The World’s Most Luxurious Cruise Ships

When it comes to cruising, luxury can mean a variety of things to a variety of people, just as it can mean different things to different people. There are boutique lines that provide laid-back luxury in relaxed surroundings, as well as ships with butler service that is available around the clock and fine dining that can compete with anything you will find on dry land. On these ships, high levels of personal service are standard, and crew members are trained to be intuitive, so they will greet you by name and mix your favorite drink without you having to ask them to. This applies whether you choose to dress formally or casually. Here are some of our top picks for people to keep an eye on.

1. Azamara Quest, Azamara Best for vegetarians and vegans

The atmosphere on board the Azamara Quest is relaxed and inviting, and the ship has a modern yet homey design that wouldn’t look out of place in a chic boutique hotel. The ship spends the summer months sailing in northern Europe and the Mediterranean, and then it crosses the Atlantic Ocean to spend the winter months in the Caribbean and South America, notably at the Rio carnival. The good news is that practically everything, including alcohol, is covered. Non-meat eaters will find plenty to eat on an Azamara cruise, since the line’s restaurants provide a diverse and inventive selection of vegetarian and vegan options on their menus. It is also worth paying the additional fee to dine at one of the hotel’s two specialty restaurants—Aqualina, known for its exquisite Italian cuisine, or Prime C, a steakhouse. It is recommended that you eat at either location around sunset, as both enjoy expansive views of the sea.

2. Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn, and Seabourn

The finest in terms of intuitive service

The Seabourn Odyssey is one of the most luxury ships in the world’s oceans, and it provides the best possible level of service to each of its 462 passengers, both in terms of the accommodations and the cuisine it serves. While the more casual The Colonnade transforms into a romantic setting for dining al fresco in the evening, The Grill by Thomas Keller, helmed by one of the most acclaimed chefs in the United States, serves traditional steakhouse fare. Seabourn Square is an ingenious addition to the ship; it is a combination concierge lounge, library, and sociable gathering space. It serves snacks all day long and has the best coffee available while at sea. The level of service is exceptional, with even the most junior crew members going above and beyond to assist with any questions that may arise. If you are going to be traveling with children under the age of 12, you should select a different ship. The ships in the Seabourn fleet exude an air of refined sophistication, and there are limited opportunities for children to participate in entertaining activities.

3. Silver Muse, Silversea

The finest option for the highest possible degrees of luxury

The 596-passenger Silver Muse is one of the most luxurious cruise ships that you can discover. It features butler service, excellent cuisine served in a variety of dining places, and pricing that is all-inclusive. The ship is serene and elegant. Every finish gives some indication of the high quality of the product, from the acres of glistening Italian marble to the polished wood and buttery leather. The teak pool deck is very beautiful, and it contains one of the largest swimming pools that can be found at sea. Try Silver Note, the supper club; it’s a cozy spot with live music, and some of the best jazz and blues singers on the ship perform there. The range of dining options on this ship is one of the things that makes it so fascinating.

4. Regent Seven Seas Voyager, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

The most ideal for gourmands

It is difficult to resist the temptation to covet the Regent Seven Seas Voyager. The hotel has six restaurants that serve superb fine cuisine, including a French specialty restaurant and Compass Rose, where you will eat from Versace plates under lavish chandeliers. You may even relax in one of the hotel’s 354 luxurious suites and enjoy in the food served there. Every suite on the Voyager, which can accommodate 700 passengers, comes equipped with butler service, a bathroom lined with marble, and a private terrace. The wait staff will remember your name and your preferred drink from the very first day, and the attentive attendants will even polish your sunglasses for you while you enjoy wonderful days reclining on the terrace or around the pool.

5. Queen Elizabeth, Cunard

Best for elegance

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth is a ship influenced by art deco that harkens back to the golden age of ocean travel with its glamorous atmosphere, formal atmosphere, and traditional practices such as daily afternoon tea and black tie dances in the vast ballroom. Concurrently, you will find a Canyon Ranch spa that is on par with the most advanced in the world, a selection of eateries, and a typical British pub called The Golden Lion. Steakhouse at The Verandah is a ritzy grill in the New York City style, and it is another option for dinner at this hotel. Pay a visit to the stunning library, which stretches across two decks and contains more than 8,000 books in its collection.

6. Silver Spirit, Silversea

Ideal for intimate moments

The 608-passenger Silver Spirit, which is considered to be one of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world, is the vessel you should select if you enjoy the notion of having butler service, all-inclusive cocktails, and excellent cuisine. Every cabin is a luxurious suite, and the majority of them come with their own private veranda. The Silver Note is a cozy jazz bar that shouldn’t be missed. La Terrazza, the ship’s Italian restaurant, features al fresco dining with a view of the stars. Spaccanapoli, the ship’s pizzeria, serves some of the best pizzas at sea.

7. The Queen Mary 2, operated by Cunard

Best for enrichment

The Queen Mary 2 is the most famous ship in the world. It was created for the regular crossing of the north Atlantic between New York and Southampton. On this ship, you can expect to experience black tie nights, ballroom dancing, and excellent dining. As soon as you step foot on board, you can anticipate the world-famous White Star Service to begin wowing you with its impeccable standards. On the liner’s transatlantic excursions, you will have the opportunity to hear from some of the world’s greatest artists, historians, wine-tasters, and a wide variety of other speakers. The lectures are not to be missed.

8. The Royal Clipper and the Star Clipper

Best for those who have a passion for sailing.

The Royal Clipper is the largest and most magnificent square-rigged ship in the world, and it carries just 227 courageous sailors on thrilling adventures across the Caribbean. Royal Clipper delivers all of the romanticism of travel under sail without sacrificing any of the creature amenities that come along with it. She has three swimming pools, lots of sunbathing space on her sun-warmed teak decks, a sophisticated restaurant, and an alfresco bar. The Royal Clipper possesses a significant amount of charm because to the inclusion of Edwardian details, false fireplaces, and an abundance of polished brass. It is driven by 56,000 feet of billowing sails and has a devoted following of passionate sailors and boat owners. Indulge in one of the 14 luxurious rooms that are located on the main deck, and while you’re there, take a nap in one of the large nets that are located on either side of the bowsprit. This is one of the greatest spots to watch dolphins race the ship. If you have any sort of mobility issue, you should steer clear of this ship. There are four decks, and there are no lifts, so getting around could be difficult.

9. Star Pride, Windstar

Provides the most room in its cabins

Even the smallest suite is 277 square feet, making the Star Pride one of the most spacious cruise ships in the world. With a capacity of only 212 passengers, the Star Pride is the ideal vessel for discovering the Caribbean’s lesser-known islands thanks to its watersports platform, exceptional cuisine, and wonderfully spacious suites, many of which include private balconies. Each cabin features a queen-size bed, quality bedding, bath amenities by l’Occitane, a television, and a view of the ocean. Which parts are the best? Rum punch sundowners at the open-air Star Bar, supper under the stars at Candles on the aft deck, and jumping right off the back of the ship into the warm Caribbean when the watersports platform is lowered are all things that passengers can look forward to on this cruise.

10. Emerald Harmony, a cruise ship operated by Emerald Cruises

The very best for Asian travel.

The Emerald Harmony is a chic retreat that serves as a convenient starting point for adventures through Cambodia and Vietnam along the Mekong River. In addition to exquisitely constructed cabins, a pool, and a state-of-the-art fitness center, guests can anticipate a cool, contemporary design with Asian undertones, five-course dinners including regional and international cuisine in the Reflections Restaurant, and more. Be forewarned that there is not much in the way of entertainment; local performers gather together at the many ports of call, but there is nothing particularly noteworthy happening each night. The ship only has room for 84 passengers, and the crew-to-passenger ratio is 2 to 1.

11. Le Bougainville, Ponant

The best in terms of unique characteristics

Le Bougainville, the all-inclusive expedition ship owned and operated by Ponant, is distinguished by its contemporary design and is loaded with cutting-edge amenities. On the aft deck, there is a pool with an infinity edge that looks out over an expanding watersports platform. From this platform, you can swim, launch a kayak, or board the ship’s Zodiac launches. There are 92 guestrooms that are exquisitely decorated, a restaurant that serves delectable French cuisine, and lounges that are gorgeously minimalist chic and decorated in relaxing neutrals. Visit the Blue Eye Lounge to observe passing marine life through the ship’s hull’s two enormous windows as well as on the digital screens that project live images from underwater cameras.

12. Seabourn Ovation, Seabourn, and Seabourn

Best for spa lovers

One of the most stylish vessels in the Seabourn fleet, the Seabourn Ovation can accommodate up to 600 passengers and takes design cues from the sleek lines and opulent tones of a private luxury yacht. During the time that the ship is traveling through Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as the eastern Mediterranean, passengers will have access to an excellent selection of dining options, including The Grill by Thomas Keller. Make a reservation for some pampering at The Retreat, an oasis located on the 12th deck, where you can have a private cabana all to yourself for the duration of the day. Be aware that if you are a minimalist who shuns opulent dining and alcoholic beverages, this ship is not the right choice for you. You would still have a lovely time, but at the same time, you would be paying for the luxuries that others have enjoyed.

13. Mekong Navigator, Lotus Cruises

Best for boutique hotel vibes

The 68-passenger Mekong Navigator is a river cruiser with an exquisitely constructed interior that has polished wood, ceiling fans, and sophisticated furnishings. This is a comfortable way to explore the Mekong, which is a tour that is on the bucket list for many people. Some of the luxurious details include marble-lined bathrooms, a spa, and a convivial lounge. Get ready to indulge in five-star dining on a full-board basis and spread out on the ship’s expansive sun decks.

14. Azamara Pursuit, Azamara

Best for inexpensive luxury

The Azamara Pursuit, which has a capacity of 702 passengers and has recently undergone a luxurious refurbishment, offers an all-inclusive vacation. Itineraries for Azamara cruises, many of which stray off the beaten route, are meant to maximize the amount of time spent in port in accordance with the company’s “destination immersion” philosophy. An AzAmazing event, a sample of local culture that is exclusive and frequently elaborate, and a glitzy White Night deck party are included on each voyage. Aqualina and Prime C, the hotel’s two specialty restaurants, offer a delightful dining experience with their upscale Italian cuisine and steak and seafood dishes, respectively. The cover charges for both are more than justified by the sense of occasion they create.

15. Ocean Endeavour

The ideal place to combine rest and excitement

The Ocean Endeavour is one of the most impressive cruise lines that the Antarctic has to offer, and it features expansive decks in addition to panoramic lounges. You will be given the opportunity to participate in complimentary yoga and stretching courses, as well as an exclusive polar photography course and a series of lectures given by onboard specialists on Antarctica’s history, geology, and wildlife. All of these activities will be provided for you. This cutting-edge vessel prioritizes passengers’ health and well-being by providing amenities such as a spa, saunas, a saltwater pool, and a fitness center onboard. Travelers who are only traveling by themselves will be relieved to learn that there are not additional single extras or surcharges.