Ultra Luxury Cruising
Ultra Luxury Cruise Lines
“Luxury” is one of the most overused words in travel, which makes cruise lines genuinely hard to compare. We cut through it with three clear tiers — Ultra Luxury, Luxury and Premium — and this page is about the very best: the lines that set the ultra-luxury standard, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and Silversea.
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In short
An ultra-luxury cruise line is the top tier of cruising: small to mid-sized, all-suite or near all-suite ships with the highest space-per-guest and crew-to-guest ratios, where the fare is genuinely all-inclusive — suite, dining, beverages, gratuities and, on most lines, shore excursions too. It sits above the Luxury and Premium tiers.
Fine Travel is a full-service New Zealand travel agency, established in 2000, that books the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise lines — Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and Silversea — for clients throughout New Zealand, and can arrange your connecting flights, hotels and insurance alongside the voyage.
The Market Leaders
The three ultra-luxury cruise lines
Regent Seven Seas
All-inclusive, contemporary luxury — the fare covers unlimited shore excursions, all dining, beverages and gratuities, with spacious all-suite ships.
Explore Regent Seven Seas →
Seabourn
A more relaxed, intuitive luxury on smaller ships, known for genuinely knowing their guests and for an easy, country-club-casual style.
Explore Seabourn →
Silversea
Elegant, all-suite ships with butler service throughout and a refined, destination-rich style that reaches some of the world’s most remote ports.
Explore Silversea →The Fine Travel Difference
Why book your ultra-luxury cruise with Fine Travel
You get the cruise line’s own fares and offers, the expertise of a boutique agency, and a few things you won’t get booking direct.
The same fare, plus more
Booking through Fine Travel costs the same as booking direct, with the same Regent, Seabourn and Silversea offers — plus the benefits of a dedicated consultant and our long-standing relationships with each line’s New Zealand representatives.
A Fine Travel thank-you gift
As a thank-you for booking your Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn or Silversea voyage with us, we’ll send you a gift to enjoy before you sail.
The whole trip, handled
Beyond the cruise, we can arrange your connecting flights, pre- and post-cruise hotels, transfers and travel insurance — one trusted point of contact from New Zealand and back.
Common Questions
Ultra-luxury cruising — your questions answered
What makes a cruise line “ultra-luxury”?
An ultra-luxury cruise line operates small to mid-sized, all-suite or near all-suite ships with the highest space-per-guest and crew-to-guest ratios, and an all-inclusive fare covering dining, beverages, gratuities and usually shore excursions. It’s the top tier of cruising, above the Luxury and Premium tiers, and the lines widely regarded as leading it are Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and Silversea.
What’s the difference between ultra-luxury, luxury and premium cruise lines?
Ultra-luxury lines are all-inclusive, with the smallest ships and the highest levels of space and service — Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and Silversea. Luxury lines offer a refined, mostly inclusive experience on somewhat larger ships, such as Viking and Oceania. Premium lines deliver a high standard with more pay-as-you-go elements and larger ships. The tiers are about inclusion, ship size and service ratios rather than destination.
Which ultra-luxury cruise lines does Fine Travel book?
Fine Travel books all three of the leading ultra-luxury cruise lines: Regent Seven Seas (all-inclusive, contemporary), Seabourn (relaxed, intuitive luxury) and Silversea (elegant, all-suite with butler service). We work with each line’s New Zealand representative and can book any voyage they offer.
Are ultra-luxury cruises all-inclusive?
Yes — an all-inclusive fare is one of the defining features of the ultra-luxury tier. Across Regent, Seabourn and Silversea the fare typically covers your suite, all dining, beverages including wines and spirits, and gratuities, with shore excursions included or generously credited depending on the line. International airfares to and from the ship are usually separate, and Fine Travel can arrange these.
Which ultra-luxury cruise line is best for New Zealand travellers?
It depends on the experience you’re after rather than there being one “best” line: Regent suits those who want everything included and excursions in every port, Seabourn appeals to travellers who prefer a relaxed, social style, and Silversea suits those drawn to all-suite elegance and far-flung itineraries. Because every voyage from New Zealand involves long-haul flights, we help match the line, itinerary and any pre-cruise hotel to how you like to travel. Contact Fine Travel for a recommendation.
Does it cost more to book an ultra-luxury cruise through a travel agent?
No — booking through Fine Travel costs the same as booking directly with the cruise line, with the same fares and offers. You also gain a dedicated consultant, our relationships with each line’s New Zealand representative, and a Fine Travel thank-you gift on Regent, Seabourn and Silversea bookings.
Do I have to fly business class to join an ultra-luxury cruise?
No. Many guests fly business class for the long flights from New Zealand, but others choose premium economy or economy. Fine Travel can arrange your connecting flights in any cabin alongside the cruise.
Last updated 30 May 2026
Planning an ultra-luxury cruise?
Tell us roughly where and when you’d like to sail, and we’ll match you to the right line and voyage — with current pricing and the best available offer.