Ultra-luxury or six star cruises include brands such as Silversea, Crystal, Cunard and Regent Cruises, but what truly makes these cruise lines a cut above the rest? Today it seems that every cruise line labels their ships as ‘luxury’ and the word seems to have lost all meaning. I take a look at the true meaning of ultra-luxury cruises…

A luxury cruise is the ultimate all-inclusive adventure, on an intimate ship with like-minded people. The majority of the six star ships carry less than 1,000 guests, meaning you get a whole new level of personalised service without feeling crowded. Their intimate size means that these ships can slip into remote ports of call, where the larger cruise lines are unable to go.

The ultra-luxury lines…

Silversea Cruises offers guests large-ship amenities aboard four specially designed intimate vessels. Distinctive European styling reflects the company's true Italian heritage and is evident in every detail, from the sublime all-suite accommodation to the uncompromising service levels. Silver Cloud and Silver Wind are their smallest ships with just 296 guests on board. You can enjoy an array of dining options including the a la carte La Terrazza Italian restaurant, a show lounge which plays host to dancing and live music each night, a casino, an outdoor swimming pool and a therapeutic spa.

Crystal Cruises journey to some of the world's most exotic and breath-taking destinations and their Innovative shore excursions and off-ship adventures add further to the Crystal Cruise experience. Crystal Cruises currently has two ultra-luxurious ships in its fleet – the Crystal Symphony and the Crystal Serenity. Carrying 940 and 1,080 travellers, the ships have one of the highest guest-to-staff ratios in the industry.

Cunard is a highly respected cruise line and has become the byword for comfort, luxury and style. It’s the ultimate travel experience. Cunard currently has three ships in its fleet - the Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria. Children facilities are available on-board the Cunard ships as well as youngsters will be kept entertained with an array of activities – under the supervision of qualified British nannies.

Regent Cruises has three cruisers in the fleet – Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Navigator, and Seven Seas Voyager. Carrying a maximum of 700 travellers, they’re able to offer unique itineraries to must-see cities and hidden gems where larger ships aren’t able to go. You can enjoy menus inspired by the legendary Le Cordon Bleu® of Paris and Prime 7, a classic American steakhouse plus 24-hour in-suite dining and all-suite accommodations which have been designed with luxury and comfort firmly in mind.

This luxury is all included….

As most luxury cruises are all-inclusive, they cover everything from drinks to shore excursions and airfare, offering exceptional value for money. Gratuities are often taken care of too, delivering an additional sense of freedom and leaving you to enjoy the flawless service without worrying about tipping. These ultra-luxury ships are your ticket to pure luxury, once you’ve experienced one of these six star floating hotels, you won’t look back. It really is cruising at its best.