Whether it’s the fluttering flags of hand signals, the dots and dots of Morse code, or the postcards sent to shore in mailbags from the middle of the Atlantic, it’s great to hear the voices of life at sea. It’s always a thrill. And today’s most beautiful ships bring us news that makes us dream of setting sail. Designer interiors, bespoke excursions and extraordinary culinary immersions are just a few examples of the exciting changes that will dominate luxury liners next year.
From the new Arctic Empire to the Aston Martin Race to the Chief Aurora Chaser guiding your voyage, our top ships tell us that these are the biggest luxury cruise trends in 2025 and beyond.
Luxury with a new aftertaste
As the sun sets and ships pull anchor, it’s never easy saying goodbye to a most beloved port of call. Some cruise lines slow you down for as much as three nights on a single sailing. 2025-2026 Favorites: Some Paul Gauguin Cruises itineraries combine three dreamy cruises in Bora Bora, Moorea, and Tahiti, while Oceania Cruises combines must-stay cities like Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Mumbai, and Kyoto I am. 2025-2026 Tropical and Exotic Sailing Season.
Uniworld Ganges Voyager II observation deck
Cruise destinations and excursions become even more adventurous
The stickers on your steamer’s trunk next year will be shocking: Japan, Papua New Guinea, Colombia, India, Australia. Ships are adding great destinations for waterborne exploration and inspiring new wanderlust. Azamara Cruises’ Japan-intensive itinerary offers two weeks of exploring the island nation, including high-profile cities (Tokyo and Kyoto), historic sites like Hiroshima, and quiet ports on the Seto Inland Sea.
Adventurers looking to go beyond Indonesia are lining up to be part of Ponant Expeditions’ itinerary aboard the Le Jacques Cartier, which introduces an additional stop in Papua New Guinea. And the river cruisers are launching two brand new journeys with Ama Waterways, which cruise Colombia’s Magdalena River between Cartagena and Barranquilla, and Uniworld Boutique, which sails up India’s sacred Ganges River to the largely tourist-free West Bengal. You’ll love the soulful pilgrimage of a river cruise.
Finally, the hottest ‘new’ destination is Australia’s remote Kimberley Coast, with its scorchingly beautiful red rock landscapes. At least eight cruise lines work together to tailor itineraries to avoid over-touring a destination (which is great!), but two stand out. Seabourn works in partnership with the Unambalu Gambella people, the traditional owners of the Kimberley region. Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours’ two helicopters for sustainable arts and craft production and remote trips to pearl farms and pools above waterfalls.
The Arctic is ‘hotter’ than ever
No disrespect to Antarctica, but cruisers are heading north and Aurora is the hottest (or coldest?) comfortable place you’ll ever be. Norway’s prestigious Hurtigruten company has appointed astronomer Tom Kaas as the world’s first head of aurora tracking for the expansion of the Arctic. Meanwhile, HX’s new captivating Ultimate Norway Expedition for peak aurora season in January 2026 will feature seven nights above the Arctic Circle. And Arctic finishers should gear up in droves for Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 83-night Grand Arctic Adventure. The tour will depart New York in July 2025 and sail across icy waters from New England to Iceland and Norway.
World cruises, the most spectacular of sea voyages, are enjoying unprecedented popularity. The most widespread one may be due to Crystal Cruises. The company will return the 740-passenger Crystal Serenity to the Seven Seas for a world cruise in 2026. The 135-night cruise will call at 72 destinations in 27 countries, with prices starting at $168,000 per cabin for two people. See you in Tonga. and Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, and Sardinia.
Concierge Suite on Irma, a Ritz-Carlton Collection superyacht
Departure of 5 star hotel
Why build another luxury hotel when you can launch a yacht? First the Ritz-Carlton, followed by the Four Seasons in 2026 and Aman in 2027. For now, all eyes are on the new season of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, especially the arrival of Luminara in 2025. The third superyacht in the fleet, 226 suites with private terraces (not to mention onboard wine storage) bring the flair of the talented Mr. Ripley to the Mediterranean in summer and Asia in winter and spring. Masu.
Take itineraries for foodies to the next level
It’s one thing to tempt wine lovers by pouring fine wines on board, but Uniworld also offers winemaker visits to scout not one but two great wine regions: Bordeaux and the Douro Valley. Double down (literally) with new wine roads in France and Portugal. Cycle between vineyards and choose flavors such as Médoc oysters (perfect for white Bordeaux wines).
Indeed, these days it’s a cruiseable feast. Windstar Cruises will celebrate its 10th anniversary as the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation in 2025 with five chef-led journeys. Each includes onboard cooking classes, coastal market tours and chef-hosted dinners in sweet spots such as Portugal, Spain and Copenhagen. Stockholm, Venice, Athens. More glamorous culinary cruises on the horizon: Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Epicurus Expeditions focuses on classic Mediterranean destinations such as Greece, Italy and Turkey, with onboard offerings aimed at aspiring chefs. A contest will be held.
But perhaps the grandest of all is Silversea’s 2027 world cruise, The Three Oceans, which will take place at sea from January 8 to June 7. Powered by a bespoke SALT culinary program, the journey promises more than 350 regionally inspired dishes, 50 local menus and 25 experiences. Coast, 20 talks, 50 classes. More than anything? 50 types of local cocktails.
Cunard Queen Anne
The stateroom brings great credibility to the design.
At Milan Design Week 2024, Explora Journeys gave a glimpse of the deck of the new Explora II luxury liner, complete with custom sofas by interior designer Matteo Nunziati of Italy’s Unopiù. This style-forward approach has made Explora the cool kid on the cruising block, with expansive suites and residences that resemble floating modernist villas in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Caribbean and beyond.
In 2025, Oceania Cruises will launch Allura, a new entrant that exemplifies what a thoughtfully designed small ship can look like, with a focus on light, space and restraint. Of course, it doesn’t have the luxury of royal luxury. Cunard’s Queen Anne’s maiden world voyage in 2025 will reveal a classic, nautical, and refreshing interior with fresh colors and fabrics, making her the crafty little sister of her storied ancestor.
Excursions become even more special and fun
To offer exclusive access to everything from the F1 scene in Monte Carlo (Regent in partnership with Aston Martin) to sharing a glass of wine in mainland Britain’s most remote pubs, only accessible by sea (Silver Sea’s British Isles Survey) We’ve never had so much fun parsing out the arms race of the Isles of Scilly (which also includes the subtropical monastic gardens of Sir David Attenborough’s favorite birdwatching spots).
Is it at the top of your list? A journey of two rivers. One is a trip down the Rhône River in France’s less-touristed Camargue region on the Belmond ship Pivoine, where you can catch a glimpse of pink flamingo nesting grounds, and see Stella McCartney’s Horse Whisperer (featured in the Winter 2023 campaign). This includes a visit with the iconic white pony (captured). The second is along the Mekong River in Vietnam, where the Heritage Line is located. To this end, founder John Thu Nguyen is leveraging his connections in the region to offer shore excursions to artisanal and religious sites (starting in January in less touristy regions of Laos). Look for refurbished ships heading north) in 2025).
