Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The best luxury cruise lines for an extraordinary experience

Consider these luxury cruise lines for your next trip

Luxury cruise ship sailing to port on sunrise
NAN / Adobe Stock

Setting sail on a luxury cruise is a dreamy escape that promises comfort, indulgence, and adventure. If you are thinking about heading out to sea, choosing the right cruise line can make all of the difference. From extravagant amenities and world-class cuisine to personalized service and gorgeous destinations, the best luxury cruise lines redefine the notion of a vacation at sea. Whether you seek relaxation, adventure, or a blend of both, these are the finest offerings of the high seas. 

The benefits of taking a luxury cruise

back view of young couple hugging at sunset on cruise ship
michaeljung / Adobe Stock

The difference between a luxury cruise and a regular cruise extends beyond varying price points. A regular cruise often comes with all of the standard amenities and service levels, while a luxury cruise takes the experience a step further by offering an unparalleled level of opulence and refinement. Luxury cruises often include gourmet dining experiences, unique amenities, and VIP privileges, including priority embarkation and access to exclusive events.

Recommended Videos

Additionally, luxury cruises tend to focus on an adult market, with smaller, more intimate ships that often come with spacious and elegant suites or staterooms for guests. The smaller size of these vessels allows them to visit unique places that larger commercial ships cannot. 

The best luxury cruise lines

Oceania
StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock

These are just a few of the best luxury cruise lines, in no particular order.

Oceania Cruises

Setting itself apart from other cruise lines with its intimate and elegant ships, Oceania Cruises captivates passengers with a blend of impeccable service and exquisite culinary offerings. The cruise line offers personalized service, promising to treat all of their guests like family. 

Oceania offers several unique travel options, including a 180-day “Around the World” cruise that visits South America, the South Pacific, Asia, and Europe. The ships at Oceania range in size, holding anywhere from 670 to 1,250 guests and 400 to 800 staff members.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking Ocean Cruises epitomizes the pinnacle of luxury travel on the high seas, seamlessly blending Scandinavian elegance with high-quality service and innovative design. With its fleet of state-of-the-art ships, Viking Ocean Cruises offers spacious accommodations, refined amenities, and several fun onboard activities. The company’s fleet is one of the youngest luxury fleets in service, with gorgeous 930-passenger ships that cater to adults 55 and older.

Viking Ocean Cruises offers a wide range of destinations, and you can choose from trips to Scandinavia, the British Isles and Ireland, North America, the Caribbean and Central America, South America, the Mediterranean, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Seven Seas
Halit Sadik / Shutterstock

Owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Regent Seven Seas is one of the best luxury cruise lines, offering travelers a sophisticated cruising experience. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the only truly all-inclusive cruise line, with thousands of excursion options included in the upfront price of your cruise. Carrying no more than 750 guests, the line’s luxurious ships explore more than 500 different locations, including Miami, Tokyo, Lisbon, and Bali.

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Paul Gauguin Cruises takes travelers to some of the world’s most pristine and exotic destinations in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, and the South Pacific. This award-winning small-ship cruise line offers spacious suites with private balconies, Polynesian-inspired cuisine, and complimentary 24-hour room service. 

Nearly every voyage on Paul Gauguin Cruises stops for a day at the line’s own private islet, Motu Mahana, where guests can enjoy snorkeling, watersports, a barbeque, full bar service, and Polynesian hospitality.

Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruise
Boy_Folio / Shutterstock

With over 900 destinations to choose from, Silversea Cruises is one of the best luxury cruise lines around. This all-inclusive cruise line has a staff-to-guest ratio of nearly 1:1, offering guests an unparalleled level of customer service. The ships at Silversea Cruises range from 51 to 364 suites, ensuring that guests find a fair balance between choice and intimacy. 

Silversea Cruises offers luxury trips to popular destinations in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, as well as unique locations such as Antarctica and Greenland.

Seabourn Cruise Line

With ultra-luxury ocean cruises to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and Alaska, Seabourn Cruise Line provides travelers with a one-of-a-kind experience. The cruise line considers the preferences of guests, providing customized, hand-selected itineraries. A few of the amenities you can enjoy when traveling with Seabourn Cruise Line include intimate ships with a yacht-like atmosphere, ocean-front suites, complimentary caviar, and extraordinary entertainment experiences.

Book a trip with one of the best luxury cruise lines today

A cruise ship in the water.
Dylan Bman / Unsplash

Now that you know all of the best luxury cruise lines, it’s time to set sail. The world of luxury cruising provides travelers with unforgettable experiences, and each luxury cruise line presents a unique blend of incredible service, top-notch amenities, and carefully curated itineraries. So, whether you are dreaming of relaxing on a warm beach, exploring ancient ruins, admiring glaciers, or indulging in delicious cuisine, let the best luxury cruise lines whisk you away on the trip of a lifetime.

Amanda Teague
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer with over five years of experience, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and…
The best time to visit Alaska: Tips for every season from summer cruises to winter auroras
When should you visit The Last Frontier?
The state sign for alaska with a car behind it

Alaska is home to some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the world, with 17 of North America’s tallest mountains, over 100 volcanoes, and more coastline than the rest of the U.S. combined. But when is the best time to visit Alaska? It all depends on what you want to experience! While May to September is the most popular window for travelers, each month offers something unique. Let’s break down the best time to visit Alaska based on your adventure goals.
The best time to enjoy warm weather in Alaska
Juneau, Alaska Kathrine Coonjohn / Unsplash

If you’re looking to enjoy warm weather in Alaska, June through August is your sweet spot. By mid-June, Alaska reaches its peak temperatures – though ‘hot’ here typically means 60s. The long, sunny days and short nights make this a fantastic time to explore the great outdoors. 

Read more
This is how to pack protein powder for air travel
a jar of protein powder next to a scoop of protein powder

With airline restrictions and the fear of spilling powder everywhere, traveling with protein powder can feel like a bit of a dilemma. But don’t worry, it’s doable to pack your protein powder and take it on the go for air travel – without ending up in a sticky (or powdery) situation! Here's how to pack protein powder for air travel.
TSA rules for traveling with protein powder

Before you start packing, it’s important to know the TSA’s rules about bringing powders on planes. As of now, the TSA allows powders, including protein powder, in both carry-on and checked luggage. However, if you’re bringing more than 12 ounces (about 350 grams) of protein powder in your carry-on, it may require additional screening. 

Read more
Luxury cruise line to open the ‘southernmost hotel on Earth’
The 150-room property provides a place to rest your head before traveling to Antarctica.
Silversea Hotel

Silversea, a leading luxury cruise line, announced on Wednesday its plans to open a groundbreaking hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost city in the world. The 150-room property is set to become the ‘southernmost hotel on Earth,’ offering travelers a premium stopover before embarking on once-in-a-lifetime voyages to Antarctica.

“As we continue to push the boundaries on the ultimate vacation experience for our guests, this new hotel allows us to offer an unmatched Antarctic expedition that further enhances our diverse portfolio of world-class vacations across our brands,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea’s parent company. “We are providing guests with a unique opportunity to explore one of the world’s most breathtaking and remote destinations that advances our promise to deliver a lifetime of vacations.”
Silversea hotel: the details

Read more