A luxury cruise takes your holiday to a whole new level. High-end accommodation, top restaurants that you’d consider for a special occasion back home and finer wines all contribute to a serene and elegant atmosphere on board.
Ships are generally smaller than those from more mainstream lines, holding fewer than 1,000 passengers. Meanwhile, state-of-the-art theatres host stars from Broadway and the West End and opulent spas are home to world-class facilities. Personalised service is faultless (lines including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea and Crystal Cruises even come equipped with butlers to tend to your every need).
You can clink a glass of champagne – usually included in the fully inclusive fare – before sailing into out-of-the-way ports that the larger, mainstream cruise ships simply can’t access. Once ashore, enjoy exclusive small-group excursions that can really get under the skin of the destination. Seabourn’s private classical music concert, for example, is held among the famous ruins of Ephesus after hours, when all the other visitors have left.
Back on board, browse designer boutiques and amazing artwork (Regent’s Seven Seas Grandeur’s 1,600-piece art collection features three original Picassos and Journey in Jewels, which is the first Fabergé egg to permanently reside at sea), and you can start to see what all the fuss is about.
And fuss there is: estimates from the Cruise Lines International Association’s State of the Cruise Industry Report 2025 suggest that since 2010, the worldwide stock of luxury cruise ships has tripled, with more than 1.5 million people expected to step on board a luxury cruise by 2028. If you hope to be one of them, here is everything you need to know.
In this guide:
Before you book
Where can I go?
The world really is your perfectly formed, seriously decadent oyster. Gone are the days when the grand luxury liners focused on well-worn transatlantic routes. Today, ships ply the world’s seas, whether you dream of the Med, the Caribbean or the South China Sea.
The lines have even become blurred between luxury and expedition, with Seabourn among those now sailing south to Antarctica, and Swan Hellenic leading the way with proper expedition ships bathed in luxury.
How long will I need?
Again, there is a smorgasbord of options. You could just jump on for a few days for a special occasion, or join a luxury round-the-world cruise to revel in the best part of a year cosseted on board. Most luxury voyages are between one and two weeks.
If you want to really explore destinations en route, as well as the ship’s full services, a fortnight is better. I remember chatting on a week-long Viking cruise with a woman who was gutted to only find the late-night Tórshavn bar on the last night.
SH Diana, one of Swan Hellenic’s luxury expedition ships, has a high-level spa on board
When should I travel?
The answer really depends on what you want. Keen to bake in the Med? Then travel in the summer. Prefer not to be sweating buckets climbing the Acropolis steps? Go in winter. Atlantic crossings are a different beast outside of summer, too. Often booking a cruise outside the main tourist season can work price- and weather-wise, with fewer crowds too.
How much does a luxury cruise cost?
With so much competition, prices have never been keener, nor cruises more varied. You could snare a week-long luxury adventure for around £2,000, but for the ultra-luxurious vessels, you’re nudging above £5,000. As with all cruises, check what is included, as some cruises are genuinely all-inclusive, while others have additional charges.
Silversea runs culinary-focused experiences both on board and ashore
What’s included in the price?
More than any other type of cruising, “all-inclusive” is expected. What exactly that means – and whether it includes flights or excursions, for example – varies, but as a minimum, you’re looking at all dining (often even the speciality restaurants); drinks (though not always premium ones) and gratuities, which removes a layer of faff and extra expense.
Are children allowed on board?
There’s a real variety these days, with families being feted by the luxury cruise ships. But we’re generally talking monied cruisers, many of them retired and many of them couples. Luxury cruises are not cheap, but represent good value if you appreciate the finer things in life; in some senses, you’re paying for the exclusivity.
Life on board
What facilities are on board?
Expect proper top-notch facilities that any five-star hotel would be proud of. Think fine dining (such as Silversea’s SALT Kitchen, which showcases regional cuisine from the destinations visited) and impressive spas you’ll not want to leave, along with famous guest speakers, West End performers and bespoke experiences (SeaDream Yacht Club and Seabourn famously throw champagne and caviar parties on their Caribbean voyages).
Explora I from Explora Journeys has an infinity pool at the back of the ship – Ivan Sarfatti
Do I have to leave the ship every day?
Absolutely not. You can’t leave on sea days, which many voyages have, and you can make any day a sea day. Been to Florence lots of times? Then just take it easy on board. I planned to do this, but then nipped ashore for a remarkable trattoria lunch just by the port in Livorno.
What are excursions like?
In a word: brilliant. Luxury cruise lines invest time in curating real experiences; some excursions may be included as part of the cruise fare. I remember my joy at riding the first-class observation car on the train that follows the Panama Canal, and how much I wanted to use a luxury cruise ship as my base for a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Passengers get the chance to enjoy bucket-list activities that might be hard to organise independently.
How formal is dining?
Often as formal as you want it to be. Gone are the stuffy days when you had to dress up – your ship will likely have at least one informal venue where you enjoy lunch and dinner.
Can I cruise solo?
Absolutely. Solo cruisers are not an afterthought; indeed, there are usually social activities geared for solo travellers. And the crew is well versed at dealing with any concerns.
Do I need to fly to the ship?
Not always. Some ships, such as Cunard’s transatlantic ocean liner Queen Mary 2, leave from Southampton, while Scotland has a flotilla of small luxury cruise ships sailing out of Oban.
Can I keep active on board?
Yes. Some lines may be cutting wrap-around deck space, but there will be some outdoor walking/jogging space on all but the smallest vessels; gyms, too, on most of the larger ships. I hired a personal trainer once and lost almost half a stone over 10 days. My message? It’s perfectly possible to stay active on a luxury cruise.
Explora Journeys are among the luxury lines with gyms on board – Rupert Peace
How much should I tip?
Mercifully, many luxury cruise lines, such as Seabourn and Silversea, include gratuities these days. Those that don’t at least suggest what they should be and the best way to pay them.
Will there be Wi-Fi on board?
Almost certainly, and on luxury cruises it’s invariably included in the price. I had a great signal down in Antarctica, which was a pleasant surprise.
Before you go
What should I pack?
Pack as if you’re going to a formal event, fancy dinner, casual get together and a short ramble around a city because – in effect – you are. Two sets of binoculars are essential for couples so you don’t miss wildlife, like whales. Check the local weather too before you pack.
What should I research?
Any effort to research destinations is rewarded when you get there. I always pore over the online deck plan in advance too, so that I have a mental ship plan, rather than wander around confused for the first couple of days.
About our expert
Robin McKelvie
Robin McKelvie has spent the last three decades exploring the globe as a travel writer, venturing to over 100 countries and cruising all of the world’s oceans.
Robin McKelvie, Telegraph Travel’s cruise expert
