World's 10 best luxury cruise ships for 2008 announced

Released on: March 3, 2009, 3:10 am
Author: Fielding's Guide to Luxury Cruises
Industry: Travel

Australia, 2 March 2009 - Following the recent announcement of the World's best luxury cruise ship, the EUROPA, the highly respected 'Fielding's Guide to Luxury Cruises' has announced the others on the top 10 list.

The Hapag-Lloyd owned EUROPA scored top spot for the third consecutive year with high marks for food and dining, crew and service, cabins and facilities, guest lecturers, shore excursions, ship design and layout. The EUROPA services the German speaking market, but is revered by the handful of well travelled English speaking guests, who are served by the bi-lingual crew.

For a record fifth consecutive year the 1,080 passenger Crystal Cruises ship, Serenity, took top spot for best large ship and best ship overall servicing the English speaking market. Author of the on-line guide at www.fieldings-luxury-cruises.com, Tim Fielding said, The Serenity represents the cream of the crop for those looking for a large ship, luxury cruising experience. The Crystal difference shows in all areas of the ship but none more so than the loyal crew. It even caters for your children during holiday periods. Crystal also took out third spot with the slightly smaller Symphony.

The boutique offering, the Seabourn Legend, continued to impress at fourth despite her lack of balconies and is being joined by her much anticipated new stable mate, the 450 passenger Odyssey in June this year. The 382 passenger ship from Silversea, the Silver Whisper took the fifth position, and will also be joined in December this year by a new colleague, the 540 passenger Silver Spirit.

Regent Seven Seas had three of their ships in the top 10, with the Voyager, Paul Gauguin and Mariner all impressing since the new owners took control.

Fielding went on to say, This year will see new luxury offerings from Silversea and Seabourn so expect a shake-up of the luxury market, it will create an interesting battle for the top spot in 2009.

The complete list is:

1. MS Europa ........Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
2. Serenity ...........Crystal Cruises
3. Symphony.........Crystal Cruises
4. Legend ............The Yachts of Seabourn
5. Silver Whisper ..Silversea
6. Voyager ...........Regent Seven Seas
7. Sea Dream I .....Sea Dream Yacht Club
8. Paul Gauguin ....Regent Seven Seas
9. Silver Cloud ......Silversea
10. Mariner ...........Regent Seven Seas

Past year winners can be viewed at :
http://www.fieldings-luxury-cruises.com/awards.html

Further information:

Fielding's Guide to Luxury Cruises:
www.fieldings-luxury-cruises.com

Tim Fielding : tim@fieldings-luxury-cruises.com

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: Tina Quitzau - presse@hlkf.de

Crystal Cruises: publicrelations@crystalcruises.com

Phone +61 419 515 123 (FLC)