165 verified cruise reviews. Every category. Every star.
Royal Caribbean Star Class suites, ultra-luxury at Silversea, Regent, Seabourn, Ritz-Carlton Yacht and Explora Journeys, polar expedition on Le Commandant Charcot and Scenic Eclipse, river sailings along the Rhine, Danube, Nile, Mekong and Amazon, and tall-ship yachting on SeaDream, Sea Cloud, Star Clippers and Windstar. Every booking is matched to a real ZOMA folio; every review is answered by name.
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Showing 165 of 165 cruise reviews
CB
Connor & Bridget M.
Dublin, OH
Verified
Star of the Seas inaugural season - Royal Loft Suite, Star Class, flawless
Inaugural sailing of Star of the Seas in a Royal Loft Suite, Star Class. ZOMA had us in the priority embarkation lane and our genie Diego briefed before we boarded. The second Icon-class hull refines small things - the AquaDome lighting is better, the Surfside playground reconfigured, Empire Supper Club's menu evolved. The Royal Loft's panoramic 2-story window with the king bed on the upper level is the best suite layout at sea right now. ZOMA caught a $1,400 onboard credit promo we wouldn't have seen.
Destination
Eastern Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
August 2025
HP
Helena & Piers W.
Greenwich, CT
Verified
Four Seasons I - inaugural Mediterranean season
Ten nights Barcelona to Civitavecchia on Four Seasons I's inaugural season. ZOMA secured a Loggia Suite and the Funnel Suite spa access tier. Four Seasons at sea is exactly what you'd expect - the service standard, the F&B program, and the spa are all uncompromised. Private shore experiences in every port pre-arranged by ZOMA. This will reset the bar for ultra-luxury cruising.
Destination
Mediterranean - Four Seasons Yachts
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2025
JR
Jasmine R.
Houston, TX
Verified
Utopia of the Seas Royal Loft - solo female Star Class weekend
Three nights solo on Utopia of the Seas, Royal Loft Suite, Star Class. The single supplement is real, but Star Class on a short cruise solo is a uniquely indulgent reset. ZOMA built the experience with my genie Andre pre-coordinated - private cabana at Coco Beach Club, Empire Supper Club table for one with the chef's attention, and AquaDome lounge in the morning. Royal Caribbean as a solo-luxury product is underrated; the Royal Loft is the trick.
Destination
Bahamas - Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
April 2025
WB
Whitney & Brad H.
Naperville, IL
Verified
Royal Loft Suite on Icon of the Seas - Star Class is its own vacation
Seven nights round-trip Miami on Icon of the Seas in a Royal Loft Suite, Star Class. ZOMA pre-booked the genie service, locked in Empire Supper Club and Hibachi for two nights each, and reserved cabanas at Hideaway Beach on CocoCay before they sold out. Our genie Marlon had Coco Beach Club lunch arranged, AquaTheater reserved seating every night, and skip-the-line on everything from Crown's Edge to FlowRider. The 1,772 sq ft suite with the in-suite slide kept our kids busy for hours. Icon's Thrill Island is the best ship-top neighborhood at sea.
Destination
Eastern Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
March 2025
LV
Lucinda V.
Greenwich, CT
Verified
Aman at Sea early-soft-launch - the new benchmark
Ten nights on the inaugural soft-launch sailing of Aman at Sea's Project Sama yacht. ZOMA was on the priority advisor list for the inaugural season and held our category at deposit-only terms. The 50-suite yacht at 600 feet, the all-villa layout with private terraces, the Aman service standard at sea - this is the new ceiling of luxury cruising. ZOMA's existing Aman partnership (Aman Insider) translated to priority access here.
Destination
Caribbean - Aman at Sea (Project Sama)
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
March 2025
PS
Penelope S.
Charlotte, NC
Verified
Adventure of the Seas - southern Caribbean, off-the-beaten-path ports
Seven nights round-trip San Juan on Adventure of the Seas. Junior Suite. Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, and St. Maarten - the southern Caribbean ports the larger ships skip. ZOMA arranged the Bonaire shore-diving day (Bonaire's the rare port where you can dive without a boat charter), a private Aruba 4x4 to Arikok National Park, and the Curaçao floating bridge sunset. Adventure as the smaller Voyager-class hull for this itinerary is the right tool.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
February 2025
OF
Octavia F.
Manhattan, NY
Verified
Seabourn Encore - Wintergarden Suite, the Caribbean done quietly
Eleven nights Bridgetown to Miami on Seabourn Encore. Wintergarden Suite. Seabourn's caviar-in-the-surf beach day, the marina platform off the stern with kayaks and water-skis, and the Restaurant menu by Thomas Keller are the experiences that justify the price tier. ZOMA pre-coordinated the Wine Spectator dinner pairing for one night and a private skipper in Anguilla. Encore at 600 guests is the right size for the Caribbean - small enough for boutique ports, large enough for proper amenities.
Destination
Caribbean - Seabourn Encore
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
February 2025
TL
Tristan L.
Brookline, MA
Verified
Heritage Adventurer - New Zealand sub-Antarctic islands expedition
Twenty-eight nights round-trip Bluff (NZ) on Heritage Adventurer to the sub-Antarctic islands (Auckland, Campbell, Macquarie, Snares, Antipodes, Bounty). Heritage Suite. Heritage Expeditions is the New Zealand-domiciled expedition operator and the sub-Antarctic islands are an IUCN World Heritage area - the world's largest seabird density. Royal albatross, yellow-eyed penguin, the rare hoiho. ZOMA arranged the Christchurch pre-cruise.
Nine nights round-trip Miami on EXPLORA II, the second hull. Ocean Residence. ZOMA caught the launch-promo pricing window before bookings filled. The second-hull refinements - revised Anthology kitchen, a redesigned Marina district on Deck 14, new chocolate-and-coffee atelier - are all upgrades over EXPLORA I. The Anthology rotating-chef-residency in February was Antonia Klugmann (Argine, Cormons) - a real draw.
Destination
Caribbean - Explora Journeys EXPLORA II
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
February 2025
TM
Theodora & Marcus L.
Westport, CT
Verified
Four Seasons Explorer Maldives & first Four Seasons Yacht preview
Five nights on Four Seasons Explorer (Maldives) and a two-night preview event on the first new-build Four Seasons Yacht. ZOMA's relationship with Four Seasons unlocked the preview invite. The new yacht (95 suites, 678 feet, launching late 2025) will pair Four Seasons service with a serious yacht platform. The Explorer Maldives meanwhile is the dive-focused Maldives island-hopping product - twice-daily diving on the central atolls with the best dive team in the country.
Destination
Maldives - Four Seasons Yachts at Sea
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
February 2025
NA
Naveen & Aisha B.
San Francisco, CA
Verified
Four Seasons Explorer Maldives - three nights island-hopping
Three nights on Four Seasons Explorer between FS Landaa Giraavaru and FS Kuda Huraa, with diving twice a day. ZOMA built this into a longer Maldives itinerary - four nights Landaa, three nights on Explorer, three nights Kuda Huraa. The Explorer's dive team is the best in the country, and the island access on the central atolls is what you can't get from a fixed resort base. ZOMA arranged the seaplane transfers seamlessly.
Destination
Maldives - Four Seasons Explorer
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
February 2025
LH
Lisette H.
Greenwich, CT
Verified
Odyssey of the Seas - Quantum Ultra-class refinement
Eight nights round-trip Fort Lauderdale on Odyssey of the Seas, Quantum Ultra-class. Sky Loft Suite, Sky Class. ZOMA pre-booked Wonderland (the Imagineering-style theme restaurant) and Teppanyaki, arranged a Coco Beach Club daybed, and a private St. Maarten excursion to the French side beaches. Odyssey added two pools, expanded the Solarium, and refined the Sky Pad bungee experience over the original Quantum-class. It's the best mid-size hull in the fleet.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
February 2025
RP
Reginald P.
Brookline, MA
Verified
Royal Clipper - the world's largest five-masted square-rigged ship
Seven nights round-trip Bridgetown on Royal Clipper. Owner's Suite (one of two stern suites with private verandas). The crew sets 42 sails by hand to the soundtrack of Vangelis at sunset - the moment everyone photographs. 227 guests, casual dress code, the rigging actually drives the ship. ZOMA arranged a private catamaran day in the Grenadines. The right ship for casual sun-and-sail Caribbean.
Destination
Caribbean - Star Clippers Royal Clipper
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
February 2025
AS
Adelaide S.
Brookline, MA
Verified
Atlantis Events full-ship charter on Allure of the Seas
Seven nights round-trip Miami on the Atlantis Events full-ship gay charter of Allure of the Seas. Crown Loft Suite. Atlantis charters the entire ship - 6,000 LGBTQ+ guests, dedicated programming (T-dance, themed nights, the largest DJ lineup at sea). ZOMA's value was the suite-category placement - Star Class genie service on an Atlantis charter is a different category of vacation. The community aspect of a full-ship charter is the entire experience.
Destination
LGBTQ Family - Atlantis Events on Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
February 2025
TR
Tyler R.
Brooklyn, NY
Verified
Four-night Utopia bachelor party - Royal Suite Class delivered on the headline
Twelve guys in two Owner's Suites and a Grand Suite, Sky Class, on Utopia of the Seas. ZOMA arranged the Hideaway Beach group cabana cluster at CocoCay, locked in a Chef's Table reservation for the whole group, and pre-booked Empire Supper Club for the bachelor dinner. Suite Lounge & Coastal Kitchen access made the group feel premium, not party-cruise. The Crown's Edge walk over the side of the ship - the group highlight reel writes itself.
Destination
Perfect Day Cruise - Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
February 2025
SR
Sophia R.
Miami, FL
Verified
Ritz-Carlton Evrima - Caribbean in 149 suites
Seven nights on Evrima round-trip from Bridgetown. ZOMA secured a Loft Suite with the private terrace and arranged a private catamaran day in the Tobago Cays in lieu of the ship's group excursion. The Aqua Marine platform off the stern, the Ritz-Carlton service standard at sea - this is what large-ship cruising never quite delivers. Already booked the Mediterranean for 2026.
Destination
Caribbean - Ritz-Carlton Yacht Evrima
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
February 2025
SJ
Stuart & Jeanne K.
Henderson, NV
Verified
Quantum of the Seas - Sydney round-trip New Zealand fjords
Twelve nights round-trip Sydney on Quantum of the Seas - the New Zealand Sounds itinerary (Milford, Doubtful, Dusky). Owner's Suite. ZOMA arranged a pre-cruise three nights at Park Hyatt Sydney and a post-cruise Blue Mountains day. Fiordland from Quantum's North Star observation capsule - one of the great scenic-cruise experiences. The summer-in-the-Pacific season for North Americans is the right shoulder window.
Destination
Australia & New Zealand - Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
January 2025
CM
Catriona M.
Edinburgh, UK
Verified
Silver Endeavour - the ex-Crystal Endeavor at Silversea standards
Eighteen nights round-trip Ushuaia on Silver Endeavour, the former Crystal Endeavor that Silversea acquired. Owner's Suite. ZOMA pre-booked the helicopter and submarine programs (limited availability) and arranged the pre-cruise Buenos Aires three-night extension. Silversea's expedition program runs through the South Shetlands and the Weddell Sea. Polar plunge at Deception Island, an emperor penguin sighting at Snow Hill, helicopter over the Antarctic ice shelf. Suite-level luxury with a serious expedition platform.
Destination
Antarctica - Silversea Silver Endeavour
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
January 2025
FO
Felicity O.
Brookline, MA
Verified
Queen Anne 117-night World Voyage - Queen's Grills
117 nights round-trip Southampton on Queen Anne's full world cruise. Queen's Grills Suite. ZOMA booked 14 months in advance, arranged the Grills-tier formal nights, and pre-coordinated the dietary preferences with the maitre d'. World cruise is its own community - the same 600 guests for nearly four months, ballroom dance hosts, formal nights at every port, the Queens Room ballroom. Cunard's Q Grills service for a world voyage is the right ship.
Destination
World Cruise - Cunard Queen Anne
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
January 2025
MD
Mireille D.
Westport, CT
Verified
Crystal Symphony - post-relaunch Caribbean season
Twelve nights round-trip Miami on Crystal Symphony. Sapphire Veranda Suite. ZOMA timed our booking against the post-relaunch repositioning - the dynamic pricing was favorable. The new Crystal management has retained what worked (Umi Uma, the dance hosts, formal-night culture) while modernizing the dining and the speciality program. The longer Crystal world cruise reputation continues with new management.
Destination
Caribbean - Crystal Symphony
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
January 2025
JN
Jasper N.
Cambridge, MA
Verified
Wind Surf - the five-masted sailing yacht, casual luxury Caribbean
Seven nights round-trip Bridgetown on Wind Surf. Bridge Deck Suite. The sails actually get used - Vangelis on the speakers as the 312-guest sail-ship gets underway is the entire brand promise. ZOMA arranged a private skipper day in St. Lucia and a Bequia Mustique day-trip. Windstar's yacht-style positioning at sub-luxury price is the right value tier for casual sail-cruising.
Destination
Caribbean - Windstar Wind Surf
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
January 2025
CH
Constance H.
Manhattan, NY
Verified
Atlas Ocean Voyages World Navigator - 200-guest sub-luxury expedition
Eleven nights round-trip Ushuaia on World Navigator. Horizon Suite. Atlas Ocean Voyages is the newer entrant in the expedition space - 200 guests, all-inclusive, an interesting price point that sits between Hurtigruten and Lindblad. ZOMA pre-booked the kayak add-on. Two days at South Shetlands, four days on the Antarctic Peninsula. The smaller hull means more landings.
Destination
Antarctica - Atlas Ocean Voyages World Navigator
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
January 2025
OR
Octavio R.
Westport, CT
Verified
Holland America Eurodam Classical Symphony Cruise - Lincoln Center artists onboard
Eleven nights round-trip Fort Lauderdale on Holland America Eurodam's annual Classical Symphony Cruise. Pinnacle Suite. The Lincoln Center Stage program brings chamber-music artists onboard (six performances during our week). ZOMA pre-booked the front-row reserved seating. Holland America's classical-music-and-arts focus is the demographic differentiator. The Pinnacle Suite tier (Neptune Lounge access, separate restaurant) makes a 2,100-passenger ship feel manageable.
Destination
Music - Symphony Cruise on Holland America Eurodam
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
January 2025
WC
Wendell C.
Denver, CO
Verified
Le Commandant Charcot - hybrid icebreaker to the South Pole geographic region
Sixteen nights on Le Commandant Charcot, Ponant's hybrid-electric icebreaker, to the Weddell Sea - reaching latitudes other ships can't. ZOMA secured a Prestige Suite and pre-booked the helicopter excursions and onboard Alain Ducasse dining tier. Emperor penguin rookery at Snow Hill Island was the once-in-a-lifetime moment. The ship's ice class lets you experience Antarctica very few travelers ever see.
Destination
Antarctica - Ponant Le Commandant Charcot
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
January 2025
HR
Helena R.
Boston, MA
Verified
Silversea Silver Ray inaugural Caribbean - Nova-class refined
Ten nights round-trip Fort Lauderdale on Silver Ray, the second Nova-class hull. Premium Medallion Suite. ZOMA pre-booked S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) cooking class and dinner combo at booking - it sells out the first week. Silver Ray refines small things over Silver Nova: the Dusk lounge layout, the Marquee outdoor venue, the Arts Café evening menu. The horizontal-asymmetric hull design means every suite is forward-facing - no second-tier obstructed-view problem.
Destination
Caribbean - Silversea Silver Ray
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
January 2025
JV
Jasper V.
Austin, TX
Verified
Windstar Wind Surf - the five-masted motor-sailer through the Windwards
Seven nights round-trip Bridgetown on Wind Surf. ZOMA secured a Bridge Deck Suite and arranged a private skipper for the day in St. Lucia and a Bequia (Mustique day-trip via shuttle) program. The sails actually get used. Wind Surf's 'yacht-style' positioning is genuine - 312 guests but it feels closer to 150. Casual luxury, much more accessible than Sea Cloud or SeaDream.
Destination
Caribbean - Windstar Wind Surf
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
January 2025
BT
Beverly T.
Sarasota, FL
Verified
Jewel of the Seas - Tampa-based, Cuba-style longer southern Caribbean
Eleven nights round-trip Tampa on Jewel of the Seas - Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia. Junior Suite. The smaller Radiance-class hull gets to the boutique ABC islands and Windwards where the mega-ships can't dock. ZOMA arranged the snorkel-day charter on Bonaire and the Pitons hike on St. Lucia. Eleven nights at this price tier with Royal's amenities is exceptional value.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
January 2025
RS
Ricardo S.
Houston, TX
Verified
Harmony of the Seas from Galveston - new home port, same Oasis-class quality
Seven nights round-trip Galveston on Harmony of the Seas, the second Galveston-based Oasis-class hull. Crown Loft Suite, Sky Class. ZOMA arranged a Hangar Hotel pre-cruise night in Galveston and the priority embarkation. Onboard, Coastal Kitchen and the Suite Lounge made the 5,500-passenger ship feel manageable. The Ultimate Abyss, FlowRider, and Boardwalk carousel kept three teenagers occupied without us. Galveston as a home port for Texans (no flight) is the lasting takeaway.
Destination
Mexico & Honduras - Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
January 2025
SL
Sophie L.
Atlanta, GA
Verified
Icon of the Seas suite vs. balcony - we tested both, suite was the right call
Seven nights round-trip Miami on Icon of the Seas. Two cabins: a Junior Suite for the adults and a Central Park balcony for the teens. ZOMA's recommendation to put the adults in the Junior Suite for Suite Lounge / Coastal Kitchen access while the teens had the conventional balcony was right. The teens never came back to the suite anyway; we used the suite-only pool deck and Coastal Kitchen daily. The cost differential vs. all-suites paid for two extra speciality dining nights and a Coco Beach Club cabana.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
January 2025
LP
Lorenzo P.
Miami, FL
Verified
Seabourn Pursuit - new expedition ship through the Lesser Antilles
Eleven nights Bridgetown to Antigua on Seabourn Pursuit's expedition itinerary - the new ship is meaningfully more capable than the Quest/Sojourn class. ZOMA secured a Wintergarden Suite and pre-booked the submarine and zodiac landing programs (both sell out). Dominica's Boiling Lake hike with the ship's expedition team, Saba's only road, a private skipper day in St. Barths. The all-inclusive Seabourn standard plus genuine expedition capability.
Destination
Caribbean - Seabourn Pursuit
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
December 2024
CO
Carmen O.
Pembroke Pines, FL
Verified
Allure of the Seas - Royal Caribbean Pinnacle status, Star Class differential
Seven nights round-trip Galveston on Allure of the Seas. Crown Loft Suite, Star Class. As a Pinnacle Crown & Anchor member I've sailed Royal Caribbean for 25 years - the Star Class genie service is genuinely a different product. Our genie Margarita knew our preferences before we boarded (specific bourbon stocked, kosher option at every meal, AquaTheater always row 4 center). ZOMA had layered the suite class promo with Pinnacle benefits in a way I couldn't have replicated on the call line. Best Royal cruise I've taken.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
December 2024
BR
Bridget & Rachel L.
Westport, CT
Verified
Regent Seven Seas Grandeur inaugural Caribbean season - Concierge Suite
Nine nights round-trip Miami on Regent Grandeur. Concierge Suite. ZOMA pre-booked the speciality restaurants (Chartreuse, Pacific Rim, Prime 7) for the sea-day evenings. Grandeur is Regent's newest hull - the Veranda Suite is now nearly 350 sq ft as standard, and the Tasting Room is a new addition. All-inclusive including business-class air on intercontinental for Concierge and higher is genuinely a different value proposition than Silversea or Seabourn.
Destination
Caribbean - Regent Seven Seas Grandeur
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
December 2024
TR
Travis R.
Phoenix, AZ
Verified
Mariner of the Seas - holiday-week short cruise, Royal Family Suite
Three nights round-trip Port Canaveral on Mariner of the Seas over a holiday weekend. Royal Family Suite (two bedrooms, the older Voyager-class equivalent of the Ultimate Family Suite). ZOMA layered the kids-sail-free with the holiday-week onboard credit promo. Mariner amplified is the right product for a short holiday-week reset - FlowRider, ice rink, Sky Pad, Bamboo Room, Lime & Coconut.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
December 2024
TR
Théo R.
Brussels, Belgium
Verified
Ponant Le Boréal - classic Antarctic expedition, French touch
Ten nights round-trip Ushuaia on Le Boréal. Deluxe Suite. ZOMA arranged the kayak and snowshoe add-on programs and a pre-cruise night at Arakur Ushuaia. Le Boréal is one of Ponant's earlier expedition hulls - smaller, more intimate than Le Charcot, with the same expedition program quality. The French dining at the bottom of the world is its own thing.
Destination
Antarctica - Ponant Le Boréal
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
December 2024
WC
Whit & Cordelia S.
Charleston, SC
Verified
Nat Geo Resolution Antarctica - the second X-Bow expedition vessel
Fourteen nights round-trip Ushuaia on Nat Geo Resolution. Category 6 suite with balcony. ZOMA arranged the pre-cruise Buenos Aires three-night and the post-cruise Iguazú extension. Resolution's stabilization in the Drake Passage is real - we had a manageable crossing where the older expedition vessels would have struggled. Polar plunge at Deception, an emperor penguin sighting at Snow Hill, leopard seals, humpbacks. The Nat Geo photo expert ran daily workshops.
Destination
Antarctica - Lindblad Nat Geo Resolution
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
December 2024
RH
Romilly H.
Westport, CT
Verified
Symphony of the Seas Christmas-and-New-Year - multi-gen, three suites
Eight nights round-trip Miami on Symphony of the Seas over Christmas and New Year. Three linked suites (an AquaTheater Suite for parents, two Junior Suites for grandparents and kids). Sky Class. ZOMA pre-coordinated the Christmas Day dinner in Coastal Kitchen, a New Year's Eve Boardwalk countdown viewing from the AquaTheater balcony, and the Coco Beach Club cabana cluster. Holiday-week cruising is a peak-pricing category but holiday week on Royal Caribbean for a multi-gen group is genuinely festive.
Destination
Holiday - Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas Christmas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
December 2024
TK
Tobias K.
Chicago, IL
Verified
Scenic Eclipse II to Antarctica - helicopter and submarine included
Eleven nights Ushuaia round-trip on Scenic Eclipse II with the helicopter and submarine experiences ZOMA pre-reserved at booking (they sell out within days). Landings at Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay, a polar plunge at Deception Island, and a helicopter flight over the Antarctic ice shelf. The ship's expedition team was world-class. ZOMA also pre-booked our pre-cruise night at Arakur Ushuaia.
Destination
Antarctica - Scenic Eclipse II
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
December 2024
MT
Mireille T.
New York, NY
Verified
AmaMagna on the Danube - Christmas markets at the widest river-ship scale
Seven nights Vilshofen to Budapest on AmaMagna over the Christmas markets. ZOMA secured a Grand Suite (twice the size of the standard category) and arranged private guides in Vienna (Schönbrunn after-hours), Bratislava, and Budapest (Gellért thermal baths private session). AmaMagna is twice the width of conventional river ships - the suite bathrooms alone justified the upgrade. The Christmas-markets itinerary is the right season.
Destination
Rhine - AmaWaterways AmaMagna
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
December 2024
MS
Marina S.
Westlake, OH
Verified
Freedom of the Seas - amplification, holiday week, Royal Loft Suite
Seven nights round-trip Miami on Freedom of the Seas over the holiday week. Royal Loft Suite, Sky Class. ZOMA had us in a category that didn't exist on Freedom-class until amplification - the Royal Loft Suite was added post-refurb. Holiday-week pricing is brutal across the cruise industry; ZOMA got us in via a holiday-week onboard credit promo that effectively rebated 18% of the fare. Christmas dinner in the MDR with the dressing-up culture of holiday-week cruising is its own product.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
December 2024
VH
Vivian H.
Westport, CT
Verified
Scenic Spirit Mekong - Siem Reap to Saigon, all-suite
Seven nights Siem Reap to Saigon on Scenic Spirit (Scenic's Mekong vessel). Royal Panorama Suite. ZOMA pre-booked the Angkor sunrise private guide and arranged a Phnom Penh extension with a Tuol Sleng historian. Scenic Spirit's all-suite all-balcony Mekong-specific hull is the right physical platform - bigger than Aqua Mekong, more refined than the standard Mekong river-cruise vessels. Daily skiffs into villages off the main river.
Destination
Mekong - Scenic Spirit
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
ER
Emelina R.
San Juan, PR
Verified
Rhapsody of the Seas - Vision-class from San Juan, deep southern Caribbean
Ten nights round-trip San Juan on Rhapsody of the Seas - Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten. Junior Suite. The Vision-class hull and the San Juan home port are the unlock for a southern itinerary that mega-ships from Florida can't do in seven nights. ZOMA arranged a private Pitons hike on St. Lucia and the Bonaire shore-diving day. Rhapsody's smaller ship and Caribbean-only deployment is a quiet favorite of frequent cruisers.
Destination
Southern Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
HT
Hilary & Tom P.
Greenwich, CT
Verified
Oceania Marina - Tokyo to Singapore Grand Voyage
Twenty-eight nights one-way Tokyo to Singapore on Oceania Marina post-refurbishment. Owner's Suite. ZOMA built the air on Japan Airlines J both ways, a Tokyo Aman pre-cruise three-night, and arranged the culinary-tour shore programs in three ports. Marina's refurb (refreshed suites, new La Reserve wine pairing) brought the ship current. The destination-immersion shore program in Hoi An (where we did a cooking class) was the trip highlight.
Destination
Asia - Oceania Marina
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
YC
Yi-Hsuan C.
San Jose, CA
Verified
Spectrum of the Seas - Hong Kong to Singapore repositioning
Fifteen nights one-way Hong Kong to Singapore on Spectrum of the Seas - rare Asian-market repositioning with Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia ports. Owner's Suite. ZOMA arranged a private guide for Halong Bay (overnight on a sampan-style boat), a Sihanoukville Angkor day-trip flight, and a Phuket Phi Phi long-tail. The Asian-market design of Spectrum (Sichuan dining, expanded karaoke) shows on a long voyage like this.
Destination
Asia - Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
AV
Andrei V.
Queens, NY
Verified
Quantum of the Seas repositioning to Brisbane - 22 nights one-way
Twenty-two nights one-way Seattle to Brisbane on Quantum of the Seas. Owner's Suite, Sky Class. The trans-Pacific repositioning hits Hawaii (three islands), Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia before terminating in Australia. ZOMA built the one-way flight schedule (Sydney-to-home in J on Qantas), pre-booked all the speciality dining for sea days, and arranged a one-day Auckland extension on the front end. Repositionings are the value sweet spot in cruising - $200/night for an Owner's Suite in this category is unheard of. ZOMA's home in this segment.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
LJ
Lindsey & Jamie A.
Salt Lake City, UT
Verified
Harmony of the Seas - 25th wedding anniversary, AquaTheater Suite
Seven nights round-trip Galveston on Harmony of the Seas. AquaTheater Suite, Sky Class. ZOMA arranged a private vow renewal with an officiant onboard, a Coastal Kitchen anniversary dinner, and a Cozumel private beach day. The AquaTheater suite balcony is sized for cocktails before a show; the show is performed for you. The Suite Sun Deck (Deck 17 forward) is the quiet anchor of the cruise.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
RO
Roman O.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Verified
Symphony of the Seas - European family doing American mega-ship
Seven nights Miami round-trip on Symphony of the Seas in an Owner's Suite, Sky Class. As a European family the American mega-ship product is a different category from European luxury cruise - and that's the appeal. The Boardwalk neighborhood, AquaTheater shows, Ultimate Abyss, and Coco Beach Club is the experience we wanted. ZOMA arranged the Miami front-end (two nights at Faena), the cruise, and the transatlantic upgrades home. Coastal Kitchen breakfast was a quiet daily highlight.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
MS
Marisol & Sam R.
La Jolla, CA
Verified
Seabourn Pursuit - the expedition Encore-class platform
Eighteen nights round-trip Ushuaia on Seabourn Pursuit (the all-suite expedition ship). Wintergarden Suite. ZOMA pre-booked the submarine and zodiac landing programs at deposit (they sell out months ahead). Pursuit pairs Seabourn's service standard with serious expedition capability (PC6 ice class, two submarines, 24 zodiacs). Polar bear-free Antarctica is the wildlife focus: leopard seals, humpbacks, emperor and gentoo penguins, Weddell seals. Bucket list, done right.
Destination
Antarctica - Seabourn Pursuit
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
IR
Inga R.
Seattle, WA
Verified
Quark Ultramarine - two-helicopter expedition vessel, Antarctic Circle crossing
Fifteen nights round-trip Ushuaia on Quark Ultramarine. Ocean View Suite. Ultramarine's two helicopters allow excursions other expedition vessels can't run - a helicopter flight over the polar plateau, a helicopter landing on an unnamed peak. Crossed the Antarctic Circle (a real polar status milestone). Quark's expedition team density (one expedition staff per six guests) is the industry leader.
Destination
Antarctica - Quark Expeditions Ultramarine
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
HF
Hadrien F.
Brookline, MA
Verified
Australis Stella Australis - Tierra del Fuego fjords
Five nights one-way Punta Arenas to Ushuaia on Stella Australis. Cabo de Hornos cabin. Australis operates the Tierra del Fuego fjord network with stops at glaciers and a Cape Horn landing (weather-permitting). ZOMA arranged the pre-cruise Punta Arenas night and a post-cruise Ushuaia day before our Antarctica turnaround. The Beagle Channel and the Garibaldi Glacier landing are the headline experiences.
Destination
Patagonia - Australis Stella Australis
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
HR
Heloise R.
Brooklyn, NY
Verified
Aqua Mare - 15-cabin Galápagos yacht, the high-end alternative
Seven nights round-trip Baltra on Aqua Mare. Aqua Suite. Aqua Mare is the Galápagos answer for travelers who want a yacht-feel rather than a 100-guest expedition vessel - 15 cabins, three Ecuadorian naturalists for the small group, and twice-daily landings. ZOMA pre-booked the pre-cruise two nights at Casa Gangotena in Quito. The intimacy of a 15-cabin yacht in the Galápagos is the right tier for couples and small families.
Destination
Galápagos - Aqua Mare
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
PR
Pascal R.
Bethesda, MD
Verified
Wind Spirit Tahiti - the four-masted sail-yacht in French Polynesia
Ten nights round-trip Papeete on Wind Spirit through the Society Islands and the Tuamotus. Ocean View Stateroom. Wind Spirit is the Windstar four-masted sail-yacht (148 guests) and Tahiti is its year-round deployment. ZOMA arranged a private skipper day in Huahine and a Bora Bora over-water-bungalow extension. The marina-platform watersports and casual luxury fit the French Polynesian environment perfectly.
Destination
Caribbean - Windstar Wind Spirit
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
WT
Whit & Tamara F.
Charleston, SC
Verified
Wind Surf - the five-masted sail-yacht, Caribbean basin
Seven nights round-trip Bridgetown on Wind Surf. Bridge Deck Suite. Wind Surf is the largest of Windstar's sail-yacht trio (312 guests, the only Windstar with two pools). ZOMA arranged a private skipper day in St. Lucia. The casual luxury, sails-when-wind-permits, marina-platform-when-anchored Caribbean week is the Windstar formula at its best.
Destination
Caribbean - Windstar Wind Surf
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
GR
Genevieve R.
Sausalito, CA
Verified
Norwegian Epic Studio Cabin - solo-traveler infrastructure, real
Seven nights round-trip Miami on Norwegian Epic in a Studio Cabin (the dedicated solo-traveler stateroom category with the Studio Lounge access). ZOMA's value here was knowing Norwegian's Studio Cabins are the only real industry solo-cabin product - 128 dedicated solo cabins on Epic with a private lounge that hosts daily solo-meetups and trip-coordination. As a solo traveler the no-supplement pricing is the appeal; the actual day-to-day Studio Lounge community is the surprise.
Destination
Solo Travelers - Norwegian Epic
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
TM
Tom & Marlene H.
Jacksonville, FL
Verified
Serenade of the Seas Panama Canal full transit - bucket list
Eleven nights one-way Tampa to San Diego on Serenade of the Seas via a full Panama Canal transit. Owner's Suite. ZOMA secured a port-side stateroom for the canal day (the right side for the lock sequence) and pre-booked the speciality restaurants for the long sea days. The Centrum daytime canal commentary, Cartagena's old city, and the size of the ship that can actually fit through the original locks - everything aligned. Serenade is a smaller, classic Radiance-class hull and the right ship for the itinerary.
Destination
Panama Canal - Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
MR
Marlon R.
Brooklyn, NY
Verified
Cunard Queen Anne - Princess Grills suite, classic ocean-liner luxury
Eleven nights round-trip Southampton (one-way Hamburg) on Cunard Queen Anne (the newest Cunard ship). Princess Grills Suite. ZOMA's value here was knowing the Grills tier (Princess Grills, Queen's Grills) is a ship-within-a-ship - private restaurant, private deck, private concierge, dress-code-mandated. Queen Anne brings the Cunard ocean-liner formality into the modern era without losing it. Black-tie dinner, ballroom dancing, the Grills Lounge with the unbothered older British crowd - a different cruise culture entirely.
Destination
Caribbean - Cunard Queen Anne Grills
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
HP
Henriette & Paul O.
Atlanta, GA
Verified
Uniworld S.S. Maria Theresa - Danube Christmas markets, royal-suite
Seven nights Vienna to Vilshofen on S.S. Maria Theresa. Royal Suite. Uniworld's S.S.-class (boutique-hotel-design river ships) feels like a 5-star European hotel that moves. ZOMA arranged the private Schönbrunn after-hours and a Bratislava chocolate-and-pastry walking tour. The Christmas markets in Vienna (Spittelberg), Krems, and Passau are the right time-frame for this itinerary.
Destination
Danube - Uniworld S.S. Maria Theresa
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
December 2024
IO
Imani O.
Washington, DC
Verified
Crystal yacht expedition through the Seychelles
Seven nights on a small-yacht itinerary through the Seychelles inner islands. ZOMA arranged a private skipper for the day on Praslin and a marine biologist for the Aldabra-region snorkeling. La Digue by bicycle at dawn was a quiet highlight. The yacht's marina platform off the stern with paddleboards and jet skis was used hard. ZOMA also pre-booked our extension at North Island.
Destination
Seychelles - Crystal Esprit
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
CH
Camille H.
Memphis, TN
Verified
Independence of the Seas - first solo cruise, Junior Suite, Diamond C&A
Five nights round-trip Galveston on Independence of the Seas. Junior Suite. First solo cruise as a recent widow; ZOMA paired the loyalty perks with a Suite & Beverage promo and pre-introduced me to the Concierge Club host on board. Independence's amplification (FlowRider, Splashaway Bay, Izumi) gave the right amount to do. The Concierge Lounge community of repeat cruisers became the unexpected daily anchor.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
FM
Florence M.
Charleston, SC
Verified
Pride of America - the only US-flagged ship round-trip Honolulu
Seven nights inter-island Hawaii on Pride of America in The Haven (NCL's ship-within-a-ship suite enclave). ZOMA secured a Haven Owner's Suite and pre-arranged private vehicles on Maui (Road to Hana), the Big Island (volcano tour), and Kauai (helicopter Na Pali). Pride is mass-market but The Haven is genuinely premium - and it's the only ship doing four-island Hawaii without a foreign port call.
Destination
Hawaii - Pride of America
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
HG
Hannah & Greg L.
Plano, TX
Verified
Symphony of the Seas - Boardwalk Balcony for a multi-gen group
Twelve of us across three Boardwalk Balcony staterooms and a Grand Suite on Symphony of the Seas, seven nights round-trip Miami. ZOMA built the group reservation with linked dining, blocked seats together for HiRO and Flight, and secured a Coco Beach Club daybed cluster at CocoCay. Symphony's Boardwalk balconies face the AquaTheater - free show every night without leaving the room. Suite holders had Coastal Kitchen and Suite Lounge access; the rest of us were happy with Park Café and El Loco Fresh. Cost per person came in 22% below Royal's direct pricing.
Destination
Eastern Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
RH
Reginald H.
Atlanta, GA
Verified
Aqua Mekong - Siem Reap to Saigon by river
Seven nights on Aqua Mekong, 20 suites, expedition-style river cruise. ZOMA pre-booked a private guide for Angkor (sunrise at Ta Prohm before the gates open) and arranged a Phnom Penh extension with a Tuol Sleng historian. Daily skiffs into villages off the main river. The chef onboard was previously at a Michelin-starred Saigon restaurant - the food alone justified the trip. ZOMA handled all visas and pre/post hotels.
Destination
Mekong - Aqua Mekong
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
November 2024
MH
Maximilian H.
Greenwich, CT
Verified
Regent Voyager - Hong Kong to Tokyo, all-suite all-balcony
Sixteen nights one-way Hong Kong to Tokyo on Regent Seven Seas Voyager. Master Suite. ZOMA arranged private guides in every port (included in the Master Suite tier on Regent) and the Tokyo three-night post-cruise at Aman. Voyager's older but the all-suite all-balcony format and the included-everything pricing model is timeless. The Compass Rose menu doesn't repeat in 16 nights.
Destination
Asia - Regent Seven Seas Voyager
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
SP
Sarah & Patrick D.
Long Island, NY
Verified
Wonder of the Seas Star Class with two kids under 8 - genie was the trip
Seven nights round-trip Port Canaveral on Wonder of the Seas in a Grand Suite, Star Class. Our genie Theo planned every meal, locked AquaTheater front row, got the kids backstage to meet the ice show cast, and reserved Splashaway Bay cabanas at CocoCay. Star Class on a 5,500-passenger ship is the only way to make a mega-ship feel boutique. ZOMA's value-add was knowing genies have to be requested via the right channel - we got Theo specifically because of their advocacy.
Destination
Eastern Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
FN
Felix N.
Vancouver, BC
Verified
Spectrum of the Seas - Singapore-based Quantum Ultra, Southeast Asia
Five nights round-trip Singapore on Spectrum of the Seas (the Asia-market Quantum Ultra). Pinnacle Suite. ZOMA arranged a private Penang food guide and a Phuket Phi Phi private long-tail. Spectrum was purpose-designed for the Asian market - Sichuan and Cantonese specialty restaurants, larger karaoke private rooms, and the Pinnacle Suite tier (a step above Owner's Suite). The Sky Pad and North Star translate to any market.
Destination
Asia - Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
AR
Augustin R.
San Francisco, CA
Verified
Sanctuary Sun Boat IV on the Nile - dahabiya-feeling on a small ship
Four nights Luxor to Aswan on Sanctuary Sun Boat IV, then Lake Nasser on Sun Boat IV's sister ship to Abu Simbel. ZOMA arranged a private Egyptologist for both segments - Karnak at sunrise, the Valley of the Kings with KV5 access, Philae temple by motorboat. The ship is 40 cabins - a different scale from the 150-cabin floating hotels. ZOMA pre-booked our Cairo Old Cataract pre and Sofitel Old Cataract Aswan extension.
Destination
Egypt - Sanctuary Sun Boat IV
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
IF
Iona F.
Atlanta, GA
Verified
Silver Origin - Galápagos done at the luxury standard
Seven nights round-trip Baltra on Silver Origin. Royal Suite. ZOMA pre-arranged the Ecuadorian-naturalist team and the two pre-cruise nights at Casa Gangotena in Quito. Silver Origin's 100-guest design, the Horizon Deck with the basin design, and twice-daily zodiac landings are the model the Galápagos market has converged on. Champion Islet snorkeling with sea lions, North Seymour blue-footed boobies, Bartolomé summit hike. Best Galápagos product available.
Destination
Galápagos - Silversea Silver Origin
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
RS
Romilly & Sebastian P.
Brookline, MA
Verified
Sanctuary Sun Boat IV Nile - Luxor to Aswan, suite
Seven nights Luxor to Aswan on Sanctuary Sun Boat IV. Royal Suite. ZOMA pre-arranged a private Egyptologist for every port (Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae) and the pre-cruise three nights at Mena House (Pyramids). Sanctuary's smaller hull (42 cabins) gets the boutique-hotel-on-the-Nile experience. The Royal Suite at 700 sq ft is the largest cabin on the Nile.
Destination
Nile - Sanctuary Sun Boat IV
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
BK
Bryan K.
Pittsburgh, PA
Verified
Independence of the Seas - Crown & Anchor Diamond Plus level perks
Five nights round-trip Galveston on Independence of the Seas, Junior Suite. As a Diamond Plus C&A member ZOMA layered my loyalty benefits (Concierge Lounge access, balcony discount, drink vouchers) with a Suite & Beverage promo to bring the per-night price into the mid-$200s. Independence post-amplification is a perfectly capable ship for a short reset.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
BJ
Bartholomew J.
Charlotte, NC
Verified
American Queen - Mississippi steamboat, Memphis to New Orleans
Nine nights Memphis to New Orleans on the American Queen (paddlewheel steamboat). Owner's Suite. American Queen Voyages is the American river-cruise option (Mississippi, Ohio, Columbia, Snake) and the cultural framing is different from a European river cruise - Civil War history at Vicksburg, blues history in Clarksdale, plantation tours along River Road. The big steam paddlewheel actually drives the boat. ZOMA pre-booked Memphis and New Orleans pre/post hotels.
Destination
Mississippi - American Queen Voyages American Queen
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
PH
Penelope H.
Atlanta, GA
Verified
Aqua Blu - 15-cabin yacht expedition through Raja Ampat
Eleven nights round-trip Sorong on Aqua Blu through Raja Ampat. Aqua Suite. Aqua Blu is Aqua Expeditions' Indonesian operation - a 15-cabin yacht with a daily-dive program in the heart of the Coral Triangle. The marine biodiversity is the world's highest. ZOMA pre-booked the dive program (two dives per day with the resident marine biologist) and arranged the pre-cruise Bali-Sorong charter flight.
Destination
Indonesia - Aqua Blu
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
HP
Henrietta P.
Greenwich, CT
Verified
Crystal Symphony Wellness at Sea - dedicated wellness sailing
Eleven nights on Crystal Symphony's themed Wellness at Sea sailing. Sapphire Veranda Suite. ZOMA pre-booked the wellness program (daily yoga, meditation, two spa treatments included, the speaker-series sessions). Crystal's Symphony post-relaunch has the largest spa-at-sea square footage. Themed sailings with a 700-guest cap deliver the right intimacy for a wellness focus.
Destination
Wellness - Crystal Symphony
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
VH
Vespasian H.
Brooklyn, NY
Verified
Holland America Rotterdam transatlantic - 14-night repositioning value play
Fourteen nights one-way Boston to Rotterdam on Holland America Rotterdam during the autumn repositioning. Pinnacle Suite. ZOMA's pitch here was the value math - the same Pinnacle Suite category on a regular Caribbean week prices 60% higher than the once-a-year repositioning. The repositioning crowd is older, more European-leaning, less family-focused than a Caribbean week. Six sea days, eight port days through Azores, France, England. The right answer for sea-day-comfortable travelers seeking value.
Destination
Repositioning Value - Holland America Rotterdam
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
QM
Quentin & Margaux F.
New Orleans, LA
Verified
Viking Hemming on the Douro - quinta-by-quinta
Seven nights round-trip Porto on Viking Hemming. ZOMA upgraded us to a Veranda Suite and arranged a private port tasting at Quinta do Vesuvio that's not on Viking's standard itinerary. The Douro Valley terraces at harvest, a private dinner at Quinta do Bomfim, and a Lisbon pre-night ZOMA built in. Viking's price point includes far more than most river lines - excellent value at this level.
Destination
Douro - Viking Hemming
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
AJ
Aubrey J.
Madison, WI
Verified
Allure of the Seas Galveston repositioning - Owner's Suite
Seven nights round-trip Galveston on Allure of the Seas (now home-ported there). Owner's Suite, Sky Class. The Galveston relocation of Allure was the big 2024 news - it's the first Oasis-class ship in the Gulf. Cozumel, Roatán, Costa Maya. ZOMA arranged the private guides in each port and the Coastal Kitchen reservation pre-loaded for the week. Owner's Suite on Oasis-class with Sky Class is the sweet spot for two-person travel: enough space, not Star Class price.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
LV
Lucy V.
Atlanta, GA
Verified
Avalon Tapestry II Seine - Paris to Honfleur, Normandy
Seven nights round-trip Paris on Avalon Tapestry II. Panorama Suite. The Seine itinerary's distinctive port day is Normandy (the D-Day beaches with a historian, Bayeux Tapestry). ZOMA arranged a private historian for the Normandy day. Avalon's open-air balcony (the bed faces the floor-to-ceiling window) is a different layout from the standard French balcony.
Destination
Seine - Avalon Tapestry II
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
HV
Hortense V.
Greenwich, CT
Verified
Aqua Mekong - the 40-cabin expedition-style Mekong
Seven nights Siem Reap to Saigon on Aqua Mekong. Aqua Suite. Aqua Mekong is the expedition-style smaller competitor to Scenic Spirit - 20 suites, more daily-skiff focused, more village-immersion. ZOMA arranged the Angkor private historian and the Phnom Penh Tuol Sleng survivor-led tour. Aqua's kitchen (formerly at a Michelin-starred Saigon restaurant) is a real differentiator.
Destination
Mekong - Aqua Mekong
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
LM
Lucia M.
Astoria, NY
Verified
Navigator of the Seas Perfect Day - three-night CocoCay reset
Three nights round-trip Miami on Navigator of the Seas in a Junior Suite. ZOMA secured a Coco Beach Club cabana and a Thrill Waterpark Daredevil pass. Navigator post-amplification has The Bamboo Room (tiki bar), the Lime & Coconut, To Dry For salt-air blowouts, and a FlowRider. As a Perfect Day-at-CocoCay-focused short cruise, it's hard to beat. ZOMA layered in the BOGO 60% promo plus loyalty rate.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
CM
Catalina M.
Los Angeles, CA
Verified
Explora Journeys EXPLORA I - MSC's luxury ship through Japan
Twelve nights Tokyo to Bangkok on EXPLORA I. ZOMA secured an Ocean Penthouse and arranged private shore programs in Kyoto (a tea ceremony with a Urasenke master), Hiroshima (Miyajima at dawn before the day-trippers), and Ho Chi Minh City. The ship is extraordinary - all suite, four pools, six restaurants included, no nickel-and-diming. Compared favorably to Silversea and Seabourn at a better price point.
Destination
Japan - Explora Journeys EXPLORA I
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
PD
Pascal D.
Boston, MA
Verified
Le Commandant Charcot - east-to-west Northwest Passage transit
Twenty-eight nights Reykjavík to Nome via the Northwest Passage on Le Commandant Charcot. One of only a handful of ships in the world that can complete this transit. ZOMA secured a Prestige Suite and pre-booked the helicopter and Alain Ducasse dining tiers. Inuit cultural exchanges in Pond Inlet and Cambridge Bay, polar bear encounters in Lancaster Sound, and the geographic accomplishment of the passage itself. Bucket-list, executed.
Destination
Northwest Passage - Le Commandant Charcot
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
MK
Marisa K.
Tampa, FL
Verified
Utopia of the Seas weekend - three-night Bahamas done at suite level
Three nights round-trip Port Canaveral on Utopia of the Seas in a Crown Loft Suite, Sky Class. ZOMA's value-add here was the speciality dining package combo (Chops, Giovanni's, Izumi) priced 30% below onboard rates and a Coco Beach Club daybed reserved at booking. Utopia as a short-cruise platform is genuinely a different category from the old three-night Bahamas ships - the AquaDome shows alone are worth the upgrade from Mariner-class. CocoCay's Thrill Waterpark with the Coco Beach Club fast pass is the right combo.
Destination
Bahamas - Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
October 2024
SB
Saoirse B.
Brooklyn, NY
Verified
Sea Cloud Spirit - a tall ship under sail in the Adriatic
Seven nights from Venice through Hvar, Korčula, Dubrovnik, and Kotor on Sea Cloud Spirit, the new tall ship with 28 sails. ZOMA secured an Owner's Suite and arranged a private oyster-farm lunch in Mali Ston and an after-hours Diocletian's Palace tour in Split. Watching the crew set sail by hand at sunset is the trip's defining image. Refined, intimate, and the dining was as good as any luxury ship.
Destination
Croatia - Sea Cloud Spirit
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
OG
Olympia G.
Greenwich, CT
Verified
Emerald Azzurra - 100-guest yacht through the Aegean and Adriatic
Eight nights Athens to Dubrovnik on Emerald Azzurra. ZOMA secured a Yacht Suite and arranged a private skipper day in Hvar and a Kotor Bay sunrise paddleboard before the ports filled. Azzurra is Emerald's first foray into yachts - excellent value at the sub-luxury tier (closer to Atlas than Silversea). The marina platform was used daily. A genuine yacht-feel without the SeaDream price.
Destination
Mediterranean - Emerald Azzurra
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
CM
Constance M.
Greenwich, CT
Verified
Aqua Nera Peruvian Amazon - dark-water expedition cruise
Seven nights round-trip Iquitos on Aqua Nera (Aqua Expedition's Peruvian Amazon vessel). Designer Suite. ZOMA arranged the pre-cruise Belmond Miraflores Park in Lima and a Cusco/Sacred Valley front-end. Aqua Nera's 20-suite dark-water Amazonian expedition - twice-daily skiff trips into the várzea, dolphin-spotting at sunrise, fishing for piranha. The ship's library and the rooftop pool with the rainforest backdrop are the quiet moments.
Destination
Amazon - Aqua Nera
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
QA
Quentin & Annika H.
Greenwich, CT
Verified
Explora Journeys EXPLORA I - MSC's luxury platform in the Med
Eleven nights Civitavecchia to Lisbon on EXPLORA I. Ocean Penthouse with Whirlpool. ZOMA pre-booked the speciality dining (Anthology - the rotating-chef-residency concept is excellent, currently Mauro Uliassi) and arranged private guides in Portofino, Saint-Tropez, Mahón, and Cádiz. EXPLORA's all-suite all-balcony format, four pools, six included restaurants, and the European-coffee-bar culture differentiates it from the American-style luxury lines. Excellent value at $700-800/night for the suite tier.
Destination
Mediterranean - Explora Journeys EXPLORA I
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
HB
Hugo & Bea V.
Madrid, Spain
Verified
Allure of the Seas - Western Med with the kids, Star Class delivered
Seven nights Barcelona round-trip on Allure of the Seas. Crown Loft Suite, Star Class. Mallorca, Marseille, Florence, Rome, Naples. ZOMA arranged English-speaking private guides in every port and a no-bus transfer for the Florence (from Livorno) day - the bus to Florence is the trip's only weak point if you don't pre-arrange. Our genie Hannah managed every dining reservation and got Wonderland on a fully-booked sea day. Star Class makes a 5,400-passenger ship feel manageable.
Destination
Mediterranean - Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
HB
Heloise B.
Atlanta, GA
Verified
Viking Sea - 15-night Athens to Barcelona, repositioning value
Fifteen nights one-way Athens to Barcelona on Viking Sea. Explorer Suite. The shoulder-season Mediterranean repositioning is the Viking value sweet spot. ZOMA arranged the included shore excursion upgrades to the optional small-group tier in three port days. Viking's library on the bow (designed by a Norwegian architect) and the Wintergarden and the Explorer's Lounge are quietly the best public spaces at sea.
Destination
Mediterranean - Viking Sea
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
AH
Aurelia H.
Sausalito, CA
Verified
Windstar Star Pride - the small-ship Adriatic, sub-luxury sweet spot
Eight nights Venice to Athens on Star Pride. Owner's Suite. Windstar's 312-guest yacht-class hull (the Star Pride/Breeze/Legend trio) is one cruising tier below Seabourn/Silversea at meaningfully better pricing. ZOMA arranged a private skipper in Hvar and a Kotor sunrise paddleboard before the ports filled. The marina-platform watersports off the stern, the casual-elegance dress code, and the small-port access (Mljet, Vis, Spetses) is what differentiates Windstar.
Destination
Mediterranean - Windstar Star Pride
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
OR
Octavian R.
Brookline, MA
Verified
Viking Hemming Douro - Porto round-trip, post-stop in Salamanca
Eight nights round-trip Porto on Viking Hemming. Veranda Suite. ZOMA arranged a private Pinhão port-house tasting and the Salamanca day overnight extension (Viking includes a Spanish-border day on the Douro itinerary). Viking's Douro vessels are smaller (106 guests) and the river itself is more dramatic than the Rhine or Danube - terraced vineyards on slopes you don't get on the European mainland rivers.
Destination
Douro - Viking Hemming
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
ON
Octavia N.
Westport, CT
Verified
Sea Cloud II - the classic three-masted barque through the Dalmatian coast
Eight nights Venice to Dubrovnik on Sea Cloud II. Owner's Suite. Sea Cloud II is the classic three-masted barque (a smaller sister to the original Sea Cloud, the legendary Marjorie Merriweather Post yacht). 96 guests, 60 crew, sails actually set by hand at sunset. ZOMA arranged a private oyster-farm lunch in Mali Ston and a Mljet sail-tender day. Wine and dining are exceptional. The right Med sailing experience.
Destination
Adriatic - Sea Cloud II
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
JL
Jasper L.
Bend, OR
Verified
SeaDream II Cyclades - the yacht-cruise template
Seven nights Athens through Mykonos, Patmos, Santorini, and Hydra on SeaDream II. Yacht Suite. ZOMA arranged a private archaeologist on Delos and a Hydra donkey-trek with a captain's-house lunch. The 112-guest format means dinner with the captain is actually possible. Anything bigger feels wrong after a SeaDream sailing.
Destination
Greek Isles - SeaDream II
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
ST
Saffron T.
Manhattan, NY
Verified
Oceania Riviera Italian Food & Wine theme - Jacques Pépin Culinary Center sailing
Twelve nights Venice to Lisbon on Oceania Riviera's Italian Food & Wine theme sailing. Vista Suite. ZOMA pre-booked the Culinary Center hands-on classes (six included in the theme-cruise add-on) and the wine-tasting series. Oceania's culinary-focus brand is built around the Jacques Pépin Culinary Center - the only working culinary classroom at sea - and a themed food-and-wine sailing puts it in the front row.
Destination
Food & Wine - Oceania Riviera
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
JS
Jenny S.
Phoenix, AZ
Verified
Quantum of the Seas Hawaii inter-island - all four islands in ten nights
Ten nights round-trip Honolulu on Quantum of the Seas - the all-four-Hawaiian-islands itinerary. Owner's Suite. ZOMA arranged private tours on each island - Road to Hana on Maui with a local guide, Volcanoes National Park hike on Big Island, a snorkel charter from Kona, and the Pearl Harbor Chief's tour on O'ahu (the only access to a working naval base). The North Star at sea between islands is the bonus.
Destination
Hawaii - Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
MK
Marisol K.
Atlanta, GA
Verified
AmaCello Rhone - Arles to Lyon, Provence harvest
Seven nights Arles to Lyon on AmaCello during harvest. Twin balcony. ZOMA arranged a private chef Provence excursion (a half-day cooking class in Tarascon) and a Beaujolais wine-cave tasting in the Lyon extension. AmaWaterways' fitness, biking, and hiking program is more developed than competitors - we joined three of the active-level shore options.
Seven nights one-way Southampton to New York on Queen Mary 2. Britannia Club Balcony. ZOMA's value here was the cabin category - Britannia Club is the second-best dining tier (private restaurant, smaller ratio, dress-code-required) at a meaningfully better price than Queen's Grills. QM2 is the only ocean liner still operating (purpose-built for the Atlantic, not warm-weather cruising). Seven sea days with no internet, the formal nights, the planetarium - a different cruise category.
Destination
Atlantic Crossing - Queen Mary 2
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
VP
Vanessa P.
Miami, FL
Verified
Liberty of the Seas four-night Bahamas - CocoCay focus
Four nights round-trip Port Canaveral on Liberty of the Seas, Owner's Suite. ZOMA booked us a Hideaway Beach cabana at CocoCay and the Thrill Waterpark all-day pass. Liberty post-amplification is a perfectly capable short-cruise platform - the FlowRider, ice show, and Splashaway Bay make it feel current. CocoCay is now the destination; the ship is just the transport. The Owner's Suite on Freedom-class has Concierge Club access which made the short trip feel polished.
Destination
Bahamas - Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
MF
Megan F.
San Diego, CA
Verified
Oasis of the Seas after the amplification - still the benchmark
Seven nights Cape Liberty round-trip on Oasis post-amplification. Royal Loft Suite, Star Class. Our genie Esther had everything pre-set: Wonderland, Izumi Hibachi, Chef's Table, AquaTheater front-row, and an Ultimate Abyss exclusive after-hours slide. Oasis after the amplification got the Ultimate Family Suite, the Lime & Coconut bar, and the Splashaway Bay refresh - it doesn't feel a generation behind Icon at all. The Star Class genie service is the differentiator across the fleet.
Destination
Western Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
EP
Eleanor P.
Greenwich, CT
Verified
SeaDream II in the Cyclades - a yacht, not a ship
Seven nights on SeaDream II from Athens through Mykonos, Patmos, Santorini, and Hydra. 56 cabins, 95 crew - the staff-to-guest ratio is the entire point. ZOMA arranged a private archaeologist on Delos and a Hydra donkey-trek with lunch at a captain's-house taverna. The Champagne and caviar splash on the Marina platform was as advertised. Anything bigger now feels wrong.
Destination
Greek Isles - SeaDream II
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
September 2024
CD
Cosima D.
Westport, CT
Verified
Cunard Queen Anne's maiden Mediterranean - grand-ship done well
Twelve nights Southampton to Athens on Queen Anne's inaugural Mediterranean season in a Queens Grill Penthouse. ZOMA secured the Queens Grill restaurant dining tier and arranged private shore vehicles in Lisbon, Cartagena, and Kuşadası. The Britannia-style formal nights and afternoon tea ritual are entirely the point of Cunard - a fundamentally different experience from a yacht-style ship. Lovely in its own way.
Destination
Mediterranean - Cunard Queen Anne
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
August 2024
FK
Frederick K.
Brooklyn, NY
Verified
Crystal Serenity post-relaunch - Northern Europe small-ship grand voyage
Twenty-one nights one-way Reykjavík to New York on the new Crystal Serenity post-relaunch. Crystal Penthouse. ZOMA worked the relaunch dynamics with us - the smaller-passenger-count Crystal (740 guests vs. previous 980) means a more spacious feel, and the all-inclusive policy now matches Regent/Silversea. The grand voyage through Greenland, Iceland, Canadian Maritimes was the right test of the relaunched product. Crystal's Umi Uma by Nobu and the Vintage Room wine cellar are still benchmarks.
Destination
Northwest Passage - Crystal Serenity
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
August 2024
CT
Caroline T.
Westport, CT
Verified
Le Commandant Charcot - east-to-west Northwest Passage, again
Twenty-eight nights Reykjavík to Nome on Le Commandant Charcot. Owner's Suite. The hybrid-electric icebreaker is one of three ships in the world that can complete this transit, and the only one operating at the luxury tier. ZOMA pre-booked the helicopter and the Alain Ducasse dining tier. Inuit cultural exchanges in Pond Inlet and Cambridge Bay, polar bear encounters in Lancaster Sound, the geographic accomplishment of completing the passage. Bucket-list, executed at the highest level.
Destination
Northwest Passage - Ponant Le Commandant Charcot
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
August 2024
WK
Wendy K.
Portland, OR
Verified
Radiance of the Seas Alaska - smaller ship, deeper Alaskan ports
Seven nights one-way Vancouver to Seward on Radiance of the Seas. Royal Suite. The smaller Radiance-class hull gets you into Icy Strait Point, the Hubbard Glacier (closer than the larger ships can approach), and a true Inside Passage scenic day with the floor-to-ceiling glass on the Centrum. ZOMA pre-arranged a Denali extension with the Wilderness Lodge - the post-cruise three-night land program is the actual Alaska experience the ports preview.
Destination
Alaska - Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
August 2024
HP
Henri P.
Westchester, NY
Verified
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Ilma inaugural Mediterranean - Loft Suite
Ten nights Civitavecchia to Barcelona on Ilma, Ritz-Carlton's second yacht. Loft Suite. ZOMA pre-booked the speciality dining (S.E.A. by Sven Elverfeld, Beach House) and arranged a private skipper day in Mallorca's Cap de Formentor. Ilma refines small things over Evrima: the Marina platform layout, the Living Room circulation, the suite balcony depth. The 224-suite hull at 458 feet is what the Ritz-Carlton brand at sea was always meant to be.
Destination
Mediterranean - Ritz-Carlton Yacht Ilma
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
August 2024
IK
Inara K.
Brooklyn, NY
Verified
Atlas Ocean Voyages World Navigator - Iceland circumnavigation
Ten nights round-trip Reykjavík on World Navigator. ZOMA secured a Horizon Suite and arranged a private guide for Westfjords' Hornstrandir, a Húsavík whale-watching by RIB instead of the larger boat, and a Mývatn nature-baths after-hours visit. Atlas is a newer luxury-expedition entrant - smaller, more casual than Silversea, but the expedition team was excellent. Good value at this category.
Destination
Iceland - Atlas World Navigator
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
August 2024
AG
Aniyah G.
Houston, TX
Verified
Mariner of the Seas - solo mom and toddler, surprisingly easy
Four nights round-trip Port Canaveral on Mariner of the Seas as a solo parent with a three-year-old. Junior Suite. ZOMA arranged the Royal Babies + Royal Tots nursery sessions (have to be booked in advance), a Splashaway Bay cabana at CocoCay, and a CocoCay group sitter slot so I had three hours to myself. Royal's family infrastructure for under-3s is much deeper than I expected and the Junior Suite gives you the square footage you need for a kid.
Twenty-five nights one-way Vladivostok to Nome on Roald Amundsen attempting the Northeast Passage (ice permitting). Suite. ZOMA's value was managing the contingency planning - Northeast Passage transits don't always complete due to ice, and we had backup itinerary scenarios pre-planned. Roald Amundsen is the world's first hybrid-electric expedition cruise ship. The transit completed; we made Nome on schedule.
Destination
Arctic - Hurtigruten Roald Amundsen
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
August 2024
BR
Bartholomew R.
Boston, MA
Verified
Ocean Albatros - East Greenland exploration, fjords and ice
Twelve nights round-trip Reykjavík on Ocean Albatros (Albatros Expeditions' newest hull). Suite with balcony. ZOMA's value here was identifying Albatros as the right value-tier expedition operator - $400-500/night less than Lindblad or Hurtigruten for substantively similar product. Scoresby Sund (the world's largest fjord system), Tasilaq, ice-floe landings, and an Inuit village visit. Genuinely a frontier-feeling trip.
Destination
Greenland - Albatros Ocean Albatros
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
August 2024
EF
Emerson F.
Atlanta, GA
Verified
Voyager of the Seas from Galveston - first Voyager-class home port debut
Seven nights round-trip Galveston on Voyager of the Seas in a Grand Suite. ZOMA arranged a Houston pre-cruise hotel and the Galveston port transfer. Voyager's amplification (FlowRider, escape room, Izumi sushi) and the Royal Promenade as the original innovation that the whole industry copied still makes it a fun ship. Pricing on Voyager-class from Galveston is excellent value - 25% below comparable Caribbean weeks on newer hulls.
Destination
Eastern Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
August 2024
KN
Klara N.
Los Angeles, CA
Verified
Hurtigruten MS Spitsbergen - circumnavigating Svalbard
Ten nights round-trip Longyearbyen circumnavigating Svalbard on MS Spitsbergen. ZOMA secured an Expedition Suite and pre-booked the kayak and snowshoe small-group add-ons. Polar bears (six sightings), walrus haul-outs, the 14th of July glacier calving. Hurtigruten is expedition-focused rather than ultra-luxury - the right ship for the right itinerary. ZOMA also booked our pre-night at Funken Lodge.
Destination
Norway - Hurtigruten Svalbard expedition
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
August 2024
TO
Tamsin O.
Brooklyn, NY
Verified
Lindblad National Geographic Endurance - Galápagos with the Nat Geo science team
Ten nights round-trip Guayaquil on Nat Geo Endurance. Category 5 cabin. Lindblad's National Geographic partnership puts a Nat Geo photographer (Jad Davenport on our sailing) and certified naturalists on every voyage. The boat is purpose-built for expedition (X-Bow design, hybrid power, glass-walled observation lounges). Daily zodiac landings and snorkels. Lindblad's Galápagos product, distinguished from Silversea by the science-team density.
Destination
Galápagos - Lindblad Nat Geo Endurance
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
August 2024
BL
Brittany L.
Wichita, KS
Verified
Icon of the Seas - solo female cruiser, Junior Suite, Sky Class adjacent perks
Seven nights Miami round-trip on Icon of the Seas. Junior Suite (the lowest tier that gets the Suite Lounge/Coastal Kitchen-adjacent perks on Icon-class). Solo. ZOMA's value here was knowing Junior Suites on Icon-class get a different set of perks than on older hulls and worked the loyalty single-supplement discount to bring the per-night below balcony pricing. Hideaway Beach (adults-only at CocoCay) was the right call for a solo trip. Icon's Royal Bay Pool is the prettiest at sea.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
August 2024
BS
Bertrand S.
Palo Alto, CA
Verified
True North through the Kimberley - helicopter every day
Thirteen nights from Broome to Wyndham on True North, the 36-guest Australian expedition vessel. ZOMA secured the River Suite and pre-booked all six helicopter excursions (Mitchell Falls, Horizontal Falls, King George Falls landing). The on-board helicopter is the entire point - daily heli-hikes to spots inaccessible by any other means. Genuinely the most remote luxury travel I've ever done.
Destination
Kimberley - True North
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
July 2024
JM
Jonas & Maeve W.
Galway, Ireland
Verified
Anthem of the Seas - Iceland round-trip from Southampton
Twelve nights round-trip Southampton on Anthem of the Seas - the Iceland & Norwegian Fjords combined itinerary. Crown Loft Suite, Sky Class. ZOMA arranged a Reykjavík Blue Lagoon morning, a Geirangerfjord rib-tour, and a Belfast pre-cruise night. Anthem from Southampton with the British Isles + Iceland deployment is the long-form Royal product Europe doesn't always know exists.
Destination
Northern Europe - Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
July 2024
DS
Daniel & Sasha O.
Westchester, NY
Verified
Allure of the Seas - Barcelona to Civitavecchia, Western Med
Seven nights Barcelona round-trip on Allure of the Seas in a Grand Loft Suite, Sky Class. ZOMA arranged private guides in Palma, Marseille, Florence, and Rome - bypassing the ship's group tours. The Aman-trained guide in Rome got us into the Vatican before the gates opened. Allure for the Med is the right call: the ship is the day at sea, the city is the day in port. The suite class amenities (Coastal Kitchen, Suite Lounge, suite-only sun deck) make a mega-ship feel intimate.
Destination
Mediterranean - Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
July 2024
MK
Marius K.
Brooklyn, NY
Verified
Tauck Rhine - the all-inclusive American river experience
Eight nights Amsterdam to Basel on Tauck ms Treasures. Category 7 suite. Tauck's distinctive all-inclusive includes the gratuities, the bar package, and the small-group shore excursions in a way the European-domiciled lines don't. ZOMA arranged the private Anne Frank House early-access and a Heidelberg evening culinary walk. Tauck's smaller passenger count (118 guests) means small-group shore experience by default.
Destination
Rhine - Tauck ms Treasures
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
July 2024
CV
Caspar V.
Manhattan, NY
Verified
Hapag-Lloyd Europa 2 - the highest-rated cruise ship by Berlitz, for a reason
Twelve nights round-trip Hamburg on Europa 2 (the rare 5-star-plus rated ship). Owner's Suite. ZOMA's value here was knowing Europa 2 sails bilingually with German and English programming and that the suite tiers (Spa Suites, Owner's Suites) are dramatically larger than competitors at the same price point. The dining (seven included restaurants, four pools, two-meter-wide balconies as standard) is a different category. Hapag-Lloyd is the European luxury cruise standard most American travelers haven't discovered.
Destination
Norwegian Fjords - Hapag-Lloyd Europa 2
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
July 2024
LB
Lazlo B.
Brookline, MA
Verified
CroisiEurope MS Modigliani - the French-domiciled river line, French Rhine
Seven nights Strasbourg to Amsterdam on MS Modigliani (CroisiEurope's Rhine vessel). Junior Suite. CroisiEurope is the French-domiciled river cruise line - the dining (a fully French cuisine, the included regional wines, the European-paced apéro hour) is meaningfully different from American-market lines. ZOMA worked the value tier - CroisiEurope is 30-40% less than Uniworld/Tauck/AmaWaterways at the same hull category.
Eleven nights round-trip Longyearbyen on Sylvia Earle (the X-Bow expedition vessel). Stateroom Suite. Aurora's purpose-built expedition vessel (carried 132 expedition guests) circumnavigated Svalbard with polar bear focus - we had eight bear sightings, walrus haul-outs, and the 14th of July glacier calving. ZOMA pre-booked the kayak and snowshoe add-ons and a pre-cruise Funken Lodge night.
Destination
Arctic - Aurora Expeditions Sylvia Earle
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
July 2024
PV
Pascal V.
Bethesda, MD
Verified
Le Commandant Charcot Geographic North Pole - the only ship that reaches 90°N
Fourteen nights round-trip Longyearbyen on Le Commandant Charcot to the Geographic North Pole. Owner's Suite. The hybrid-electric icebreaker is the only ship in the world reaching the Geographic North Pole for tourism. The polar plunge at 90°N latitude (where every direction is south) is its own travel achievement. ZOMA pre-booked the helicopter and the Alain Ducasse dining tier.
Destination
Polar - Le Commandant Charcot 90° North
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
July 2024
HB
Hadrien B.
Westchester, NY
Verified
Le Ponant - the original Ponant three-masted sailing yacht, post-refurb
Eight nights Athens to Venice on Le Ponant post-refurbishment. Marina Suite. The refurbished Le Ponant (the original Ponant yacht) is now an all-suite all-balcony 16-cabin sail yacht. ZOMA arranged a private Hydra anchor-day and a Vis (Croatia) skipper-day. The smallest of the luxury sail-yacht options - more intimate than Sea Cloud, more refined than Star Clippers.
Destination
Mediterranean - Ponant Le Ponant
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
July 2024
TP
The Patel Family
Edison, NJ
Verified
Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon - three-story suite, three kids, zero stress
Seven nights on Icon of the Seas in the Ultimate Family Townhouse - the three-story Surfside-neighborhood suite with the private slide off the second-floor patio. Star Class. ZOMA pre-coordinated with our genie Ashanti before sailing: kosher-vegetarian meal plan, a Splashaway Bay reserved cabana, Royal Caribbean's chef's table on night three, and a private behind-the-scenes ship tour the kids still talk about. The Surfside neighborhood designed specifically for families under 6 is a real innovation - separate from the AquaDome and Thrill Island crowds.
Destination
Western Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
July 2024
EP
Eduardo P.
Coral Gables, FL
Verified
Symphony of the Seas Ultimate Family Suite - the original, still excellent
Seven nights round-trip Miami on Symphony of the Seas in the original Ultimate Family Suite, Star Class. Three bedrooms, in-suite slide, LEGO wall, air-hockey table. The kids did not leave the suite the first day - which is the entire point. ZOMA pre-coordinated with our genie Maria and arranged the Coco Beach Club Family Cabana. The Ultimate Family Suite on Symphony was the prototype for Icon's Townhouse and still delivers.
Destination
Western Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
July 2024
TF
Theo F.
Newport Beach, CA
Verified
Navigator of the Seas - LA round-trip, Mexican Riviera with the kids
Seven nights round-trip Los Angeles on Navigator of the Seas. Owner's Suite. Cabo, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta. ZOMA arranged a private Cabo whale-watching (in season) and a Puerto Vallarta beach day with a chef. Navigator post-amplification is the right west-coast platform for families - drive-to from southern California, balanced ship size, all the post-amp amenities. The Mexican Riviera in summer is underrated as a cruise destination.
Destination
Mexico - Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
July 2024
RB
Reginald & Beatrice W.
Charleston, SC
Verified
Silver Whisper World Cruise - 132 nights, Owner's Suite
132 nights round-trip Los Angeles on Silver Whisper's full world cruise. Owner's Suite. ZOMA managed the booking 18 months in advance, arranged all the air segments for shore overlaps (Sydney, Cape Town, Lisbon two-night extensions), and pre-coordinated dietary preferences with the F&B director. A world cruise is a different category of trip - your community is the 300 other cruisers and the 300 crew. The longer destination-immersion (overnights in 27 ports) is the unlock vs. a normal Asian cruise. ZOMA's value-add on a trip this complex is invisible work compounded over months.
Destination
World Cruise - Silversea Silver Whisper
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
March 2024
HM
Hiroshi & Megan T.
Seattle, WA
Verified
Regent Seven Seas Explorer - all-inclusive done properly
Seven nights Vancouver to Seward on Regent Seven Seas Explorer in a Concierge Suite. ZOMA upgraded our included shore excursions to the private-vehicle tier in Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka, and pre-booked Pacific Rim, the speciality restaurant, every other night. Glacier Bay from the Observation Lounge with a National Park Service ranger narrating was unforgettable. All-in pricing means no end-of-cruise sticker shock.
Destination
Alaska - Regent Seven Seas Explorer
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
July 2024
ML
Marcus & Liana D.
San Francisco, CA
Verified
Seabourn Ovation through the fjords - Geiranger at dawn
Seven nights round-trip Copenhagen on Seabourn Ovation. ZOMA secured a Wintergarden Suite and arranged a private RIB excursion into Nærøyfjord at sunrise that the ship's standard tours don't offer. Caviar in the surf on Seabourn's complimentary beach day was the photo of the trip. Their advisor pre-coordinated with the Seabourn shore team so our preferences were in the system before embarkation.
Destination
Norwegian Fjords - Seabourn Ovation
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
July 2024
AV
Anastasia V.
Greenwich, CT
Verified
Paul Gauguin in the Society Islands - the only ship that calls all year
Seven nights round-trip Papeete on the Paul Gauguin. ZOMA secured an Owner's Suite and arranged a private motu picnic for our wedding anniversary at Bora Bora with a Tahitian musician. The ship's local Polynesian dance troupe (les Gauguines/Gauguins) was a highlight of the onboard programming. PG is the only ship with year-round Tahiti deployment - the local relationships show.
Destination
Tahiti - Paul Gauguin
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
MR
Marshall R.
Birmingham, AL
Verified
Adventure of the Seas - first cruise with grandparents, four generations
Seven nights round-trip San Juan on Adventure of the Seas. Two Owner's Suites and a Grand Suite for the four-generation group (grandparents through three kids). ZOMA built linked dining for ten and arranged accessible cabin features for my mother-in-law. Adventure from San Juan hits Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao - the southern Caribbean itinerary that newer ships don't visit. The grandparents found the ship the right size; the kids found the FlowRider and rock wall enough; the parents found the price point excellent.
Destination
Western Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
MD
Marcus & Diane W.
Cary, NC
Verified
Anthem of the Seas - Southampton round-trip Norwegian Fjords
Eight nights round-trip Southampton on Anthem of the Seas. Royal Loft Suite. ZOMA arranged a London pre-cruise three nights at the Connaught and a Stavanger fjord rib-tour we kept the small group on (max 12). Anthem's North Star over the fjords is unmatched. The Royal Loft on Quantum-class with Sky Class genie is the suite product that most people don't realize Royal offers in Europe.
Destination
Northern Europe - Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
YM
Yves M.
Lyon, France
Verified
Ponant Le Bougainville - French luxury small-ship in the Adriatic
Eight nights Venice to Athens on Le Bougainville (Ponant's Explorer-class). Prestige Suite with Balcony. ZOMA arranged private guides in Kotor, Corfu, Itea (Delphi), and Hydra. Ponant's French dining (the Alain Ducasse partnership in the Nautilus underwater lounge, the bilingual service style, the apéro culture) is distinctly different from the Anglo-American luxury lines. Le Bougainville's 184-guest format gets into the boutique ports.
Destination
Mediterranean - Ponant Le Bougainville
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
ES
Ezra & Sarah F.
Manhattan, NY
Verified
Volga river - St. Petersburg to Moscow, Viking's old itinerary (pre-suspension)
Thirteen nights St. Petersburg to Moscow on Viking Helgi during the last operating season before suspension. Veranda Suite. ZOMA had us in before bookings closed - the Volga itinerary is currently not operating due to geopolitics, but the pre-pause experience hitting Kizhi, Yaroslavl, Goritsky, and the Hermitage as a private after-hours visit was the great Russian river cruise. We're noting this for the historical record - currently not bookable.
Destination
Volga - Viking Helgi
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
MB
Marisol B.
Atlanta, GA
Verified
MS Trollfjord - Norwegian coastal classic Hurtigruten route
Twelve nights round-trip Bergen on MS Trollfjord on the classic Norwegian coastal voyage. Premium Suite. The Hurtigruten coastal route hits 34 Norwegian ports (it doubles as the local mail/cargo line) - it's the most authentically Norwegian way to see the country. Trollfjord at 638 guests is the smaller of the two refurbished classic vessels. The Midnight Sun in summer means 24-hour daylight north of the Arctic Circle. ZOMA arranged the pre-cruise Bergen night.
Destination
Iceland - Hurtigruten MS Trollfjord
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
VR
Vincent R.
San Francisco, CA
Verified
Seabourn Quest - the smaller hull, deeper-fjord access
Twelve nights round-trip Copenhagen on Seabourn Quest. Owner's Suite. Quest's smaller hull (450 guests) gets into Geirangerfjord, Naerøyfjord, and the narrow ports the Encore-class can't. ZOMA arranged a private rib-charter day in Nærøyfjord at sunrise and a Stavanger Lysefjord helicopter to Preikestolen. Quest's library and the Card Room and the Observation Bar are the quiet quartet of small-ship luxury.
Destination
Norwegian Fjords - Seabourn Quest
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
RN
Rasmus N.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Verified
Viking Sky Norway - Viking's understated luxury
Fifteen nights Bergen round-trip on Viking Sky - the In Search of the Northern Lights itinerary in summer (Midnight Sun). Penthouse Veranda. Viking's Scandinavian-design adults-only no-kids no-casino product is its own category. ZOMA arranged a Tromsø husky-camp day, an Alta ice-hotel visit, and a Geirangerfjord rib-tour. Viking's included shore excursion in every port and the no-upcharge inclusive philosophy is the value pitch.
Destination
Northern Europe - Viking Sky
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
LJ
Lottie & Jed M.
Bend, OR
Verified
Quantum of the Seas Alaska - Seattle round-trip, the Two70 venue
Seven nights round-trip Seattle on Quantum of the Seas. Sky Loft Suite. Hubbard Glacier scenic day, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, Victoria. ZOMA pre-booked the Two70 Spectra's Cabaret show (the best at-sea production in the fleet), a Juneau whale-watching small-boat charter, and the White Pass railroad. The Two70 venue at sunset over Alaska is the surprise of the trip.
Destination
Alaska - Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
MK
Marguerite K.
Brookline, MA
Verified
Oceania Vista - the new Allura-class, foodie focus
Twelve nights Athens to Barcelona on Oceania Vista, the newest Allura-class hull. Vista Suite. ZOMA pre-booked the speciality dining (Polo Grill, Toscana, Red Ginger, Jacques) for the entire week before bookings opened to the masses. Oceania's culinary focus (Jacques Pépin-mentored kitchen, the largest culinary center at sea, the destination-focused menus) is the entire brand differentiator. Vista's Vista Suites with the over-the-bow forward view are a new layout.
Seven nights round-trip Bordeaux on S.S. Bon Voyage. Royal Suite. The Bordeaux river-cruise circuit (the Garonne, the Dordogne, the Gironde estuary) hits Saint-Émilion, Médoc, Sauternes, and Cognac with private château visits. Uniworld's S.S.-class boutique-hotel-design ship is the right physical platform for a wine-focused cruise. ZOMA pre-booked private château tastings at Pichon Lalande and Château Margaux.
Destination
Bordeaux - Uniworld S.S. Bon Voyage
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
OD
Olympia D.
Westport, CT
Verified
Amandira - Aman's private yacht through the Lesser Sundas
Eleven nights private charter on Amandira (Aman's private phinisi-style sailing yacht). ZOMA arranged this as a private full-charter (max 10 guests) with a custom itinerary through Komodo, the Lesser Sundas, and a remote-village village-visit program. The boat sails under traditional rigging where wind permits and the dive program (resident dive master) is excellent. Amandira at full charter is a different category from any commercial cruise.
Destination
Indonesia - Amandira (Aman)
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
BV
Beatrix V.
Greenwich, CT
Verified
SeaDream I in the Adriatic - 56 cabins, 95 crew, yacht-not-ship
Seven nights from Venice through Croatia and Montenegro on SeaDream I. Yacht Suite. SeaDream's 56-cabin format and 95-crew compliment delivers the genuinely yacht-feel that the larger luxury ships can't quite match. ZOMA arranged a private archaeologist on Pula and a Hvar wine-cave day. The Champagne and caviar splash on the marina platform - the SeaDream signature.
Destination
Mediterranean - SeaDream I
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
CN
Cordelia N.
Manhattan, NY
Verified
Variety Cruises Voyager - 72-guest motor yacht through the Cyclades
Seven nights round-trip Athens on Variety Voyager (the 72-guest motor yacht). Junior Suite. Variety Cruises is the Greek-domiciled small-ship operator and Voyager is the right scale for the small-port Cyclades - Folegandros, Sifnos, Serifos, the ports the larger ships don't visit. Value tier (50% below SeaDream at similar passenger count). The Greek crew and Greek-focus dining are the actual differentiator.
Destination
Mediterranean - Variety Cruises Voyager
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
BV
Beatrix V.
Brooklyn, NY
Verified
Sea Cloud - the original 1931 Marjorie Merriweather Post barque, restored
Eight nights Athens to Istanbul on the original Sea Cloud. Owner's Suite (the original Post stateroom with the wood paneling and the marble fireplace). The 1931 Marjorie Merriweather Post yacht is a heritage vessel - the sails set by hand, the original riveted hull, the Post family's original cabins preserved. ZOMA arranged this for the historical sailing experience as much as the cruise. The right answer for travelers who want the romance of pre-war ocean travel.
Destination
Greek Isles - Sea Cloud
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
JK
Joel & Karen T.
Bellevue, WA
Verified
Ovation of the Seas Alaska - North Star, RipCord, Hubbard Glacier
Seven nights round-trip Seattle on Ovation of the Seas. Owner's Suite, Sky Class. ZOMA arranged a private Juneau whale-watching boat in lieu of the ship's group tour and a Skagway White Pass railroad excursion with the dome car upgrade. Ovation's North Star observation capsule at Hubbard Glacier - one of the most-photographed moments of the trip. RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator is a real differentiator. Two70 venue and the Bionic Bar are the right Quantum-class touches.
Destination
Alaska - Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
DW
Dean W.
Indianapolis, IN
Verified
Liberty of the Seas - first cruise ever, suite level recommendation
Seven nights round-trip Galveston on Liberty of the Seas in an Owner's Suite. First cruise ever. ZOMA's recommendation to start with a Freedom-class hull from a drive-to home port (no flight) in a suite category was the right one. Concierge Club, MDR plus speciality dining package, FlowRider lessons booked in advance. Cruise as a vacation format makes sense to me now in a way it didn't before. Already booked Wonder of the Seas for the second cruise.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
CW
Charlotte W.
New York, NY
Verified
Silversea Silver Nova - Rome to Barcelona in suite-only quiet
Ten nights on Silversea's Silver Nova from Civitavecchia to Barcelona, in a Premium Medallion Suite with butler. ZOMA pre-booked the speciality restaurants on night one (S.A.L.T., La Dame, Kaiseki) and arranged private shore excursions in Portofino, Sanary-sur-Mer, and Palamós - no bus, no group, no waiting. They also coordinated a private transfer from FCO with our luggage already in the suite before we boarded. Suite-only ships are the only way I cruise now.
Destination
Mediterranean - Silversea Silver Nova
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
TW
The Williams Family
Charlotte, NC
Verified
Wonder of the Seas AquaTheater Suite - Cozumel, Roatán, Costa Maya
Seven nights round-trip Port Canaveral on Wonder of the Seas in an AquaTheater Suite with the wraparound balcony. Sky Class. ZOMA pre-reserved AquaTheater show seating right in the suite's sight-line, booked Wonderland and Hooked for the speciality dining, and arranged a private excursion to Mahahual instead of the group bus from Costa Maya. The Suite Sun Deck on Deck 17 and Coastal Kitchen breakfast are the actual reasons to fly Sky Class. Wonder's Suite Neighborhood is the best Oasis-class layout.
Destination
Western Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
June 2024
NG
Naomi G.
Park Slope, NY
Verified
Explorer of the Seas from Cape Liberty - mixed Bahamas/Bermuda nine-night
Nine nights round-trip Cape Liberty on Explorer of the Seas - the mixed Bermuda/Bahamas/CocoCay itinerary that Royal runs as a unique ex-Bayonne product. Junior Suite. ZOMA layered the Suite & Beverage promo with the kids-sail-free promo for a really strong price. Explorer post-amplification has the Lime & Coconut, the Bamboo Room, Izumi sushi, and FlowRider. As a no-fly East Coast cruise it's the right ship.
Destination
Bermuda & Bahamas - Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
May 2024
ÉL
Étienne L.
Westport, CT
Verified
Aranui 5 to the Marquesas - a freighter-cruise like no other
Twelve nights from Papeete through the Tuamotus and the Marquesas on Aranui 5, the half-passenger half-cargo ship that supplies the islands. ZOMA secured a Premium Suite and arranged a private guide on Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa where Gauguin is buried. Watching the crane unload supplies at each tiny port while villagers came to greet the ship was anthropology, not tourism. Genuinely unforgettable.
Destination
French Polynesia - Aranui 5
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
May 2024
VW
Vance W.
Memphis, TN
Verified
Voyager of the Seas - multi-gen, four-night CocoCay
Four nights round-trip Galveston on Voyager of the Seas. Two Junior Suites linked for the multi-gen group. ZOMA used the kids-sail-free promo to bring the cost down meaningfully. Voyager's amplification (FlowRider, Sky Pad, escape room, Izumi sushi) is enough for a short cruise. The right product at the right price for a quick family escape.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
May 2024
CR
Camille & Robert L.
Westport, CT
Verified
AmaSiena Rhine - Basel to Amsterdam, tulip season
Seven nights Basel to Amsterdam on AmaSiena during tulip bloom. Twin balcony stateroom. ZOMA pre-booked the gentle/regular/active small-group tiers per port (AmaWaterways tiers shore excursions by physical pace - the difference is significant). Keukenhof in full bloom, Strasbourg's old town, Cologne's cathedral, a cycling day along the Rhine. AmaWaterways' kitchen (Chaîne des Rôtisseurs member, the only river line with this distinction) is the industry standard.
Destination
Rhine - AmaWaterways AmaSiena
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
May 2024
MH
Marisol H.
Atlanta, GA
Verified
Star Flyer - the smaller Star Clippers, Italian and French Riviera
Seven nights round-trip Cannes on Star Flyer (the 170-guest four-masted barquentine). Category 1 cabin. Star Flyer in the Med visits Portofino, Saint-Tropez, Bonifacio, Monte Carlo - the boutique Riviera ports. The sails actually drive the ship when wind permits (and we had wind four of seven days). ZOMA pre-booked a private skipper day in Bonifacio. Casual luxury at the right price tier.
Destination
Mediterranean - Star Clippers Star Flyer
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
May 2024
HP
Holden P.
New York, NY
Verified
Regent Seven Seas Splendor - all-inclusive Mediterranean done right
Ten nights Barcelona to Civitavecchia on Regent Seven Seas Splendor. Penthouse Suite. ZOMA upgraded our included shore excursions to the small-group private-vehicle tier in every port - that's where Regent's all-inclusive value really lands. Splendor's Compass Rose dining, the Constellation Theater shows, and Pacific Rim were highlights. Single-traveler pricing on Regent is the most competitive in the luxury segment.
Destination
Mediterranean - Regent Seven Seas Splendor
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
May 2024
PR
Priscilla R.
Boston, MA
Verified
Anthem of the Seas from Cape Liberty - Bermuda done easily
Seven nights Cape Liberty round-trip with three days docked at King's Wharf, Bermuda. Anthem of the Seas, Grand Suite, Sky Class. ZOMA arranged a private pink-sand beach day at Horseshoe Bay with cabana and a Hamilton dinner reservation at Marcus' that's hard to land. North Star and RipCord onboard, Coastal Kitchen for suite breakfast, the SeaPlex bumper cars at night. Anthem with three full days in Bermuda is the right product. The Royal Suite Class on a Quantum hull punches above its weight.
Destination
Bermuda - Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
May 2024
KR
Kelvin R.
Tampa, FL
Verified
Vision of the Seas - the small Vision-class, intimate Caribbean
Eleven nights round-trip Tampa on Vision of the Seas, the smallest active Royal class. Junior Suite. The Vision-class hull at 2,000 passengers is meaningfully different from the mega-ships - a smaller, calmer, more port-focused product. The longer itinerary visits Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Dominica, and Barbados. ZOMA arranged the small-port private guides each day. The Centrum and Solarium on Vision-class are quietly excellent.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
April 2024
JB
Jocelyn & Bill T.
Westport, CT
Verified
Queen Mary 2 transatlantic - Queen's Grills, the ocean liner experience
Seven nights one-way Southampton to New York on Queen Mary 2. Queen's Grills Suite. ZOMA's value here was the suite category - Queen's Grills is the only place QM2 still feels like the Cunard of legend. Private restaurant, private deck, the Commodore Club for cocktails before dinner, the Royal Court Theatre for evening shows. QM2 is the only true ocean liner still operating (built for the Atlantic crossing, not for warm-weather cruising). The crossing itself - five sea days, no internet, formal nights - is the right way to arrive in New York.
Destination
Transatlantic - Cunard Queen Mary 2
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
April 2024
LV
Linnea V.
Atlanta, GA
Verified
Holland America Koningsdam Total Solar Eclipse cruise - April 2024
Eleven nights round-trip San Diego on Holland America Koningsdam for the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse path. Pinnacle Suite. ZOMA pre-booked us for this two years in advance - eclipse cruises are the rarest in the calendar (only one totality per year, only one ship in the right path). We were directly under totality in the Pacific for 4 minutes 27 seconds. The Neptune Lounge upper-deck terrace was reserved for our suite tier with eclipse glasses provided.
Destination
Eclipse Cruise - Holland America Koningsdam
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
April 2024
KB
Karim B.
Jersey City, NJ
Verified
Mariner of the Seas - Voyager-class amplified, three-night Bahamas
Three nights round-trip Port Canaveral on Mariner of the Seas, Grand Suite. ZOMA caught a 60% off second-guest + free drinks promo we wouldn't have seen and pre-booked Chops and Izumi for the two dinner nights. Mariner's amplification (FlowRider, ice rink, Sky Pad, Glow party) hits the high notes of a longer cruise in a weekend window. The right product for a quick reset.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
April 2024
VA
Vivienne A.
Boston, MA
Verified
Silversea Silver Origin - Galápagos done right
Seven nights on Silver Origin, the only luxury ship built specifically for Galápagos. ZOMA secured a Horizon Suite and pre-arranged the Ecuadorian-naturalist team that has the highest ratings on board. Twice-daily zodiac landings, snorkeling with sea lions at Champion Islet, blue-footed boobies on North Seymour. The 100 guests, 90 crew ratio means no waiting for anything. ZOMA also pre-booked our two pre-cruise nights at Casa Gangotena in Quito.
Destination
Galápagos - Silversea Silver Origin
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
April 2024
RE
Rosalind E.
Charleston, SC
Verified
Royal Clipper - the world's largest square-rigged tall ship
Seven nights round-trip Bridgetown on Royal Clipper, the five-masted square-rigger. ZOMA secured an Owner's Suite (the two stern suites with private verandas) and arranged a private catamaran day in the Grenadines. The crew actually sails the ship - 42 sails set by hand to the soundtrack of Vangelis is the moment everyone photographs. Casual, sun-and-sail focused - the right ship for the Caribbean.
Destination
Caribbean - Star Clippers Royal Clipper
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
March 2024
PD
Phillip & Donna G.
Boca Raton, FL
Verified
Brilliance of the Seas - Boston-based New England/Canada autumn
Twelve nights round-trip Boston on Brilliance of the Seas - the New England and Canada fall foliage itinerary. Royal Suite. ZOMA arranged a private fall-foliage guide in Bar Harbor and a Saint John private excursion (Reversing Falls, Hopewell Rocks). Brilliance's smaller hull is the right size for the Atlantic Canadian ports. The Solarium and Centrum on Radiance-class still hold up - this isn't an old ship in any way that matters.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
March 2024
DT
Demarcus & Tiana O.
St. Louis, MO
Verified
Wonder of the Seas Aquatheater Suite - parents-only week
Seven nights round-trip Port Canaveral on Wonder of the Seas, AquaTheater Suite, Sky Class. Kids stayed with grandparents. ZOMA arranged a Suite-Class adults focus - Coastal Kitchen for every meal, Suite Sun Deck on Deck 17 as our daytime base, and a Coco Beach Club Overlook Cabana. Wonder as an adults-couple platform with Suite Class is much more refined than the kids-cruise stereotype.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
March 2024
DS
Dimitri & Selene H.
Boston, MA
Verified
Ecoventura Theory - 20-guest yacht in the Galápagos
Seven nights on Theory, Ecoventura's 20-guest yacht. ZOMA secured the two upper-deck suites and the senior naturalist guide. Twice-daily landings, deep-water snorkeling with hammerheads at Wolf and Darwin (the northern itinerary), and the ship's small size means access to landing sites larger vessels can't use. A different experience from Silver Origin - more intimate, more adventurous.
Destination
Galápagos - Ecoventura Origin/Theory
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
March 2024
SL
Stephanie L.
Atlanta, GA
Verified
Ritz-Carlton Evrima - the original yacht, still the benchmark
Seven nights round-trip Bridgetown on Evrima. Owner's Suite. ZOMA arranged a private Tobago Cays sail-day in lieu of the group excursion and a private Mustique afternoon at Basil's. Evrima's marina platform, the Aqua Marine restaurant on the aft, and the Talaso pool design make it the most resort-like yacht at sea. Service standard is the Ritz-Carlton brand standard, translated.
Destination
Caribbean - Ritz-Carlton Yacht Evrima
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
March 2024
HK
Hosea K.
Lakeland, FL
Verified
Grandeur of the Seas - smaller older hull, Crown & Anchor loyalty value
Seven nights round-trip Baltimore on Grandeur of the Seas. Junior Suite. As a Diamond C&A member the smaller older hulls are where the loyalty perks land hardest - Concierge Club lounge access, balcony discount, and free drinks in the lounge. Grandeur's Baltimore home port for the Mid-Atlantic with no flight is its own value proposition. The ship is dated relative to Icon, but it does what it needs to do.
Destination
Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
March 2024
PV
Petros V.
Brooklyn, NY
Verified
Oberoi Zahra Nile - 27-cabin all-suite vessel, the high-end Nile
Seven nights Luxor to Aswan on Oberoi Zahra. Luxury Suite. The Oberoi Zahra at 27 cabins is the smallest of the high-end Nile vessels and the only one with a full spa and outdoor library on the upper deck. ZOMA arranged the pre-cruise three nights at the Oberoi Mena House (with the Pyramids view) and a private Egyptologist throughout. The Oberoi's service standard on a river vessel is what justifies the price.
Destination
Egypt - Oberoi Zahra
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
March 2024
FA
Fern A.
Brooklyn, NY
Verified
UnCruise Safari Voyager - 62-guest small-ship Costa Rica & Panama
Eight nights one-way Colón to San José on UnCruise Safari Voyager. Owner's Suite. UnCruise is the American small-ship expedition operator - 62 guests, daily kayak/SUP/snorkel programs, included shore excursion with the expedition team. ZOMA arranged the pre-cruise Casa Chameleon Las Catalinas night. The intimacy of a 62-guest vessel means actual deep relationships with the expedition team.
Destination
Costa Rica & Panama - UnCruise Adventures Safari Voyager
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
March 2024
BO
Brendan O.
Cleveland, OH
Verified
Independence of the Seas - amplified Freedom-class for the kids' first cruise
Seven nights round-trip Galveston on Independence of the Seas, Junior Suite. ZOMA's recommendation here was the right one - amplified Freedom-class delivers most of the Oasis-class fun (FlowRider, ice rink, Splashaway Bay) at a much better price for first-time families. Pre-booked the Coke Freestyle package and a Cozumel ATV excursion. Three nights of My Time dining with linked reservations. Cost per person came in 35% below an Icon-class equivalent week.
Destination
Eastern Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas
Trip
Cruise
Traveled
March 2024
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