2.SILVERSEA

These six ships stop in the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Europe, Africa, and Antarctica. Guests retire to cabins with brass, marble, etched glass, and soft leathers. Off-the-beaten-path excursions yield once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from penguin spotting in Antarctica to an evening in the desert, where “the Namibian choir gave a real feeling for the culture.” In The Restaurant, “superb waitstaff” serve signature dishes from Relais & Châteaux properties; “the no-tipping policy and free-flowing drinks make you feel like a guest on someone’s yacht.” Afternoon tea, with pastries, petit fours, and piano music, is served on all the ships in the Panorama Lounge, designed to replicate the curves of the nautilus shell. The newest ship, Silver Spirit, launched in December 2009 with a spa that offers acupuncture.

The “small, intimate schooners” promise attentive service: “Staff quickly remember your favorite beverage and how to serve it.” Itineraries take in the Caribbean, Central America, and the Mediterranean. “A wide range of food choices” includes seasonal  dishes such as Tuscan shrimp and crêpes with poached pears at Degrees, and “the wine lists have a large selection.” The poolside grill Candles supplies steaks and skewers, and the line also offers certain spa treatments by the pool. Sleek cabins are “impeccably designed,” with a white, crimson, and gold palette, as well as granite countertops, porcelain sinks, and teak floors. Excursions include a painting lesson in Dubrovník and custom fragrance making in a Monte Carlo perfumery.

Sailing to the Caribbean and Europe on these 112-passenger yachts is “a unique experience—the ships are small, so you get to know other travelers.” Facilities on the six decks include a pool, a whirlpool, and a casino. Staterooms, with twin or queen beds and at least one window, are “decent but a little dated,” and highlight modern Scandinavian design, dominated by tans and beiges with blue accents. Side trips, such as the one to Vieques’s bioluminescent bay, “are great—but my best memory of the sailing is the food, the people, and the service.” The ships often overnight in port, allowing guests the opportunity to experience the local nightlife.

Starting in 2011, its two ships’ itineraries will extend to Antarctica, Alaska, and West Africa. Excursions include local volunteer programs, zip-lining in the rain forests of New Zealand, and splurges like a drive through Monte Carlo in a Lamborghini. On board, expect “the best lecturers and personalities of any cruise line.” Rooms have “more than enough hanging and drawer space, and spectacular marble bathrooms”; Crystal Penthouses come with Murano glass lamps and Swarovski chandeliers. “The true standouts are the restaurants,” which include Silk Road and the Sushi Bar, a specialty dining room where the sushi is made from sustainable seafood and “is beyond compare.” Year to year, “staff remember your favorite cocktails.” The spas use Elemis skin products, while the gyms offer Nordic Walking fitness classes.

These three all-suite vessels sail to the ends of the earth, from New Zealand and the South Pacific to the Panama Canal and Africa. “Very comfortable” wood-paneled cabins have a lounge space, big TVs, and down comforters, and most have balconies. Restaurants are “superb and offer plenty of choices,” including steak, French, and vegetarian; breakfast and lunch at La Veranda can be taken alfresco.  Exploring the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea and zip-lining over a Chilean volcano are only two of the shore excursions. “Staff are genuinely friendly and responsive to any request.” The onboard spas are run by Canyon Ranch and offer thalassotherapy, seaweed wraps, aromatherapy, and body scrubs.