As a longtime cruise writer, I’ve sailed on more than 170 ships over nearly four decades. Cruise ships have changed so much since I first started sailing. They are more technologically advanced and more environmentally friendly. They sail faster and quieter and leave less of a footprint. Ships now can produce their water using onboard desalination plants, and they are cutting their energy use and laying the groundwork for a move away from fossil fuels. They’re exploring new places beyond the Caribbean and Europe and Alaska, from the far reaches of the South Pacific to the west coast of Africa, the southern tip of South America, and the North Pole.
Other welcome developments in recent years include more reliable and faster Wi-Fi—meaning you can catch up on your work and stay connected with friends and family while on board (if you must)—and a greater variety of dining options, such as menus with vegan and plant-based selections. There are more cruise ships with family-friendly services, too, as well as those catering more to solo travelers with dedicated staterooms and social spaces.
Luxury cruise lines are working harder to compete with land-based resorts and boutique hotel properties in order to court first-time cruisers, and consequently are moving to more casual dress codes and emphasizing yacht-style features, with a greater focus on connecting more to the passing scenery with large windows and better viewing areas—reminding passengers of the undeniable benefits and convenience of traveling on a luxurious resort on water, where you only have to pack and unpack once as you sail to new destinations while admiring the ocean views along the way.
From long-standing icons that have maintained their unique style and character over the years, to newer ships that showcase modern amenities and innovative sustainability efforts, this is our list of the world’s best cruise ships—vessels that are the best in class when it comes to service, staterooms, public areas, and creating a beautiful, floating home away from home for seafaring travelers exploring the world.
Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony
Crystal Symphony is an ocean-cruising classic.
Courtesy of Crystal
- Best for: Service and enrichment
- Suggested itinerary: Seven-night cruise between Seward, Alaska, and Vancouver, Canada, from $4,300 per person
- Book now
Crystal Cruises was bankrupt and facing oblivion when it was rescued by luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent, which bought the 602-passenger Crystal Symphony (and 740-passenger Crystal Serenity) and relaunched the brand. The result: a good thing made even better. Crystal Symphony has cool retro features, such as a lobby waterfall and spacious suites (including for solo travelers), all of which were overhauled in an extensive refurbishment by the new owners. But what drew loyal passengers in the past and what will impress them in the present, too, is the crew. Most of them worked for the line in its previous incarnation, including experienced butlers who deliver personalized service to every suite. The dress code has relaxed from the tuxedos and ballgowns of yore, but there’s still an appealing formality, as in the afternoon tea with real clotted cream served by tuxedoed waitstaff in the windowed Palm Court lounge area. Everyone has one complimentary night to dine at Umi Umi by chef Nobu Matsuhisa (stay in a fancy suite, and you can also receive Nobu sushi via room service). A big entertainment team keeps things lively, and the new Le Casino de Monte-Carlo will impress gamblers. The particularly impressive enrichment program offers video-editing courses, photo instruction for your smartphone, computer classes, pro golf coaching, and noteworthy lectures on current topics, including one by a White House correspondent who spoke during a sailing last fall.
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2
British line Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is an iconic ocean liner that does regular transatlantic sailings.
Courtesy of Cunard
- Best for: Traditional cruising
- Suggested itinerary: Seven-night transatlantic crossing, from $999 per person
- Book now
Venerable British line Cunard’s 2,705-passenger Queen Mary 2 is a real ocean liner, a vessel defined by its reinforced steel hull that can handle the Atlantic, which it crosses regularly on sailings between Southampton, U.K., and Brooklyn, New York. Being onboard feels like a special occasion, especially if you join the crowd in the ship’s chandeliered Queens Room ballroom, where passengers can dance to a live big band in a throwback to the golden era of travel. The ship operates in traditional style, meaning you dine based on your type of accommodation. At the high end, Princess and Queens Grill guests can access exclusive restaurants where they can order tableside preparations such as Dover sole. For the rest, the Art Deco–inspired main dining room, Britannia, with its soaring ceilings, staircase, and chandeliers, fulfills any fantasies you might have of glamorous ships of yore. Beyond the pomp and circumstance, you’ll find the best pub at sea, complete with darts tournaments, trivia competitions, and pub grub. Spend time in the massive ocean-view library, relax in the spa with a hydrotherapy pool, and sip at the champagne bar while listening to live jazz. Embrace the interesting talks hosted by historians and other fascinating lecturers—when you’re not walking around deck embracing your part in a long and storied seafaring tradition as you cross a mighty sea.
Read our full review of sailing a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2.
Explora Journeys’ Explora I
For a relaxed resort atmosphere where passengers of all ages are made to feel welcome, book a sailing on the recently launched Explora I.
Ivan Sarfatti/Explora Journeys
- Best for: Multigenerational cruising
- Suggested itinerary: Six-night cruise between Athens and Venice, from $4,460 per person
- Book now
Explora Journeys, which is owned by European shipping company MSC Group, launched its first ship, Explora I, in 2023, followed by Explora II in 2024, with four more sisterships to follow by 2028. The biggest luxury here is space to spread out on a vessel that truly delivers a resort experience at sea. The food at the four restaurants and at arguably the best marketplace and buffet at sea is divine (unsurprising, since French Master Chef Franck Garanger, who previously headed cuisine for Oceania Cruises, is cooking here with a big budget, delivering treats such as a spoonful of caviar on your breakfast eggs). Complimentary Moët & Chandon flows freely. The contemporary Italian design is sleek and gorgeous. Large cabins all have balconies, and over-the-top ocean residences (suites) have outdoor whirlpools. Aside from those, the four swimming pools and assorted hot tubs mean you can always find a quiet lounging spot. Big-ship features include a pickleball court and a casino. The big difference here is a push to welcome multigenerational families onboard. Unusual for a luxury cruise product is the staffed kids club where the counselors speak multiple languages as they lead activities focused on ocean conservation—when the kids aren’t playing pool or other games. Connecting suites make it easy for families to have more space, too.
Here’s our full review of sailing on the Explora I.
Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Resolution
The National Geographic Resolution is well equipped to explore the world’s polar regions.
Photo by Ralph Lee Hopkins
- Best for: Remote exploration
- Suggested itinerary: 13-night “Voyage to Antarctica” from $13,584 per person
- Book now
Lindblad Expeditions has always prided itself on soft-adventure exploration, destination expertise, and education, including a long-time partnership with science and research heavyweight National Geographic. On the 138-passenger expedition ship National Geographic Resolution (and its sister ship National Geographic Endurance), the company has made an extra effort to make passengers very comfortable on their remote adventures. All accommodations have ocean views, and many have balconies equipped with hammocks for relaxing. Care was taken with the polar-inspired art collection, which creatively documents climate change and includes a soundscape and installations, such as art created with recycled plastic bags in the reception area. The ship has an inverted X-bow (the farthest point of the bow is situated at the bottom of the vessel rather than at the top) for improved performance and a quieter, more fuel-efficient ride. Two infinity-edge hot tubs and the spa’s two ocean-view saunas are the perfect spots for warming up after exploring polar regions on inflatable Zodiacs boats or kayaks, cross-country skis, or snowshoes, accompanied by the experienced naturalist team. Nat Geo experts provide photo advice, and historians and marine biologists host onboard lectures. Enjoy such sustainable dining experiences as a Zero-Waste chef’s table. Another unusual experience: Guests can sleep overnight in a top-deck glass igloo to admire the icy landscapes.
Read our full review of sailing on the National Geographic Resolution.
Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot
There’s not a bad seat in the house in the Sunroom on Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot, the most luxurious icebreaker in the world.
Photos by Gilles Trillard/Ponant
- Best for: Eco-friendly features
- Suggested itinerary: 14-night Northeast Greenland cruise, fares from $29,880 per person
- Book now
The world’s only Polar Class 2 passenger ship is not only the most luxurious icebreakers but also one of the most eco-friendly ships afloat. French line Ponant’s 245-passenger Le Commandant Charcot is a hybrid electric ship that can sail for up to eight hours emissions-free, as it takes guests to destinations such as Greenland, Antarctica, and the North Pole. The other energy sources are liquified natural gas (LNG) and low-sulfur gas oil, together cutting carbon emissions by 25 percent compared to more conventional ship fuel. Guests on board are treated to fine French cuisine and wine (Alain Ducasse is the culinary adviser), as well as plush cabins and suites with balconies or terraces. They can watch icebergs and polar bears passing by from the serenity of the heated pools on the sides of the ship that are heated by recycled energy from the ship’s propulsion. Inside, there’s another heated pool and a spa with a snow room and sauna, where therapists serve up massages using natural products. Scientists are on board conducting research and discussing topics such as climate change. Zodiac-boat exploration led by naturalists gets you close to both ice and wildlife. There’s also the opportunity for polar kayaking, ice fishing, dogsledding, and snowshoeing, depending on the destination.
Read our recent review of sailing on Le Commandant Charcot.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Splendor
Regent ships like the Seven Seas Splendor are billed as some of the most luxurious in the world.
Photo by Stephen Beaudet/Unsplash
- Best for: Over-the-top luxury
- Suggested itinerary: 11-night trip between Montreal and New York, from $11,999 per person
- Book now
For lovers of glitz and glamor, Regent Seven Seas Cruises won’t disappoint with its self-proclaimed “world’s most luxurious ship,” the 750-passenger all-suite Seven Seas Splendor, and similarly promoted sister ships Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Grandeur, plus the forthcoming 822-passenger Seven Seas Prestige, debuting in late 2026. Much on Splendor is completely over-the-top. You’ll find crystal and glass chandeliers aplenty, an extensive art collection, and enough Carrara marble to fill a football field and then some. Care is shown in the details. Sit in a silk-covered chair in the elegant Chartreuse dining room, where a tuxedo-clad waiter will serve a truffle-enhanced tart and you can imagine yourself in a grand hotel in Paris. Enter the Prime 7 steakhouse, where at the bar you’ll pass art pieces by Joan Miró and Picasso. The leathers are butter soft, the carpets and velvet details as plush as can be. In your suite, enjoy some alone time with an extravagant meal accompanied by champagne, served course by course on a white tablecloth on your private veranda. Want more? For about $11,000 per night, the top-end, 4,443-square-foot Regent Suite comes with a $200,000 horsehair bed, a Steinway grand piano, and its own spa.
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Ilma
If you love the Ritz-Carlton resort brand on land, you’ll find many of the same design and service touches at sea on Ilma.
Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
- Best for: Resort lovers
- Suggested itinerary: Seven-night Mediterranean cruise, round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia), from $5,650 per person
- Book now
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s second superyacht, Ilma, debuted in summer 2024. Carrying 448 guests, it’s a glamorous stunner, filled with art and contemporary furnishings. Those are complemented by superfun onboard amenities, such as a bouncy off-ship inflatable structure that comes out on fair-weather port days, creating a swimming pool complete with blowup loungers in the middle of the sea—a feature borrowed from fancy private yachts. The ship also has a top-deck pool stocked with daybeds, so you can cool off while pretending you’re on your own superyacht, perhaps while sipping Moët & Chandon champagne, which flows freely aboard the vessel. Guests are the type who like to let their hair down, whether by dancing on deck or at the ship’s marina lounge, close to the sea, socializing at the cognac and cigar bar, or lingering over exquisite meals at formal and casual dining venues. (Don’t miss the tiger prawn burger by James Beard Award–winning chef Michael Mina at the casual Beach House, with indoor or outdoor dining.) Everyone stays in a suite with butler-like service from your Suite Ambassador; book a residential-like 750-square-foot Grand Suite (or fancier categories), and you may feel you could move in permanently. A pay-as-you-go Ritz Kids program means you can bring your progeny aboard and still get away to peruse temptations in the Bulgari jewelry shop or take a class in the cycling studio. A sister ship, Luminara, debuted in June 2025.
Read our full review of sailing on the Ilma.
Seabourn’s Seabourn Ovation
With its all-oceanfront suite design, Seabourn’s sleek Ovation ship makes sailing a complete delight.
Courtesy of Seabourn
- Best for: Sophisticated design
- Suggested itinerary: 10-day “Tyrrhenian Treasures & Malta” cruise, from Monte Carlo to Barcelona, from $5,949 per person
- Book now
Noted hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany had yachts in mind when he designed Seabourn’s ultra-luxe, 600-passenger Seabourn Ovation, as well as sister ships Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Odyssey. He likes to describe the ships as “sexy,” for their smooth corners and tactile fabrics. Ovation has an at-home quality—if you happen to live in an art-filled modern mansion. Its collection comprises some 1,600 artworks from 120 emerging artists meant to serve as “windows to the world’s different climate zones, its flora, fauna, and habitat, and … impressions of the world we encounter as we travel,” according to Seabourn. Guests stay in oceanfront suites with walk-in closets and marble bathrooms, and if you spring for a Wintergarden suite, you get a glass-enclosed solarium with a soaking tub. The main pool is a choice lounging spot, but a floor above at the Retreat, you can rent a fancy cabana and have a private attendant deliver complimentary champagne and caviar and whatever else you’re craving. Among other culinary delights is excellent gelato made onboard. Some guests like to dress up onboard, while others would rather focus on relaxing in comfortable clothing. Neither is wrong. For those health-focused, a partnership with wellness guru Dr. Andrew Weil includes such experiences as a chakra-balancing crystal sound bath.
Silverseas Cruises’ Silver Nova
You’ll have ocean views for days on the ultra-luxurious Silver Nova.
Courtesy of Silversea
- Best for: Luxurious pampering
- Suggested itinerary: Seven-night Cairns to Darwin, Australia, cruise, from $4,500 per person
- Book now
Silverseas’ fleet of sleek, Euro-designed ships exude luxury with their refined decor and butlers and attentive crew who deliver next-level pampering. With the new 728-passenger Silver Nova, which launched in 2023 (followed by sister ship Silver Ray in 2024), Silversea created more spaces featuring ocean views, adding more glass windows and an ocean-facing main pool and dining room. On this stunning vessel, relax on a cushy lounge chair at the pool—which, rather than being placed in the center of the ship (the standard location on cruise ships), is off to one side so that everyone can enjoy maximum views. Get the best seat in the house at the outdoor bar or grill restaurant, also designed for prime ocean viewing. The ship’s three-story atrium showcases the sea through a massive wall of glass, offering views from various levels, including from the champagne bar, the coffee shop, or a classy club chair in the Dolce Vita bar. Even the ship’s glass elevators face the sea. On board, you’ll find Silverseas fan favorites such as an expanded S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program, which allows you to eat, sip, and learn about local flavors in the destinations you are visiting; passengers might sample Croatian wines in the Adriatic, for instance. On the sustainability front, Silver Nova is equipped with a large-scale hybrid power source, which combines hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and dual engines that run on LNG.
Viking’s ocean ships
On Viking ocean ships, Scandinavian design details, such as the glass-enclosed Wintergarden, with high ceilings and natural lighting in its pool and lounge areas, are showcased throughout.
Courtesy of Viking
- Best for: Destination experiences
- Suggested itinerary: 14-night “Viking Homelands” itinerary between Bergen, Norway, and Stockholm, Sweden, from $7,999 per person
- Book now
When river cruise line Viking debuted its ocean ships with the 930-passenger Viking Star in 2015, it was with the goal of creating a better, value-packed cruise experience for adults aged 55 and up. Eight sister ships followed, plus two ships (including Viking Vesta in summer 2025), in a new but very similar 998-passenger class (with more planned), all with sleek Scandinavian decor, well-planned itineraries that linger in ports, and the promise of no nickel-and-diming. Everyone stays in a spacious veranda stateroom or suite; specialty restaurants, such as a fine Italian venue and a chef’s tasting experience, are complimentary, and so is the accompanying beer and wine. Live lectures and broadcasts of TED Talks encourage learning. Some of my favorite experiences on these well-oiled ships include Mamsen’s Café, which offers made-to-order Norwegian waffles; the two-deck Explorer Lounge with its forward-facing glass wall for prime views and cool nautical knickknacks on the shelves; and the gorgeous, light-filled, glass-enclosed Wintergarden with its pool and lounging areas. I can often be found indulging in the crab legs at the seafood bar at the World Café. Don’t miss the complimentary spa complete with a snow room and heated thalassotherapy pool (incorporating sea water for its restorative benefits). A shore excursion at every port is included in your cruise fare, and there are overnight port calls on many itineraries—sometimes even multiple overnights to maximize the destination experience. Passengers can choose additional excursions for an extra fee, such as exploring the culinary highlights of Gdánsk, Poland, or biking the streets of Oslo, Norway.
Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady
On Virgin Voyages, an entire cruise line designed around the 18-and-over set, adults are sure to have some fun.
Courtesy of Virgin Voyages
- Best for: Adult fun
- Suggested itinerary: Four-night cruise from Miami to Key West and Bimini, from $716 per person
- Book now
In October 2021, a fun-loving girlfriend and I boarded the 2,770-passenger Scarlet Lady, which had just launched, wondering what playful billionaire Richard Branson could possibly bring to cruising that was new. The answer was adult fun. Virgin Voyages, Branson’s relatively new adults-only cruise endeavor, now has a four-ship fleet that consists of Scarlet Lady and sister ships Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady, and is reserved for those aged 18 and up who are willing to indulge in a bit of cheekiness. Passengers (Virgin refers to them as “sailors”) can grab a scoop at the Lick Me ‘Till ice cream shop and be pampered by a crew who are encouraged to show off their piercings, tattoos, dyed hair, and unique personal style. You can get your own ink and piercings at the onboard tattoo parlor. Expect dance parties with circus performers and lots of day drinking. Dining is complimentary at restaurants, including a Korean BBQ spot complete with drinking games, and a chef’s-gone-wild venue where dishes may arrive smoking or popping. Virgin encourages donations to marine conservation, sources sustainable seafood, and bans most single-use plastics; plus, heat from the ship’s engines generates some electricity (decreasing fuel demand).
Here’s our full review of sailing with Virgin Voyages.
Windstar’s Wind Surf
Windstar Cruises sailing ships make passengers feel like they are traveling back to a simpler era out on the seas.
Jeff Zaruba/Windstar Cruises
- Best for: A sailing experience
- Suggested itinerary: Seven-night “Beach Fun & Sun: A Remote Caribbean Getaway,” round-trip from St. Maarten, from $2,599 per person
- Book now
The world’s largest sailing ship is a dream come true for those who appreciate the sight of 26,881 square feet of Dacron unfurling and catching wind. The 342-passenger, 525-foot Wind Surf delivers a sense of pride, especially when you’re in port and you point to your ship’s five masts. Windstar delivers luxury in a relaxed, friendly fashion, and that includes getting close to the sea on kayaks and stand-up paddleboards launched from the ship’s watersports platform—that is, when you’re not swimming out to the vessel’s water trampoline. Dancing under the stars on deck will appeal to those looking for romance; hanging out with the officers on the bridge is a must for sailing fans. The cuisine shines, which is not surprising since Windstar is the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation. Visiting chefs come on board, and local product is featured. I suggest accompanying the head chef as they gather ingredients at local markets. At the spa, choose treatments inspired by cruising regions. The ship recently completed a redesign of the two top suites and public spaces, which includes an upgraded pool deck and bar. More upgrades are coming in 2026. A good thing is getting even better.
This story was originally published in January 2024 and was updated on July 3, 2025, to include current information.
