The 4 Best Cruise Lines flying under the radar

The cruise industry is huge. Guests may be deeply loyal to their favorite brands, but they may be missing out on all that is out there. Several great cruise lines operate under the radar, outside the familiar household names. Just like boutique hotels, these brands are more specialized to the needs of their clientele. Here is a list of our favorite Sleeper Cruise lines:

• Emerald Cruises may not be the first name you think of when it comes to river cruising. However– Many similarities in service and quality to their more luxurious sister brand, Scenic. Emerald Cruises river “star” ships can be found on most major European Rivers, the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, Egypt’s Nile, and more. Emerald’s itineraries are designed to perfectly balance time spent in port and onboard. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the local communities and cultures they visit.
  
  Emerald also has yachts! The Emerald Azzurra and the upcoming Emerald Sakara, are both luxury mega yachts. The Azzurra is currently cruising the Mediterranean but Emerald has already announced that itinerary availability will expand when her sister ship arrives.

• Windstar Cruises has been relying on repeat business from loyal guests for years. A small brand by comparison to its competitors, but a unique product that is most definitely worth your time. Windstar operates three all-suite motor yachts and 3 diesel wind hybrid sailing vessels.
  
  Operating in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific. Itinerary options abound. Windstar keeps a vessel in Tahiti year-round, offering guests the best value on one of the most romantic itineraries in the industry
   

• Swan Hellenic is a new expedition brand with a familiar name. The SH Minerva, the SH Vega, and the upcoming SH Diana make up Swan Hellenic’s fleet of polar certified vessels. The size and quality of the ships are comparable to some of their more well-known competitors, which makes Swan Hellenic arguably the best value in premium Expedition Cruising.

• Azamara Cruises have been around for a while. Having recently broken away from the Royal Caribbean family of brands, those who sail with them would tell you that they are still the world leader in destination immersive premium cruising. The entire experience is designed to feel as though you are a guest of a boutique hotel at sea. Small vessels provide the ability to access smaller ports closer to the action. Azamara invites guests to enjoy a wider understanding of their favorite destinations with more overnight stays and exclusive cultural events.

You can truly benefit from the advice of an experienced travel consultant when facing such a wide variety of specialized offerings. It is more important than ever to draw on as much experience as possible to maximize the value of your vacation and guide you to the right product. Luxury Cruise Connections is happy to assist you to find the cruise line that fits your style.