Top 10 luxury cruise vacations

Where does the luxury come from on our luxury cruise vacations? It can take many forms. With some trips, such as Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, Scotland’s Inner Hebrides or the Norwegian fjords, it’s about the vessel. Think wrap-around panoramic windows for outstanding views, spa pools on deck, gourmet cuisine using locally sourced ingredients… In other cases, it’s about the range of activities and shore excursions open to you. Get your PADI in the Seychelles, enjoy a pottery workshop with a local artisan in the Greek islands, visit areas of Japan’s Honshu well beyond the tourist trail. And in still others the luxury is in the overall experience – mooring up in remoter harbours of the Galapagos Islands or slowing things down to a languorous lilt off Turkey’s Turquoise Coast.
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1. Dalmatian Coast in Croatia

Dotted with islands, Croatia’s magnificent Dalmatian Coast stretches from Rab in the north to the Bay of Kotor in the south, offering a wealth of options for luxury cruising. Vessels typically carry just 40 or so people. Expect spa pools on the sundeck, gourmet cuisine and a high ratio of crew to passengers for that all-important attentive customer service.

Best time to go: April to October
Our top trip: Luxury small ship cruise in Croatia
See all our trips: Croatia small ship cruising vacations
Read more: Croatia cruising travel guide

2. Galapagos Islands

There’s a trade-off to be made with Galapagos cruise ships. The smaller vessels don’t tend to have quite as many luxury trimmings as the larger ones, but they are able to explore more of the region because they can get into tighter harbours. And while all Galapagos guides are brilliant, the very best naturally gravitate to the luxury market.

Best time to go: May
Our top trip: Galapagos luxury nature cruise
See all our trips: Galapagos Islands vacations
Read more: Galapagos cruises travel guide

3. Norwegian fjords

The 12-day voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back through the Norwegian fjords has been labelled the most beautiful in the world, and every season casts its own distinct light on the scenery. Most of the 34 ports on the trip are within the Arctic Circle, but you’ll be perfectly cosy aboard an expedition ship with panoramic lounges bringing you closer to nature.

Best time to go: July to October
Our top trip: Norwegian fjords classic cruise
See all our trips: Norwegian fjords vacations
Read more: Norwegian fjords travel guide

4. Turquoise Coast in Turkey

Chartering a traditional gulet on Turkey’s idyllic Turquoise Coast is like having your own floating villa – you can create your ideal blend of relaxation and adventure, your route and timings your own. Swim in the sea, explore island ruins and pine-scented bays, or just snooze on deck in peace and quiet – sail power is used whenever possible, for a smaller carbon footprint.

Best time to go: May to October
Our top trip: Turquoise Coast luxury gulet cruise
See all our trips: Gulet cruising vacations
Read more: Turkey gulet cruising travel guide

5. Cape Verde

Explore the Cape Verde archipelago aboard a sleek yacht with just 20 or so cabins. A sundeck, swim platform and stylish lounge mean you’ll be comfortable onboard, but a luxury cruise here means plenty of shore visits to learn about the history and culture of these volcanic tropical islands. Onboard chefs meanwhile source as much food as they can from local growers.

Best time to go: September to April
Our top trip: Cape Verde island cruise
See all our trips: Cape Verde vacations
Read more: Cape Verde travel guide

6. Honshu Island in Japan

Many Japan vacations whizz around on the iconic bullet trains, but cruising allows you to slow things down and enjoy a more immersive take on several less-visited areas of the main island. A big highlight of our luxury cruises is the regular lectures on Japanese art and culture given by onboard experts, which are then given context on fascinating shore visits.

Best time to go: All year-round
Our top trip: Japan luxury cruise
See all our trips: Japan vacations
Read more: Japan travel guide

7. Greek islands

The Greek islands are one of the all-time great cruising destinations, but do it right, on a luxury vessel, and enjoy seeing some of the loveliest locales in style. Our sleek yachts cut a dashing silhouette through the Dodecanese, Aegean and Cyclades islands, with carefully chosen shore visits that include wineries, pottery classes and cookery lessons with local chefs.

Best time to go: November
Our top trip: Island hopping cruise in Greece
See all our trips: Greece small ship cruising vacations
Read more: Greek islands travel guide and Greece cruising travel guide

8. Inner Hebrides in Scotland

Scotland is one of our most popular destinations for luxury cruising and it’s not hard to see why. Ships have gourmet chefs aboard making good use of locally sourced meat, fish and vegetables along the way, and you have excellent chances of spotting everything from sea eagles to whales and dolphins as you travel, perhaps even from the on-deck hot tub.

Best time to go: November to March
Our top trip: Mull, Iona & Staffa wildlife cruise
See all our trips: Scotland small ship cruise vacations
Read more: Scotland cruising travel guide

9. Seychelles

Many people make the mistake of thinking the Seychelles is all about those gorgeous white sand beaches. But there’s a lot more to be enamoured about aboard a luxury cruise, from snorkelling and (optional) PADI scuba diving certification in the warm Indian Ocean, to learning about some of the many conservation projects going on in this gorgeous archipelago.

Best time to go: August
Our top trip: Seychelles eight-day sailing cruise
See all our trips: Seychelles vacations
Read more: Seychelles cruising travel guide

10. Arctic

Arctic expedition cruises are all about responsible adventuring in this pristine wilderness, but that doesn’t mean forgoing all luxury. Ships with ice-strengthened hulls are robust on the exterior, mid-century modern on the interior, with spacious observation lounges, lecture rooms and, of course, onboard Zodiacs and kayaks for that indispensable element of adventure.

Best time to go: March to June
Our top trip: Svalbard cruise in the Arctic
See all our trips: Arctic cruise vacations
Read more: Arctic cruising travel guide

More relevant guides

Small ship cruising
Written by Rob Perkins
Photo credits: [Page banner: Rob Oo] [1. Dalmatian Coast in Croatia: The Small Ship Cruise Collection] [4. Turquoise Coast in Turkey: The Small Ship Cruise Collection] [7. Greek islands: Dimitris Kiriakakis] [10. Arctic: The Small Ship Cruise Collection]
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