5 of the best luxury cruise lines to see the world with five-star service

The trend in cruising may have moved to large megaships in recent years but it is still possible to have a more luxurious and intimate experience at sea.

If the waterslides and 40 bars and restaurants on megaships such as Icon of the Seas don’t appeal to you, a regular butler service and your own sea-facing suite may be more appealing on a luxury cruise.

There are plenty of cruise lines offering a luxury experience, with fewer passengers on board and unique experiences and destinations that larger ships often can’t reach such as smaller Greek and Caribbean islands.

MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up

You may even be able to do watersports such as kayaking off the back of the ship.

The cruise fare can be more expensive than a mainstream cruise but the price may be worth it for the level of service and the experience you get in return.

You could even try keeping holiday costs low by using the best credit cards when travelling abroad and bagging the best travel insurance deals.

Here are five of the best luxury cruise lines to explore the high seas with a five-star service.

Explora Journeys

Owned by the Italian family behind MSC Cruises, Explora Journeys offers a luxury option where all rooms are suites with ocean views.

It is a regular winner for best cruise line and best dining at the Cruise Critic awards.

Your cruise fare includes unlimited drinks, WiFi, spa access, and onboard gratuities.

Guests also get their own butler who can help with everything from dining requests to laundry.

It even has its own kids’ club, which is rare on luxury ships, with games consoles and a pool table.

The brand has two ships and four in development all with capacity for around 992 passengers, offering itineraries around destinations including the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Alaska.

Prices start from around £4,000 per person.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Ritz-Carlton has luxury hotels all over the world, but have you ever considered a stay at sea?

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has three ships – Evrima, which accommodates 298 guests, Ilma for 448 guests and Luminara that takes 452 passengers.

Passengers get the same luxury experience of the hotel group at sea, including terraces that overlook the water, upmarket restaurants and a dedicated concierge.

Its ships can reach areas that larger vessels can't such as the Seychelles.

Gratuities, drinks, WiFi and 24 hour room service are all included in the standard fare.

Prices start from around £10,000 per person and cruises visit locations in the Med as well as northern Europe and South America.

Regent Seven Seas

Almost everything is included in a Regent Seven Seas cruise fare such as excursions, dining, drinks, pre-cruise hotel stays, WiFi, tips and laundry.

The brand frequently tops Travel + Leisure World’s Best, Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice, and Cruise Critic Luxury Awards lists.

It has a fleet of six ships and its newest Seven Seas Prestige will have the largest suite at sea with 9,000 square feet of space when it launches in 2026. The suite can sleep up to six people and can be yours for £20,000 per night.

The capacity on its ships range from between 490 and 750 guests.

Guests in penthouse suites and above get their own butler who can even unpack for you.

If you don’t want to opt for the mega suite, all other rooms are suites and have their own balconies.

Fares start from around £3,000 per person.

Seabourn

Seabourn is a great option for foodies and keen explorers.

Guests get gourmet dining through a partnership with chef Thomas Keller and its ships visit popular and off‑the‑beaten‑path destinations across the world such as Saint-Tropez as well as offering luxury expedition itineraries in Antarctica and the Arctic.

The cruise line has seven ships with capacity ranging from 458 to 600 guests.

Its expedition ships can carry 264.

All suites include a butler service where you can even ask them to run you a bath.

Cruise fares start from around £5,000 per person.

Silversea

Silversea is another exploration option for adventure seekers.

Every suite, from entry‑level to the largest, comes with a personal butler who can pack and unpack and arrange shore activities.

Its 14-strong fleet, split between ocean and expedition ships, sail to more than 900 destinations including the Galápagos Islands.

The fleet caters for between 100 and 728 guests depending on the ship, allowing access to small ports and remote regions across the Med, the Caribbean, the Arctic and Antarctica.

The onboard menus are inspired by destinations and seasonal ingredients and there is a partnership with Relais & Châteaux for fine dining experiences.

It has won Cruise Critic awards for its cabins and unique expeditions including around the Arctic and Greenland.

Prices range from £4,000 to £5,000 per person for European sailings and around £40,000 for an expedition cruise to Antarctica.