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 featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…
8 cruise travel tips: Avoid common mistakes and make your trip unforgettable
Use these tips to set sail with confidence
Princess cruise ship in Alaska

Are you planning a cruise? If I’m honest, I was so overwhelmed my first time on a cruise. I packed too much, forgot a few things, and had no idea how much planning went into getting the most out of my time on board and in port. But after a few more cruises under my belt (and a few lessons learned the hard way), I’ve got some cruise travel tips to help you have a fun, stress-free vacation. 
Everything you need to know to have your perfect cruise experience

1. Arrive at the port a day early
You know what they say -- it’s better to be safe than sorry. Delays can happen, flights get canceled, traffic piles up, and weather can be unpredictable. That’s why EECC Travels recommends always arriving at your port city at least a day before your cruise departure so you won’t miss the ship. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore the city before you embark.
2. Pack a carry-on bag with essentials
When you board the cruise ship, your checked luggage might not arrive at your cabin for hours. That's why you should keep a small carry-on with essentials like medication, a change of clothes, toiletries, and swimwear, so you can start enjoying your vacation right away.
3. Choose your cabin wisely
Trust me, cabins are not all the same. If you’re prone to seasickness, book a midship cabin on a lower deck where the ride is more stable. If you’re looking for quiet nights, avoid rooms near elevators, nightclubs, or other high-traffic areas.
4. Take advantage of embarkation day deals
Embarkation day is the perfect time to snag deals on spa packages, specialty dining reservations, or drink packages, according to Carnival Cruise Line. These often sell out quickly, though, so booking early can save you money and disappointment.
5. Know what’s included (and what’s not)
While cruises are often touted as "all-inclusive," some extras come with a price tag. Specialty dining, alcoholic drinks, shore excursions, and gratuities might not be part of your base fare. You should review your cruise line’s policy to budget accordingly.
6. Book shore excursions in advance
Popular shore excursions tend to sell out fast, especially on larger ships. Booking in advance through the cruise line or a reputable third-party vendor ensures you won’t miss out on the activities you're looking forward to.
7. Plan your onboard activities
Cruise ships offer a bunch of activities -- think Broadway-style shows, fitness classes, trivia games, and more. Use the cruise line’s app or daily newsletter to plan your schedule and figure out your top picks.
8. Bring motion sickness remedies
If you get motion sickness, this is one of the cruise travel tips you definitely won’t want to ignore. Even seasoned cruisers can occasionally feel seasick, especially in rough waters. To help with the nausea, pack remedies like ginger candies, motion sickness bands, or medication like Dramamine, just in case. 
Cruise travel tips and FAQs 

Read more
How to pack for a week in a carry-on (without sacrificing the essentials)
Avoid the dreaded overstuffed carry-on with these tips
An overhead view of a man packing a suitcase

Packing a carry-on for a longer trip seems intimidating, but it’s definitely doable. My first time was for a week-long conference in Seattle, where I was determined not to drag a big suitcase. It worked. Since then, I’ve refined my system, and now it’s my go-to for work trips, beach vacations, and city breaks. Over the years, I’ve learned how to make the most of the space without sacrificing the essentials, and now I’m sharing the formula that never fails. Here’s how to pack for a week in a carry-on.
Choose the right carry-on bag

The first step is picking the right carry-on bag. Look for one that meets airline size restrictions, typically around 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Hard-shell suitcases are great for durability and keeping everything secure, while soft-sided bags often have more give for squeezing in a few extra items. Spinner wheels can make navigating airports a lot easier, so consider that feature, too.

Read more
Escape the cold in luxury: Inside the Grand Hyatt Vail experience
The Grand Hyatt Vail is a luxury mountain hideaway
Grand Hyatt Vail

My typical snowboard day begins with drawn-out turns on groomed terrain. I’ll paint sweeping lines across the corduroy-like surface, building g-forces like a race car through corners. Then I’ll change gears. I’ll branch out into steeps and glades, take runs with friends, and maybe even hit the park. But as the day wears on, the cold wears me down. I need somewhere to warm up and recover.

That thaw after the freeze offers a satisfying solace, a time to reflect on the day and prepare for the next one. But the surroundings matter, with extra helpings of luxury and comfort going a long way. 

Read more