Jaunted

But soft! What are the semi-rich to do? The next step up from a luxury cruise is a private yacht - still the province of millionaires and their retinues - and that's a big leap indeed. Will they grin and bear the pedestrian antics of the newbies, or will they eschew cruising altogether and vacation at land-based resorts that are easier to segregate by social standing?

I can smirk about this because it all stinks of such snobbery, but I wouldn't be thrilled to have my vacation ruined by a bunch of uncouth chavs who made it on board as the result of some last-minute fare sale. After all, we called this trend back in January when that exact scenario unfolded on the luxury ship Ventura. There were food fights, fist fights, foul language, and even an arson attack. That doesn't sound like a fun ship to me.

If you prefer to cruise with your own kind, then hop in your Gulfstream right now and set course for Monaco, where the Monaco Yacht Show is in full swing. There, $50 million or so might get you a respectable yacht you can take to the Caribbean this winter, avoiding the mooks altogether.

[Photo: Richard Detrich]

· Cruising Regulars are Trading Up to Avoid Influx of Deal Seekers [USA Today]
· Monaco Yacht Show [Official Site]
· The Chav Boat, Soon Will Be Making Another Run [Jaunted]