanks to itineraries which are designed to take you to as many places as you can reasonably see.

Not only that, whilst in port, you will be offered a choice of expertly curated shore excursions, which have different experiences for you to see the parts you are really interested in. The ability to see so much on one holiday is what sets six star cruising apart from a more traditional land-based holiday and you’ll also only have to unpack once! From a logistical point of view, this makes life much easier and more pleasurable.

When you couple this with the fact you will be indulged with the most fantastic service, fine dining, premium wines and spirits whilst on board, not only will you see more but you’ll enjoy the travelling part too!

So if you’re starting to think about six star cruising, it’s important to consider a few things. Firstly, you’ll need to consider what type of cruise holiday you want, whether it’s ocean, river, expedition or yacht-style. Secondly, you’ll need to consider the level of luxury you wish to travel in. Thirdly, you’ll need to decide exactly where in the world you would like to see. But if all this sounds a little daunting then there is no need to worry.

As experts in six star cruising, your Connoisseur at Panache Cruises is perfectly placed in order to get to know you, your likes and dislikes and the standards you wish to enjoy. And they will then be able to suggest the perfect cruise to suit your needs.

Northern Europe

Staying within easy reach of your home doesn’t mean you cannot have an ultra-luxury experience. In fact, only travelling a short distance may well help you have a better holiday in general as you won’t have long flights, time differences and potential jet lag to deal with. In some cases, you will be able to sail straight from Southampton which means you won’t need to worry about how much luggage to take either! But aside from the logistical benefits, there is a great deal to see in Northern Europe and it starts right here at home.

You can circle the British Isles, stopping off at multiple ports, visiting cities you never ordinarily would. Alternatively, you could head to the shores of Northern France and Spain. Dine on their delicious local cuisine, see their stunning architecture and even head to historic sights to learn more about our continent’s past. Scandinavia and the Baltics also sit under the umbrella of Northern Europe and it is here where your soul will be truly set alight. From ornate churches, to colourful buildings, majestic scenery and cosmopolitan capital cities, you can have a range of very diverse outings all on the same trip. There’s much more on your doorstep than you might have realised!

Rivers of Europe

If you’d like to get right to the heart of the countries you want to see, sailing on the waterways which traverse them is a fantastic way to do it. And it’s just as easy to have a six star cruising experience thanks to how many of the ultra-luxury cruise lines sail this region throughout the summer months. There are far more choices than you might realise too. You can sail through France, whether it is to see Paris and the Landing Beaches of Normandy or to sample the local wines in Bordeaux.

Sail along the Douro in Portugal and you will be able to see the breath-taking scenery whilst sampling the regions different ports. Further east you can sail the Rhine, Danube or Main and see spectacular scenery, ancient castles, quaint towns and capital cities. And if flowers are your passion, head to the Dutch Waterways in April and you’ll see the tulips in bloom. There are so many rivers, so many itineraries and so many ships that you’ll no doubt need the help of a Connoisseur to decide!

Mediterranean

Elite ocean cruise lines sail around the Mediterranean all through the peak summer months, taking in ancient sights such as the Colosseum in Rome, the Acropolis in Athens and the city walls of Dubrovnik. You can hop between Greek Islands dotted in the crystal-clear sea.

Cruise the glamorous rivieras of France and Italy and explore the simply stunning Amalfi Coast. But an elite ocean ship is not the only way to see this place in style, as you can also take to the water like a true sailor by heading off yachting. These stunning yachts will glide you into the smaller ports larger ships can’t reach and will add that extra edge of glitz to your itinerary as you wander the streets and return to your excellent accommodation in luxury yacht-style form.

The Middle East

Six star cruising in the Middle East should be par for the course given the standards of service that can be seen in certain parts of this impressive region.

On the other hand, you’ll be seeing ancient sights in all their rustic glory; but you’ll no doubt appreciate your ship even more when you return to it! Pick your time to travel here wisely as the climate can be rather oppressive and won’t suit every traveller.

But when you do go at the right time of year for you, you’ll see palaces and mosques, giant shopping malls and towering buildings, waterparks and deserts, outdoor adventures and chic indoor temptations.

All of it combines to ensure you’ll have a culturally enriching and historically educational time. But you’ll also have some fun too!

Africa & the Indian Ocean

Africa conjures different pictures for different people and for many it is the thought of safari that might resonate the most. And whilst it may seem unlikely that you could have a safari as part of a cruise holiday, if that’s what you want then Panache Cruises can make it happen!

Most ocean cruises on this vast continent circle around South Africa, but with so much culture and history to see here, it really is a great itinerary to pick.

You’ll often sail north from Cape Town and stop off at many points along the way where you’ll see evidence of the difficulty history, new signs of its emergence to a culturally vibrant country and have a hint of some of the spectacular wildlife that call this place home.

Why Elite Ocean

Being so close to many game reserves, it would be wise to take advantage so we can help ensure you spot the Big Five whilst you’re on your travels. And if you’re six star cruising, there is no reason why this part of your holiday shouldn’t also be six star.

Many African cruises sail parts of the Indian Ocean too but if you’d like to explore it more, you can do so on a luxury cruise.

You’ll be able to sail around island paradises such as the Seychelles and you can pick your vessel – choose between an ocean ship or a yacht. Neither option will compromise your enjoyment or service levels so it really is just a case of personal preference.

Rivers of Africa

For something more certainly off the beaten track, why not opt for six star cruising on the rivers of Africa? There are two main regions to explore here, the Nile River in the north and the Chobe and Zambezi rivers in the south. If you take the north option, you’ll see pyramids and ancient stone structures. Sphinxes and ancient civilisations, tombs and deserts all await you and you’ll return home feeling thoroughly educated.

If you choose a more southerly sailing on the other hand, you’ll find a different kind of appeal. You’ll start perhaps in Johannesburg where you can soak up the culture before setting sail for several days taking in a great deal of the nature on the river banks along the way. You’ll eventually arrive at the incredible Victoria Falls, the largest waterfalls in the world in terms of volume, where you’ll be able to explore. These adventures are filled with wonder that will only be enhanced by the fact you’ll be in full six star cruising luxury.

A continent so vast you could visit it 100 times over and still see something new on each trip, the beauty of six star cruising here is that you’ll be able to see more all on the same trip and have your batteries fully recharged each evening to prepare you for the next day’s adventures. There are different regions to choose from for you to visit. Starting in India, we could enhance your trip by adding on a luxury land stay so you can see more of the famous landmarks such as the Golden Triangle.

Voyages from here tend to pass by Sri Lanka and the wonderful nature that is found here before ending in South East Asia, such as Thailand. Alternatively, you could choose to explore the famous skylines of the east, including those of Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore. All with their own obvious modern improvements but with a distinctive and interesting history too. Indonesia and the Philippines can also be explored from the comfort of the ships offering six star cruising so the opportunities really are endless – you’ll certainly need more than one voyage here!

Rivers of Asia

Visiting a continent from the sea can be a fabulous way to tour it but if you’d like to see more of what goes on deep within these lands themselves, you can choose six star cruising on the rivers here instead. You’ll be cutting across dramatic landscapes, seeing paddy fields in all their glory and the other scenery which is found there.

You’ll be able to visit monasteries, temples, cities and more and whilst you’re sailing, you’ll see traditional boats on the rivers and floating markets. You’ll enjoy all the vibrancy of colourful countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar and you’ll learn of their beautiful cultures and complex histories.

Australia & New Zealand

Heading to the land Down Under is one experience that many of us would like to enjoy at least once in our lifetimes. But the distance and the time it takes to get there can be off-putting, as well as the fact that in order to see a lot of it, you’d have to constantly up sticks and move to the next place. That’s where a cruise can help, as six star cruising can take a lot of this pain away.

When you arrive you will be welcomed on board your ultra-luxury ship and the service will ensure you are left wanting for nothing at all. This means that you can save all your energy to enjoy the places you are visiting, and you won’t even need to keep packing and moving on as you’ll be staying put in your suite!

You can visit all the main sights of Australia from Tasmania, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and even Darwin, having multiple experiences along the way. If you’d like to spend time in New Zealand, you can do that too with a comprehensive itinerary that covers both islands. You’ll learn about the Maori culture, see the influences of the British, sail through majestic landscapes and so much more on your Kiwi adventure.

The Pacific

There is much more to the huge expanse of water than meets the eye as you sail to its very heart. You will find islands treasures with beauty that is almost unparalleled and you’ll be sailing in style to make it all the more special. You’ll see the underwater worlds that live just beneath the surface, with bright corals and vibrant fish, turtles, rays and more. You’ll also learn about the myths and legends which surround the islands and see impressive structures and volcanic heights.

Palm trees will fringe the beaches and the waters will be calm and clear. You can opt to take an elite ocean cruise here or even try yacht-style cruising if you want to feel even more at one with the natural world you’re entering. So whether its French Polynesia or Hawaii you’re encircling, you can see it in a way that suits you.

The Americas

As you head across the Pacific, you’ll eventually land in the Americas and there are plenty of cruise options to explore here. In the north, you’ll of course find the USA and Canada and all the diversity they offer. You could take a voyage up the West Coast from San Diego, past LA and San Francisco up to Vancouver and see part of the Gold Rush trail, albeit in a little more decadent accommodation!

Sailing around Alaska will allow you to see the natural beauty of its landscapes, giving you the chance to spot whales and seals, birds and bears. On the East Coast, you can sail north from New York, past Boston and Maine and again arriving in Canada. Along the way you’ll see the quaint cobblestone streets and lighthouses, sample the chowder and if you head there in Autumn, you’ll see New England in the Fall with all its radiant colours.

Further south, you can explore the tropical and exotic countries of Central America which are filled with wildlife and exciting cultures. Spot brightly coloured birds on either an ocean or even an expedition style cruise as both will be readily available in this region. You might even be lucky enough to take the iconic voyage transiting the Panama Canal.

If you’d prefer to spend your time in South America, you can tour the west or east coasts, taking in the amazing sights along the wall. See the Falkland Islands, add on a trip to Machu Picchu, dance to tango beats, see Christ the Redeemer – there are so many incredible places to see here that you’ll be spoilt for choice. Until you let your Panache Cruises Connoisseur help, that is! We might even convince you that an expedition to the Galapagos Islands is the way forward!

One of the most well-known and popular cruise destinations with good reason, for this charming place is filled with islands to tempt you, people to delight you and experiences to entertain you. There are plenty of old favourites you can visit on your travels here, but the best part of six star cruising is that the cruise lines put a lot of effort into ensuring they offer the most cutting edge itineraries possible.

If you choose to, you can see the lesser visited Grenadines and British Virgin Islands and uncover their beautiful secrets. It’s the perfect place to try your hand at watersports and learn more about the laid-back island life. If you’d like to explore it in a more involved way without compromising on the six star cruising luxury, you can also opt for a yacht cruise here. There are so many to choose from thanks to the stunning location being so perfect for yachting that it really is a holiday you should enjoy at some point, and we can help you plan it all.

Transatlantic

A transatlantic voyage will always sound a glamorous affair and it certainly will be if you opt to sail across this vast ocean when six star cruising. You’ll be able to do much more than the sail the well-trodden path of those of yesteryear, as now you can take a much more exciting trip.

Why not sail from Brazil to Europe on a journey that stops off in Bermuda and possibly even the Azores? Or sail from Spain to Miami? The time spent at sea on your cruise ship will be extremely well spent when you sail in luxury with plenty of time to experience all of the facilities and enjoy the exceptional service.

Polar Regions

These are perhaps best conquered from an expedition cruise ship which will take you as close to the natural landscapes as is physically possible. When you take a six star expedition, you’ll head out on Zodiacs, guided by an expedition team of experts and you’ll be learning all the time.

You’ll come face to face with seals, whales, penguins and more and when you’ve finished your day of adventure, you’ll recline in complete luxury. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you should take if you are able to and the best way to do it is six star cruising.

World Cruises & Grand Voyages

There are few holiday choices you can make that are more indulgent than a world cruise on an elite ocean cruise ship. These voyages take several months and will take you to many continents and so many ports and countries you’ll no doubt lose count. Six star cruising around the world is an adventure of a lifetime and will require careful thought to ensure you choose the right one for you.

If you would like to try something a little less involved before you opt for a full world cruise, there are other itineraries which will give you a flavour of them. You could take a Grand Voyage, for example which is a more intensive cruise, lasting longer and seeing more. These can range from a couple of weeks to much more and will give you a real taste of how you might feel on a world cruise.

And you can even try parts of a world cruise, with a world cruise sector. The full itineraries are broken down into sections and you can join at any one of these points, sail for a while and then off again. So you’ll really see what the ambience on board a world cruise feels like.

FAQs about Six Star Cruising

What is life on board like.

The short answer to this, is completely and utterly luxurious. The whole ethos behind six star cruising is to treat the guests in the very best way possible and provide them with facilities, amenities, services, food and drinks which are practically unrivalled in even the best of the world’s hotel. You can expect an extremely warm welcome from all the staff and crew on board and this will continue throughout the duration of your itinerary.

There will be extra care and attention paid to you at every turn, from your personal preferences in the bars being remembered, to your name and to the attentive nature of your butler. Even the other passengers will be warm and welcoming as you join them on board. It is probable that you’ll find a lot of like-minded people within your ship so it might be an opportunity to make new friends.

Life will be sophisticated but relaxed. It is unlikely you’ll find a lot of formality so there shouldn’t need to be any reason to pack your tuxedo and cocktail dress! Instead, you’ll find an atmosphere of country club, elegant chic for you to enjoy your trip. You will have the opportunity to do as much or as little as you like with the facilities but they are all there, waiting for you to take advantage of whenever you’re ready.

The real feeling you will get from six star cruising is that the experience is personalised to you. That comes mainly from the attentive service, but also from the different dining and drinks options on board. It also comes from the ability to pick and choose from a variety of different excursions.

Whichever type of cruise you choose, whether it be elite ocean, luxury river, expedition or yacht-style, when it’s six star cruising you’ll find yourself experiencing similar feelings of inclusion, attentiveness and enjoyment.

What are excursions like when six star cruising?

Regardless of the type of cruise you choose, you will be offered a whole range of excursions that are included within your cruise fare. Every itinerary is very carefully put together by experts who know the regions extremely well and who will get the most out of every stop. The time in port is maximised so you can see, and do more, and in some cases, you’ll even have the option for extended stays, including overnights.

When it comes to the excursions, you will not find better in the cruise industry than six star cruising, simply because the cruise lines are so dedicated to offering you the best service. With many of the cruise lines, and certainly with the river providers, you will find that there are several options available whichever port you stop in. These are offered in order to show you different areas and provide you with a choice of experiences so you can pick the one which suits your individual preferences the best.

When it comes to expedition cruises, your excursions will be even more exciting and dramatic. You’ll have access to Zodiac boats which take guests out in small groups so you can land on shore lines you would never otherwise be able to reach. You will be taken on tours with expert members of the expedition team who not only know exactly where to take you, will educate you along the way. You’ll meet the local cultures and see the sort of wildlife species you have only ever seen in books or on the television. The whole point of an expedition cruise is to learn more about the natural living world around us and the excursions are put together to ensure you do exactly that. It is six star cruising at their finest!

In addition to the excursions that are included, you will have the option to add on some different ones too, that the cruise line will either create just for you so they are private, or that might be deemed as an extra special indulgence. At Panache Cruises, we can also help to plan certain events or additions that you would like adding in. Perhaps it’s a private tour of somewhere that means a lot to you. Or maybe a meal in a romantic location. There are so many things we can include on all the different types of cruises on offer, you will never be disappointed.

What can I expect of the dining?

Delicious, indulgent, exquisite gourmet cuisine is what awaits you when six star cruising and this is true of all the cruise lines. Dining is such a huge focus on board that it plays an important role with cruise lines going above and beyond to ensure theirs is the best it can be.

It is certainly the case that there will be more dining options on board the larger of the cruise ships, with the much smaller yachts and river ships only tending to have one main dining location. This doesn’t compromise the quality of the food and there will always be a full menu to choose from so you will have plenty to choose from. However, when it comes to certain expedition ships, you will find that the dining on board is as accomplished and plentiful as on the larger ships. Scenic Eclipse, for example, has as many as ten dining experiences!

On some of the larger ships, you will be treated to specialty dining which, when you go six star cruising, is included within the fare you pay or within the upgrades. You will find there are cuisines from around the world served in the different restaurants, as well as classics and favourites on offer. If there is something in particular you fancy too, you can always request it and the chef may well be able to accommodate your desires.

What is most important about the dining on board is that the quality of the meals is second to none. Many of the ships have a ‘farm to table’ ethos that means the produce used is fresh, sourced locally to ensure the best finished result. In some cases, you can even head off on a shopping trip with the chef where they will browse local markets and purchase artisan items which will then be used in the meals that evening. For that’s one of the elements many cruisers love; tasting locally inspired dishes, perhaps even specialties recreated in order for your destination immersion to continue that bit further.

If you don’t wish to dine in one of the restaurants on board, you will find that six star cruising often includes 24-hour in suite dining. This will allow you to have a meal in the privacy of your own company so might be a welcome change after a long day seeing the sights.

What are the facilities like?

Even on the smallest of the ships offering six star cruising, such as the yachts, you will still find certain facilities of which you can make use throughout the duration of your cruise. Even if they are small, you will find they are of an exceptionally high standard, as you would expect on a luxury holiday.

You will invariably find fitness facilities which include a well-equipped gym with state-of-the-art machinery. The fitness facilities can often extend out onto the deck with other activities being possible outdoors. You’re likely to be able to borrow bikes and Nordic walking poles on many of the river cruises too, to get your activity levels up. There will usually be several bars and lounges in which you can spend time relaxing or meeting new friends, and some of these might even be on the deck for some al fresco time. There are often pools, whether they be for swimming or more of a plunge size, and some feature hot tubs.

Entertainment tends to be on offer on most of the ships, dependent on their size, and on the larger cruise ships you will find auditoriums in which you can watch shows and hear lectures. In some cases, there are outdoor screens to watch films under the stars! There might be a library filled with books and possibly even computers and some have games to play too although you might find these out on deck on other ships. Generally speaking, most ships will offer some kind of spa services in very well-appointed facilities and there might even be a beauty salon too. This will allow you to feel truly pampered whilst away on your trip. Boutiques are likely to be found on the larger ships too, if you’d like to buy yourself or your loved ones a few treats.

One of the most impressive features on any ship though, tend to be the science or discovery centres on the expedition ships. These will allow an interactive experience through which you can learn more about the destinations you are visiting. All in all, you will be pleasantly surprised not just by the standard of the facilities available but also by how plentiful they are on what you thought was going to be a small ship.

Are there wellness facilities on board?

In addition to the fitness on offer, there tends to be a focus on wellness too, especially when six star cruising. This has become an increasingly popular topic in recent years with more and more guests placing an emphasis on it by having a desire to ‘reset’ themselves whilst away. Wellness facilities will include various elements such as the option to take part in certain classes, for example, yoga on the deck at sunrise. On some cruises, you will find that there are fully developed enrichment programmes to ensure you get the most out of the cruise too with areas to focus on wellness, lectures, wellness treatments in the spa and even juices and so on.

Wellness can of course come in many forms and is to be interpreted by the individual, but self-care is one of the most important ways to get the most out of any holiday so six star cruising should be no different. You’ll be able to speak with the fitness professionals on board who will be able to give you some tips regarding your general well-being and you’ll even be able select healthier options in the dining rooms to ensure you don’t over indulge too much!

What is service like when six star cruising?

Six star cruising service is so called because it exceeds any other type of service you might encounter, particularly on a holiday. It is the kind of service that no matter how many others might be on the ship, makes you feel well-cared for and attended to. It is a highly personalised service and many of the cruise lines say theirs is intuitive, meaning that guests will find their needs are being met before they have even identified them themselves. It’s also a promise that nothing is too much trouble, with no request too big or too small to be taken seriously.

This carries over into the butler service, which is often included when six star cruising. You’ll have 24-hour access to a highly trained butler who will always ensure they are on hand to cater to any request you might have. This might be something for your suite, help with a reservation, or simply just information about the ship’s facilities.

Six star cruising service is the type where you’ll find the crew remember your name, as well as your preferences, such as how you like your evening turn down or which drink you prefer before dinner.

It’s also the kind where you’ll have some fantastic added extras which will delight and surprise you, such as ‘Seabourn Moments’. These will be little things done just for you to make you feel extremely special when you least expect it.

Six star cruising service is all you would believe it could be and much more besides – you’ll never be disappointed with it.

How should I book to go six star cruising?

At Panache Cruises, we would of course always recommend you use the services of a trusted, experienced and reputable travel agent but with good reason. The essence of six star cruising is that it should suit your individual requirements perfectly and the only way you will ensure your cruise does that is by speaking with someone impartial who can offer all of the relevant cruise lines. It will require six star service from the agent themselves (which is exactly what our Connoisseurs provide) in order to fully understand who you are as a person and what you are looking for out of your holiday.

When booking with an agent such as Panache Cruises, you also have access to exclusive pricing and offers that cannot be found elsewhere, making your holiday better value for money. The agents also have the knowledge required to allow you to travel at the right time of year to your chosen destination.

Your Connoisseur will quite literally guide you every step of the way to not only ensure you choose a cruise which is right for you, but that every part of the process is as easy for you as possible. You will only ever deal with one person, there won’t be any call centres for you to speak to, and you’ll be supported with all the admin and extras you require such as transfers, excursions and special requests.

At Panache Cruises, we always recommend booking a cruise such as a six star one as early as possible. This will not only give you access to the best price, but will also mean you could get some extra benefits (especially if you book when the itinerary first goes on sale). Prices tend not to drop for six star cruising as the demand for them is so high and there are so few suites available. This also means you need to book early in order to avoid disappointment! The suite you want might not be available for long, after all. When you’re planning a holiday as luxurious as six star cruising, you deserve the booking experience to match and at Panache Cruises, that’s exactly what we provide.

Panache Cruises' Top Tips for Six Star Cruising

This is supposed to be a luxury holiday so you need to ensure it will be of the standard you are expecting otherwise you will be disappointed. It really is that simple. In the holiday world especially, many claims are made towards ‘luxury’ and ‘six star’ cruises but the reality can be far from the truth and standards can differ wildly. To avoid this issue, it would be highly recommended to use the services of a professional who can appropriately advise you on the level of service and inclusions you will be getting from your holiday and that way, you’ll have only good memories from your trip.

If you are going six star cruising then why not ensure every part of it is exactly as you desire, and not just the cruise itself? Your Panache Cruises Connoisseur will be able to curate your holiday in a way that suits you entirely. Whether it’s an executive car service transfer to your domestic airport, reservations in the lounge, seat upgrades on the flight, pre-cruise stays in excellent hotels and possibly even a land tour, your Connoisseur can arrange it all. They can also assist with any other special requests – just leave it all up to them and you’ll have a holiday which perfectly matches your requirements.

It is very easy to put off trying them and think you’ll use them later in the week, and before you know it, your trip is over and you never did have a massage or use the hot tub. You should easily be able to get your bearings as the ships are smaller and this means you’ll easily be able to find all the different areas, so make sure you use them! You don’t want to leave having any regrets so put that bit of time aside and go for it!

This starts when you first make your enquiry with Panache Cruises and does not end until you return home. If you have never cruised before, or never taken that particular type of cruise it is far better to ask questions than miss out on things. We can assure you, the crew will have heard it all before and are there to ensure you have the most enjoyable experience possible so ask away and you will not be disappointed!

The thought of chatting to strangers might fill you with dread but if you can start a little conversation, we would highly recommend it. You’re on board with people who clearly have some similar interests to you otherwise you wouldn’t be on the same itinerary, on the same ship, at the same time! You never know, you may really hit it off with these people and make some lifelong friends. But even if you don’t the likelihood is that you’ll get chatting to people from all walks of life which can be very interesting. And you might even get some tips about your cruise from them!

A cruise holiday is one which is based around the destination and this is even more true of six star cruising – the places you see really are the stars of the show. As such, it would be a terrible waste not to take part in as many of the excursions as you possibly can to see more of the areas you’re visiting. The excursions have been carefully put together to ensure you see intriguing places, learn fascinating facts and general have an experience to remember so take part in as many as you can.

Whilst we are not suggesting you habitually do things on your holiday that you don’t enjoy, it is often very rewarding to try new things once in a while. And it’s a great time to do it on a luxury cruise. It could be something like a new activity or even just opting for a different type of excursion than you might otherwise have chosen. It might be jumping off the marina platform into the sea beneath you or taking a flight in the on board helicopter. Even if you don’t end up loving the change, at least you will have tried it and know for next time it’s not for you. You’ll also no doubt feel a little proud of yourself and have a great memory too!

If you travel a lot, you might think you’ll remember all the elements of your holiday and will be able to recount them at the drop of a hat. However, memories fade with time so it is important to preserve them properly. One of the most effective ways of doing this of course is by taking plenty of pictures but even then, they days can blur together. It is a great idea to make some notes too and include descriptions of the clothes you were wearing on certain days so that you can immediately identify where you were at the time the picture was taken.

Why you should choose six star cruising

Six star cruising will show you the world in absolute style, with the kind of service you would expect from a six star proposition. You will be indulged in every whim, every desire, every luxury you could expect and it will make all the difference to your holiday. Six star cruising can be tailored to your needs and dependent on the type of cruise you choose, really could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will never forget.

Six star cruising is a highly personalised experience thanks to the attentive crew who will serve you on board and the range of options you will be faced with ashore. It isn’t simply that you’ll be in a floating hotel either, six star cruising is about much more than that. It’s the opportunity to enjoy new experiences, and explore new places in a way that suits you and it can take you to the far reaches of the globe in absolute style and luxury. There are many different types of six star cruising available so you will absolutely be able to find one which is just right for you. Let our expert Connoisseurs at Panache Cruises help you and you certainly won’t be disappointed.

Suggested companies

Panache cruises.

Sixstarcruises   Reviews

In the Travel & Vacation category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 4.9.

Most relevant

Great cruise, great value, great service

This was our first experience with Six Sar Cruises. Danielle Muldoon did an excellent job for us, and we were impressed by the service provided and the value for money.

Date of experience : March 31, 2024

1st Time we have used Sixstarcruises…

1st Time we have used Sixstarcruises and very impressed with the service and price and very professional throughout. It is nice to know you can speak to someone at any time if you have any queries. Our contact was Shirley McCue who went above and beyond to understand our needs.

Date of experience : April 08, 2024

Claire Charburn to the rescue

I was trying to make a new booking on board with Azamara moving up a tier in their loyalty programme and moving a deposit from a previous booking. Unfortunately, this was all too difficult for the Azamara staff on board. I contacted Claire Charburn at Six Star expecting to be given advice on how to resolve the issue myself but she immediately owned the problem, said she would sort it out and told me not to worry. It took a while and a lot of work from Claire but it is now all settled. Six Star are lucky to have someone as professional and competent as Claire.

Date of experience : April 09, 2024

First class service from Elizabeth Wright

We booked with Elizabeth who offered us an extremely competitive deal and provided us with first class service and advice. The whole cruise including flights, hotels and transfers was seamless. The cruise was wonderful and Elizabeth advised and booked us in a great cabin in a great location. Can’t wait to book the next one. Thank you Elizabeth

Date of experience : March 30, 2024

Sian Halliwell is brilliant

Sian Halliwell is brilliant. Knows her stuff and comes back to you with prices and revisions very quickly. Organisers every thing from hotel stays and transfers as needed. An excellent experience dealing with Sian all round.

Date of experience : March 27, 2024

Lyndsey McCracken answered all our…

Lyndsey McCracken answered all our questions.

Date of experience : April 17, 2024

Excellent booking experience

We have recently booked a cruise with Azamara for September (not our first cruise but first through Six Star Cruises) and we were fortunate to have Shirley McCue handle our booking. What a pleasant and easy process thanks to Shirley's friendly professionalism and knowledge - just what you need in a cruise adviser. Thank you Shirley.

Date of experience : February 13, 2024

Our exciting Seabourn cruise was…

Our exciting Seabourn cruise was cancelled at the last minute due to the unrest in the Middle East. I was recommended to six star by a pal and within a couple of hours Claire Chadburn came up with some options. We booked the following day and have had constant attention to make the paperwork simple for us technophobes. I will certainly use six star in the future and hopefully Claire will be there to look after us.

Date of experience : March 17, 2024

Claire Chadburn is very knowledgeable

Claire Chadburn is very knowledgeable, listened and quickly worked out an itinerary for us, which was just what we wanted. I'm used to booking holidays privately on line, and all the organisation that entails, but I've found it quite hard coordinating and checking into the various elements of the trip. Claire, as the concierge, has tried hard to simplify things for me, but lots of information and downloads are tucked away on Six Seas website, and I found these by accident!! Its been confusing knowing what I should be doing and what is the responsibility of the TA

Date of experience : March 26, 2024

Excellent service

Claire Chadburn was extremely helpful and efficient in deak8ng with our booking. We encountered problems with a pre cruise tour and Claire and her colleagues did their best to resolve the issue for us despite the obduracy of the cruise company concerned. There is now a lot of online administration necessary when booking a cruise and Claire was very helpful in navigating that aspect and reminding us when we needed to complete the various stage online. I would certainly recommend her and Sixstar to anyone booking a cruise.

Date of experience : March 04, 2024

Exceptional service.

Booked a cruise through 6 star cruises and couldn’t have had a better service. Claire Chadburn did a brilliant job answering e-mails outside her normal hours of working, and sorting things out before we went away. Well done Claire and 6 star.

Date of experience : March 02, 2024

We booked our Seabourn cruise with Claire Chadbur

We booked our Seabourn cruise with Claire Chadburn. This will be only our third Seabourn so we are still feeling our way through the process. Claire was very patient and extremely helpful - guiding us through the suite options and available locations - and all the other options and choices open to us. 10/10.

Great customer service

Claire Chadburn has been very helpful with my Regent Seven Seas booking. And very patient answering my queries and questions. I would recommend both her and Six Star.

Date of experience : March 25, 2024

Excellent support

I must say that I have telephoned Six Star Cruises on numerous occasions to ask difficult questions referring to my cruise, and most times have. Spoken to Lindsey McCracken- Specialist Support. She has been excellent, and has answered every question with patience and kindness. I am most grateful that you employ such an excellent Person that has taken time to assure me when I have been very worried that I am getting everything in place for my cruise. Regards Crystal Jones.m

Could not have wished for better.

In December last year or January this year (I can't remember the exact date) we decided to make an urgent amendment to our BA flights in the run up to our Seabourn cruise last month. Unfortunately our original Consultant was away from the office. Very fortunately however, my call was picked up by a young man called Sam (whose surname I forgot to ask for). We were on the line quite a while and he made it his business to make sure that all was sorted out for us. Thank you Sam, I hope you - and others - know who you are! Penny, March 2024.

Date of experience : December 12, 2023

Thank you Claire Chadburn our T A

Our TA Claire Chadburn, was great ,she is a Cheery can do lady, she made good suggestions & was very helpful, it was a pleasure talking to her.

Date of experience : March 14, 2024

Elizabeth Wright moved mountains after our cruise cancellation

I found out our Silversea cruise to Seychelles and Dubai was cancelled at 10.00 pm on a Friday evening from the Facebook roll call, after 9 months of planning. Silversea made no contact with us or Six Star. We spent the weekend looking for an alternate cruise. I emailed Oceania on Sunday afternoon and someone in the US replied. I reserved the last Concierge cabin and researched flights. Monday morning I emailed Elizabeth with the news. It was her day off but she immediately contacted Oceania and also looked at flight availability. By 11.00 am everything was confirmed. We left our house at 3.00 pm same day for Heathrow to fly to Madrid. We had the last 2 seats on a connecting flight to Santiago, Chile. Elizabeth booked an overnight stay at the Ritz Carlton Santiago, which was wonderful. The following day we boarded Oceania Marina and sailed the Chilean Fjords, also visiting Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Antarctica, the Falklands Islands (we were able to tender) Montevideo and Buenos Aires. We had no Pesos, excursions or dinner reservations and sorted everything on board! We also booked 3 extra nights in Buenos Aires and flew to Iguazu Falls, a truly stunning natural wonder. We had the trip of a lifetime, visiting two continents. We saw icebergs, whales, penguins and seals. None of this would have been possible without Elizabeth’s help. The situation really was a case of “if life gives you lemons, make lemonade”.

Date of experience : February 12, 2024

Good experience yet again!

On March13, 2024, we booked a cruise on Oceania with Rebecca Rimmer. We had used Rebecca for a previous cruise. As usual, she was very focussed and thought of all the details. She was very patient in finding us flights that were of a convenient time and good price. Thank you, Rebecca.

Date of experience : March 13, 2024

Once again Sandie Collier gets 5*’s

Once again Sandie Collier of Sixstarcruises has come up with a five star review. I have called other cruise companies but would not book anything until I have spoken to Sandie. Her knowledge, experience and general approach takes some beating. A great ambassador for cruising !! Mel Child

Date of experience : March 01, 2024

All the help we required on hand

Just like to thank Shirley McCue for her help and patience in booking our exciting cruise taking in Easter and Pitcairn Islands. I was pleased to get her check in call to make sure all of the necessary travel requirements had been correctly completed. Will certainly ask for her next time we book a cruise.

Date of experience : January 16, 2024

World Travel Holdings

One of the largest and fastest-growing multi-brand travel distributors in the UK.

WORLD TRAVEL HOLDINGS UK

Co-Founded in June 2008, World Travel Holdings UK is one of the largest and fastest-growing multi-brand travel distributors in the UK, based in the Lancashire town of Chorley.

GLOBAL BRANDS

World Travel Holdings UK boasts a number of owned brands including Cruise118 – a multi award-winning travel agent of major cruise line; Six Star Cruises – a leader in specialist luxury cruising; and River Voyages – Europe’s leading agent of river cruises.

EXCEPTIONAL AS STANDARD

In tandem with U.S.-based World Travel Holdings, “Exceptional as Standard” is their path to delivering a remarkable customer experience. From the beginning, World Travel Holdings UK has built a strong service ethic into the heart of its business and created the unique concept of the ‘Cruise Concierge’ – a one-to-one personalized service that has earned many customer service awards over the past few years. World Travel Holdings UK is fully bonded by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA L3743) for complete peace of mind.

RECOGNIZED INDUSTRY LEADER

With brands operating across the full spectrum of the cruise marketplace, World Travel Holdings UK can provide a cruise to suit any travel desire. Customers can book from 9am every day of the week through the company’s experienced and talented staff. As a recognized leader in the industry, World Travel Holdings UK is able to provide both the best rates and the best service in the UK cruise industry.

Cruise118.com Cruise118 is one of the UK’s fastest growing cruise retailers and has quickly established itself at the forefront of the industry, delivering everything you would expect from a cruise retailer – the latest information about cruise holidays , advice on which  cruise line  and cabin type to choose and of course, lots of exclusive  cruise deals .

Customer research showed that there was a vast difference in the quality of service in cruise retailing to that actually delivered on the cruise ships themselves, so Cruise118 created the unique concept of the ‘Cruise Concierge’. This is their award-winning service difference and one that sets them apart. Each Cruise Concierge is trained and dedicated to deliver superior levels of service with the ability and expertise to personalise holidays to suit specific requirements and tailor holidays to specific needs. Nothing is too much trouble.

SixStarCruises.co.uk Six Star Cruises offers the finest cruising experiences, drawn from among the world’s ultimate cruise companies. Choose between internationally renowned luxury liners and small, specialist companies.

Whatever your choice, you can be sure of sumptuously appointed suites and staterooms, once-in-a lifetime excursions, exquisite food and drink, and the most attentive yet unobtrusive service you could possibly imagine. Six Star Cruises endeavours to make sure your cruise experience is the best that it could possibly be. From the moment of your first enquiry, your own unique Cruise Concierge will begin taking care of your every need, proposing just the right destinations, liners and itineraries for you. And they’ll look after every detail for you until the moment you depart and your solicitous on-boardstaff take over.

RiverVoyages.com River Voyages are the experts when it comes to the world of river cruising, offering incredible cruise fares from the world’s leading river cruise lines. And they offer more than just great fares. On first contacting River Voyages, customers will be assigned their very own, personal River Cruise Concierge who will assist with everything leading up to the journey and ensure that every package is individually suited to the customer.

River Voyages provides a destination to suit every taste including beautiful French vineyards along the Rhone, fairytale castles and pretty German towns along the Rhine, traditional Christmas markets along the Danube, the ancient wonders of China along the Yangtze, and iconic ancient Egyptian sites along the Nile.

British Airways’ Executive Club World Travel Holdings UK is partnered with British Airways’ Executive Club to award Executive Club Members Avios when booking cruise holidays with them. These can then be redeemed on flights and cabin upgrades. Avios is a global currency which can be collected using British Airways partners, such as on flights, hotel stays, car hire, and now cruises. World Travel Holdings UK has an expert team of Cruise Concierge who can tailor-make cruise holidays to include British Airways flights, which fly out to more than 200 destinations.

All private-label partners have a dedicated Brand Manager as a single point of contact. Brand Managers work in tandem with partners to develop and implement marketing efforts based upon mutual goals and strategy.

• Our History
• Our Leadership Team
• VP s & GM s
• Working Here
• Work @ Home
• Become A Travel Agent
• Search Jobs (U.S.)
• Search Jobs (U.K.)
• Travel With Us
• Start A Travel Franchise
• Make Money Selling Vacations
• Partnership Opportunities
• 2024 Press Releases

Destinations

• All Holidays
• Coach Holidays
• Duration 01 - 04 Days
• Duration 05 - 08 Days
• Duration 09 - 11 Days
• Duration 12 Days Plus
• European Flight Holidays
• North & South America
• UK Holidays
• Worldwide Group Holidays
• All Destinations
• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States

Your trip starts right here.

Popular tours.

Disney Special 4 Days

Devon and Cornwall 3 Days

Panoramic Europe 5 Days

Treasure of Europe 9 Days

Swiss Special 4 Days

Japan 8 Days

Paris 4 Days

Historic Scotland 4 Days

Discover Europe 9 Days

Scenic Snowdonia 2 Days

Swiss & Paris 9 Days

Scenic Swiss 6 Days

Panoramic Europe by Eurostar 5 Days

Italy by Flight 6 Days

Tour of London 1 Day

Holland & Belgium by Eurostar 3 Days

Paris 3 Days

Lakes & Valleys 7 Days

Dubai 5 Days

Tours by eurostar.

Paris and Disneyland by Eurostar 3 Days

Faraway tours.

Australia & New Zealand 16 Days

Iceland 8 Days

Explore the world with us

We believe that touring should be fun and that our guests should be well-versed in the history and aspects of culture, whilst they explore the world. Our tours are designed for travellers to enjoy a diverse array of fascinating countries.

Passionate expert tour managers Nationwide pick up points 24 hour dedicated enquiry team Stay at charming hotels hand picked by us Tips included on all our European holidays

“Highly recommended. I will definitely be using Star Tours again in the future.”

All package holidays are financially protected.

Book with confidence. All package and Flight-Plus holidays we sell are covered by a scheme protecting your money if the supplier fails.

Awards & Accreditations

We are a member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance

Need a visa? We can help

How to book your trip

Things you might find useful.

Chauffeured minibus and coach hire

Travel with peace of mind

Destinations

Lima - Peru

From £792.00 for flight-only

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia 

From £810.00 for flight-only

Madrid - Spain

From £140.00 for flight-only

Sydney - Australia

From £970.00 for flight-only

Toronto - Canada

From £440.00 for flight-only

Buenos Aires - Argentina

From £787.00 for flight-only

New York - United States

From £449.00 for flight-only

Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

From £699.00 for flight-only

Orlando - Florida

From £598.00 for flight-only

Bangkok - Thailand

From £852.00 for flight-only

Algarve - Portugal

Dubai - United Arab Emirates

From £550.00 for flight-only

More Destinations?

Contact us at [email protected] for further deals, travel extras, star travel helps customers make their holidays the best and most complete experience. therefore, we have carefully selected a range of travel extras that will help make your holidays more enjoyable..

Booking car hire with Star Travel is easy, we work with the UK’s leading car hire broker and can offer competitive prices in over 170 countries at more than 23,000 locations worldwide.

We work with all the major car hire providers and guarantee to have a car available at a location that suits you.  

Please contact us for more details.  

Arrived at your destination and need a ride? Here at Star Travel we can book your Airport Transfers Worldwide to hundreds of destinations around the world.   Choose from shared airport shuttles, private transfers, airport taxis, luxury transfers, minibus and minivans or even a private coach. We work with Holiday Extras, they only use the most trusted holiday transfers suppliers, so you can ensure you're getting the highest quality, safest, and most reliable airport transfer available, in the most popular destinations across the world.

Airport Transfer

Parking for your trip could never be easier when booking with our preferred supplier Holiday Extras.  

They are the UK's favourite airport parking booking company because they secure the best prices and offer the best service. Choose from 100’s of safe, easy, reliable airport car parks within the UK.

Booking your parking or hotel parking through Star Travel gives you access to discounted rates at the official airport car parks at all major UK airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester Airport plus many more.  We can also offer a wide range of Airport hotels plus Park & Ride and Meet and Greet parking too.

Please contact us for more details.

Airport Parking

As we all know, Airports can not only be tricky to navigate, but you'll often spend the majority of your time queuing through various checkpoints before you reach your gate. 

Why not skip the queues with the VIP Fast Track Pass! Fast Track passes enable you to pass through airport security, bypassing the normal queues by stepping into the VIP Fast Track lane instead. This eliminates not only the amount of time queueing, but also the associated stresses or complications that may arise.

Fast Track Passes are available at most UK Airports – prices available upon request.

Arriving at the airport with plenty of time before departure is sensible but often leaves you with a lot of time to kill before you fly.

Using our preferred supplier Holiday Extras, we can help our customers start their holiday early away from the crowds. Relax, unwind and indulge at a wide range of airport lounges before you fly. With an airport lounge pass you can put your feet up, away from the busy departure areas, and enjoy a bit of peace. Lounge passes include a selection of free drinks, snacks and reading material and most Lounges will have a TV, Wi-Fi and entertainment area. Not only can we book airport lounges in the UK but we are also delighted to have great deals on VIP lounges in Europe and Worldwide. European airport lounges and Worldwide airport lounges are a great way to end your holiday away from the hustle and bustle of busy international terminals.

Airport Lounges

Whether you're taking a two-week break in the sun, a quick weekend away, or a round-the-world adventure, finding the right travel insurance is just as important as booking your flights or choosing your ideal destination.

Travel Insurance provided by Holiday Extras Cover Ltd could be what you need!

For more information or to obtain a quote, please click here - https://www.holidayextras.com/travel-insurance.html?agent=IA965 Or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor. - Please quote IA965 upon calling.

Travel Insurance

Main Airline Partners

and many more, please ask for further details

Why star travel, regulated company.

Located in the United Kingdom with ATOL and IATA Licenses.

COMPETITIVE PRICES

Our goal is to provide you with the most competitive flight and vacation prices.

English, Spanish & Portuguese speaking staff

Located in the United Kingdom with ATOL and IATA Licenses

BEST PRICE GUARANTEE

Our aim is to offer you the best flight and holiday prices

Main partners

Customer Reviews

Proud sponsors of leyton orient football club.

Money latest: First time house buyers expected to benefit from new law

Building society reforms could help people trying to get on to the property ladder. The bill is backed by cross-party MPs, saying the changes will support "more working people to become homeowners". You can also listen to the latest Sky News Daily podcast about inflation as you scroll.

Friday 19 April 2024 19:28, UK

• Barclays criticised for making 'ludicrous' decision to limit cash deposits
• Scammers targeting pet owners - here's what to look out for 
• Do solar panels work in Britain's wet and cloudy climate?
• Ketchup swaps that could eliminate tablespoons of sugar from your diet

Essential reads

• Spotlight on unpaid carers: 'You can't afford to feel': The woman who cares for her daughter, son and husband
• Ian King analysis: Why an interest rate cut may not come as soon as you think
• Basically… How to improve your credit score
• Money Problem: My boss ruined end of maternity leave with ultimatum - what are my rights?

Tesla has recalled more than 3,800 of its Cybertruck models following complaints that the accelerator pedal is at risk of getting stuck, US regulators have announced.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had contacted the carmaker, founded and run by Elon Musk, about the issue earlier in the week.

That was after a video came to light, on the billionaire entrepreneur's X platform and TikTok, showing how a rubber cover attached to the accelerator could come loose, pinning the pedal down.

It has since been watched millions of times on both platforms.

Meta's AI has told a Facebook user it has a disabled child that was part of a New York gifted and talented programme.

An anonymous parent posted in a private parenting group, asking for advice on which New York education programme would suit their child.

They described the child as '2e' which stands for twice-exceptional and means they have exceptional ability and also a disability.

"Does anyone here have experience with a '2e' child in any of the NYC G&T [Gifted & Talented] programs?" the user asked.

"Would love to hear your experience, good or bad or anything in between."

Instead of getting a response from another parent, Meta's AI replied.

"I have a child who is also 2e and has been part of the NYC G&T program," it began.

Read more on this story here ...

People who are fit to work but do not accept job offers will have their benefits taken away after 12 months, the prime minister has pledged.

Outlining his plans to reform the welfare system if the Conservatives win the next general election, Rishi Sunak said "unemployment support should be a safety net, never a choice" as he promised to "make sure that hard work is always rewarded".

Mr Sunak said his government would be "more ambitious about helping people back to work and more honest about the risk of over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life" by introducing a raft of measures in the next parliament.

You can read more about what they include here ...

Building society reforms - backed by MPs - could help people trying to get on to the property ladder.

The Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Bill is closer to becoming law after its third reading was unopposed in the Commons.

The idea is to expand societies' lending capacity via modernisation.

Tory MP Peter Gibson the bill would help with "cutting red tape" and removing "outdated bureaucratic governance systems not faced by the big banks". 

It follows a government consultation which looked at how to allow building societies to "compete on a more level playing field with banks".

The bill is government-backed and Labour is behind it too, saying the changes will support "more working people to become homeowners".

Labour's Julie Elliott, the bill's sponsor, said: "It is important to acknowledge that whilst the housing sector has recovered significantly since the record low mortgage approvals during the COVID pandemic, approvals currently are still below that which we saw before the pandemic. 

"That is why I think a bill like this, which gives more choice to the building society sector to operate in the interests of its members, is a good thing."

Treasury minister Gareth Davies offered the government's support and said the bill would help ensure the "future growth and success" of the building society sector. 

Labour's shadow Treasury minister Darren Jones said building societies "direct a significant proportion of their lending to first-time buyers" and the bill "could unlock significant additional lending capacity".

The bill will undergo further scrutiny in the House of Lords.

By  James Sillars , business reporter

There was a worse than expected performance for retail sales last month, defying predictions of a consumer-led pick up from recession for the UK economy.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported sales volumes were flat in March, following an upwardly revised figure of 0.1% for the previous month.

It said sales at non-food stores helped offset declines at supermarkets.

Sales of fuel rose by 3.2%.

ONS senior statistician Heather Bovill said of the overall picture: "Retail sales registered no growth in March.

"Hardware stores, furniture shops, petrol stations and clothing stores all reported a rise in sales.

"However, these gains were offset by falling food sales and in department stores where retailers say higher prices hit trading.

"Looking at the longer-term picture, across the latest three months retail sales increased after a poor Christmas."

While the performance will not damage the  expected exit from recession  during the first quarter of the year, it suggests that consumers are still carefully managing their spending.

While the  cost of living crisis  - exacerbated by the  Bank of England's interest rate rises  to push  inflation  down - has severely damaged budgets, wage growth has been rising at a faster pace than prices since last summer.

Separate ONS data this week has shown the annual rate of inflation at 3.2% - with wages growing at a rate of 6% when the effects of bonuses are stripped out.

Economists widely believe consumer spending power will win through as the year progresses, despite borrowing costs remaining at elevated levels.

"Misleading" labelling in some supermarkets means shoppers may not know where their food comes from, Which? has said.

Loose cauliflowers, red cabbage, courgettes and onions at Sainsbury's, peppers, melons and mangoes at Asda, and spring onions at Aldi had no visible origin labelling on the shelf or the products themselves, the consumer organisation found during research.

Only 51% of people find origin information on groceries helpful, a survey found.

Two thirds (64%) said they would be more likely to buy a product labelled "British" than one that was not. 

Almost three quarters (72%) said it was important to know where fresh meat comes from, while 51% said they wanted to know where processed and tinned meat comes from.

Under current rules, meat, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables, honey and wine should be labelled with the country or place of origin.

"Research has uncovered a surprising amount of inconsistent and misleading food labelling, suggesting that - even when the rules are properly adhered to - consumers aren't getting all the information they want about their food's origin," said Which? retail editor Ele Clark.

"Supermarkets should particularly focus on labelling loose fruit and vegetables more clearly."

An Aldi spokeswoman said: "We understand that our shoppers want to know where the food they buy comes from, and we work hard to ensure that all our labelling complies with the rules.

"When it comes to fresh fruit and veg, we are proud to support British farmers and aim to stock British produce whenever it's available. Customers understand that at this time of year that isn't always possible, but we remain firmly committed to supporting the British farming community."

Asda said: "We have stringent processes in place to ensure country of origin is clearly displayed at the shelf edge and on products themselves where applicable, at all our stores.

"We have reminded our colleagues at this particular store of these processes so that customers are able to clearly see the country of origin."

A spokesman for Iceland said: "At Iceland our products are great quality and value for customers and we follow UK government guidance on food labelling, including country of origin."

A Sainsbury's spokeswoman said: "We have processes in place to make sure country of origin information is clearly displayed on the product or shelf and we carry out regular checks working closely with our regulator, the Animal and Plant Health Agency."

By Jess Sharp , Money team 

Barclays has been criticised for making the "ludicrous" decision to limit how much cash its customers can deposit in a year. 

Ron Delnevo from the Payment Choice Alliance said the move was a "disgrace" and accused the bank of trying to force businesses to stop accepting cash. 

From July, the change will mean Barclays customers can only deposit up to £20,000 per calendar year into their personal accounts. 

The limit will reset every January. 

It comes after Natwest made a similar decision last year, capping deposits to £3,000 a day, or £24,000 in any 12-month period. 

"The decision by Barclays is ludicrous. This is plainly an anti-cash move," Mr Delnevo told Sky News. 

"It is trying to take free choice from people. It's like it is saying, 'if you are using cash, then we think you are a criminal'.

"It's a disgrace quite frankly and there is no excuse for it. It's just wrong." 

Asked if he was concerned other banks could follow suit, he said: "Definitely." 

He gave the example of someone selling a car for cash. "How would you deposit the money into your account?" he asked.

Barclays said the change was being made to help it identify "suspicious activity". 

"We take financial crime and our responsibility to prevent money laundering seriously," a spokesperson said. 

"We have contacted customers to let them know that from July we are making some changes to the amount of cash customers can deposit into their Barclays accounts.

"We have set the limit at an amount that will allow us to better identify suspicious activity, while still ensuring our customers have access to cash."

The UK's estimated 23 million pet owners are at risk of a new kind of scam, one that took nearly £240m in the first six months of last year. 

Scammers are now targeting the most vulnerable owners – those who’ve lost their pets. 

Fraudsters are turning to lost pet forums and websites to claim they've found missing pets, demanding a ransom payment for their return.

Figures from UK Finance reveal this type of fraud – known as Authorised Push Payment (APP), when a victim is tricked into sending money directly to a criminal’s account - cost British consumers £239.3m in the first six months of 2023.

James Jones, head of consumer affairs at Experian, has some tips on how to avoid the scam...

• Never pay the ransom – If someone is demanding a large sum of money in exchange for your pet's safe return, call the police immediately. Never pay the money upfront, as it will most likely be a scam. Be sure to take a step back and analyse the situation.
• Examine the photos - is it a fake? – In an era where the use of artificial intelligence to fabricate photos is becoming increasingly commonplace, spotting a fake is becoming more challenging. But if you do receive a suspicious photo, make sure to take a closer look to determine whether it is in fact your pet. To do this, check if the photo has been taken from your social media profile and reframed to pass as a recent photo. You should also check for any signs of photoshopping. This could be the way the image has been cut, or the lack of shadows. It is also always helpful to get a second opinion – what you might miss, another person could spot.
• Spotting fabricated stories – Scammers may share specific personality traits you recognise about your pet to convince you they legitimately have it in their possession. However, they may be getting this information from adverts you’ve shared on missing pet websites, or even details shared about your pet on your social media profiles. Be extra cautious and question their authenticity.
• Be careful not to overshare on social media – While sharing information of pets on social media channels is commonplace, this can make them a goldmine for fraudsters. Always be careful about posting personal details, such as your address, pet’s name, or your location in real time. This is all information a fraudster could use to their benefit. Even if you have a private account, you still need to be cautious, as fraudsters have sophisticated methods for obtaining personal information.
• Avoid using your pet’s name as your password – The easiest password to remember is your pet’s name, but unfortunately fraudsters know this too. Of course, you need to be able to remember your passwords, but it’s vital not to make them too simple. The ideal password should contain a minimum of 10 characters using a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. As a rule of thumb, it’s also best to ensure you are using muti-factor authentication, when possible.

The British public donated some £13.9bn to charity last year, but higher earners who give to their chosen causes could be missing out on a tax break. 

"Many may be missing out on the tax perks of giving to charity, which can help to reduce their tax bill and save them from tax traps," Charlene Young, pensions and savings expert at AJ Bell, said. 

There is some £500m of unclaimed Gift Aid rebates - which you could be eligible for - according to data seen by AJ Bell. 

In order to get to the bottom of this, we need an understanding of Gift Aid. 

"Gift Aid is a tax incentive that gives a top up on donations from UK taxpayers to a UK registered charity or community amateur sports clubs (CASC)," Charlene explains. 

Within the scheme, the government tops up the charity donation by 25% - turning a £100 donation into £125 for the charity or CASC. 

"But there’s a tax break on offer for higher and additional rate taxpayers too - they can claim up to 20% or 25% on their donations," Charlene adds. 

Not only does the scheme mean charities can access more money at no extra cost - higher band taxpayers can claim some cash back. 

This table shows how much you can claim back...

"Claims are usually made via a self-assessment tax return, but you can ask HMRC for a P810 form to fill in if you don’t normally file a return. You can also backdate claims for up to four years, so it is worth looking into this as soon as possible," Charlene says. 

Although 94% of higher earners donating to charity have heard about Gift Aid, only 52% are aware they could claim a tax rebate on their donations, according to HMRC data. 

That leaves expected unclaimed rebates at around £500m. 

Geoff, a higher rate UK taxpayer, pays £780 in charitable donations over the course of a year. 

Gift aid tops this up to £975.

Geoff is eligible to claim back £195 (20% of £975) in tax relief from HMRC via self-assessment, or by contacting HMRC directly. 

In total, this means the charity has received £975 - but it has only cost Geoff £585. 

Avoiding tax traps

"If you're caught by tax traps, gift aid could help you lower your tax bill and put money towards good causes," Charlene says. 

"You might be a parent who has gone over the £50,000 high income child benefit charge, meaning you'd start to lose child benefit [HICBC].

"Or if your earnings have breached £100,000 you start to lose your tax-free Personal Allowance at a rate of £1 for every £2, a whopping effective rate of tax of 60% on earnings between £100,000 and £125,140.

"Making a charity donation and claiming Gift Aid means the full value of the donation [what you pay plus the government top up] is deducted from the income that would otherwise count towards the £100,000 limit [or £50,000 for HICBC]."

The market reaction to Israel's attack on Iran is muted so far.

While Brent crude oil rose by 2% in response initially, it is currently just over 1% up on the day at $88 a barrel.

That is below where it started the week after Iran had launched its drone and missile strikes on Israel.

The future direction will probably depend on how Iran chooses to respond to events overnight.

Stock markets are also feeling some strain and, being Friday, we could see a rush to protect positions over the weekend later in the day.

Japan's Nikkei was 2.6% down though the Hang Seng was just 0.9% lower.

In Europe, the reaction was similar to that seen in Hong Kong.

The FTSE 100 fell 0.4% at the open - with small gains in energy stocks offsetting some of the wider hit to sentiment from events in the Middle East.

Travel-related stocks were seeing some of the worst pain due to the threat of disruption.

British Airways owner IAG shed 3.5% while easyJet was 2.3% off and Ryanair not far behind that figure.

By Ollie Cooper, Money team

It can be hard to balance getting nutritious foods that make you feel good without emptying your wallet.

In this series every Friday, we're trying to find the cheapest ways to identify the healthiest options in the supermarket.

We've asked  Sunna Van Kampen,  founder of  Tonic Health ,  who went viral on social media for reviewing supermarket products in the search of healthier choices, for his input. 

The series does not aim to identify the outright healthiest option, but to help you get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

Today we're looking at ketchup - which contains a surprising amount of sugar. 

What's the worry with sugar?

"Reducing added sugars in your diet can lead to significant health benefits, including weight loss and decreased risk of heart disease," Sunna says. 

"But fear not, ketchup connoisseurs: there's a way to enjoy your sauce and look after your health too."

How much sugar? 

The average bottle of ketchup has around 4g of sugar per tablespoon. 

If you're having a generous dollop of ketchup three times a week, you're adding more than 600g of sugar to your diet each year from one condiment. 

"That's a whole lot of sweet for something that's supposed to be savoury," Sunna says. 

"Another way to look at it is that you're having a teaspoon of sugar drizzled over your French fries - it feels wrong, doesn't it?"

The good news is there's plenty of options.

Avoiding premium ketchups can save your wallet and your sugar intake - they tend to up sugar content by 35% to more than 30g per 100g.

A standard bottle of Heinz contains 22.8g of sugar per 100g.

"Without getting into the taste debate, Heinz's rival Hellman's comes up trumps for your health by lowering the sugar content to 18g per 100g," Sunna says. 

Heinz has created two lower-sugar versions: a 50% less sugar option (at 11g per 100g) and Heinz's No Added Sugar & Salt (4.4g of sugar per 100g).

"But watch out here," Sunna says, "as they do add artificial sweeteners in their place (sucralose)". 

In his view, there are two newer challenger brands that deserve a mention as they cut sugar without the artificial additives. 

"Dr Wills Ketchup using dates instead of sugar (15g per 100g) and Hunter & Gather keep the sweet stuff out entirely (6g per 100g). 

So, he says, there is "plenty to choose from to suite your taste buds and health needs".

What does that look like over time?

Making small changes for your health can build up to a big impact over the long term. 

"Going from standard Heinz to the brand's no sugar option will save you more than 500g of sugar a year in your diet," Sunna says. 

What's the cost? 

"Surprisingly, opting for a healthier ketchup doesn't mean squeezing your wallet dry," Sunna says. 

A bottle of Heinz No Added Sugar & Salt costs around £0.80 per 100g and is the most expensive.

The 50% less sugar version is cheaper at £0.54 per 100g. 

That's only 4% more than the standard, more sugary version, which costs £0.52 per 100g. 

"This way you'll save 32% on the price of your ketchup (compared with no sugar) and 50% of the sugar content for your health - that's a win-win," Sunna says. 

"In the grand scheme of dietary changes, switching ketchup varieties might seem small. But it's these little tweaks that can add up to a big difference in your health."

The nutritionist's view -  from  Dr Laura Brown , senior lecturer in nutrition, food and health sciences at Teesside University

"I would say that yes, they are correct in that the focus should be health over money and the reduced sugar version does not make too much of a difference. 

"Also, there is the option of making your own ketchup too, in which you could manipulate the ingredients to add more natural flavours that will reduce the need for the added sugar - provided it is consumed within a shorter space of time."

Read more from our series... 

By Bhvishya Patel, Money team

This week, we've been speaking to some of Britain's struggling unpaid carers, hearing at times heart-breaking accounts of their physical, emotional and financial struggles.

In our final instalment in the series, a woman who cares for her daughter, son and husband says it is a "lonely job" and you often feel "looked down on" as she urges the government to "look at the bigger picture" when it came to help.

"I care for three people but I'm allowed to get Carer's Allowance once. The allowance is deducted from my Universal Credit so in effect I do not get paid for caring at all." Suzanne Buckner, unpaid carer

Suzanne's daughter Charlotte, or Lottie as her mother and father Mark call her, was three when she was diagnosed with a neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that affects children and develops in early nerve cells, in 2010.

Her gruelling treatment left her with a number of healthcare problems, including the development of three benign tumours in her liver, non-autoimmune type 1, type 2 and type 3 diabetes and asplenia.

Charlotte, now 17, is also deaf and has severe back problems due to discs growing into her vertebrae.

"My daughter was told by her oncologist in December they didn't actually expect her to survive," Suzanne, 56, says.

Suzanne is also a carer for her son, 23, who has multiple complex conditions and her husband, 62, who has mental health conditions.

"It's an eclectic collection - one minute I'm a mental health nurse, then I'm dealing with behavioural problems and then it's just classic nurse," she says.

Suzanne receives universal credit of around £972 a month after her carer's allowance is deducted.

She says the carer's allowance earnings limit, set at £139 a week, means carers like her are "caught in this trap" where they can't earn above the limit for fear of losing their benefit money.

"I care for three people but I'm allowed to get carer's allowance once. The allowance is deducted from my universal credit so in effect I do not get paid for caring at all," she says.

"It's ridiculous because if I handed my family over to the state, can you imagine how much money it would cost?

"I sometimes think central government does not have the ability to calculate or look at the bigger picture."

Recently, Suzanne got "quite poorly" and was told to go to A&E after she was unable to get an appointment with her GP.

"I thought 'I can't go to A&E I've got to look after my family'. I think that's another area that's not looked at - the health and wellbeing of carers. It's a lonely job," she says.

"Even though I was sick, I was making sure Lottie was having her injections and medicines. You can't afford to feel.

"Emotionally it is hard because sometimes you can't fix the problem. There isn't a magic solution and you can't make a phone call.

"It doesn't matter to a degree how much money you've got, it  isn't going to go away. If someone is poorly, they are poorly."

Suzanne used to run several companies, including an advertising agency, before becoming a carer for her family and now does telecoms regulation consultancy work when she can.

Holding down a 9-5 job is "not possible for most carers".

"Lottie getting cancer taught me so much about life - do not plan," she says.

"If she had to go to hospital today that means I have to change all the tutors she's having and it can happen overnight.

"Having a child with cancer is even more of a lonely thing because it's quite a rare thing. If she gets sick, life just turns upside down."

After undergoing chemotherapy, Lottie was left with a low blood temperature and therefore keeping the house warm is important, Suzanne says, which increases heating costs.

The costs can go up further if Charlotte needs to go to hospital as this means trips "all over the country" to hospitals in Birmingham, the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, increasing fuel and food costs.

'Less of a citizen'

Suzanne says there is "absolutely" a pressure on her finances and if it were not for the inheritance her mother left her, she "wouldn't be living".

"Both my husband's parents are dead and my parents are dead. I don't have siblings that live close by so I don't have any support," she says.

"I think the problem is, unless you've walked in somebody's shoes, you really don't understand."

Suzanne says there are some things central and local government could do to help, such as giving personal budgets through direct payments, which would allow carers to choose the support and help they needed.

"Personally I feel you get looked down on. People think you're only a carer, you get benefits, you're less of a citizen - that really annoys me," she says.

"I think the benefits system doesn't work. I'm not suggesting that all carers in the UK should be paid a certain amount, but they should be paid equitably so that people don't get to the point mentally where they say 'I can't do this anymore'. 

"There need to be some serious, high-level debates and they need to involve carers in those debates. 

"The government need to look at how much money they are wasting in the care system by doing the wrong things."

Speaking of her daughter's battles, Suzanne adds: " I don't know how she copes - I think she's an inspiration.

"She has to be pulled and tugged by doctors and have test after test, and she tolerates it all. Sometimes when I'm watching her have these tests I think to myself 'I don't know how she does it'". 

Charity calls for review

Helen Walker, chief executive at Carers UK, says it is in the state's interest to support unpaid carers because "if a carer goes down then the state has to look after two people".

If you have to give up work to care, she says, "you are going to find yourself spiralling into poverty".

"Carer's allowance hasn't had a fundamental review for years so we would like a review looking at who is eligible for it, how it works and an increase to the amount," she adds.

"And also there needs to be an increase to the amount of hours you can work while caring.

"Social care is underfunded so it needs some real investment in order for unpaid carers to be able to care safely and well.

"What many carers will say is they need a break. It's not that they don't want to care, it's that they are exhausted. They are at breaking point."

A government spokesperson said: "Unpaid carers play a vital role in the lives of their family and friends, which is why from April we're boosting carer's allowance meaning carers receive an extra £1,500 a year compared to 2010.

"Those in low income households may also be eligible for additional financial support such as universal credit."

You can read the previous parts of our series here:

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Katie Price, 45, ‘having pregnancy symptoms’ after admitting she wants sixth baby

Share this with

Pregnancy can be a transformative time for many expectant parents and it’s a feeling Katie Price knows only too well as a mum of five.

Now the 45-year-old former glamour model has admitted she’s feeling some symptoms that are very similar to those of a pregnant person.

Katie has made no secret about the fact she’d love another child , having explored IVF and other methods to conceive baby number six with ex Carl Woods.

New man JJ Slater isn’t set to become a dad any time soon she reassured but couldn’t help but share some suspicious symptoms with her sister Sophie.

On her podcast, The Katie Price Show , the reality star revealed she had been chatting to her therapist recently about symptoms she was suffering from.

Katie said: ‘I said [to the therapist] “My belly is really bloated, I can’t get my bloated-ness down”. I didn’t know that is a sign of anxiety and stress – it can affect your digestive system.’

Her bloated stomach isn’t the only issue the former I’m A Celeb star is suffering from as she continued: ‘I don’t know if I’m getting  Alzheimer’s  or Dementia. I asked him, can I get it at my age?

Here her sister Sophie chimed in that her memory is ‘shocking’ but apparently the doctor put everything Katie is feeling down to ‘stress’.

‘At the minute I’m really forgetful, I’m bloated… it’s driving me nuts that I’m like it,’ she shared before letting slip a little baby chat.

‘Even people I see every day I’m like, “do you know what? I’ve just forgotten your name”. And no I’m not pregnant!’

She knowingly added: ‘Sometimes when you’re pregnant your memory plays up.’

When the OnlyFans model was dating Carl, 35, the pair had looked into IVF although this had failed.

In August she spoke to Michelle Visage on her podcast  Rule Breakers and revealed she’s not ‘done having babies’.

‘I tried IVF last year and it failed – so I’m going to try again, try again. I’m not giving up. I need more babies,’ Katie revealed.

The couple then looked into, and reportedly successfully enlisted, a surrogate as Katie ‘hasn’t got any more eggs’ so she ‘can’t pop one out’.

Months later the fan who had allegedly agreed to carry her child was said to have backed out after being ‘disrespected’ by the reality star.

Katie already shares son Junior, 18, and daughter Princess, 16, with Peter Andre to whom she was  married from 2005 until 2009.

Your Daily Horoscope

Daily horoscope today: April 20, 2024 astrological predictions for your star sign

The reality TV star also has eldest Harvey, 21, with ex Dwight Yorke, as well as Jett, 10, and Bunny, nine, with  ex-husband Kieran Hayler.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Katie Price reveals heartbreakingly blunt way doctor told her son Harvey was blind just weeks after birth

MORE : I name and shame ‘gossip site trolls’ and even tell their bosses

MORE : Katie Price makes shocking claim about how few times Dwight Yorke has seen son Harvey in 21 years

Get us in your feed

Recommended

Taylor swift fans in the uk have lost $1.2m from eras tour scams: bank.

• View Author Archive
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Taylor Swift’s loyal legion of Swifties in the United Kingdom have reportedly been scammed out of $1.2 million in their quest to see the pop star’s coveted “Eras Tour.”

Some 90% of the cons have targeted 25 to 34-year-olds seeking tickets to Swift’s record-breaking international tour on Facebook, including Facebook Marketplace, according to Lloyds Bank.

“A search of Facebook revealed dozens of unofficial groups have been set up, many with tens of thousands of members, specifically for people looking to buy and sell tickets for Taylor Swift concerts,” the London-based shared as part of an “urgent warning” issued Wednesday.

“Likewise Facebook Marketplace has various listings for tickets at venues all over the country [UK],” as Swift gears up to head across the pond for the first time in six years.

The Post’s own search for Eras Tour tickets in the UK did, in fact, yield numerous posts and groups that claim to feature “legit” transactions, including one with upwards of 40,000 members and another dedicated solely to scoring access to Swift’s stops at London’s Wembley Stadium in June and August.

Lloyds found that 600 of its own customers had been victimized alone, losing anywhere from roughly $400 to upwards of $1,200.

Outside of its own banking system, Lloyds estimated some 3,000 more UK residents may have fallen prey to the scams, according to its warning, which was earlier reported on by Business Insider.

In most of the fraudulent transactions, “victims are asked to pay upfront for the tickets, but once the payment is made, the scammers disappear,” Lloyds explained. “This leaves the buyer without the tickets and out of pocket.”

“For her legion of dedicated Swifties, the excitement is building ahead of Taylor’s Eras Tour finally touching down in the UK this summer. However cruel fraudsters have wasted no time in targeting her most loyal fans as they rush to pick up tickets for her must-see concerts,” the bank’s fraud prevention director, Liz Ziegler, said.

Ziegler advised aspiring Eras Tour attendees to buy “directly from reputable, authorized platforms” — and “even then, always pay by debit or credit card for the greatest protection.”

“It’s easy to let our emotions get the better of us when we find out our favorite artist is going to be performing live, but it’s important not to let those feelings cloud our judgement when trying to get hold of tickets,” Ziegler added.

For those that still want to take a risk of buying second-hand, “if you’re being asked to pay by bank transfer, particularly from a seller you’ve found on social media, that should immediately set alarm bells ringing,” Ziegler warned.

It’s been a “Cruel Summer” for Swifties in other parts of the world as well — including 20-year-old Australian fan Grace, who told a local radio station late last year that she lost over $775 after seeing a “friend of a friend” selling four of the highly coveted tickets on Facebook.

“I messaged them and they sent a screenshot of the email confirmation of having bought these tickets. It had their name in it, it had the section of the tickets, it had four tickets,” she explained.

“None of my alarm bells were raised because that all looked above board to me.”

But in reality, it wasn’t her friend on the other side of the message at all, but rather a scammer who hacked into the Facebook account.

Fearing the worst, Grace phoned up her friend and learned she wasn’t the only victim.

Yin, like Grace, took to Facebook to find a ticket being sold second-hand, forking over about $388 to a seller she thought was selling legitimate tickets before being blocked.

And fellow Australian Swiftie named Nick was  yet another fan who was scammed  by a hacker masquerading as a Facebook friend.

After he made contact,  the scammer offered various tickets  and even asked Nick how his family was doing, feigning a personal connection.

Nick lost $388 to the scam after he transferred the funds and the hacker vanished.

Tickets to Swift’s Eras Tour have been so popular since the concert kicked off in March 2023 that it became the highest-grossing tour of its kind by December, when it raked in more than $1 billion, according to Pollstar’s 2023 year-end charts.

Thank’s to the concert’s blockbuster success, Swift, 34, scored billionaire status.

And it’s not over yet: Swift won’t perform her final Eras Tour concert until December 2024 in Vancouver, Canada, following a stint across Europe and additional US shows in Florida, Louisiana and Indiana.

Share this article:

Advertisement

Norwegian Fjords Cruises

From the Northern Lights to the Midnight Sun, there are so many reasons to book a Norwegian Fjords cruise. In fact, cruising is one of the best ways to explore Norway. Scandinavia can be an expensive place to visit, so one of the joys of cruising in this reason is that you can save a lot of money by dining on-board your ship and by pre-booking excursions and paying in pounds sterling. Also, cruising enables you to explore lots of different destinations within the Norwegian Fjords in a relatively short period of time compared to a land-based holiday.

Find Luxury Cruises in Norwegian Fjords

Related Countries

Kristiansund

Kristiansund is a town and also name of the municipality on the western coast of Norway. It is known as the dried codfish capital of Norway. 

It is a city situated in the middle of the sea, located over four islands. The small local ferry Sundbaten takes visitors and locals alike between the Kirkelandet, Innlandet, Nordlandet and Gomalandet. 

The Norwegian Clipfish Museum is located at Milnbrygga wharf. The town was built partly on the fishing heritage of clipfish, which is split, salted cod dried traditionally on the cliffs along the sea. 

Kraftkar cheese is from here, and Snadderfestivalen is the annual food festival every June, which celebrates local food, craft beer and aquavit. 

Finnsnes is a small town in the municipality of Troms og Finnmark county.

Finnsnes has an avid fishing and agriculture industry, with fish farming growing in importance, and popular week-long summer festival. Its central park has a natural lake within it. 

It is known as the gateway to Senja, being located on the mainland near the Island of Senja just across the Gisundet Strait. 

Senja is known as an adventure-filled island and a minuature Norway, with mountains, fjords and small communities.

Sortland, Vesteralen Islands

Nesna is a pretty, former trading post village on the mainland of Norway that is part of the Helgeland traditional region in Norway's Nordland area. 

The picturesque islands of Hugla, Handnesoya and Tomma are seen from the village and by cruise ships sailing in the area. The village still runs in quite a traditional way and locals can be seen going about their daily lives, mainly involved in the local fishing industry.

The small fishing village of Øksfjord in Finnmark lies in the far north of Norway, in the Artic above 70°. It is an ideal port to see what real rural Norwegian life is like, with a population of merely 500 in the whole district of Loppa, which Øksfjord is the administrative centre for.

Øksfjordjøkulen, the fifth largest glacier in Norway is nearby, to the southeast of the village, and stands at nearly 4,000ft above sea level. It is the only glacier in mainland Norway which calves directly into the sea. This is something that only happens with glaciers in the Arctic, and nowhere else in the world, so is a facinating and unique event to see. 

12,000 years ago, the Komsa, a tribe of Meolithic hunter-gathers lived in the area. 

Øksfjord grew in the nineteenth century, when huge shoals of herring arrived. The main industries there today are fish processing plants and shipyards, showing the importance of maritime industry to the area.  

Most Popular Sailings

Cruiselines that sail in this location

Our Award Winning Service

Travel Weekly Large Cruise Agency of the Year 2023

Best Luxury Travel Agent 2022

UK Cruise Awards Winners 2023

Best Specialist Cruise Agent 2023

Best Use Of Content 2023

TTG Luxury Cruise Agency Of The Year

Request a Callback

Request a call back from one of our luxury cruise specialist concierge.

We would love to help you plan your next luxury cruise holiday. Our team are luxury cruise experts with first hand experience of our partner cruise lines. Simply request a call back and one of our luxury cruise experts will be in touch at a time to suit you.

If you would like to contact our service team, you can select a service call back below, or alternatively we’re available on live chat where our team are ready and waiting to help.

If you request a call back for now we’ll get back to you within 15 minutes, we’ll be calling you from 0161 333 4459 so you can recognise our call.

Select Day *

Callback time *