The luxury cruises you need to experience this year

Set sail on the high seas on ships known for their luxury, comfort, service and impeccable itineraries. 

Grand Journeys with Explora 

Cross oceans and traverse continents with Explora Journeys on its new collection of Grand Journeys. The luxury cruise line’s new series offers guests a more unhurried exploration of lesser-visited destinations with immersive cultural shore excursions.

Unwind and explore the cruise’s high-end amenities. (Image: Ivan Sarfatti)

With longer itineraries – such as a 21-day journey from Miami to Barcelona – more time at sea means guests can truly unwind and indulge in the enriched culinary program and wellness offerings onboard EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II. 

Italy with Ponant

Indulge in Italy’s finest flavors. (Image: N. Matheus)

The pasta. The wine. The cheese. Ponant has combined everything we love about Italy with the exceptional luxury the cruise line is known for during an upcoming culinary journey onboard Le Bougainville. Join Italian chef Denny Imbroisi for the voyage, which departs 10 June from Valletta, Malta, and explores the intoxicating regions of Sicily, Puglia and Ancona before concluding in Venice. Expect authentic Italian cuisine onboard and food-focused shore excursions, from a visit to a mozzarella caseificio (dairy farm) to a Prosecco tour. 

Across Europe with Crystal 

Crystal is one of the leaders in the luxury cruising space. This year, Crystal will celebrate its 35th anniversary with a nine-night cruise from Tarragona (Barcelona) to Civitavecchia (Rome) from 4-13 June. Join Geoffrey Kent (founder of Abercrombie & Kent) on the journey around the Mediterranean which includes stops at Palma de Mallorca, Cinque Terre and Livorno (for visits to Pisa and Florence). The 15-night Lisbon to Tema itinerary is also worth getting excited about, setting sail for Africa and crossing to the Canary Islands from 26 November. 

Epicurean Explorer Tours with Regent Seven Seas 

Ultra-luxe cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises has unveiled 12 new Epicurean Explorer Tours that connect its guests to culture through food. Available to book for voyages onboard Seven Seas Grandeur, Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explorer, these new tours are limited to 18 guests per session and include foraging with a celebrity chef in Belfast, hands-on breadmaking at a multi-generational bakery in Valletta, and purchasing produce from a Busan market that will be used to make Korean dishes in the Culinary Arts Kitchen onboard. 

The Caribbean with Silversea

The newest ship from ultra-luxe cruise line Silversea will join Silver Moon and Silver Shadow in the Caribbean from March. Silver Ray forms part of the company’s vast offering in the region, which includes nine voyages until May and a staggering 32 itineraries from November until February 2026. Ranging from seven to 21 days, Silversea spoils its guests with choice in this region rich in culture, natural beauty and warm communities. 

Antarctica and the Arctic with Scenic 

Witness thriving penguin colonies in their natural habitat. (Image: Niko Paulin)

Scenic is known for its unrivalled expeditions into some of the world’s most remote regions, with its Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yachts featuring two helicopters, a submersible and almost a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio with a team of experts from marine biologists to glaciologists.

The state-of-the-art ships give a front-row seat to stunning scenery.

For 2025 to 2027, the luxury cruise company has announced an extensive collection of polar Expedition Voyages through Antarctica and the Arctic, including the Norwegian fjords and Iceland.