Globe Travel Awards’ Best Luxury Cruise Line in the World

From mini poolside massages to Picasso artwork, personal butlers, private access to historical sites and 4,443-square-foot luxury suites, here are five of the world’s best luxury cruise lines, finalists for the 2024 Globe Travel Awards.

1. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Often described as the world’s most luxurious fleet, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers stylish, ultra-luxurious cruises that include free shore excursions to more than 550 destinations from Arabia to the South Pacific. They carry just under 750 guests aboard six luxury ships decorated with Picasso artwork, 40-foot tapestries and bronze bonsai cherry blossoms.

A state-of-the-art ship, Regent Seven Seas Grandeur boasts an art collection worth $6 million (including a Faberge egg making its first public appearance at sea), 503 crystal chandeliers, unlimited high-speed WiFi, gourmet cuisine ranging from modern French to Asian (with more than 130 new menu items on offer), expert lectures on topics from military history to winemaking and ancestry, a state-of-the-art culinary school called the Culinary Arts Kitchen, and a high-tech spa boasting zero-gravity wellness massages on quartz crystal beds.

For $11,000 per night, the luxurious Regent Suite measures 4,443 square feet overlooking the bow of the ship and features two luxurious bedrooms (one with a four-poster bed), a marble-clad bathroom, a full-size dining room and living room with its own bar, three walk-in closets, and a spacious wrap-around balcony with a heated whirlpool tub.

Guests also enjoy daily canapés, access to The Study, a private dining room for up to 12 guests, a personal butler and a private vehicle and guide for exploring ashore.

2. Seabourn Cruise Line

Seabourn is the leader in small ship ultra-luxury cruising, boasting an elegant fleet of six ships designed for sophisticated travelers who demand the best. On board, all oceanfront suites exude the ambience of a private yacht.

At Seabourn, service is at the heart of everything from complimentary fine wines and premium spirits, mini-massages by the pool, wine tastings and fine cuisine from lobster to quail, and shore excursions often include private access to historic sites closed to the public, sailings to secluded coves and beach picnics with champagne and caviar.

Seabourn Pursuit, the newest of Seabourn’s two purpose-built expedition ships, is designed to reach some of the world’s most coveted and remote locations with just 264 passengers on board two custom-built submarines, 24 Zodiacs, kayaks and 24 expedition crew members.

On board, navigate between 10 accommodation decks, including an Expedition Lounge, eight restaurants, an infinity pool and a Discovery Center hosting fascinating lectures. Or unwind in the 1,023-square-foot Owner’s Suite, which features a private veranda, spacious walk-in closet and luxurious bathroom with a deep soaking tub and plush bathrobes.

At sunset, you can sip a glass of Montdon wine or order gourmet room service, served course by course.

3. Silversea Cruises

A pioneer in ultra-luxury cruising since 1994, Silversea Cruises offers exceptional standards of service on its 12 all-suite ships, including 24-hour butler service, the Venetian Society loyalty program (which includes a complimentary 14-day cruise) and the highest cabin-to-guest ratio at sea.

Due to launch in 2024, the state-of-the-art Silver Ray will accommodate 728 guests and glide across 11 decks. The two-storey Venetian Lounge will host music performances, film screenings and guest lectures; The Shelter, an intimate 32-seat cocktail bar; The Connoisseur’s Corner, a sexy cigar lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and Chesterfield armchairs; The Panorama Lounge, a 270-degree panoramic observation lounge; SALT Lab, a culinary test kitchen; and Otium Spa, inspired by ancient Roman baths.

Guests staying in the one-bedroom Otium Suite enjoy 1,324 square feet of spacious living room, dining area, luxurious bathroom with private jetted tub, walk-in closet and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a large lanai complete with its own hot tub.

4. Exploration

A passion project for the Aponte family, Explora Journeys will launch its first ship, EXPLORA I, in August 2023, offering 461 “homes on the sea.” The treetop owner’s residences will be 3,000 square feet and feature private steam rooms and panoramic oceanfront terraces with whirling jetted tubs, where butlers will serve glasses of chilled Dom Pérignon.

The ship’s restaurants range from Mediterranean to Asian cuisine, including the fine dining restaurant Anthology, overseen by Franck Garrange, which serves up fine Italian regional dishes such as Mediterranean sea bass with Arabica coffee and scallop cannelloni with black truffles.

There are also four heated swimming pools, a spacious thermal area, 64 private cabanas, two VIP double spa suites, a Technogym fitness area, Luminaries hosting expert talks and the first Rolex at Sea boutique.

Sustainability is a key focus for Explora Journeys, and from EXPLORA III onwards, the vessel will use LNG fuel, enabling it to reduce engine CO2 emissions by up to 25%.

5. Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

With a focus on extraordinary experiences, from private concerts to gourmet banquets to access after-hours historical sites, Scenic uses groundbreaking technology to provide six-star cruising while accessing some of the world’s most remote environments, from Vanuatu to Snow Hill Island, all while protecting wildlife’s natural habitats and sensitive underwater ecosystems.

Scenic cruises include a state-of-the-art helicopter, a next-generation eight-seater submersible (capable of diving 200 metres below the ocean’s surface) and a 20-person expedition team made up of naturalists, marine biologists and glaciologists.

The company’s ultra-luxury yacht, Scenic Eclipse II, will launch in 2023, accommodating up to 228 guests and featuring 114 luxury suites, a Sky Deck with Senses Spa, Vitality Pool, private cabanas and a Sky Bar.

The Owner’s Penthouse Suite measures 1,990 square feet and includes a spacious 110-square-foot terrace, sun loungers, a private Jacuzzi, therapeutic spa bath, dual steam showers, a personalized minibar and a spa day bed (which can be transformed into an in-suite spa treatment) to enjoy a hot stone massage or eye lift facial while sailing through Papua New Guinea or the Solomon Islands.