Fantastic food, splendid accommodations, daytime and evening entertainment, and travelling to numerous destinations; is there any other form of travel more luxurious than taking to the seas on a cruise?
Whether you’re looking to conquer the Arctic, dive deep into the Amazon or sail the beautiful coastline of the Mediterranean, cruises have endless adventures for a luxury life at sea, so hop aboard as it’s time to discover the world….
FAR-FLUNG ADVENTURES
Feeling as intrepid as Ernest Shackleton? Then, this may be the cruise for you. Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit offer more than 40 voyages to the world’s hard-to-reach destinations. Led by a 26-person strong team of scientists, scholars, and naturalists, the recently released itineraries for 2025 and 2026 offer the chance to visit a master pearl cultivator in Kuri Bay, Australia, enjoy night safaris in the Amazon or go polar bear and black bear watching on an Inuit-run reserve in the Canadian Arctic. Guests can fully immerse themselves in their new environments thanks to two custom-built submarines, 24 Zodiacs and kayaks.
On board, there is 30,000 square feet of deck space that showcases 270-degree views of your surroundings as well as a 4K GSS Cineflex Camera that broadcasts into the suites for those who are feeling like a chill day in their room. For those who are interested in learning more about natural history and culture, The Discovery Center hosts lectures and discussions on topics relating to the region where guests are sailing.
When it’s time for a bite to eat and a drink, the ships offer eight dining experiences from around the globe to get your teeth into. Earth and Ocean keeps the palate guessing with a new menu every evening with the aptly named Sushi doing what it says on the tin and serving up maki, nigiri and more from the sea. And new concept Solis which will launch in 2024, will take inspiration from its Mediterranean excursions and dish out light and colourful dishes.
And should you need a little more relaxation Seabourn’s Mindful Living Program offers spa and wellness treatments throughout the course of the voyages.
CRUISIN’ THE WORLD
It took Phileas Fogg 80 days to make his way around the globe, but you can do it in 155 with the launch of Azamara’s World Cruise. Set to hit the waves in 2026, the Seven Wonders of the World will see passengers enjoy shore excursions to Chichen Itza (Mexico), Christ the Redeemer (Brazil), Taj Mahal (India), Colosseum (Italy), The Great Wall of China and Petra (Jordan) among other stops across the planet.
Suites give off boutique hotel vibesl with plush cotton robes, fresh flowers and 24-hour room service provided on-a-daily-basis. Each guest can tuck into sweet and savoury bites every day thanks to the in-suite afternoon tea offering that is served to you on your private veranda by your dedicated butler.
When you decide to leave your quarters, get ready to sing and dance with several acts ready to keep you entertained with Brit pop, 70’s music, and classics from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé and more. But if you find that your competitive juices need releasing, get involved in one of the several tournaments that is held throughout the duration of the cruise. Darts, ping pong, trivia quizzes, shuffleboard and even line dancing will all have prizes to be earned for the winner. There is even a water slide should you fancy a splash.
On the food front, it’s all about meat in Prime C with steak, leg of lamb and Chilean Sea Bass with those who crave Italian cuisine being satisfied at Aqualina. And for wine connoisseurs, The Wine Cellar presents bottles from around the world with a sommelier on hand to help you find the perfect glass.
HEART OF ASIA
Probably not the first name with which you would associate cruising down the waterways of Southeast Asia, but Viking cruises Magnificent Mekong is one for travellers looking to explore the inner heart of Asia. The 15-day journey sees guests explore cultural sites of Vietnam and Cambodia including Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and the Old Quarter of Hanoi through 16 guided tours.
Cultural immersion is at every bend on the tour with guests experiencing live performances by Apsara dancers, food tasting at local markets and restaurants, cyclo rickshaw rides and shopping in silk towns and floating markets and there is even time for reflection in the countries’ famous monasteries.
With the vessel specially designed to handle the vagaries of the continent’s third longest river, guests can expect staterooms to enjoy Scandinavian design with sliding doors out onto their veranda or French Balcony. The 80-person ship features an upper deck offering 360-degree vistas, a spa and fitness centre, and open-air sky bar, perfect for a night cap and unimpeded views of the stars above.
ARABIAN NIGHTS
Our next trip sees us discover the desert via the sea with MSC Cruise. Offering a range of destinations in the Middle East including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, Doha (Qatar), Dammam (Saudi Arabia) and Muscat (Oman), guests will travel back and forth to their destinations before returning to their first port of call each day: either Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Aboard the ship the emphasis is all about fun and entertainment. Cinephiles can catch the latest blockbuster on the big screen in the 4D Cinema, with gamers able to test out their skills on the MSC Formula Racer which gives you a chance to sit in the cockpit and impersonate F1 greats Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen around the famous grand prix tracks of the world. If live performances are your thing, check out Carousel Productions At Sea that sees acrobatics, dance, live music and more on the MSC Cruise stage. Even art lovers will be able to enjoy their favourite hobby with the MSC Virtuosa showcasing 11 unique Artworks of Pop Art artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein until the end of 2023.
If you need a spruce up and want to be looking your best when you disembark for all those great photos you will take, each ship possesses a beauty salon, hair salon for ladies and barbers for gents where they can beautify themselves before docking.
WELLNESS AT SEA
Sparkling waters, beautiful towns and cities that are topped with those orange, terracotta-tiled roofs and of course, a nightlife to rival the best in Europe, it’s no wonder Croatia constantly tops people’s must-see travel lists? But have you thought about a cruise to Croatia and more specifically, a themed cruise?
Introducing Sail Croatia who will take you to all the hotspots of the Balkan country, while keeping you in shape with its soon-to-be launched, yoga-themed cruises. Beginning in Split, you and your fellow yogis will wind your way along the Dalmatian coastline as you stretch, pose and release along the way for seven days. Highlights of the cruise include sunset yoga overlooking Mljet National Park and yoga in a vineyard on the UNESCO Stari Grad Plain, followed by a traditional dinner and wine tasting. But don’t worry if you enjoy some adrenaline pumping excursions as the cruise also offers off road buggy safari, river rafting, hikes and ziplining through Cetina Canyon.
