Like many avid travellers, we’re all for discovering the best holiday experiences across the world. So, what if we told you that there’s a new way to explore all your favourite vacation destinations, and all it takes is to hop on board a luxury train trip or a luxury cruise voyage?
Of course, these experiences are not new, as the first luxury trains were introduced in 1880, but these excursions have recently become increasingly popular compared to flying. And who can blame our holidaymakers, when luxury trains and fun cruise voyages make for such amazing travel experiences? From feeling like a hotel on the go to a roving theme park with non-stop fun, let us take you through 5 luxury train trips and unforgettable cruises you simply can’t refuse.
Why experience a luxury train trip or cruise ship?
But what has changed with travel, and why are luxury train trips or cruise voyages the new way to see the world? Let’s break it down.
“Slow travel” is redefining luxury train trips and cruise ships
In a world where everything feels busy and rushed, more travellers are now beginning to enjoy the thrill of slow travel, where high-quality experiences matter more than seeing as many places as they can in a single trip.
Photo by Elimende Inagella on Unsplash
With a focus on making deep connections to the culture and beauty of a destination, luxury train trips and luxury cruise voyages offer guests the opportunity to enjoy their well-deserved holiday at a more relaxed pace. Most land and sea voyages also handpick their stop destinations and ports of call to match fantastic on-ground activities hosted by locals, so travellers can discover a holiday experience like no other.
Saying goodbye to your airport woes and flying blues
As opposed to airport hassles and long queues at the security checks, travelling by land and sea means you have more time to explore at your holiday destination than to stand around a freezing airport lounge. Do you enjoy shopping to your heart’s content while on vacation? Well, gone are the days when you have to think hard about buying the souvenir of your dreams, because you wouldn’t come across luggage weight limits or liquid allowances when travelling with luxury trains or cruise ships.
For travellers who often feel uncomfortable while flying due to space constraints or other contributing factors, the freedom to move around a luxury train or cruise ship is always a welcoming experience. This is coupled with the unmatched service of the crew onboard, who are always ready to provide help when needed, making every guest feel appreciated and well cared for during the entire trip.
You’ll see more as you explore via luxury trains and cruise ships
Can you imagine falling asleep in one city and waking up in a new place in a few hours? Well, luxury trains and cruise voyages could turn that into a reality. Known to many travellers as a hotel-on-the-go, exploring with luxury trains and cruises means you save plenty of time as you’re still moving as you sleep. You’ll also get to save on accommodation for the night, making it a great way to explore a new destination and get some well-deserved rest before your adventure the very next day.
Unlike flying into your destination where the airport is set far from your favourite hotspots, luxury trains and cruise ship arrivals will often put you in the city centre, making it convenient for you to explore from the moment you set foot in a new city. Furthermore, the routes taken by luxury trains and cruise ships are those that are less travelled, including going through smaller villages or mountainsides. This means you get to see and experience more from your holiday, even as you’re moving from one point to another.
Network when you want it, privacy when you need it
One of the best things about travelling with luxury trains and cruise ships is that you can forge new friendships along the way. With plenty to see, eat, and do while onboard and on the move, networking opportunities are just a hello away as you cruise on land or sea. Who knows, you may even forge lifelong friendships and make new pacts to travel together in the future.
But this doesn’t mean you can’t have the personal space you need. Unlike travelling by flying, exploring new destinations with luxury trains and cruise ships often means you’ll have your private rooms to head back to whenever you need. This gives travellers the freedom to unwind after a long day of exploration and activities, which can be highly appreciated, especially for introverted holidaymakers. These pockets of calm provide a great balance to your holiday experience and are often overlooked by many travellers who underestimate the importance of private space.
5 luxurious train trips or cruise excursions you must try
Eastern & Oriental Express, Singapore and Malaysia
Photo by DestinAsian
If you’re looking for a luxury train experience that’s close to home, then the Eastern & Oriental Express is a must-try. With two routes to choose from – both of which depart from Singapore – guests can pick the 4 days, 3 nights adventure of their liking and enjoy the same signature Eastern & Oriental Express experience onboard Belmond’s restyled carriages. This includes 24-hour steward services, daily breakfasts at the meal cabin or in the comfort of your private cabin, three-course lunches, four-course dinners, and a selection of the finest beverages, both alcoholic and otherwise.
The first of which is known as the Essence of Malaysia, an exquisite experience that takes guests through the lush beauty of Malaysia’s natural landscape across Langkawi and Penang. An additional cruise to Langkawi’s best-kept snorkelling gem at Pulau Payar Marine Park is also included, so bringing along swim clothes is recommended for this trip. Perfect for guests seeking a relaxing holiday, the Essence of Malaysia is a fantastic way to experience your inaugural luxury train trip.
Alternatively, why not get up close and personal with nature on Eastern & Oriental Express’ Wild Malaysia trip? Offering a wildlife excursion at the Taman Negara National Park in support of the conservation efforts of the endangered Malayan Tiger, guests will ride through the forests of Malaysia from Singapore and back. This voyage of a lifetime also includes a stop at the historical Penang Island, so guests can explore the streets of Georgetown with a local guide.
Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan
Photo by Visit Kyushu
Running from the Hakata Station in Fukuoka to the Nagasaki Station, Aso Station, Kagoshima Station, and more, the Seven Stars in Kyushu is one of Japan’s most exquisite luxury train trips and is the only 7-star luxury train in the world. With its inaugural trip in October 2013, this deluxe sleeper car excursion train run by JR Kyushu offers guests an unforgettable journey on an intimate scale, blending Japanese artistry and traditional hospitality along the way.
The Seven Stars in Kyushu welcomes just 20 guests on every journey, with twelve standard twin-bed suites and two larger deluxe suites available across its 10-cabin luxury liner. Rosewood panelling is used to adorn each of these cabins, while en-suite showers and toilets ensure privacy is always yours whenever you need it. Set at the rear of the luxury train, one of the deluxe suites features a large, panoramic window for you to enjoy the breathtaking views as you ride through some of Japan’s best-kept secrets. Meanwhile, the second deluxe suite also presents a peaceful and private atmosphere, perfect for travellers who prefer a relaxing experience onboard.
Beyond the sights and the gorgeous rooms, however, perhaps what sets the Seven Stars in Kyushu apart from other luxury trains is the meticulous care put behind their inclusive dining experience. Inspired by Japanese, French, and Italian flavours, guests can expect an ever-changing menu using seasonal ingredients sourced from Kyushu. Meal times onboard are often accompanied by live piano music, while occasional Nagasaki geisha performances add to its unforgettable atmosphere.
SJourney Luxury Train, Vietnam
Photo by Luxury Train Club
If you’re looking for something new to add to your luxury train experience, then the SJourney Luxury Train is a must-try. New to the roster of premium rail journeys, the SJourney Luxury Train is Vietnam’s first luxury train vacation, taking you across the best that Vietnam has to offer. Depending on the travel direction of choice, your 8-day, 7-night voyage will take you from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa) with daily stops and exciting excursions along the way.
Open to just 60 passengers on every trip, SJourney Luxury Train is a 13-carriage train with 10 premium sleeping cars of twin and double cabins. Fitted with an en-suite bathroom in each cabin for your convenience and privacy, these luxurious cabins also feature thoughtfully crafted amenities, including a minibar, a multi-functional table, chairs, console cabinets, and a wardrobe.
SJourney also prides itself on 2 Bistro Cars along the journey, all of which offer gourmet delicacies made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients that are selected by their chefs daily. Guests with special dietary preferences may also request for meal accommodations, and the professional team onboard are always happy to help. Handcrafted cocktails, fine wines, and soft drinks can be found along the full-service bar, with its daily specials rotating to make your experience a surprising one with every sip.
Beyond the train experience, however, what makes the SJourney Luxury Train a trip to remember is the itinerary that the team has planned. Working alongside local communities, guests will be welcomed to a range of activities, such as attending local handicraft workshops or being mesmerised by the music and moves prepared especially for them. Selected lunches or dinners will also be enjoyed during these sessions, allowing guests to sample some of the best local flavours as they voyage through Vietnam.
Avalon The Netherlands in Bloom, the Netherlands
While the Netherlands is gorgeous year-round, it’s no secret that spring brings out the best of this country. Whether it’s the beautiful blue skies that have replaced the gloomy winter or the flowers in full bloom in every colour imaginable, visiting the Netherlands is spring is something everyone should try at least once. But why stop at visiting the famed Keukenhof in Lisse on foot when you can see flowers across the entire country by water?
Avalon’s seasonal voyage brings you The Netherlands in Bloom, a 10-day river cruise that starts off in Amsterdam and sails into its neighbouring cities of Nijmegen, Maastricht, Willemstad, Kinderdijk, and Rotterdam, before returning to Amsterdam. Active excursions with a local host are available at every stop of the way, where you can explore the best of blooms in the city and village on foot or on bike, just as the locals do. Along the way, you’ll even cross borders into Antwerp in Brussels and be whisked away on an adventurous excursion to see the central Grote Markt among many other Antwerp highlights or simply bike around with your Adventure Host.
Onboard the luxurious Avalon Panorama liner, guests will find two full decks of Panorama Suites complete with 200-square-foot open-air balconies. Each suite features wall-to-wall windows for guests to take in the breathtaking scenery from the comforts of their beds, a luxurious experience that’s sure to go down in the book of memorable holidays. With sail dates meticulously planned to showcase the best of the Dutch countryside and cityscapes, The Netherlands in Bloom is an Avalon adventure that you simply cannot miss.
Spectrum of the Seas®, China and Japan or Vietnam and Hong Kong
Photo by Royal Caribbean® Cruises
Finally, no mention of unforgettable cruises would be complete without climbing onboard one of the iconic liners by the Royal Caribbean® Cruises – and in this case, the Spectrum of the Seas®. As the world’s first Quantum Ultra cruise ship, Spectrum of the Seas® promises a voyage that’s bursting with luxurious experiences, fun-filled moments, and enchanting excursions at various ports of call.
Perfect for solo travellers looking to make lifelong connections while sailing, couples who are out for a romantic escapade, or even friend groups in search of endless entertainment, Spectrum of the Seas® is a cruise experience that will leave you hungry for more. Multi-generational families with travellers of all ages may even enjoy their adventure at the Ultimate Family Suite. This multi-room retreat has its own in-suite slide and private cinema that doubles as a karaoke stage, perfect for making new memories together.
Onboard the Spectrum of the Seas®, guests will find not just a full-sized basketball court but also a bumper car arena, changing the course of entertainment on a voyage. Known as the SeaPlex®, this indoor space hosts a roller skating rink, arcade machines, and even a trapeze school for those who dare to take a tumble. Beyond just fun and games, guests can also visit the Bionic Bar, which is located on Deck 5. Here, two robotic bartenders will be ever ready to shake, stir, and serve up specially crafted cocktails and other beverages to bring your time in the sea to the next level.