Climb aboard a luxury vessel and you'll immediately understand what sets the experience apart from life on a mass-market or contemporary cruise ship. Lavish attention to every detail. Ultimate convenience. A level of personal attention and pampering that leaves guests delighted and amazed.

When you make the leap to luxury cruising, you'll enjoy the best of everything – the finest available accommodations, cutting-edge amenities, gourmet dining from the world's most celebrated culinary artists, an elegant array of enrichment programs and activities, and service that prides itself on knowing exactly what you need (and when you'll need it). Today's luxury cruise ships offer passengers every posh perk imaginable – from Evian spritzes by the pool to course-by-course in-suite dining – as well as a number of offerings that may never have crossed your mind.

Luxury accommodations. Spacious marble baths and generously-sized walk-in closets. Expansive views of the sea from the comfort of large and private teak verandahs. Frette linens, feather pillows, and complimentary champagne. Depending on your stateroom of choice, you can expect to enjoy well over 1,000 square feet of personal space. And a sophisticated selection of room amenities is the standard. Watch first-run films on a 42” flat-screen plasma television with Bose® surround sound. Order from a pillow menu designed to cater to the wishes of a discerning clientele, and expect nightly turndown service (and delicious surprises) when retiring to your cabin each evening.

Luxury dining equals imaginative gourmet creations prepared under the watchful eyes of award-winning chefs, a selection of vintage wines that even the most discerning sommelier would admire, innovative venues, and so much more. Open-seating policies are the rule, allowing guests the flexibility to dine as they choose, and mealtime options abound. Think tuxedo-clad waitstaff, multiple courses of truly inspired cuisine, and elegantly appointed tables set with fine China and European crystal. Casually elegant choices are also on the menu – sumptuous buffets served along teak-lined pool decks, as well as opportunities to enjoy course-by-course dining experiences in the comfort of your suite (complimentary butler service caters to every whim).

The freedom to do anything. Or nothing at all. Aboard a luxury cruise, you'll encounter the same simple pleasures you'd expect to find aboard any traditional cruise – sunbathing poolside, for example, or the chance to enjoy an invigorating workout. But a luxury cruise augments these activities with exclusive programming and special offerings that are unique to your voyage. Choice is paramount. Succumb to the tranquility (and the exotic treatments) that can only be found in the most elegant spa and wellness facilities at sea. Or treat yourself to the ultimate souvenir – exclusive partnerships with premier brands afford passengers some very luxurious shopping opportunities. Then, when night falls, attend a live orchestral performance conducted by starlight.

A luxury cruise will take you places you've only dreamed about. And onboard enrichment programs, a signature feature of the luxury cruise experience, help bring those places to life. World-renowned experts and celebrities set sail alongside passengers, sharing anecdotes, insights, and a wealth of behind-the-scenes information with guests. Stimulating lectures and hands-on demonstrations illuminate and enhance your journey. Study Renaissance art with a leading museum curator, or acting with performers from London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Discuss a bestselling book with its author, or a destination included in your itinerary with a distinguished foreign ambassador. Head ashore to prepare a gourmet meal under the tutelage of chefs from the prestigious Relais & Châteux.

Highly personalized service is the hallmark of the luxury cruise experience. Favorable staff-to-guest ratios mean that there's always someone at your disposal, and you'll reap the benefits instantly. Carefully selected professionals greet you warmly by name, take pride in anticipating your needs, and fulfill every whim. Personal butlers are also available (their services, in some instances, are already included in your fare) to attend to every detail of your stay, from special shipboard requests to shoreside arrangements. Luxury's service is simply unrivaled, and the examples are legendary – uniform clad stewards that wade into the surf to serve caviar and champagne while you're ashore, complimentary massages delivered on deck, and much more.