Caviar in the surf, Champagne butlers and massages on deck - inside the world of luxury cruising
Good Housekeeping's cruise expert reveals what to expect from the six best luxury cruise lines
It could be the line of smiling waiters handing out flutes of Champagne as you step aboard or the butler who escorts you to a lavish suite before unpacking your bags, but there’s something about luxury cruising that makes you feel as though you’ve stepped into another world.
Think frozen fruit kebabs handed out while you’re sunbathing on deck or friendly crew members who offer to polish your sunglasses, spray you with suntan lotion or give you a massage on deck.
Suites come as standard, your complimentary minibar is filled with premium drinks, ships are furnished with sculptures and artworks - including works by the likes of Dali and Picasso - and the quietly efficient staff instinctively remember your name as well as your favourite cocktail.
Cruising in such rarefied surroundings can be better value than you expect, too, because while higher fares make it more expensive to get on board in the first place, all the added extras don’t give you a shock at the end because everything is included.
Sailing on premium-plus cruise lines is another way to upgrade your experience; they just tend not to throw in quite as much in the fare, plus the ships may be bigger and less exclusive.
This is a world where fine wines and haute cuisine rule the waves and you get to dock at pocket-size ports far from the masses. These aren’t cruises for those who love the buzz of a mega ship; life aboard moves to a more sophisticated rhythm where entertainment comes in the form of intimate recitals or engaging speakers.
I’ve been lucky enough to set sail to destinations around the world on premium ships, and these are the six best luxury cruise lines...
Seabourn
The Fleet: Six ships including four classic ocean vessels holding up to 600 guests and two expedition ships.
The Vibe: Stylish luxury.
Food & Drink: Main dining venues are The Restaurant and The Colonnade, while other options include al fresco dining at The Patio and speciality restaurant Solis, which is praised for its light Mediterranean cuisine.
Voyages: Worldwide, but particularly the Mediterranean and Caribbean, plus Northern Europe and expedition cruises to the Polar regions.
Don't miss: Caviar in the Surf, Seabourn’s amazing signature beach barbecue, where bubbly and caviar are served to guests from a surfboard in the shallows. In colder climates, it becomes Caviar on the Ice and is held on the ship.
Top Tip: Take advantage of Seabourn’s excellent personal service and ask your suite attendant to run you a Pure Pampering bubble bath or arrange an in-suite cocktail party.
Cost: £££££
Viking
The Fleet: 11 virtually identical ocean ships holding just under 1,000 guests, plus two expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, holding 378 guests.
The Vibe: Scandi chic.
Food & Drink: Viking’s all-balcony ocean ships are virtually identical, with numerous dining venues including the Italian dishes of Manfredi’s, al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace and Norwegian-inspired light bites from Mamsen’s.
Voyages: Worldwide, but particularly the Mediterranean (where Viking sails year-round), Scandinavia, and expedition sailings to the Polar regions and Great Lakes
Don't Miss: Afternoon tea in the Wintergarden, a delightful conservatory-style setting by the main pool, accompanied by the classical notes of the ship’s resident musicians.
Top Tip: Spend as much time as you can chilling in the Nordic inspired spa (included in the fare) which has a snow grotto and thalassotherapy pool.
Cost: £££££
Silversea
The Fleet: 12, including four expedition ships and its newest ocean vessels, Silver Nova and Silver Ray, which debuted a revolutionary new asymmetrical design, ushering in more space and light.
The Vibe: Reassuringly upmarket.
Food & Drink: A mouth-watering choice of venues serving everything from Italian to French to Asian. The Silver Note supper club has live jazz over dinner, while the SALT Kitchen offers a delicious blend of local flavours.
Voyages: Worldwide, although Silversea is known for its Grand Voyages, Galapagos cruises - where the Silver Origin is based year-round - Europe, the Caribbean, and expedition sailings to the Polar regions.
Don't Miss: Hot Rocks dining at Silversea’s al fresco venues, where you cook your own meat, fish or vegetables on a sizzling hot lava stone.
Top Tip: Take a seat at the atmospheric SALT bar for handcrafted cocktails.
Cost: £££££
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
The Fleet: Six, plus Seven Seas Prestige which joins in December 2026.
The Vibe: Swanky American.
Food & Drink: There’s an impressive line-up of dining venues, from the main Compass Rose to the Prime 7 steakhouse and Pacific Rim Asian restaurant. RSS also offer epicurean tours, themed voyages and culinary arts classes.
Voyages: Worldwide, including Grand Voyages as well as itineraries which feature overnight stays at some of the most popular ports.
Don't Miss: The Chartreuse French restaurant, which is full of Gallic charm.
Top Tip: Arguably the most inclusive of the all-inclusive lines, make the most of the ‘unlimited’ excursions and look for fares that include flights and an overnight hotel stay pre-cruise.
Cost: £££££
Explora Journeys
The Fleet: Launched in 2023 there are currently two ships, with the third launching next summer and plans for six in total.
The Vibe: Classy superyacht.
Food & Drink: More upscale hotel than cruise ship, there’s no main dining room but a host of haute cuisine restaurants, six in all, serving French, Asian and Italian among others. The Lobby Bar is the stand-out drinking spot, though the on-deck Sky Bar has the best sunset views.
Voyages: Mainly Europe and the Americas and visiting lesser-known ports.
Don't Miss: Cooking classes in the Chef’s Kitchen culinary school.
Top Tip: The suites on these all-suite ships are said to be the largest in the industry.
Cost: £££££
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Step on board the luxurious Explora II for a Mediterranean cruise with GH Holidays. The seven-night voyage sets sail from Rome before calling at Naples, Tunis, Sardinia, Valencia and Barcelona.
Oceania Cruises
The Fleet: Eight small to midsize ships, including newest addition Allura which made its debut in July.
The Vibe: Elegant boutique.
Food & Drink: Oceania styles itself as the foodies cruise line with a mouth-watering array of restaurants including an elegant main dining room, succulent steaks in Polo Grill and French flair in Jacques, named after celebrity chef and Oceania culinary adviser Jacques Pepin. There are lavish wine-pairing experiences, a La Reserve dining extravaganza plus shore excursions with a foodie theme.
Voyages: Worldwide, and particularly the South Pacific, Mediterranean and Alaska.
Don't Miss: Red Ginger – my favourite restaurant at sea for its contemporary take on Asian classics. Try the tastebud-tingling spicy roast duck and watermelon salad and heavenly miso-glazed sea bass.
Top Tip: Nurture your creative spirit with painting classes in the Artist’s Loft studio held by the ship’s ‘artists in residence’.
Cost: £££££
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Want to set sail? Don’t miss our expert’s other must-read insider cruise guides:
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