RETIRED lawyer James Low, 50, spends about eight weeks a year on a cruise ship. His last sojourn was a 33-day trip on luxury vessel Silver Whisper, run by Silversea Cruises, that began in Auckland, New Zealand.

It rounded the eastern coast of Australia, then headed north towards Papua New Guinea and eventually Hong Kong, where Mr Low finally disembarked.

The experience cost him about US$20,000 (S$27,200), but it was inclusive of meals, drinks and gratuities.

The allure of a seabound holiday, he adds, is being able to call at typically hard-to-reach destinations such as the east African nations of Mombasa and Zanzibar, which he visited while sailing on another Silversea ship, the Silver Cloud, two years ago.

Not only are more Singaporean holidaymakers such as Mr Low opting for a life of ease on the high seas, but they are also digging deeper into their pockets for the experience.

More and more, high-end cruises - think suites, not cabins; sit-down dinners, not buffets - are winning over discerning travellers with a yen for sophistication.

Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times Life!