The Journal

Luxury Cruises

Expert guides to the world's best luxury cruise experiences — from expedition ships to design-led Mediterranean voyages.

The 5 voyages we'd book

Editor’s shortlist

EXPLORA I

Mediterranean & Global · From ~US$5,000 per 7-night voyage

Best for: Design-led Mediterranean sailings

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Silver Nova

Mediterranean & Global · From ~US$6,500 per 7-night voyage

Best for: All-inclusive, port-intensive

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Evrima, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Mediterranean & Caribbean · From ~US$5,500 per 7-night voyage

Best for: Yacht scale, marina access

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Seven Seas Splendor

Global Itineraries · From ~US$8,000 per 7-night voyage

Best for: Largest suites at sea

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Four Seasons I

Mediterranean & Caribbean · From ~US$10,000 per 7-night voyage

Best for: Hotel-grade service afloat

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Rates and availability are shown on the booking partner’s site, or the property’s own where we have no partner.

Cruises

Luxury Mediterranean Cruise Guide 2026

The days of mega-ship mediocrity are over. A new generation of intimate, design-led vessels is redefining what it means to cruise the Mediterranean.

Feb 5, 2026·12 min read

Cruises

Into the Ice: The Best Arctic Expedition Cruises for 2026

From Svalbard's polar bears to Greenland's towering icebergs, a new class of expedition yacht makes the Arctic accessible without sacrificing comfort.

Jan 20, 2026·11 min read

Cruises

All Aboard: The World's Most Luxurious Train Journeys for 2026

From the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Japan's Shiki-shima, these rail journeys prove that the destination is secondary to how you get there.

Jan 25, 2026·11 min read

Cruises

Europe's Finest River Cruises: Slow Travel at Its Most Elegant

The best European river cruises trade ocean grandeur for intimacy, culture, and the simple pleasure of watching a continent glide past your window.

Feb 7, 2026·11 min read