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. 

Recommended Videos

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.

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 featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…
Experience luxury train travel across England without the hefty price tag
These journeys start at just $1,495
Macs Adventure

Luxury train travel is often associated with high costs, but a new offering from Macs Adventure is making scenic rail journeys across England more accessible. The self-guided tour operator has introduced affordable rail and hike options, allowing travelers to experience the charm of England’s countryside without the hefty price tag.

Combining rail travel with scenic walking routes, the tours provide a balance of comfort and exploration. Travelers can immerse themselves in historic villages, enjoy captivating landscapes, and visit iconic landmarks – all while keeping costs in check.
Discover England: Cotswolds to the Cornwall Coast

Read more
Experience Lake Powell like never before with a luxurious houseboat rental
Explore Lake Powell like never before
Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas

Lake Powell in Utah and Arizona is already a dream destination for outdoor lovers, but now you can experience it in an entirely new way – by houseboat. Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas is offering a unique way to explore the lake’s nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline with a floating home that provides both adventure and comfort. Guests can access hidden slot canyons, take off-trail hikes to panoramic viewpoints, and wake up each morning to that amazing waterfront scenery.

These luxury houseboats come fully equipped with cozy bedrooms, spacious living areas, full kitchens, and modern amenities. Options range from the 46-foot Expedition Houseboat, perfect for small groups of up to six, to the 75-foot Excursion Houseboat, which features five staterooms, two bathrooms, a BBQ grill, and space for up to 14 guests.
Pick your adventure

Read more
How to repair a luggage zipper without replacing the entire suitcase
Caught with a broken zipper? Here’s how to fix it fast
man walking with suitcase and backpack

A few years ago I was running through the airport when I realized my suitcase's zipper had split open but I had no time to replace my luggage. I knew I had to find a fix – fast. After a mad search, I managed to find a solution that worked for the entire trip. If you’ve ever been in this situation, you know how annoying a broken zipper can be. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to fix a zipper and get your suitcase back in action without replacing the whole bag. Here’s how to repair a luggage zipper.
First, figure out the problem with the zipper

Before attempting a repair, it’s important to determine what’s wrong with the zipper. Common issues include a stuck zipper, a zipper that won’t stay closed, or a broken or missing pull tab. Once you determine the problem, you can apply the right fix.
How to fix a stuck zipper
A stuck zipper is one of the most common problems. The culprit is often fabric, thread, or debris caught in the zipper’s path. If this happens, check for obstructions and use tweezers to gently pull them free. Even small bits of dust or lint can cause a jam.

Read more