Luxury and voluptuousness…

he Mediterranean, Caribbean, Nile, Baltic Sea… A cruise guarantees incomparable souvenirs and time slackens its pace. A cruise on board a magnificent yacht or sail-boat is a unique experience which everyone should enjoy at least once in their lives.

High-end cruise operators compete in creativity and resourcefulness to propose idyllic maritime trips to provide escapism and make dreams come true. Whether for one or two weeks, these companies invite their guests on board prestigious vessels offering genuine nobility or modern luxury worthy of palatial hotels. For autumn and winter 2015, Ponant, Star Clippers and Silhouette Cruises have dreamt up cruises on special themes. Fabulous diving excursions, cultural discoveries and treats for the taste-buds are on the programme. The only luxury cruise operator flying the French flag, Ponant is also a world-leader for 5-star polar expeditions blending an authentic discovery of the Antarctic in exemplary comfort with a unique and environmentally friendly experience of these dreamlike territories with extraordinary marine fauna and scenery comprised of shimmering glaciers, icebergs and drifting ice floes.

An adress around the world

The gigantic cruise ship

Spending part of the winter in the sun aboard a majestic 5-masted clipper such as the "Star Flyer", the world's largest sail ship : such is the dream proposed by Star Clippers, a unique cruise operator providing extremely high-end services, refined cuisine and prestigious ports-of-call. www.starclippers.com

In association with the MUCEM of Marseille, Ponant Yachting is proposing a new Mediterranean cruise called "Migrations Divines". This exceptional voyage leaves from Marseille for Rome and Athens, where passengers can visit the finest Greco-Roman sites. They sail on board the flamboyant "Lyrial", a yacht with 122 cabins and suites, inaugurated last May. www.ponant.com

Built in the Netherlands in 1915, the "Sea Pearl" is the oldest sail-boat run by Silhouette Cruises, which also boasts the majestic schooner "Sea Shell" in its fleet. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of this noble vessel, "Dive Safari" cruises are inviting guests to discover the Seychelles' rich seabeds, well off the beaten track. Unforgettable ! www.seychelles-cruises.com

"The World" offers the lucky few the possibility of acquiring an onboard holiday apartment.

This luxury 12-storey yacht spends 365 days a year sailing around

the world. Here, one can welcome guests, go shopping, relax at home… The only difference with

a classic apartment is that this "building afloat" comprised of 160 apartments sails around the world. A few apartments are currently for sale, at several million euros each. aboardtheworld.com