With restart programs going ahead, the luxury cruise market is bouncing back. Cruise Industry News has looked into the status of some of the major players in the luxury market.  

Seabourn
Status: Two ships currently in service; one more set to follow in February 2022
Ships: Seabourn Ovation and Seabourn Odyssey currently in service; Seabourn Encore set to follow
Regions: Mediterranean, Caribbean and the Canaries

Seabourn is offering cruises in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean on its two currently sailing ships.

The Seabourn Ovation was the first to welcome passengers back for the luxury brand in July. It is presently offering a series of Mediterranean cruises, sailing from Greece, Spain and Italy. The Seabourn Odyssey is sailing from Barbados offering a program of Caribbean cruises.

Seabourn is anticipating service resumption for the Seabourn Encore in February 2022. The vessel – previously set to reenter commercial operations in April – will be offering a series of new ten- and 11-day itineraries to the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Status: Two ships currently in service; one more set to follow in December 2021
Ships: Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explorer currently in service; Seven Seas Mariner set to follow
Regions: Europe, Caribbean and Panama Canal

While two of its vessels have already welcomed guests back, Regent plans to have its entire five-ship fleet back in service by February.

In September, the Seven Seas Splendor became the first vessel to resume service for the brand. The 2019-built ship has been offering a series of European sailings ever since, ahead of a winter season in the Caribbean.

The Seven Seas Explorer followed suit in October with Mediterranean sailings. The Seven Seas Mariner resumes guest operations next with a Panama Canal sailing in December.

The Seven Seas Navigator and the Seven Seas Voyager are set to return in early 2022, with Southern Caribbean and Western Mediterranean voyages, respectively.

Crystal Cruises
Status: Three ships in service
Ships: Crystal Serenity, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Endeavor currently in service
Regions: Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda

Crystal Cruises’ restart plan already has all three ships back in service. While the Crystal Serenity was the first ship to resume commercial operations for the brand in July, the Crystal Symphony and the Crystal Endeavor have also been sailing with guests for the last few months.

Sailing from Nassau and Bimini, the Serenity is currently offering a weeklong Bahamas itinerary that – since August – also includes Miami as a third homeport.

The Symphony is presently sailing from New York on a series of Bermuda voyages.

Delivered to the brand in July, the Endeavour recently wrapped up its inaugural season in Iceland. The new expedition vessel is now in the Caribbean before debuting in Antarctica in November.

Silversea Cruises
Status: Four ships currently in service; three more set to follow in November
Ships: Silver Moon, Silver Origin, Silver Shadow and Silver Spirit currently in service; Silver Cloud, Silver Explorer and Silver Whisper set to follow
Region: Galapagos, Europe, Atlantic, Caribbean and Antarctica 

Silversea Cruises welcomed its passengers back in June. Initially, two ships entered commercial service: the Silver Origin in the Galapagos and the Silver Moon in Europe.

In July, continuing with its restart plan, the luxury brand relaunched guest operations in Alaska and Iceland, adding two ships to the active lineup.

Now, Royal Caribbean’s luxury brand is planning for its return to Antarctica onboard two ships. Sailing from Chile, Silversea is relaunching its expedition sailings in the continent in November.

The company also returns to the Caribbean in November with the Silver Whisper, offering cruises from San Juan and Fort Lauderdale.

Windstar Cruises
Status: Five ships currently in service; one more set to follow in April 2022
Ships: Wind Surf, Wind Star, Wind Spirit, Star Breeze and Star Legend currently in service; Star Pride set to follow
Region: Europe, Tahiti, Atlantic and the Canaries  

Most of the Windstar Cruises fleet is currently in service around the world.

While the Star Breeze recently launched service in Tahiti, the Star Legend is completing a short season in the Mediterranean before sailing to the Caribbean in November.

The company’s three sailing vessels – Wind Surf, Wind Star and Wind Spirit – are also currently offering itineraries in those two regions.

Ponant
Status: Five ships currently in service; four more set to follow in November
Ships: Le Lyrial, Le Bougainville, Paul Gauguin, Le Bellot and Le Jacques Cartier currently in service; Le Commandant Charchot, Le Champlain, L’Austral and Le Boreal set to follow
Region: Europe, Tahiti, Atlantic, Caribbean, Seychelles, Caribbean, Red Sea and Antarctica

According to Ponant’s website, five cruise ships are currently offering cruises for the brand around the world. The figure includes the 332-guest Paul Gauguin, which is operated under the Paul Gauguin Cruises banner and sails year-round in the South Pacific.

With more regions opening up, Ponant is building up its offering over the next few weeks. By the end of November, the company is adding four more ships into the active lineup, including the new Le Commandant Charcot.

On October 31, the LNG-powered icebreaker is departing Chile on its inaugural cruise, kicking off the company’s season in Antarctica. In November, three additional ships – Le Boreal, L’Austral and Le Lyrial – are also welcoming guests back in the destination.

The remainder of the active fleet is set to offer cruises in the Caribbean, the Seychelles, the Red Sea, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.