Oceania Cruises
The finest cuisine at sea, smaller premium ships and country-intensive itineraries.
Cruise styles
Luxury Cruises
Smaller ships, more space per guest and included drinks and dining, with itineraries that spend longer in each port.
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Luxury Cruises with Travelisto
Luxury cruising sits between premium and ultra-luxury. The ships are boutique in scale, often all-suite or near all-suite, and the fare usually covers more than a mainstream cruise: drinks, gratuities and speciality dining are commonly included, with Wi-Fi and some excursions on certain lines. What you will not normally find is the fully inclusive package of flights, transfers and every excursion. That belongs to the ultra-luxury tier, which has its own page if you want everything bundled in.
This style suits couples, honeymooners and anyone marking a milestone, as well as experienced cruisers who would rather have a quiet deck and a good wine list than a water park. Smaller ships can reach ports the big ships skip, such as island harbours in Greece and Croatia or little Caribbean bays, and many itineraries include late evenings or overnight stays so you can eat ashore. Some lines sail under canvas, with tall ships and sailing yachts from Star Clippers, Sea Cloud and Windstar.
Most luxury sailings run 7 to 14 nights, with longer voyages and back-to-back combinations for those with more time. In Europe the main season runs from about April to October, with ships embarking in Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Athens (Piraeus), Lisbon and Monte Carlo. Through the winter the fleet tends to move to the Caribbean, sailing round trips from Barbados, St Maarten and Florida, with occasional repositioning voyages across the Atlantic in between.
Inclusions differ more than the brochures suggest, so we always check exactly what your fare covers before you book. Oceania Cruises is known for its cuisine, Viking Ocean Cruises is adults-only with excursions included, and the sailing-ship lines trade large suites for the feel of a private yacht.
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Lines we recommend
The cruise lines our Travel Designers suggest most often for this kind of trip. Tap a line for the full guide.
Oceania Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises
Adults-only ocean cruising with destination focus, included excursions and Wi-Fi.
Windstar Cruises
180–342-guest sailing yachts and motor yachts — small-ship ocean cruising, casual luxury.
Scenic Ocean Cruises
Scenic's six-star ocean fleet — all-suite, all-inclusive cruising on Discovery Yachts.
Sea Cloud Cruises
Authentic tall-ship cruising under sail — boutique luxury, classic windjammer experience.
Star Clippers
Tall-ship sailing yachts with Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries — masts you can climb.
Which line suits you?
| Cruise line | Best for |
|---|---|
| Oceania Cruises | Food lovers who want some of the best dining at sea on a mid-size ship. |
| Viking Ocean Cruises | Culture lovers who want a calm, adults-only ship with an included excursion in most ports. |
| Windstar Cruises | Travellers who want small ships and yachts that reach smaller harbours. |
| Scenic Ocean Cruises | Couples who want an all-suite, highly inclusive small ship. |
| Sea Cloud Cruises | Romantics who want a classic tall ship under sail. |
| Star Clippers | Sailing fans who want a relaxed, informal tall-ship holiday. |
Styles of luxury cruise
- Small luxury ships
- Mid-size and small ships with a calm atmosphere, strong dining and port-rich itineraries.
- Sailing ships and yachts
- Tall ships and sailing yachts that use the wind where they can, with a relaxed, informal feel.
- Destination-focused voyages
- Lines that put the ports first, with overnights, late departures and included excursions.
- Boutique expedition-style ships
- Small luxury ships that also visit more remote coasts and islands.
Where luxury lines sail
The Mediterranean is the heartland of luxury cruising, from the Greek islands and the Dalmatian coast to the French Riviera and the smaller ports of Italy. Smaller ships can call at harbours that larger vessels cannot reach.
In winter, many luxury lines move to the Caribbean, where small ships and sailing yachts can visit quieter islands and anchor in secluded bays. Northern Europe, the Norwegian fjords and the British Isles are popular in summer, and longer voyages head to Asia, Australia and South America.
Because the ships are small, the most popular sailings and suites can fill early, so it pays to plan ahead.
How to choose a luxury line
Start with what is included. Some luxury lines include drinks, gratuities and Wi-Fi, others include excursions, and few include flights. Comparing the full cost of a voyage is more useful than comparing headline fares.
Then think about atmosphere. Some ships have a quiet, refined feel, while sailing ships are casual and outdoorsy. Dress codes, dining styles and the balance between sea days and port days all vary. Our Travel Designers can compare the lines side by side for the voyage you have in mind.
FAQ
Luxury Cruises: your questions answered
What is the difference between luxury and ultra-luxury cruises?
Both use smaller ships with more space and better service than mainstream cruising. Luxury lines usually include drinks, gratuities and speciality dining, but flights, transfers and most shore excursions are extra. Ultra-luxury fares go further, typically bundling flights, transfers, excursions and butler service into one price on all-suite ships. If you want zero onboard bills, look at ultra-luxury; if you would rather choose your own extras, luxury is often better value.
Are drinks included on a luxury cruise?
On most luxury lines, yes, at least for house wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks, though premium labels may cost extra. Some lines include drinks only with meals, and a few sell them as part of a higher fare. Inclusions change between fare types, so a Travel Designer will confirm exactly what is covered on your sailing before you pay a deposit.
When is the best time for a luxury Mediterranean cruise?
May, June and September are the sweet spot: warm sea, long days and fewer crowds than July and August. April and October are cooler but quieter, and good for sightseeing in places like Rome, Athens and Dubrovnik. Smaller luxury ships can also reach island ports that are less busy than the major cruise harbours, which helps even in peak summer.
Is a sailing ship cruise right for me?
Tall ships and sailing yachts suit people who like a relaxed, outdoor pace and want to feel the ship under sail. Cabins are usually more compact than on motor ships, there are fewer evening shows, and the atmosphere is casual. If you are prone to seasickness or want a large suite, a conventional luxury ship may be the better choice.
Too many options? We'll narrow it down
Tell a Travel Designer where you want to go, when, and what kind of ship suits you. Three honest recommendations, same business day.