Cruise Control
Give me a traveler, and I will give you a cruise that fits like a captain’s cap.
Trust me.
As cruising resumes, the industry continues to evolve and diversify. More ships are sailing to new destinations, and cruise lines are launching vessels that range from mega-ships to intimate yachts, creating experiences for every type of traveler — from explorers to gastronomes.
This rich variety at sea means there are now more choices than ever, from family favorites and classic itineraries to luxurious and adventure-driven alternatives.
If you like ocean crossings...
Cunard takes transatlantic travel to the next level. The pace aboard the 2,691-passenger Queen Mary 2 is pure leisure, crossing the four time zones between New York and Southampton in seven jetlag-free days.
Onboard enrichment options are endless, from stargazing in the shipboard planetarium to Broadway-caliber performances, book club discussions in the largest library at sea, and yoga classes overlooking the Atlantic.
...then you’ll love:
Spend 13 days sailing from the lush Caribbean island of Barbados to Lisbon, with stops in the Canary Islands and Madeira along the way.
Aboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s 298-passenger Evrima, guests can swim, paddleboard, or sunbathe directly from the yacht’s marina platform at sea level. Nine restaurants and bars, an infinity pool, a full-service spa, and a state-of-the-art fitness studio create an effortlessly luxurious atmosphere.
Or bridge the New World and the Old aboard Viking Ocean Cruises’ 15-day Atlantic crossing from Miami to Barcelona. Highlights include a stop in Sint Maarten, a day docked in Madeira, and a final overnight in Barcelona perfect for lingering tapas dinners. The 930-passenger Viking Sky also features a spa complete with a sauna and snow grotto.
If you like river cruises...
Sail Europe’s liquid highways with Avalon Waterways on a ten-day journey between Prague and Budapest.
After time in the Czech capital, guests board in Nuremberg and continue along the Danube through medieval Regensburg, Austria’s Wachau Valley vineyards, and musical Vienna before ending with a soak in Budapest’s historic thermal baths.
...then you’ll love:
AmaWaterways’ eight-day Mekong cruises aboard the 124-passenger AmaDara, connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap.
Excursions range from local markets and silk-making workshops to Phnom Penh’s French colonial architecture and sobering Khmer Rouge history.
The mighty Mississippi also offers its own legendary voyage. American Queen Steamboat Company’s nine-day Memphis-to-New Orleans itinerary aboard the American Duchess celebrates blues, rock and roll, jazz, Civil War history, and classic Southern culture.
If you like Hawaii...
Norwegian Cruise Line’s seven-day itineraries aboard the Pride of America offer a relaxed way to explore Hawaii.
With overnight stays and multiple island calls, travelers can snorkel with sea turtles, golf oceanside greens, explore lush rain forests, and sail along Kauai’s dramatic Na Pali Coast.
...then you’ll love:
Paul Gauguin Cruises’ eight-day Tahiti and Society Islands sailings aboard the 332-passenger Paul Gauguin.
Explore Polynesian culture, ancient marae temples, Bora Bora lagoons, and Moorea’s idyllic beaches while enjoying opportunities for scuba diving, shark encounters, and lagoon sailing.
Or venture farther afield with Ponant aboard Le Soléal on a 13-day Easter Island voyage tracing Polynesian migration routes across the South Pacific.
If you like Japan...
Princess Cruises captures the diversity of Japan on a five-day Tokyo-to-Taipei cultural voyage aboard the Diamond Princess.
Travelers experience Tokyo’s electric energy, Mount Fuji’s serenity, Osaka Castle’s grandeur, and Okinawa’s royal gardens.
...then you’ll love:
Oceania Cruises’ 16-day Hong Kong-to-Tokyo voyage aboard the 684-passenger Nautica.
Stops include Shanghai, Seoul, Taiwan, and Japan’s historic ports, blending modern Asia with ancient traditions, ramen stalls, shrines, and cultural performances.
For something more intimate, Star Clippers offers eight-day round-trip sailings from Phuket aboard the 170-passenger Star Clipper, exploring Thailand and Malaysia’s tropical coastlines and colonial port cities.
If you like the Mediterranean... and who doesn’t?
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 13-day Venice-to-Barcelona voyage aboard the Seven Seas Splendor immerses travelers in seven countries filled with volcanoes, seaside cafés, casinos, and coastal culture.
...then you’ll love:
Silversea Cruises’ 12-day Adriatic sailing aboard the Silver Spirit, featuring Italy, Croatia, and Greece.
Highlights include Dubrovnik’s medieval walls, Corfu’s mountaintop forts, and kayaking around Hvar’s glamorous harbor.
Or embrace Northern Europe during Celebrity Cruises’ 13-day Baltic sailing from Amsterdam aboard Celebrity Reflection, with extended stays in Saint Petersburg, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Helsinki.
If you like Alaska...
Holland America Line’s Alaska itineraries range from seven to 21 days and feature Glacier Bay National Park, whale watching, Sitka wildlife, Juneau, and the towering Mendenhall Glacier.
...then you’ll love:
Hurtigruten’s 16-day Greenland expedition aboard the Fridtjof Nansen, where travelers kayak among icebergs, explore Viking settlements, and participate in citizen science initiatives.
Or venture even farther south aboard Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Endeavor on a luxury Antarctic expedition complete with Zodiac excursions, penguin colonies, helicopters, and even a seven-person submersible.
If you like the Caribbean...
Virgin Voyages’ adults-only Scarlet Lady reimagines the traditional cruise experience with more than 20 restaurants and bars, wellness-focused spaces, vinyl record shops, and elevated entertainment.
Round-trip sailings from Miami visit Costa Maya and Bimini with a playful, modern atmosphere designed for fun-loving adults.
...then you’ll love:
Windstar Cruises’ intimate Greek island sailings aboard the 148-passenger Wind Star, connecting Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Patmos, and Ephesus.
Or Royal Caribbean’s family-friendly Bahamas itineraries aboard Navigator of the Seas, complete with surf simulators, climbing walls, waterslides, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
And of course, Disney’s Disney Wish brings beloved Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars stories to life aboard immersive sailings to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay.
If you like Africa...
Azamara’s 11-day South Africa voyage aboard Azamara Quest blends cosmopolitan Cape Town with safaris, rhino encounters, and the cultural fusion of Durban.
...then you’ll love:
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’s 13-day India journey aboard the Ganges Voyager II, featuring the Taj Mahal, Jaipur, sacred temples, village workshops, and sailing along the Ganges River.
Or discover the ancient trade routes of the Middle East aboard Seabourn’s 20-day Dubai-to-Athens voyage aboard Seabourn Ovation, including Petra, Muscat, Doha, Jerusalem, and the Suez Canal.
Find out more about the cruise lines participating in Virtuoso Voyages by contacting your favorite Virtuoso Travel Advisor.
Courtesy of my colleague Elaine Glusac.
