Cruise: The Myths Dispelled

Cruise is becoming an increasingly popular choice with luxury travellers, with a growing number of small-ship, luxury cruise lines emerging on the scene and changing the way we view cruising.

02 October 2024

Cruise the myths dispelled

We know some people have preconceptions about what cruise is like, but we’re here to dispel those concerns and elevate cruise out of the ordinary. A cruise with Scott Dunn couldn’t be further from the bright lights and brash entertainment you might have in mind when you picture a traditional cruise. Read on while we paint a picture of how cruise looks with Scott Dunn. Leave your preconceptions at the port, this is cruise done differently.

Preconception #1: Cruise is not a luxury holiday

The Scott Dunn Truth:

While cruise might not traditionally be seen as a luxury holiday, our carefully curated collection of small-ship cruises certainly is. The partners we work with are chosen with meticulous attention to detail, to ensure we only work with cruise lines who offer the highest levels of service and luxury that our guests expect. What we offer is a five-star experience. Expect fine dining, top of the range facilities, expertly guided excursions and personal in-cabin butler service.

Spa aboard the Ponant le Solal

Preconception #2: I’m too young to cruise

The Scott Dunn Truth:

Our range of ships, itineraries and excursions cater to so many different types of travellers, including those who may not have considered cruise previously. Some of the cruise lines we work with have a much younger demographic on board than you may expect, with the average age on an Explora Journeys ship being 45. Booking with us ensures we match you to the right ship for you, and complement that with amazing land-based experiences that will ensure you’re totally comfortable in your surroundings.

Couple at the pool on the Regent Seven Seas Grandeur

Preconception #3: There are too many logistics

The Scott Dunn Truth:

Often, when people think of a cruise, they think there’s a whole host of complicated logistics involved before you actually set foot on the ship. From where you’ll park or how you’ll arrange transfers, to how you’ll coordinate any flights you need and whether you’ll be placed in a big, basic hotel close to the port for the nights surrounding your cruise, there are a number of smaller details that quite simply put people off. We take all that hassle away. We book absolutely everything for you, ensuring that your flights, transfers and pre- and post-cruise accommodation match the levels of luxury you’re used to. All you need to do is relax and enjoy the journey.

Suite balcony aboard the Seabourn Ovation

Preconception #4: The ship will be too big and too busy

The Scott Dunn Truth:

At Scott Dunn, we only work with small-ship luxury cruise lines with an absolute maximum of 1250 passengers (although most only have around 800). These ships are designed to never feel crowded, even when they’re at capacity. You’ll never feel like you’re queueing to get into a restaurant or struggling to find a sun lounger. What’s more, the ships we use have the highest staff to guest ratios to ensure that the service on board is second to none. There will be a maximum of seven guests to each member of staff on board, while often it is as few as three. The attentive crews make sure your every need is taken care of and are normally one step ahead – providing everything you could possibly need before you’ve even thought of it yourself.

Person lounging in pool aboard the EXPLORA I

Preconception #5: Cruise is not for the adventurous

The Scott Dunn Truth:

From Polar ice plunges to Galapagos snorkelling, or zip lining excursions in Greece to exploring local food markets with top chefs, we can make each trip as active or relaxing as you would like. With Scott Dunn, we don’t just take care of you before or after your cruise, in many destinations we can also have our expert local guides meet you at the port on each of your landings and whisk you off on a private experience that really gets you under the skin of the area. We know people have images of piling off a ship and onto a tour bus and being taken on surface-level explorations of each place. What we offer is completely different. We know each of the destinations intimately and can provide the same Scott Dunn level experiences that we know you love, each time you step foot off the ship.

Kayakers from the Ponant Le Commandant Charcot in Antarctica

Preconception #6: Cruises aren’t about the destinations you visit

The Scott Dunn Truth:

For us, cruising is just as much about the destinations as the journey. We bring our destination expertise to planning each itinerary to make sure your journey digs deep into the places you visit. Our worldwide portfolio reflects our passion for discovery and expedition, and the cruises we offer are no exception. We’ve handpicked cruise itineraries that take you to some of our favourite destinations worldwide, and we’ve selected the very best experiences on land to compliment your journey by sea. So, whether it’s before and after your voyage or whisking you away at the port for exclusive Scott Dunn excursions, we’ll showcase the destinations you visit to the absolute fullest.

Oceania Nautica in a European port

Preconception #7: The unknown is risky

The Scott Dunn Truth:

We know that for many of our guests, cruise isn’t something you have done before and so it feels like a big risk. Completely changing the style of your holiday comes with a lot of unknowns, but we truly believe if you give cruising with Scott Dunn a try, you’ll quickly be converted. We’ve sailed on these ships ourselves, we’ve tested the cabins, eaten in the restaurants, swam in the pools and sampled the gyms. We know our guests have exacting standard and we’ll only suggest the cruises we know you’ll love. You’re always in safe hands with us, as well as with our trusted partners around the world, and as with any Scott Dunn trip, we’re available 24/7 if you need any support.

Pool deck with mountains in the background aboard the Ponant Le Chaplain

Ready to give cruise a try?

Take a look at our carefully curated cruise holidays to get the ball rolling on a trip.

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