luxury cruise agents

1 (855)-274-2274

Use our trip planner

phone number

PRIVATE TRAVEL

East Africa

North africa, southern africa.

South Africa

Through its extraordinary wildlife safaris, environmental majesty and ancient traditions, Africa is an epic storybook adventure. Experience unparalleled luxury via rainforest, coastline, dessert and mountain.

Southeast Asia

Intoxicatingly beautiful and rooted in custom, Asia reveals a heightened mysticism and generosity of spirit throughout each celebrated region. Discover centuries of culture and engaging hospitality with every step.

Cayman Islands

Dominican Republic

Puerto Rico

Saint Barthelemy

Turks & Caicos

Choose from an ever-increasing portfolio of luxury resorts and private islands along the azure waters of the Caribbean. Marine adventure, culinary perfection and complete seclusion all have a spot on the day’s agenda.

Central America

Soothing vistas and diverse eco-adventure await in Central America. See the sun rise over the rim of a volcano, roam the ruins of the Mayans, ride through nature conservatories and paddle through jungle mangroves.

Czech Republic

Mediterranean

Netherlands

Switzerland

United Kingdom

A multitude of environs– coast, country and city – make for a feast of diversity in Europe. The unique histories, gastronomic extravagance and cultural riches bring a deluxe profusion of Old World elegance.

United Arab Emirates

Middle East

Ancient cultures and modern pleasures coalesce in the fascinating nations of the eastern Mediterranean and those ringing the Persian Gulf. Encounter pockets of immense historical significance, refined opulence and breathtaking beauty.

North America

For enjoying a stateside sojourn, drinking in Canada’s natural wonders or exploring the magnitude of Mexico, this continent offers spectacular diversion. Find flavours to arouse every taste bud and an array of cultures to match.

French Polynesia

New Zealand

South Pacific

A world of exotic wonder awaits in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific islands. Drift through romantic nights and endless days of natural splendour, aquatic adventure, decadent resorts and epicurean delights.

Galapagos Islands

South America

From the beaches of northern Brazil to the southern tracts of Patagonia, this continent is the sum of a thousand parts. Experience ancient cities and heritage haciendas, volcanic hot springs and vibrant café cultures.

Explore a world of luxury

View all destinations

World Cruises

Expedition cruises, river cruises, honeymoon cruises, family cruises.

Solo Cruises

Bridge Cruises

Alaskan cruises.

Antarctica Cruises

Asia Cruises

Bahamas Cruises

Caribbean Cruises

Danube River Cruises

European Cruises

Galapagos Cruises

Greece Cruises

Hawaiian Cruises

Iceland Cruises

Mediterranean Cruises

Mekong River Cruises

New Zealand Cruises

River Nile Cruises

South Pacific Cruises

World Cruise

Cruise Destinations

Whether you dream of island-hopping your way down Caribbean island chains, connecting the ocean waters with a Panama Canal cruise, or sailing into an exotic Mediterranean port at cocktail hour, our expert Travel Designers can curate the luxury cruise vacation of a lifetime.

Explore a world of luxury cruising

Search all cruise types

What to Expect on a Safari

Best Time for a Safari

Travel With a Purpose

Safari Blog

Press & Media

Testimonials

Safari destinations.

What can you expect from a Tully Luxury Travel safari? In a word: magic. You will witness extraordinary wildlife amid untamed beauty and unparalleled luxury. You will take a thousand pictures – and make a thousand more memories.

Luxury Safaris

View all luxury safaris

Private Island Resorts

Beach Vacations

Family Vacations

Luxury African Safaris

Luxury Cruises

Luxury Train Travel

Group Travel

Adventure Travel

Wellness Travel

Wine Travel

Food & Gourmet Travel

Vacation Types

View all vacation types

Tully Videos

Bespoke Magazines

The Art of Whispered Luxury with Barbara Muckermann

The Ocean State of Mind with Chris Austin

Exploring the Wilderness with Steve Smotrys

Luxury Defined by You: Designing the Most Exclusive Travel Experiences in the World

Luxury travel’s most inspiring stories told by its most celebrated icons. From wildlife experts, fashion designers and artists, to historians, chefs and more, this inspiring podcast series is designed to show you the world’s most exclusive travel experiences through the eyes of the people that know them best.

Explore our media

View all media

Why Travel With Us?

Conservation & Giving Back

River Cruise

Small Group

View all Preferred Partners

Our Partners

What is the Tully Difference? The most satisfying travel experiences are the ones that captivate and transform you as a person and that deepen your connection to the world around you. It is that belief that fuels our desire to create rewarding travel experiences for people who are passionate about discovering the essence and heart of a destination.

The Tully Difference

Luxury cruising experiences and voyages with some of the world’s most renowned cruise lines.

Destinations

All destination

All destinations

Caribbean/Bahamas

- Caribbean-Eastern

- Caribbean-Southern

- Caribbean-Western

- Alaska-N./S. Bound

- Alaska-Inside Passage

- Alaska-Tours & Cruises

Australia/New Zealand

Europe-Northern

- Baltic/Russia

British Isles

- Europe Coastal

- Northern Capitals

Iceland & Greenland

- Scandinavia & Fjords

Europe-Southern

- Canary Islands

- Greece/Turkey/Black Sea

- Mediterranean-East

- Mediterranean-West

Europe-Rivers

- Danube River

- Douro River

- Dutch Waterways

- French Rivers

- Rhone River

- Seine River

- Italian Rivers

- Rhine River

- Russian Rivers

- Ukraine Rivers

Europe-Tours & Cruises

Hawaii/Tahiti/S. Pacific

- South Pacific Islands

Mexico-Pacific Coast

- Mexico-Baja

- Mexico-One Way

- Mexico-Round Trip

- China Cruises

- China Rivers

- India Rivers

- Japan & Far East

- Myanmar Rivers

- Southeast Asia

- Vietnam/Cambodia Rivers

- Nile River

- Zambezi River (S. Africa)

Panama Canal & C.America

- Central America

- Panama Canal

- Amazon River Cruises

Antarctic Cruises

South America Coastal

Transatlantic & Repositioning

US & Canada Eastern

US & Canada Pacific

US & Canada River Cruises

World & Exotic

Cruise Lines

All cruise lines

Abercrombie & Kent

AmaWaterways

American Cruise Line

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Avalon Waterways

Carnival Cruise Line

Celebrity Cruises

Crystal Cruises

Disney Cruise Line

Emerald Waterways

Explora Journeys

Holland America Line

Hurtigruten

Lindblad Special Expeditions

Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Ponant Yacht Cruises & Expeditions

Princess Cruises

Quark Expeditions

Regent Seven Seas

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Royal Caribbean Int.

Scenic Cruises

SeaDream Yacht Club

Silversea Cruises

Star Clippers

Swan Hellenic Cruises

Tauck Tours

Uniworld Cruises

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking River Cruises

Virgin Voyages

Windstar Cruises

Departure Ports

Aberdeen/United Kingdom

Aigues-Mortes

Amphoe Ko Samui

Arles Canal

Athens/Piraeus

Baden-Baden

Baie St. Anne

Balboa/Panama

Baltra Island

Bayonne/Cape Liberty

Belize City

Bremerhaven

Buenos Aires

Cambridge Bay

Cartagena/Colombia

Cenderawasih Bay

Chalons-en-Champagne

Charleston/South Carolina

Chattanooga

Chiang Saen

Daphne Islands

Dar es Salaam

Easter Island/Hanga Roa

Easter Island/Rapa Nui

Eden Island Marina

El Calafate

Engelhartszell

Flamenco Island

Fleurey-sur-Ouche

Florence/Italy

Fort Lauderdale

Fort-de-France

Frankfurt am Main

Gran Canaria

Guatemala City

Hakata/Fukuoka

Ho Chi Minh City

Horn Island Airport

Iguazu Falls

Invercargill

Invergordon

Jacksonville

Johannesburg

Kampong Cham

Kangerlussuaq

King George Island

Kingston upon Hull

Konigswinter

Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur

Kyle of Lochalsh

Laem Chabang

Lake Michigan

Lobos Island

Longyearbyen

Los Angeles

Los Angeles/San Pedro Pier

Los Cabos (San Jose del Cabo)

Mahe Island

Minneapolis

Mitchell River

Monte Carlo

Montego Bay

New Orleans

New York City

Newcastle upon Tyne

Niagara Falls

Nosy Be/Nossi Be

Oberammergau

Palma de Mallorca

Panama City/Panama

Papeete/Polynesia

Perth/Australia

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy

Philadelphia

Philipsburg

Plymouth/England

Pointe-a-Pitre

Ponta Delgada

Pontailler-sur-Saone

Port Canaveral

Port Colborne

Port Douglas

Port Kembla

Port Rashid

Portland/Maine

Portland/Oregon

Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone

Portsmouth/England

Prince Rupert

Puerto Caldera

Puerto Limon

Puerto Madryn

Puerto Montt

Puerto Morelos

Puerto Penasco

Puerto Quetzal

Puerto Vallarta

Punta Arenas

Puntarenas/Costa Rica

Quebec City

Ringaskiddy

Rio de Janeiro

Rome/Civitavecchia

Rostov-na-Donu

Rowley Shoals

Saigon River

Saint Louis

Saint Petersburg/Russia

Saint-Jean-de-Losne

Saint-Pierre

Sakhalin Island

San Antonio/Chile

San Carlos de Bariloche

San Cristobal Island

San Francisco

San Jose del Cabo

San Jose/Costa Rica

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Santiago/Chile

Santo Domingo/Dominican Republic

Savannah/Georgia

Shannon River

Sorrento/Italy

Southampton

St. John's/Antigua

St. John's/Newfoundland

St. Thomas/Charlotte Amalie

Sydney/Australia

Sydney/Nova Scotia

Thessaloniki

Ujung Pandang

Vega de Terron

Venarey-les-Laumes

Venezia - San Basilio

Venice/Italy

Victoria/Canada

Victoria/Mahe

Washington, D.C.

West Palm Beach

Yunjinghong

All lengths

More options

Exploring far corners of the globe needn't be just a figment of your dreams with Tully Luxury Travel.

Named a Top Luxury Cruise Specialist by Condé Nast for 23 consecutive years, we curate luxury cruising experiences that include voyages with some of the world’s most renowned cruise lines, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Seabourn, and Oceania Cruises to name just a few. Whether you dream of island-hopping your way down Caribbean island chains, connecting the ocean waters with a Panama Canal cruise, or sailing into an exotic Mediterranean port at cocktail hour, our expert Travel Designers can curate the luxury cruise vacation of a lifetime. Exploring far corners of the globe on a world cruise or journeying to a tropical paradise on a romantic honeymoon cruise needn't be just a figment of your dreams with Tully Luxury Travel.

See available 2024 Alaskan Cruises now

Top Cruise Destinations

World Cruises are a way of exploring the world in a completely hassle-free environment.... Read more

Ocean breezes, soothing sunsets, palm-studded beaches, secluded inlet picnics, and more.... Read more

Immerse yourself in the 49th state’s national parks, wildlife, and glaciers.... Read more

Historic, exotic, carefree, exuberant: explore the coastal playgrounds of Europe.... Read more

Indulge in the incredible experiences only a trip to Europe can bring.... Read more

Lush scenery, storied history, and feel-at-home atmosphere wherever you go.... Read more

Cruise Travel Partners

The coveted relationships we have with our Global Travel Partners are second to none and allow us to offer you the extraordinary trips that you desire.

Established

Over 35 years’ experience and industry-recognition in curated luxury travel.

Exceptional Service

Work with our award-winning Travel Designers who have lived and travelled all over the world.

Enjoy exclusive access to the finest amenities and upgrades thanks to our preferred partnerships.

Making travel dreams a reality with our unparalleled customer service, attention to detail and expertise.

Cruise Types

Meander down jewel-blue rivers, where you have all the time in the world to relax.... Read more

A luxury expedition cruise fuses the romance of sailing with the thrill of adventure.... Read more

Luxury family cruises await you and your crew, all over the world.... Read more

Cruising is the answer for ultimate relaxation during your honeymoon.... Read more

Join Audrey Grant, a bridge educational expert, on one of our renowned Bridge Cruises.... Read more

Award Winning…

Throughout the years, Tully Luxury Travel has been recognized as a top producing agency by virtually every luxury cruise line and hotel property.

More Cruise Inspiration

Best time to go on a caribbean cruise.

Cruise | Destination

With more than 25 different countries spread out over about 7,000 islands, the Caribbean is a year-round destination for cruising. ...Read more

What to Wear on a Cruise? A Guide to Cruise Dress Code

Cruise | Travel

There’s usually a little spring in your step as embarkation day approaches and the suitcases come out for your luxury cruise. The anticipation of the journey, the people you’ll meet or reconnect with, the incredible food that awaits – now, what are you going to wear? ...Read more

Do you Need a Passport for a Cruise?

Everyone wants their vacation to roll out as seamlessly as planned. And preparedness is one of the key essentials, including whether or not a passport is required for your dream cruise. Tully Luxury Travel is very experienced with advising what travel documents are needed for luxury cruise vacations, so you that your voyage is worry-free. ...Read more

If you’re considering embarking on a luxury cruise, let our expert Travel Designers curate a truly customized vacation from start to finish. We have spent the last three decades traveling and experiencing the best luxury offerings around the world first-hand. Our excellent relationships with travel partners and designers ensure your every need is met. From milestone celebrations, romantic dinners, private tours, and special room-service requests to exclusive, tailored itineraries, we will take care of all the details to elevate your experience that much more. Our insider knowledge will take you to all the places you have your heart set on, the suites with the best views, private excursions to consider, and the absolute must-see places at each port. That’s the Tully Difference.

Why choose us? We believe our award-winning service, more than three decades of experience, and firsthand knowledge of luxury travel in every part of the world shine through in the wonderful testimonials that we receive every day from our valued clients who return year after year.

Average Cutomer Rating:

'They know how to bring your dream vacation to life!!'

I have been working with Tully Luxury Travel for years and love their attention to detail. They seem to know exactly what their client's needs are.

'Exceptional travel company'

I have been with Tully luxury travel for almost 20 years and Diana Wehrle has been my advisor all along. I find them very professional, efficient, and willing to go the extra mile.

Tully Luxury Travel | Inquiry Form

Make an inquiry.

• 1 (855)-265-0890
• First name * The first name of the user.
• Last name * The last name of the user.
• Email * The email of the user
• Phone number * The phone number of the user
• How did you hear about us? * Please select Google Search E-newsletter Newspaper Condé Nast Traveller Architectural Digest Bespoke Experiences Magazine Social Media Referral Other A drop-down selector for the users to select how they heard about Tully Luxury Travel.
• Land Vacation
• Cruise Vacation
• Destination * Please select Argentina Auckland Austria Bahamas Barbados Belgium Belize Bhutan Blue Mountains Botswana Brazil Cairns Cambodia Canada Chile China Christchurch Colombia Costa Rica Czech Republic Denmark Ecuador England Ethiopia Egypt Far East Finland France Germany Greece Guatemala Hawks Bay Iceland India Indonesia Ireland Israel Italy Japan Kaihoura Kangaroo Island Kenya Laos Madagascar Maldives Malta Mauritius Melbourne Mexico Middle East Morocco Myanmar Namibia Nepal Netherlands Norway Peru Portugal Queenstown Russia Rwanda Scotland Seychellesa Singapore South Africa South Asia South East Asia Spain Sri Lanka St. Lucia Sweden Sydney Taiwan Tanzania Tasmania Thailand Turkey Turks and Caicos U.S.A Uluru Region United Arab Emerates Vietnam Whitsundays World Cruise Zambia Zimbabwe A drop-down selector for the users to select a destination.
• Travel dates MM slash DD slash YYYY The check-in date of the user.
• Check-out MM slash DD slash YYYY The check-out date of the user.
• Trip notes Any notes of the user.
• Privacy consent * I agree with the privacy statement *
• Subscription consent Tick if you would like to receive emails with travel inspiration, offers & exclusive event invites
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Home » Luxury Cruise Travel Agencies

Luxury Cruise Travel Agencies

Last updated on January 21st, 2024 at 09:28 pm

Some agencies have eased into the luxury cruise niche, giving them firsthand knowledge about the industry that can remarkably boost your cruising adventures. If you’re relatively new to luxury cruising or indecisive about which lines, ship, suite, or itinerary you should choose, travel agencies can be remarkably helpful and save you time, effort, and expenditure.

What is a “luxury cruise?”

Before we go any further, we should define what a “luxury cruise” is. Luxury cruise lines such as Regent Seven Seas , Ponant, Oceania, Viking, Azamara, Silver Seas, Seabourn, Windstar, Paul Gaugin, offer an all-inclusive and tailor-made small cruise experience. They also usually have unique itineraries and excursions that the main-stream lines don’t offer.

Why should I seek help from Travel Agencies?

• Seamless booking, reservations and reputable itineraries 

With years of experience under their belts, they can help you identify the best luxury cruise that suits your budget perfectly. Inform them of your dining preferences, and they can easily book you a reservation to the hippest and happening cruise dining options. Or, if you prefer a quieter experience, they can find that for you too.

• Insider Recommendations

They know who’s who and what’s what– Luxury cruise travel agencies go above and beyond by forming relationships not just with their clients but also with people who can make your traveling experience go from okay to fantastic. They’ll help you find the most romantic spots and events on the ship, and any ship-sponsored excursions. They can also provide you information about when or with whom to book a private tour guide for port excursions.

• Untapped Value-added Perks and Discounts

Having a top-down view of pricing and availability, Luxury cruise travel agencies are keen on identifying the best deals and passing the valuable information on to you. They monitor fare increases and decreases and do their best to secure the one that suits you and your cruising needs the best.

Four (4) of the Best Luxury Cruise Travel Agencies

1. Cruise Specialists

Cruise Specialists is a part of Travel Leaders Group and have offered its clients topnotch luxury cruises and tours for 30 years. From a seven day sail to the Caribbean, or a months-long World Cruise , you will have an experience second to none. Their experienced Cruise Consultants are skilled at matching you with the vacation that best fits your lifestyle, expectations, and above all, budget.

Their perspective is that a cruise vacation is an investment of the client’s time and money. This philosophy gives them all the more reason to arrange the most exceptional personal service, top industry knowledge, and excellent value for your luxury tour. Intending to aid their clients and assist with avoiding costly mistakes, they help in choosing staterooms or suites that perfectly match their clients, and work closely with the cruise line to ensure that cruisers are well taken care of.

2. Santa Barbara Travel Bureau

Bertie de L’Arbie founded the agency in 1947 after his service with the United States Army and the O.S.S. during World War II. With 71 years of experience in the travel industry, Santa Barbara Travel is considered the premier luxury cruise travel agency in Santa Barbara County. Their expertise and remarkable connections work hand in hand, ensuring seamless cruise booking experience for their clients. One is automatically considered a VIP on any luxury cruise if you are a client of Santa Barbara Travel.

Also, they are a member of the by-invitation-only luxury travel network, Virtuoso- which is an organization composed of the top travel agencies, travel providers, and destinations worldwide. The said membership allows the agency to host a wide array of unique travel opportunities with exclusive access to booking, reservation, and itineraries.

3. Elite Cruise Travel

Specializing in luxury cruises and luxury land travel, Elite Cruises and Travel have been to most of the world’s continents. They have also experienced most cruise lines.  Elite Cruises and Travel is a member of travel and vacation selling networks, allowing them to provide their clients with a custom approach service that gives their clientele peace of mind. As experienced travel counselors, their clients can take advantage of exclusive savings and value-added vacation packages.  To keep up with the latest travel trends, and be in a position to provide notable advice to their clients, they frequently travel by both land and sea. Their travel specialists take at least two cruises a year and one land tour, to ensure that their service comes from firsthand experience.

4. Luxury Cruise Experts

Susan Reder & Penny Entin are leading and respected travel industry veterans. They are accompanied by the support of an elite group of cruise travel professionals that has garnered over 500 years of combined experience. The group is Frosch – Classic, which has well-established, and influential relationships with the executives of most major luxury cruise and premium cruise lines. It is their mission to find the perfect fit cruise, tour, and accommodations for each client. They formed a team capable of providing you with the most competitive prices and services that are knowledge and experience-based.

Imagine you’re en route to your most anticipated Caribbean cruise when a storm in Miami suddenly delays your flight. Your travel agency will provide you personalized assistance with utmost care through an agent. You can’t expect to receive that same assistance through an online service. Dozens of online travel sites offer the convenience of booking your travels directly with virtually all cruise lines. But it will never provide the ease of access and peace of mind of knowing that there is an actual person who is mindful of your bookings, reservations, and itineraries. Luxury cruise travel agencies have a better grasp of luxury cruiser’s mindset, and nothing beats human touch in exquisite cruises.

These are just some of the Luxury Cruise Travel Agencies that have done splendid work in the travel industry. We know we barely scratched the surface, it will be great if you let us know more about your experience in getting assistance from luxury cruise travel agencies.

This page contains affiliate links for which we may receive financial compensation when a purchase has been made through one of our affiliate partners.

About Jonathon Hyjek

Jonathon is the tech guy behind CruiseportAdvisor.com. When he's not stuck in front of his computer, Jonathon enjoys travel & cruising (even after being on a cruise ship that caught fire - a story for another day!)

RECENT POSTS

Cruise news this week, what does it take to keep cruise passengers fed, royal caribbean cruise line loyalty programs: sailing to rewarding adventures, retirement home vs life at sea on a cruise ship, do i need travel insurance for a cruise, the pros and cons of cruising on a smaller cruise ship, grab your tour with cruise port advisor now, a short description introducing your business and the services to visitors..

© 2023 cruiseportadvisor All Rights Reserved.

• Book Excursions
• Anchorage, AK
• Baltimore, MD
• Cape Liberty, NJ
• Charleston, SC
• Ft Lauderdale, FL
• Galveston, TX
• Honolulu, HI
• Jacksonville, FL
• L.A. (San Pedro), CA
• Long Beach, CA
• Montreal, QC
• New Orleans, LA
• Norfolk, VA
• NYC – Brooklyn
• NYC – Manhattan
• Port Canaveral, FL
• Quebec City, QC
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• San Juan, PR
• Seattle, WA
• Vancouver, BC
• Whittier, AK
• Alaska & Pacific Northwest
• Central & South America
• Cruise Ports in Bermuda
• Dominican Republic
• Mexico & Mexican Riviera
• Eastern Canada & Quebec
• New England
• Los Angeles (San Pedro), CA
• Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Cruise Blog
• Cruise FAQ’s

Luxury Cruises   |  World Cruises   |  Small Ship Cruises   |  River Cruises   |  Premium Cruises

find your perfect cruise...

Why cdv cruises.

It’s all about being real, and thinking about you first.  Browse through our website and you will see a huge difference in how we approach the business of cruises and vacations.  Most online cruise agencies are all about volume and beating everyone’s price, but that comes at an enormous cost few are ever aware of.  We don’t play those games.  Other smaller agencies charge a premium for personalized service, and they are all about making as much money on each trip they organize, no matter what. 

How We Are Different

Luxury Cruises

Premium Cruises

River Cruises

Expedition cruises.

Popular Cruises

World & Small Ship Cruises

Reviews of Culture Discovery:

Get up to $10,000 credit or more when you book with CDV

Book cruises with CDV and you can get credit of up to $10,000 for each cruise to use toward any CDV land vacation!

Home About Us Request a Quote Contact Us

Why Use a Travel Agent?

To gain perspective...

WATCH VIDEO NOW

Luxury Cruise & Vacation Experts

Helping discriminating travelers explore the world for over 30 years..

Luxury Cruise and Vacation Experts

Helping Discriminating Travelers explore the world for more than 30 years with luxury all inclusive holidays, all inclusive cruise deals and the best cruise deals on the best cruise ships. 

The travel professionals that make up the Luxury Cruise Experts team have been helping people like you find and book the cruises of their dreams for more than 30 years. We specialize in luxury cruises and ultra-luxury cruises on lines such as Silversea, Crystal, Regent and Seabourn. We also love the upper-premium offerings from Oceania and Azamara Club.

When it comes to families traveling together, or groups looking for a more relaxed cruise experience, look to the outstanding offerings from premium cruise lines such as Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, Cunard and Windstar. Our focus is on their balcony cabins and suites which can turn any cruise into a luxury vacation.

Some of our other cruise line partners include Uniworld River Cruises and AMA Waterways. Our professional luxury cruise experts have sailed on both and feel that both offer an exceptional product if you're looking for a smaller, more intimate experience. We think river cruising is a great way to see a country!

We're here to help you find the luxury escape of your dreams at the best possible price. We are part of one of the highest producing agencies for all cruise lines, so we get access to deals and special amenities that others do not. We have the clout and leverage it takes to get you off the wait list and onto the cruise.

Just ask! We'll put our knowledge and years of experience to work for you right away. We're not operators- we're true travel professionals !

Enter Sweepstakes!

Travel Interests

Silversea Expedition Cruise

River Cruises

Club Med Vacations

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

The 11 Best Luxury Cruise Lines, According to T+L's Experts

These luxury cruise lines offer stunning suites, fine dining, and exceptional itineraries.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , Departures , TripSavvy , and other publications.

Cruising is back — and you might even say it's better than ever. "Vacations at sea are suddenly one of the biggest things in travel," Travel + Leisure cruise expert Paul Brady reported recently, as summer air travel is looking progressively messier but the cruise industry continues to stabilize post-pandemic. For those looking to plan a cruise, whether it's a last-minute trip for the summer or a 2024 around-the-world cruise, we've narrowed down the best luxury cruise lines to ferry you to some of the world's most mesmerizing destinations in comfort. Here, our favorite luxury cruise lines in the world.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

When this luxury cruise line says it's all-inclusive, it's not overstating. Everything from shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and laundry to gratuities, top-shelf liquor, and business-class international flights are included with Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' fares. While each luxurious suite features ocean views, nothing beats the view from the epic 4,000-square-foot, two-bedroom Regent Suite, which has two wraparound balconies, three walk-in closets, two Picasso lithographs, and a grand piano.

For the best in-suite views, book a room at the back of the ship, Kelly Cochrane, executive chef of Regent Seven Seas Cruises tells T+L.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises has just seven ships, but the debut of the brand-new Oceania Vista catapults this cruise line into the luxury division. The cruise line's relatively new Go Local shore excursions for small groups bring travelers to under-the-radar destinations, T+L contributing editor and long-time cruiser Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon reported recently. Her 2022 cruise on Riviera included 70 excursions "from canoeing Croatia’s Cetina River to cooking classes in Athens."

If you've ever dreamed of having your own butler, Silversea is the luxury cruise line for you. In fact, Silversea's butlers take white-glove service to a whole new level — they'll handle your laundry with more care than you do, scour port towns to find your favorite tastes of home, and even help you pack and unpack your suitcase. Further, Silversea's new culinary program, nicknamed S.A.L.T. (for Sea and Land Taste), brings the taste of destinations on board through cooking classes. Of course, there's no need to cook for yourself aboard a Silversea ship, as each one features several restaurants with multi-course menus to whet your appetite every night.

Viking Cruises

Viking Cruises is a river and ocean cruise line that recently added expedition sailings and the Great Lakes trips to its repertoire. "T+L readers rave about the consistency of Viking's vessels and their Scandinavian design," cruise expert Fran Golden reported when Viking once again topped T+L's World's Best Awards last year. Viking came in at No. 1 in T+L's best mid-size ship category and river cruise category. Golden said the WBA Hall of Fame honoree's 50 river "longships" are "light-filled floating boutique hotels."

Laureen Robert / Courtesy of Ponant

French luxury cruise line Ponant aims to make passengers feel as if they're traveling on their own private yachts. Guests enjoy Ladurée macarons, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, and luxurious Hermès bath products on board. Each of the company's ships features an onboard spa with massage cabins and either a Turkish bath or sauna. Ponant's luxurious small ships sail to remote destinations like Antarctica, incorporating once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as eclipse spotting from the edge of the earth. The company also partners with Smithsonian and Disney on certain sailings.

Seabourn cruises to all seven continents, and most recently launched Seabourn Venture , "marking the first time the Carnival Corporation–owned luxury cruise line will offer adventurous sailings on an expedition ship built for extreme environments," Brady reported. (The sibling ship to Venture , Seabourn Pursuit arrives later this year.) The World's Best Award-winning cruise line has all-suite ships and "is known for its onboard service and over-the-top food including complimentary caviar and Thomas Keller steakhouses on ships such as the  Seabourn Ovation, " Brady said.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises ' luxury small ships call on 150 ports throughout Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific, and there's no way you'll go hungry on the journey. Exquisite onboard menus have been designed by acclaimed chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants. (You'll have to pay extra for alcohol, but all meals and a Windstar signature onboard barbecue — a feast of whole suckling pig, shrimp brochette, and more — are included.) The cruise line is not only a T+L World's Best Awards Hall of Fame honoree, it has a "long-standing partnership with the James Beard Foundation ," Brady reported, and regularly brings chefs on board for culinary-focused sailings. Yes, chef.

Courtesy of Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Whether it's a river or an ocean you want to cruise, Scenic can take you there in style. The luxury cruise line operates river cruises in Europe and Asia, while ocean cruises on Scenic Eclipse (and the forthcoming Scenic Eclipse II ) can take guests to Antarctica, the Arctic, Australia, South America, and Greenland, among other coveted destinations. On board, you'll find fine dining, expansive spas and fitness facilities, and butler service.

Cunard Line

Jonathan Atkin / Courtesy of Cunard Line

This British luxury cruise line is known for its transatlantic service, which also transports pets between its headquarters in Southampton, England, and New York City. Cunard operates three ships with a fourth in the works, though only the Queen Mary 2 sails the transatlantic route. It's a cruise line that takes formality seriously; white-gloved waiters serve afternoon tea each day at 3:30 p.m. State rooms include 24-hour room service and evening turndown service with chocolates. Don't forget your tux, the gala nights are black tie.

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Roger Paperno / Courtesy of Paul Gauguin Cruises

Paul Gauguin Cruises operates just one ship, but it is exquisite, hosting 330 guests and sailing only in the South Pacific to destinations like Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. The ship is small enough to access private ports at remote beaches and take travelers well off the beaten path. Named the best small-ship ocean cruise line in T+L's 2022 World's Best Awards, Golden said the line is known for Tahitian-inspired massage techniques in the onboard spa and noted that cruisers particularly love the wonderful staff.

Celebrity Cruises

Steve Dunlop / Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises ' new Edge Series ships are taking things up a notch. Celebrity's signature Iconic Suites on board the Celebrity Edge and Apex offer panoramic views from above the ship's bridge; each suite boasts more than 2,500 square feet of space, including expansive 690-square-foot terraces, and comes with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Celebrity Beyond , which debuted in 2022, accommodates 3,260 guests has 32 bars and restaurants, like Le Voyage by chef Daniel Boulud, and two-story villas on board. Beyond 's sibling ship, Ascent , will be delivered later this year.

Once in a lifetime, every time.

TopFlight Travels®, founded by luxury travel advisor Julie Jones, is an award-winning travel agency dedicated to transforming ordinary vacations into adventures that exceed expectations — from Maui to Madagascar and beyond.

Crafting the most luxurious Mediterranean cruise travel experiences for discerning adventure-seekers

See the world from a whole new perspective with our signature custom travel planning services. From the moment you arrive at your destination, you will be whisked away to a world filled with breathtaking sights, delightful delicacies, and incredible wonders.

destination experiences

World-class

What is your travel style?

Planning a great vacation is hard. Planning the vacation of a lifetime? That’s what we do.

One-of-a-kind experiences are what we live for — so much so that we turned our passion into a thriving business. Now, as a premier luxury cruise agent, we are sharing our endless joy for discovery with like-minded travelers around the world. By leveraging our extensive travel knowledge (33 countries and counting!) with the long-standing relationships we have built with our elite global partners, we are able to take the guesswork out of custom travel planning. When you book with us, you can let the stress melt away and focus on the one thing that truly matters:

Creating lasting memories with the people you love

We are best known for

Creating flawless, stress-free dream vacations

Our team's unmatched travel knowledge and expertise

Comprehensive, detail-oriented itineraries that instill confidence

A relationship-first commitment to our clients and their needs

World-class partnerships that ensure exclusive amenities and experiences

Client Love

“If you are looking for the best luxury travel agent in the world, then you have found her!”

Having just stepped off the plane yesterday, I wanted to share straight away that Julie helped plan the most fabulous honeymoon my husband and I could ever dream of. Everything was just perfect and I cannot recommend her more. I'll be using her for all of our travels going forward!

“We cannot thank Julie Jones enough for helping us plan our greatest vacation ever.”

Everything was seamless and could not of been any easier. Everything, literally everything, that Julie recommended was perfect. Whether it was the resort we stayed at or the activities on the island we enjoyed or the great restaurants we dined at, all of her recommendations were amazing. She made it so easy to plan because she did all the research and made recommendations and we merely chose what we wanted to do. I absolutely give Julie Jones and Top Flight Travel a 100% approval rating and highly recommend others use her for all of their travel needs as well.

“We could never have put this together on our own.”

After London, with side trips to Paris and the English countryside, we didn’t think it could get any better — but our vacation to Yellowstone and the Grand Teton was unbelievable! A custom tour, with kayaking, fly fishing, wildlife viewing, and guided exploration of Yellowstone’s geyser basins was perfect for us. Everything was beyond our expectations! Thank you for helping us with another fantastic trip.

“Our recent trip to France was made even more special thanks to Julie Jones!”

She booked the best accommodations for us and set up a tour in Paris for us that was top-rate! Her common-sense approach helped keep it real when trying to fit all the thousands of things there is to do in Paris into five days! Julie, thanks for all you did to make the journey even more unforgettable for me and my clan!

How we make it happen

Personalized itineraries, an international network of world-class partners, personal passion.

Our itineraries are 100% customized to your preferences, ensuring one-of-a-kind adventures every single time you travel with us.

We have built and continually nurture amazing relationships with our global partners to bring you exclusive access to some of the best accommodations and experiences no matter where you are.

We don't just plan travel — we live and breathe it. We believe traveling enriches life, and we love sharing our passion for exploring the world with others.

A relationship-first approach

A decade of professional experience.

Getting to know you personally allows us to keep planning the best experiences for you, even as your life evolves. You are more than a client on our calendar — you are a part of the TopFlight Travels family.

As meticulous and discerning luxury travel experts, no detail is left untouched. Our combined expertise in management, travel, and finance guarantees your travel plans are in professional hands.

Founder, lead luxury travel advisor, recovered attorney, and avid traveler

Meet julie jones.

I have had amazing adventures in many destinations, but my biggest adventure began in 2013: starting TopFlight Travels.

I have always loved traveling. Whether that means exploring the hiking trails at Innsbrook, Missouri; glamping on Vancouver Island, British Columbia; enjoying brunch in Puglia, Italy; or having drinks by the sea in Mykonos, Greece — you name the place, I will be there in a heartbeat. So, I suppose it's not surprising I opened my own luxury travel agency after working as a commercial finance attorney for over a decade. At the time, though, I had no idea what a wild adventure on which I was about to embark.

JULIE IS CONSISTENTLY A VIRTUOSO TOP PRODUCER IN BOTH ADVENTURE TRAVELS AND LUXURY AND EXPEDITION CRUISES

2024 TRAVEL + LEISURE A-LIST COLLECTION OF WORLD'S TOP ADVISORS 2020 LADUE NEWS PLATINUM AWARDS WINNER

Awards and accolades

[email protected] |  (314) 966- 8555 | Copyright 2022 Topflight Travels®  |  Privacy Policy   |  TERMS AND CONDITIONS  | HTML Sitemap

• Plan My Cruise
• Types of Cruises

Luxury Cruises

Luxury Cruise lines know what luxury travel is all about and so do our experienced travel agents ! That’s why luxury cruises have outfitted their most spectacular ships to go way above and beyond the “typical”  cruise vacation experience. Here are some of our favorite ways to splurge on a luxury cruise ship.

Amenities on a Luxury Cruise Ship

Finer than fine dining: Caviar on request? Menus crafted by superstar chefs? Sommelier-led vintage wine tastings? Talk to us about luxury cruises that cater to the true gourmands. 

Extra breathing room: For many of our travelers, true luxury means no crowds, no waiting lines, and plenty of personal space and attention. There are cruises designed to give you all the room you want, coupled with attentive, personalized service.

The royal treatment: A doting butler, a whirlpool on the balcony, and grand piano in your suite are just some of the ways luxury cruise ships will pamper their customers. There are luxurious touches in your stateroom and service that make these cruises all the more memorable.

Haven’t been there, haven’t done that: If your definition of luxury means exotic destinations and bucket-list adventures, we’ll recommend cruises that will transport you to far-flung locales. Once there, you’ll be treated to once-in-a-lifetime activities such as elephant rides through the jungle, golf lessons from PGA pros, and guided tours to exclusive destinations.

More inclusions: Many of the luxury lines include premium spirit and fine wines, champagne, non-alcoholic beverages, WiFi/internet, airport transfers, bike rides, shore excursions, specialty dining, and more.

Contact a Luxury Cruise Travel Agent

Begin your journey on a luxury ship today. Contact a Cruise Planners Travel Advisor for details.

Travel Advisors Standing By

Modal title

Get exclusive deals and services, cruise planners travel messages.

Receive texts for:

*Messages and data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt-out or HELP for help. Message frequency varies. By opting in, you consent to receiving SMS messages. Privacy Policy

• Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

Celebrity's Journey to Moscow excursion

By psygist , March 7, 2012 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

Recommended Posts

I will be in St. Petersburg in June on a Celebrity ship. Having been there previously, we would like to do the Journey to Moscow excursion. Celebrity lists it in the shore excursion brochure for my sail date, but it has not been available for booking on their website.

I have called Celebrity twice and both times was told that even though it is listed in the shore excursion brochure, it probably isn't being offered since it is not listed for pre-booking on the website. I have emailed Celebrity twice and received a different response. They responded that they were still working with the tour provider on the details and is not yet available for pre-booking.

Anyone have any experience with this that could offer some advice? It's frustrating that cruise line agents can be so misinformed and inconsistent in what they tell us.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

I will be in St. Petersburg in June on a Celebrity ship. Having been there previously, we would like to do the Journey to Moscow excursion. Celebrity lists it in the shore excursion brochure for my sail date, but it has not been available for booking on their website. I have called Celebrity twice and both times was told that even though it is listed in the shore excursion brochure, it probably isn't being offered since it is not listed for pre-booking on the website. I have emailed Celebrity twice and received a different response. They responded that they were still working with the tour provider on the details and is not yet available for pre-booking. Anyone have any experience with this that could offer some advice? It's frustrating that cruise line agents can be so misinformed and inconsistent in what they tell us.

Having done this one-day trip to Moscow and back on another cruise while in St. Petersburg, I might be able to share some insight. First, from dealing with some Celebrity folks about Europe options, certain of them are limited in their personal experiences and knowledge about this part of the world. Shouldn't be this way, but it is. They know more on the familiar Carib options as that is what is both closer and for which they get more of their calls/question. If they haven't done it, nor is is clear on their computer screen, they can't be of much help.

Second, that excursion to Moscow has been "evolving" during the past few years as they have switched from doing it by air flights to connection by high-speed rail. On trips like this one that is more costly and highly specialized, you will probably need to "press and push" to reach someone who is more likely to know this somewhat of a "needle in the haystack".

It's sad that you've gotten the "run-around", but sometimes the staff is not as informed and experienced as you would like, expect and need.

Do you need any background info for what you would see and do in Moscow , how it works, etc.???

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik . Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 68,189 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

What you said makes perfect sense. Thanks.

I also looked into doing this tour privately, but one tour provider informed me there were no available trains or planes to fit my ship's time in port. We will be there on a weekend so its possible that transportation does not run as frequent. I just wish Celebrity could get their act together and tell me definitively whether they will be offering the Moscow excursion.

Terry, What you said makes perfect sense. Thanks. I also looked into doing this tour privately, but one tour provider informed me there were no available trains or planes to fit my ship's time in port. We will be there on a weekend so its possible that transportation does not run as frequent. I just wish Celebrity could get their act together and tell me definitively whether they will be offering the Moscow excursion. Paul

If your cruise puts you into St. Petersburg on a weekend, that could be another complicating factor. Openings at certain places, rail schedules, etc., could be different for some days of the week. It is possible to do the Moscow trip by some private tour companies, but if there are any weather and/or scheduling complications, that could make things more difficult. Doing it through the cruise ship, makes it "their" problem, not yours!!

Doing the one-day trip to Moscow is very interesting and special. Lots of cruise lines do it now and have the practice down to a "science". BUT, that weekend timing could be delaying their finalization some on schedules.

• 3 weeks later...

I will be in St. Petersburg in June on a Celebrity ship. Having been there previously, we would like to do the Journey to Moscow excursion. Celebrity lists it in the shore excursion brochure for my sail date, but it has not been available for booking on their website.   I have called Celebrity twice and both times was told that even though it is listed in the shore excursion brochure, it probably isn't being offered since it is not listed for pre-booking on the website. I have emailed Celebrity twice and received a different response. They responded that they were still working with the tour provider on the details and is not yet available for pre-booking.   Anyone have any experience with this that could offer some advice? It's frustrating that cruise line agents can be so misinformed and inconsistent in what they tell us.

I was able to book this for a June cruise in the past few days. If you look carefully in the fine print for the excursion, I believe it is because you have to begin the online check-in process since they need your passport/ID information before you can book this excursion. Try to do as much of the online check-in as you can, and I think it should appear for purchase.

It would be nice to know what the actual schedule for the Moscow excursion is. I don't believe it is actually 18.5 hours, but that is just to make sure that you can't book anything else on that day.

I was finally able to book the tour online. They just made it available for online booking the other day. I sure hope they reach the minimum number of guests so it isn't cancelled.

Not sure why it leaves at 9:30. If it indeed is an 18.5 hour tour, we won't get back until 4 am.

I was able to book this for a June cruise in the past few days. If you look carefully in the fine print for the excursion, I believe it is because you have to begin the online check-in process since they need your passport/ID information before you can book this excursion. Try to do as much of the online check-in as you can, and I think it should appear for purchase.   It would be nice to know what the actual schedule for the Moscow excursion is. I don't believe it is actually 18.5 hours, but that is just to make sure that you can't book anything else on that day.

It looks like Celebrity edited the description to say that, for those excursions on a weekend, the actual tour will be shortened by about 2 hours due to less traffic on a weekend.

Terry (or anyone who has been on the Journey to Moscow excursion before):

Can you give me a little detail on the itinerary? The tour description says that we will have a walking tour of Red Square and the Kremlin, as well as visits to the Armoury and one of the Kremlin cathedrals. Was wondering what other Moscow sights we will get to see. Or will the rest be in the form of a panoramic bus tour? Any opportunity for souvenir shopping?

Thanks for any insights you can offer.

• 1 month later...

This was just cancelled for my cruise :( Didn't meet the minimum number of people interested in going.

There might be some options through private tour companies. We used Anastasia for our part in St. Petersburg, but she is doing these Moscow arrangements for friends, two couples, from here in Central Ohio, in late June. I would contact a couple of key, experiences firms such as Anastasia, see what she and others can offer to make this one-day train trip over and back.

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik . Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 82,951 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 70,872 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Which sailing are you on that the Moscow excursion was cancelled? I booked it for my Eclipse cruise June 23 sailing and haven't heard anything

• 2 months later...

soakedbythesea

You have probably figured out now that not only excursions, but many other things aboard ship are misleading, if not downright fraudulent. The ship crew, staff and clerks are all going to do pretty much what they want to, but not only on the Royal Caribbean's Celebrity brand, but almost all cruise ships - the captain can almost get away with murder. Aren't you glad you don't have to work on one of these vessels? Also make sure you don't get involved in any type of dispute, as even some crime gets swept under the ship - well, not all, like the Costa that crashed & tipped over, but not sure even then much will happen, as all passengers signed all their rights away before they got on board.

Hope you have enjoyed your cruise by now and maybe look back here on the board. About the only way to get any knowledge about the ships, excursions, etc. is through sites like this.

As we are sailing a year from now on Celebrity Constellation - Aug 12, we were wondering too about shows aboard, excursions (both ship and private), if you ever got to Moscow, etc. Please write to us at:

john at shifferds dot com - thanks

• 5 months later...

Ywlke,   Which sailing are you on that the Moscow excursion was cancelled? I booked it for my Eclipse cruise June 23 sailing and haven't heard anything

We will be in St. Petersburg in July and want to take Celebrity's tour to Moscow. Please let us know if you liked it or not and how long it was. This is going to be our second time in St. Petersburg but will like to take a private tour on day #2. Did you do something the day after your Moscow tour? We are traveling with our teenagers and worry about them being too tired :rolleyes:

• 6 months later...

Kevin's girl

I thought I would bump this up. We will be on the Brilliance this time next year and are very interested in doing this our. Are there still people out there that have done it? I would love to hear what you thought of the tour, the travel part and what you were able to see while in Moscow. Was it worth the price?

I thought I would bump this up. We will be on the Brilliance this time next year and are very interested in doing this our. Are there still people out there that have done it? I would love to hear what you thought of the tour' date=' the travel part and what you were able to see while in Moscow. Was it worth the price?[/quote'] We just did this tour and really liked it, but this was our second time in St. Petersburg. If this is your first time there I don't know if it's the best choice. You spend most of the day in airports and buses. Our meeting time at the ship was 6:45 AM, followed by a 45 min. long drive to the airport. Then we had to wait for a 10:00 AM one hour flight to Moscow. As you can see we arrived after 11:00 AM followed by another 30 minutes ride to the city. We were taken to the Red Square, to take a subway ride, followed by a coffee and tea break, then to the Kremlin armory museum (where we spend most of our time), also visited the Cathedral of the Annunciation, and back to the Red Square. Were only given half hour for shopping, followed by a really long dinner at a local restaurant. Our flight back to St. Petersburg departed half hour late, arriving at 11:30 PM. It took a while for the bus to pick us up, another 45 min. drive to the port and we were at our rooms by 1:00 AM. This means that if you want to see St. Petersburg the next day, you are going to be really tired. BTW, I'm not complaining, this tour was so popular on our cruise that they had two groups for the first time. Most of my friends were on that group and they had the worst time. Their flight left earlier than ours and although they were taken to more places than us, they ended up on a later flight and arrived in St. Petersburg after 12:30 AM. The problem was that the tour company knew that they were not going to make it on time to the bridges that connect the city to the area where the ship docks. The elevated bridges go up at 1:30 AM in the morning and are taken back after 5:00 AM. Can you believe that our tour guide made fun of the fact that the other bus was not going to make it on time? It was really frustrating for them to watch the bridges go up in front of their eyes. They finally found online a bridge that goes down for periods of 15 min. and were able to go back to the ship after 3:00 AM. Some of them couldn't make it to their tours the next day. Remember, this is Russia, if you don't make it to your tour the next day, you won't be able to leave the ship. My friends tried to take a taxi and catch up with us, but their visa stated a 9:00AM pick up time and had to stay on the ship. We liked our tour, but it is up to you to decide if it's worth it. The time that you actually spend in Moscow is really limited. If by any chance you are given a late flight on your way back, start screaming and demand an earlier flight. The tour company hired by Celebrity is going to buy the cheapest flights to make more money. Just my two cents. I tried to research this tour before our cruise and didn't find too much information. Hope this helps. BTW, I was concern about the planes used for the flights, if you are too, don't be. The flight was great and were even given a sandwich with juice or water. I do have to say that we felt that we were on a PanAm 1970's flight. The attendants were all really young, skinny and beautiful, wore heavy make up and complicated hair styles. I was also not impressed by either St. Petersburg or Moscow's airports. No restrooms close to the gates, two flights leaving at the same time through the same gate, just a mess!! Before our tour I couldn't understand how Edward Snowden could hide for such a long time on an airport, after visiting Moscow's international airport it just made sense. Hope you enjoy your Baltic cruise.

Thanks for the details. I was quite curious about it. Unfortunately it doesn't sound like you got to see so much there. Fortunately as you say it was your second time in SPB, so you can compare and see the differences between the cities. They are very different.

On our Celebrity cruise, it was sold out, but I didn't come across anyone who took the tour to find out their experiences.

drarill, I had to laugh at the comment about how Snowden was able to hide in the airport ... I had wondered the same thing, but now we know!! LOL

We just did this tour and really liked it, but this was our second time in St. Petersburg. If this is your first time there I don't know if it's the best choice. You spend most of the day in airports and buses. Our meeting time at the ship was 6:45 AM, followed by a 45 min. long drive to the airport. Then we had to wait for a 10:00 AM one hour flight to Moscow. As you can see we arrived after 11:00 AM followed by another 30 minutes ride to the city. We were taken to the Red Square, to take a subway ride, followed by a coffee and tea break, then to the Kremlin armory museum (where we spend most of our time), also visited the Cathedral of the Annunciation, and back to the Red Square. Were only given half hour for shopping, followed by a really long dinner at a local restaurant. Our flight back to St. Petersburg departed half hour late, arriving at 11:30 PM. It took a while for the bus to pick us up, another 45 min. drive to the port and we were at our rooms by 1:00 AM. This means that if you want to see St. Petersburg the next day, you are going to be really tired. BTW, I'm not complaining, this tour was so popular on our cruise that they had two groups for the first time. Most of my friends were on that group and they had the worst time. Their flight left earlier than ours and although they were taken to more places than us, they ended up on a later flight and arrived in St. Petersburg after 12:30 AM. The problem was that the tour company knew that they were not going to make it on time to the bridges that connect the city to the area where the ship docks. The elevated bridges go up at 1:30 AM in the morning and are taken back after 5:00 AM. Can you believe that our tour guide made fun of the fact that the other bus was not going to make it on time? It was really frustrating for them to watch the bridges go up in front of their eyes. They finally found online a bridge that goes down for periods of 15 min. and were able to go back to the ship after 3:00 AM. Some of them couldn't make it to their tours the next day. Remember, this is Russia, if you don't make it to your tour the next day, you won't be able to leave the ship. My friends tried to take a taxi and catch up with us, but their visa stated a 9:00AM pick up time and had to stay on the ship. We liked our tour, but it is up to you to decide if it's worth it. The time that you actually spend in Moscow is really limited. If by any chance you are given a late flight on your way back, start screaming and demand an earlier flight. The tour company hired by Celebrity is going to buy the cheapest flights to make more money. Just my two cents. I tried to research this tour before our cruise and didn't find too much information. Hope this helps. BTW, I was concern about the planes used for the flights, if you are too, don't be. The flight was great and were even given a sandwich with juice or water. I do have to say that we felt that we were on a PanAm 1970's flight. The attendants were all really young, skinny and beautiful, wore heavy make up and complicated hair styles. I was also not impressed by either St. Petersburg or Moscow's airports. No restrooms close to the gates, two flights leaving at the same time through the same gate, just a mess!! Before our tour I couldn't understand how Edward Snowden could hide for such a long time on an airport, after visiting Moscow's international airport it just made sense. Hope you enjoy your Baltic cruise.

Thank you for posting your experience. You have given me a lot to think about. It just seemed like a good idea, now I need to think really hard about it. I would hate to have our second day messed up in SPB.

We did Celebrity's Journey to Moscow excursion in July 2012. We had been to St. Petersburg before so decided to do something different. Interestingly, this excursion had been cancelled on some of the previous cruises that summer as a result of not enough people signed up. There were about 20 people on our excursion.

In a nutshell, I recommend the excursion and would do it again, but there are some caveats:

1. I would probably not go to Moscow if this was my first time visiting St. Petersburg. SP is full of wonderful sites so I would spend my two port days there seeing all the city sites, including the Hermitage, as well as visiting one of the palaces outside the city.

2. If you go to Moscow and plan on taking a tour in SP the next day, be aware (as someone else posted) that the tour returns to the ship very late and you might have difficulty getting up early enough the next morning for your SP tour. Our flight didn't land back in SP until after midnight and we were unable to cross the bridges before they rose. We didn't return back to the ship until after 2am, but because we anticipated that this might happen, we booked an afternoon private car in SP. We actually ended up enjoying being out late in SP with the bridges up as our bus and guide drove us around the city late at night and it was a surreal experience, especially during the white nights of summer.

3. We thought the time in Moscow could have been better organized, allowing us more time to see Red Square and the Kremlin buildings, but we were prevented from doing so due to horrendous traffic around Moscow, a very long-winded local tour guide, and too much time spent stopping for a coffee break (which was entirely unnecessary IMO). We also had almost no time to shop and the time spent in Red Square was much too short. Again, I mostly blamed this on our guide who talked too much rather than allowing us free time to wander around. I ditched the guide and our group before we were actually dismissed for free time so that I could wander around Red Square and make a few purchases from a street artist (local art and crafts on the street are of high quality and inexpensive IMO).

4. The dinner, while served in a beautiful, elegant setting, was mediocre at best. Lots of alcohol, but I've had better beef stroganoff in a school cafeteria.

Having provided you with these caveats, I still would take the tour again. It was a fascinating and magical experience. From the very interesting airport and airplane experience, to having the opportunity to visit the Kremlin sites and Red Square, it was worth it for us. It was a whirlwind of a tour, lasting about 18 hours from the time we left the ship until we returned.

I hope this helps others make a decision about this tour.

• 3 years later...

I was finally able to book the tour online. They just made it available for online booking the other day. I sure hope they reach the minimum number of guests so it isn't cancelled.   Not sure why it leaves at 9:30. If it indeed is an 18.5 hour tour, we won't get back until 4 am.

We are on May 21, 2017 Eclipse and want to do the same tour.

There are several trains per day even on weekends and holidays. If it is the weekend I would say you are better off flying as traffic will be a little better than on a weekday especially in the morning. There are probably several flights an hour. The train is modern and comfortable but not especially scenic.

Since you need a visa anyway you could also consider arranging a Moscow tour guide to meet you at the airport and arrange your own transport to Moscow. An airport taxi should be easy to arrange in St Petersburg or use Uber. Aeroflot tickets are easy to buy online.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 13 hours ago

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 07:36 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 12:53 AM

LauraS · Started Tuesday at 07:17 PM

LauraS · Started Monday at 10:08 PM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

American Airlines’ New Loyalty Policy threatens travel agent ecosystem: WTAAA

The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) is deeply concerned by American Airlines’ recent decision to impose punitive measures against travel agencies that choose to use third-party booking platforms. The airline recently announced that only bookings made directly with American or one of a small number of “preferred” agencies will qualify for AAdvantage miles accrual, leaving the vast majority of travel agency customers at a significant disadvantage. By discontinuing AAdvantage accrual on tickets booked through most agencies and imposing stringent thresholds for agencies to maintain preferred status, American is actively discouraging travellers from booking through the travel agency channel.

Airline loyalty programmes have long been a cornerstone of the travel industry, providing powerful incentives that drive repeat business and customer satisfaction. Travel agencies play an important role in helping consumers maximise the benefits of these programmes. American’s new policy undermines this mutually beneficial relationship, threatening to alienate loyal customers and disrupt the balance of the travel distribution ecosystem.

This heavy-handed tactic will fragment distribution, drive up costs, and reduce transparency for consumers who seek to compare offerings across multiple airlines. It also demonstrates a troubling disregard for the critical role that travel agencies play in serving travellers, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic when their expertise and personalised service were more valuable than ever.

WTAAA calls on American Airlines to reconsider this counterproductive policy and reaffirm its commitment to maintaining an open and equitable distribution landscape that serves the best interests of all industry stakeholders, including travel agencies and, most importantly, the travelling public. We urge the airline to engage in constructive dialogue with travel agency associations and other partners to find solutions that preserve consumer choice and uphold the principles of fair competition.

The travel industry thrives on collaboration, and WTAAA stands ready to work with American Airlines to develop policies that foster innovation, strengthen loyalty programmes, and ensure a bright future for the entire sector.

Amadeus becomes first allied member of WTAAA

Sabre announces Sabre Red Launchpad™, a new booking solution for  travel…

American Airlines Becomes the Only U.S. Carrier to Fly Between New York and Tokyo

Federation of ASEAN Travel Associations joins World Travel Agents Associations…

Since you're here...

...there are many ways you can work with us to advertise your company and connect to your customers. Our team can help you design and create an advertising campaign

We can also organize a real life or digital event for you and find thought leader speakers as well as industry leaders, who could be your potential partners, to join the event. We also run some awards programmes which give you an opportunity to be recognized for your achievements during the year and you can join this as a participant or a sponsor.

Let us help you drive your business forward with a good partnership!

Yes, contact me I want to download the media kit

Comments are closed.

LATEST STORIES

IWTA speaks with Mary Li, Founder and CEO, Atlas

Viking announces new Mongolia extension for China voyages starting in 2024

Cathay Pacific to bring even more experience enhancements designed with customers in mind

Pachmarhi: The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Welcome, Login to your account.

Sign in with Google

Powered by wp-glogin.com

Recover your password.

A password will be e-mailed to you.

Welcome back, Log in to your account.

SIGN UP FOR FREE

Be part of our community of seasoned travel and hospitality industry professionals from all over the world.

• LOGIN / SIGN UP
• Middle East
• UK & Europe
• USA & Canada
• Hospitality
• HR & Careers
• Luxury Travel
• MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)
• Travel Tech
• Travel Agents
• Airlines / Airports
• Conferences
• Cruising (Ocean)
• Cruising (River)
• Destination Management (DMC)
• Hotels & Resorts
• Hotel Management Company
• Hotel Technology
• HR / Appointments
• Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions (MICE)
• Travel Agents (all)
• Travel Technology
• Tourism Boards
• Industry appointments
• Travel Bloggers
• Podcasts – Features
• How to join
• RSVP Portal
• Event Photos/Videos
• Competitions
• Search for Jobs
• Destination NaJomtien BanAmphur BangSaray *NEW*
• จุดหมายปลายทาง นาจอมเทียน หาดบ้านอำเภอ บางเสร่ *NEW*
• South Australia Reward Wonders *NEW*
• Ponant Yacht Cruises and Expeditions
• Encore Tickets (Chinese Guide)
• Affordable Luxury in Thailand by Centara Hotels
• Rising Above the Oridinary by Conrad Bangkok
• The Best of Thailand
• Who is IWTA
• Philippines
• Recommend Someone
• Recommend yourself
• Awards site
• Be a Sponsor
• Nominate Now
• Buy Tickets
• TRAVEL CLUB

Moscow is the biggest city in Russia as well as the Capital, and has over ten million people living here. Moscow sits right on the banks of the Moskva River. The weather here is kind of warm and a bit humid in the summers, but in the long winters it can get bitter cold because of its northern location.

This huge city has an incredibly rich cultural history, a multitude of attractions, historical buildings and interesting landmarks. The renowned onion domes of Saint Basil’s Cathedral are the most recognized, however, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Seven Sisters are also magnificent. Here’s some of the most important attractions: Red Square, There are four wonderful Botanical Gardens, the Central Park of Culture and Rest, the Neskuchniy Garden, the Izmaylovsky Park, the Sokolnik Park, the Elk Park, and many, many more wonderful places to rest and relax.

We’ve been orchestrating Russia dream vacations for discriminating travelers for more than 20 years. It helps us help you, if you begin with our  vacation planner  we’ll make sure you have a lot of fun in Moscow, do everything for you; air, car, hotels and transfers; get you the best airfare rates, enjoy privileged access plus luxury amenities and special touches. You’ll travel confidently, save time and prevent costly mistakes.

Other must see attractions are: The Triumphal arch on Kutuzov Avenue, The Shukhov Tower, the Patriarshiye Ponds, Novodevichy Convent is one of the World Heritage Sites, the Tsaritsyno Park and palace, Ascension church in Kolomenskoye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ostankino Palace, “Friendship of Nations” fountain in All-Russia Exhibition Center, Moscow International House of Music, The Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow State Historical Museum, The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Tretyakov Gallery, The Red Army theatre, the Central Moscow Hippodrome and that’s just a few exciting things to see.

Photo Gallery

Testimonials.

It’s a good idea to check the laws of the country before leaving: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html

Your personal connection to the priceless experiences in every corner of the globe!

Latest News

• Product News
• Partner News
• Up For Grabs
• The Secret Agent
• Press Releases
• Partner News Promotion
• Travel Gossip on Whatsapp
• New York State Hub
• USA Boot Camp
• Cruise Directory
• Switzerland Destination Hub
• New South Wales Hub
• Homeworking Directory
• New to Cruise Bootcamp
• Competitions, Offers and Incentives
• Big Agent Rewards
• Travel Gossip Roadshow 2024
• View Events Calendar
• Subscribe to our Events Roundup
• Event Organisers
• Bespoke Events
• For Suppliers
• The Travel Celebration
• About Travel Gossip
• The Travel Gossip Team
• The Travel Celebration 2023
• Summer Party 2021
• Facebook Group

Select Page

InteleTravel launches ‘IntelePerks’ rewards scheme for travel agents

InteleTravel has launched a rewards scheme for its travel agent members, who will be able to exchange points for a range of rewards including luxury goods, electronics and holidays.

Agents will earn points for activities such as completing training modules, attending industry events, participating in surveys and supporting preferred partners.

InteleTravel is still finalising details of the points redemption, but it said awards will include more than 1,000 goods such as jewellery, luggage, handbags, sports equipment, home decor, kitchenware, sound systems and electrical goods from top brands including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Sony.

There will be travel options including stays at all-inclusive resorts, hotel nights, ocean and river cruises, wine and culinary tours, and spa retreats.

InteleTravel said the launch of IntelePerks followed a ‘record start to the year’, with March sales up 42% compared with March 2023.

“IntelePerks is a new way to reward advisors. But it goes further than recognition and reward; it allows us to drive behaviour from making internal process changes to improving sales for selected preferred partners,” said InteleTravel UK and Ireland managing director Tricia Handley-Hughes.

“We’ve taken the loyalty and incentive idea from airlines, hotels and other suppliers and used it for the first time within an agency operation.

“Commissions come first, then jewellery, electronics, fashion, cruises, hotel stays and similar redemption opportunities.”

The programme will be launched in phases as the technology progresses. IntelePerks is open to all InteleTravel advisors at no cost.

Share this article

Brits call Tenerife hotels to ask if it’s safe following media reports of anti-tourism protests

A Tenerife hotelier says British guests are calling ahead to check it’s still safe to visit...

Union threatens to leave easyJet and TUI flights without food or drink

Caterers providing food and drink to a number of airlines including easyJet and TUI flights from...

InteleTravel has launched a rewards scheme for its travel agent members, who will be able to...

Wizz Air announces plan to power flights with human waste

Wizz Air has reached a $1billion deal with an Essex-based company to produce sustainable jet fuel...

CLIA UK members hit record levels

Cruise association CLIA UK & Ireland saw a 4% rise in membership during the first quarter of...

View all news

Advertising