The thrill of going on a cruise is so exciting by itself that many people may not even think about choosing the best or most famous cruise ship at first. But do not forget that getting to know the different types of cruise ships and their features can really affect the quality of your trip. The more amenities a cruise ship offers, the less likely you are to get bored, the more entertained the kids will be, and the more unforgettable moments you will have with your family. That is why we suggest you read this useful and exciting article carefully to help you choose the best and most suitable cruise ship for your next ocean adventure. In this article, we will take a close look at the top 10 luxury cruise lines in the world, including their most famous ships, popular routes, typical programs, and pricing.
1. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is widely regarded as the ultimate example of all-inclusive luxury on the ocean. With a fleet of stylish, mid-sized ships, Regent offers an experience that feels both grand and personal.
Every suite has an ocean view, and many include spacious balconies, walk-in closets, and marble bathrooms. The ship’s atmosphere is polished yet welcoming, perfect for travelers who appreciate fine service and refined details. From gourmet cuisine to curated shore excursions, nearly everything is included, making the trip seamless from start to finish.
Popular Ships: Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Splendor, Seven Seas Grandeur
Routes: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and Alaska
Schedule: Cruises range from 7 to 131 nights
Prices: Starting from around $5,000 per person for a seven-night cruise and can go up to over $100,000 for longer world cruises
What Makes It Special: The attention to detail and fully inclusive pricing make Regent a favorite among luxury travelers.
2. Seabourn Cruise Line
Seabourn Cruise Line offers a unique combination of luxury and intimacy that is often compared to the experience of sailing on a private yacht. With smaller ships that carry fewer guests, Seabourn provides a peaceful and refined atmosphere where personal service is a top priority.
Every suite has an ocean view, and many come with private verandas and large living areas. The ships are designed to access hidden harbors and lesser-known ports, giving guests the chance to explore beyond the usual tourist paths. Life on board is relaxed but elegant, with excellent dining, open bars, and thoughtful touches throughout.
Popular Ships: Seabourn Ovation, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Sojourn
Routes: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Asia, Antarctica, and transatlantic voyages
Schedule: Cruises last between 7 and 30 days, with some world cruises available
Prices: Starting around $4,500 per person
What Makes It Special: The ships have a high staff-to-guest ratio, making service exceptional.
3. Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises is known for its stylish, all-suite ships and exceptional personalized service. Designed for those who enjoy luxury travel, Silversea offers a relaxed and elegant environment on board.
Guests are treated to spacious suites, many with private balconies and butler service in every room. The cruise line is especially popular with well-traveled guests who seek comfort and adventure.
With itineraries that reach from popular ports to remote corners of the world, Silversea combines classic luxury with the thrill of exploration. From the North Pole to the Galapagos, each voyage is carefully planned to provide meaningful and enriching experiences.
Popular Ships: Silver Muse, Silver Spirit, Silver Cloud (for expeditions)
Routes: Worldwide, including the Arctic, Galapagos, and remote Pacific islands
Schedule: Ranging from brief seven-day journeys to extensive around-the-world adventures.
Prices: From about $4,000 per person
What Makes It Special: All-suite accommodations and exotic itineraries make Silversea unique.
4. Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises has earned a reputation for world-class luxury, comfort, and service. After a recent relaunch under new ownership, the cruise line continues to impress with beautifully redesigned ships and rich onboard experiences.
Crystal is known for its spacious accommodations, award-winning dining, and excellent entertainment. Its atmosphere is elegant but not stuffy, making it popular for travelers who enjoy peace and quiet.
Guests can expect thoughtful details, personalized service, and a sense of unsurpassed luxury. Crystal combines the tradition of grand ocean cruises with the modern comforts of a luxury resort.
Popular Ships: Crystal Serenity, Crystal Symphony
Routes: Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and global voyages
Schedule: Cruises from 7 nights to more than 100 nights
Prices: From about $5,500 per person
What Makes It Special: Crystal has some of the largest suites in luxury cruising and offers one of the best enrichment programs at sea.
5. Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises offers a fresh, modern approach to luxury cruising. Known for its clean Scandinavian design and adults-only atmosphere, Viking focuses on cultural discovery and destination-centric travel.
The ships are smaller in size, allowing for a more relaxed experience and easier access to smaller ports. On board, guests enjoy a calm atmosphere, curated lectures, and cuisine inspired by the regions they visit.
The cruise line appeals to curious, independent travelers who value learning as much as leisure. With Viking, the journey is as enriching as the destination itself.
Popular Ships: Viking Star, Viking Jupiter, Viking Venus
Routes: Europe, the Americas, Asia, and transoceanic cruises
Schedule: Trips range from 8 to 180 days
Prices: Starting from around $3,000 per person
What Makes It Special: No children, no casinos, and a focus on cultural experiences
6. Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises offers a unique cruise experience that focuses heavily on culinary quality and well-crafted itineraries. Often described as an upscale cruise line that falls between the casual and the ultra-luxury.
Guests appreciate the relaxing elegance, beautiful ships, and excellent dining options prepared by top chefs. Oceania’s smaller ships allow access to more unique ports, giving travelers the opportunity to explore destinations off the beaten path.
The atmosphere on these ships is intimate and relaxed, attracting guests who enjoy relaxation and exceptional cuisine.
Popular Ships: Marina, Riviera, Insignia
Routes: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America, Asia, and more
Schedule: Cruises from 7 days to several months
Prices: Starting from about $2,800 per person
What Makes It Special: Delicious cuisine prepared by world-renowned chefs and beautiful experiences on small ships
7. Ponant
Ponant is a French cruise line that combines luxury with adventure, offering intimate voyages aboard stylish, modern ships. With a particular focus on the French art de vivre, the cruise experience is elegant, stylish, and centered on great cuisine and culture.
Ponant is especially known for its polar voyages and its ability to reach remote destinations that are difficult to reach by traditional ships.
Their small, eco-friendly ships are designed for discovery, with expert guides and comprehensive shore programs. Ponant offers a unique experience tailored to the curious and cultured traveler.
Popular Ships: Le Commandant Charcot, Le Boreal, L’Austral
Routes: Antarctica, the Arctic, Europe, Asia, and remote destinations
Schedule: Voyages range from 7 to 20 nights
Prices: Starting around $4,000 per person
What Makes It Special: French flair, ice-class expedition ships, and a strong environmental focus
8. Azamara
Azamara is a boutique cruise line that focuses more on time spent in port, offering longer stays and overnight visits that allow guests to dive deeper into each destination.
Their mid-sized ships create a warm, friendly environment that feels more like a private club than a large resort. This cruise line is perfect for travelers who want a combination of comfort and meaningful exploration.
Inside the ship, the atmosphere is casual but elegant, with a strong emphasis on service and enrichment. Azamara is a great choice for those who like to truly connect with the places they visit while still enjoying the benefits of a first-class cruise.
Popular Ships: Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, Azamara Pursuit
Routes: Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, South America, and Africa
Schedule: Cruises from 7 to 100 nights
Prices: From about $3,200 per person
What Makes It Special: Destination-focused itineraries and longer port times
9. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection brings the legendary luxury of Ritz-Carlton hotels to the sea, offering an experience that feels more like a private yacht than a traditional cruise. With fewer than three hundred guests, it has an intimate and highly personalized atmosphere.
Designed with sleek lines, spacious suites, and exquisite decor, the ships create a floating boutique hotel experience.
Travelers are treated to exceptional cuisine, luxurious spa treatments, and an ambiance that blends relaxation with sophistication. This cruise line is ideal for travelers who love luxury but prefer the privacy and freedom of a smaller ship.
Popular Ships: Evrima (with more coming soon)
Routes: Mediterranean, Caribbean, and transatlantic
Schedule: Cruises from 7 to 11 nights
Prices: From about $6,500 per person
What Makes It Special: Combining the experience of a five-star hotel stay with the adventure of a cruise
10. Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours
Scenic started out as a river cruise company, but has branched out into ocean cruising with its ultra-luxury discovery yachts. These ships are designed for adventure and exploration, without sacrificing comfort or style.
Scenic’s all-inclusive nature means everything from fine dining to sightseeing is part of the experience. Equipped with helicopters and submarines, the ships allow guests to explore from new angles.
With a focus on innovation, luxury and unforgettable destinations, Scenic is a great choice for travelers who want adventure wrapped in elegance.
Popular Ships: Scenic Eclipse, Scenic Eclipse II
Routes: Antarctica, Arctic, Europe, South America, and transoceanic
Schedule: From 7 nights to 30+ nights
Prices: From about $6,000 per person
What Makes It Special: Helicopter and submarine tours, ultra-luxury exploration yachts
Cruises Around the World
In addition to the premier luxury cruise lines previously highlighted, it’s crucial to consider the tour operators that facilitate these cruises. These tour providers play a significant role in the overall experience, offering meticulously curated itineraries that include not only the cruise itself but also shore excursions, accommodations, and unique destination experiences. The quality of service, the knowledge of the guides, and the variety of activities offered by these tours can greatly enhance the enjoyment and enrichment of your cruise vacation. Here are some of the cruise tours from around the world that you can consider for your cruise trip.
European Cruise Tours
One of the most popular cruise travel destinations is a journey along the coastlines of Europe, visiting some of the continent’s most famous seaside cities. Cruises in the Western Mediterranean are especially well-known and typically include stops in Barcelona, Monaco, and several picturesque towns in Italy.
These cities are rich in history and architecture, so it is worth planning ahead to know which landmarks you would like to visit. While the Western Mediterranean is more popular, Eastern Mediterranean cruises are also loved by many.
These routes frequently feature visits to eastern Italian cities, the Croatian coast, and Greek islands and occasionally extend to ports in Turkey.
Caribbean Cruise Tours
If you have already explored Europe and are looking for something new, the Caribbean islands make for a perfect alternative. This region offers some of the best beaches for relaxation, peace, and escaping the hustle of everyday life.
The turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, coral islands, rainforests, and mountain hiking trails are rare to find on other cruise routes. The unique natural beauty of the Caribbean cruise satisfies nearly every kind of traveler.
Canada and New England Cruise Tours
The coastal cities of Canada and New England offer a different experience from the usual European destinations and are often recommended for second or third-time cruisers.
The Atlantic shoreline and whale-watching opportunities are major highlights of this tour. Cities like Newport, Portland, and Bar Harbor have a charming, almost storybook quality with their lighthouses and rich maritime history.
Istanbul Cruise Tours
Istanbul cruise tours are extremely popular thanks to their scenic routes and diverse entertainment options. These cruises sail through the Bosphorus Strait, stopping at various piers along the way and giving travelers a unique perspective of the city.
Guests can enjoy live music from Turkish and Iranian performers, traditional Turkish dance shows, and Mediterranean, Turkish, and international cuisine as part of a vibrant cruise experience.
World Cruise Tours
A world cruise is the ultimate journey for those who have a deep love for travel and discovering new places. These cruises allow you to visit the beautiful shores of multiple countries in one journey.
For example, you can explore Marseille, Barcelona, Naples, and the Canary Islands, all in a single voyage. The cost of a world cruise varies depending on the cabin type and level of services provided.
Persian Gulf Cruise Tours
A Persian Gulf cruise allows you to experience some of the most cutting-edge and spacious ships while exploring the stunning coastlines of several Gulf countries.
These tours typically include stops in the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, with luxurious services offered throughout the journey. The price of a world cruise depends on the type of cabin chosen and the range of services included in the package.
Best Time for Travel
The ideal time for a cruise vacation varies based on your chosen destination. For warm, sunny destinations like the Caribbean, the best time is from December to April, when the weather is dry and pleasant.
For a Mediterranean cruise, the period between May and October offers the most enjoyable weather and calm seas. The ideal time for an Alaskan cruise is during the summer months, from May to September.
Cruises to Antarctica usually take place between November and March, which is the only time the region is accessible. Each season offers a different experience, so it is a good idea to choose based on the weather and what you hope to see during your cruise.
Final Word
Even though cruise travel might seem like a slow and relaxing way to pass time under the sun, the reality is very different. Cruise ships offer the chance to explore the seas, discover new cultures, enjoy sailing across vast oceans, and meet new people. These are the ingredients for an unforgettable adventure.
All these special features come together to create a luxurious and exciting journey aboard the most beautiful and grand cruise ships in the world.
Luxury cruises are not for everyone, but for those who value the beauty of slow travel, the joy of impeccable service, and the thrill of waking up somewhere new every morning, they offer something that few other types of travel can match.
Are you planning to travel to Qatar and looking for a Qatar travel agency? Check out our Qatar tours, and Qatar transit tours. Maybe you will find it interesting to read things to do in Qatar.
