Pure luxury - dream ships on the high seas

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Around 80 percent of travelers who cruised before the pandemic say they want to cruise again. Shipping companies are reporting record bookings, and people are willing to dig deeper into their pockets for special experiences. Sustainability and luxury go hand in hand: the Silver Nova from Silversea is one of the most climate-friendly ships. In port, it's emission-free because it has shore power. On the high seas, it's powered by liquefied petroleum gas.

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Around 20 new cruise ships are taking to the skies this year - and have offers tailored to specific target groups: there are golf cruises (with a ship's own training course and simulators, run by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises) that dock at the world's most beautiful golf spots, nudist cruises with Aida Cruises ensure seamless tans, and the Carnival Jubilee is a floating theme park whose most spectacular highlight is a roller coaster.

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Older ships have undergone modernization; after all, a younger audience has different demands - fewer bells and whistles, less pomp, but more individualized service. One example: the new Norwegian Viva from Norwegian Cruises advertises a completely new standard of service thanks to a high crew count.

The Norwegian shipping company Hurtigruten has also invested almost 100 million euros in modernizing its fleet, including an environmental upgrade. Thus, according to the MS Richard With three more ships will receive hybrid propulsion systems to reduce their emissions by 80 percent.

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Unusual regions such as Antarctica, which can only be reached by small ships anyway, guarantee a perfect mix of relaxation, luxury and an expedition feeling. World cruises are also booming: with the AIDAsol, for example, it's once around the globe within 117 days: 43 ports, 18 countries and four continents.

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Well-known hotel chains such as Ritz-Carlton and Aman are also entering the cruise business, and Four Seasons plans to launch its first luxury yacht in 2025, with 95 villa-like residences that'll have private plunge pools and their own spa areas. Guests will have nearly 50 percent more space on 14 decks than has been available to date. This is another trend that's not for landlubbers: people buy an apartment on a ship to spend their retirement there. That way, you're permanently at home - and yet you're traveling all over the world.

Enjoy yourself like Epicurus 

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Anyone who goes on a cruise wants to experience something - including culinary experiences. Demands have risen, our taste buds have evolved, they've become more sensitive and curious. The more authentic the cuisine, the better: we want to try local specialties and not be fobbed off with run-of-the-mill dishes.

Gone are the days when a casual buffet at lunchtime and a formal restaurant with fixed seat reservations and the same table neighbors sufficed. The ships have become a culinary cosmos. The luxury provider Regent Seven Seas Cruises has adapted its motto to these contemporary requirements: everything is customized to satisfy the inner gourmet in the guest. There must be something for every diet and every taste; vegetarian and vegan alternatives have long since become a matter of course.

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"Nothing enhances travel like cuisine," says Andrea DeMarco, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The new Epicurean Perfection program strives for holistic hedonism in keeping with the ancient model. There are individual wine tastings, shore excursions to top restaurants and culinary tours to markets. Back on board, the ingredients are processed together; so the taste of a voyage can be conjured up at home in the form of Spanish tapas, Latvian or Caribbean specialties. Wine tours (including tastings), on the other hand, lead directly to the very best suppliers. And the Local Flavor Tours take guests to traditional eateries to explore original authentic dishes. 

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The bar is also set extremely high on board. Up to five specialty restaurants can be found on some Regent Seven Seas ships, allowing a culinary journey to suit your mood. The Chartreuse, for example, evokes memories of a chic Parisian gourmet restaurant discovered during an evening stroll, with the very finest haute cuisine - and, not to forget, there's a fantastic view of the sea. Pacific Rim, on the other hand, is a new pan-Asian specialty restaurant with minimalist décor and dim lighting to evoke a Zen mood. With reservations, it's ideal for a romantic date night on the high seas. La Veranda, on the other hand, focuses on a casual dining experience with Italian classics.

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Culinary art needs roots. Recipes that have been passed down through generations taste best. Italy alone is a huge gourmet region; every village has its own specialties. In the short films Heritage Stories, which are found on the Homepage of Regent Seven Seas, it becomes clear how much heart and soul goes into the dishes on board - for the Chartreuse, experiences of three Michelin-star chefs and French family recipes were combined, Puglia in turn was the inspiration for the restaurants Sette Mari and La Veranda. After all, Italian hospitality is more than just fantastic food: it's an attitude to life. And Regent Seven Seas is certain that this should also be conveyed on board.

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