Looking for a new adventure? Broaden your horizons this coming year with a voyage on the high seas. Whether you’re seeking sunshine, a safari or stunning scenery, there’s a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to take you there. Here are 18 of the best ones to book in 2026.

EUROPE:

1. Orient Express Silensea

Around 140 years after it launched the most luxurious train in the world, the iconic Orient Express moves into cruising. The ship is the ultimate in cruising luxury with space for just 120 passengers, and it includes a 1,415-square-meter Presidential Suite, two swimming pools, two restaurants and a speakeasy bar.

The route: Inspired by the Golden Age of the French Riviera, the cruise’s stops include Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Monte Carlo, Cap d’Antibes, Cassis, and Marseille. 

Dates and deals: Eight-night Côte d’Azur & Provence cruise departing July 11, prices start from £35,535pp for a suite. (four-night options available). Book it via orient-express.com

2. World Traveller – Atlas Ocean Voyages

As a smaller 196-passenger luxury vessel, this ship can sail into less frequented ports, appealing to those who are seeking crowd-free destinations.

The route: The “Epicurean Expedition” Mediterranean cruise between Trapani and Marsala in Sicily focuses on regional culinary experiences. It includes wine tastings, visits to local cheese and meat producers, and archaeological site visits, plus stays from specialised guest chefs who lead culinary-focused excursions and teach cooking classes.

Dates and deals: Seven-night sailings start in September 2026, prices start from £3,350pp. Book it via atlasoceanvoyages.com

3. SS Emilie – Uniworld

River cruises offer the chance for passengers to dock in the heart of cities, offering easy access to cultural landmarks and locations.

The route: This Danube river cruise takes in four capital cities: Vienna, Bratislava, Belgrade and Budapest. Vienna is the home to grand coffee houses, world-class opera, dancing Lipizzaner horses and opulent baroque palaces. The scenery along the river changes constantly, from lush vineyards to the vast skies of the steppes. The cruise is themed around Gustav Klimt and includes a private view of Klimt’s masterpiece, The Kiss, in the Belvedere Palace in Vienna. 

Dates & deals: Departs from either Belgrade or Vienna in May onwards, seven to 10 nights with flights are included, prices start from £3,449pp. Book it via uniworld.com

AMERICAS

4. Queen Mary – Cunard

The world’s only true ocean liner (don’t call it a cruise ship!) offers a luxurious and traditional experience with formal gala evenings, a planetarium, a vast library, and diverse itineraries.

The route: The “London at Sea” Transatlantic cruise, supported by the Olivier Awards, has an illustrious line-up of theatre talent. Peek behind the scenes to learn the secrets of putting on a world-class show, and enjoy unique daytime events and special evening shows throughout the voyage.

Dates and deals: Departs from Southampton to New York for seven nights on May 22, prices range from £1,084pp to £6,286pp depending on cabin. Book it via cunard.com

5. Seabourn Venture

A 264-passenger luxury vessel with eight dining experiences, spa therapies and complimentary champagne and caviar!

The route: The “Wild South Atlantic & Falkland Islands” from Buenos Aires in Argentina to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil travels the southeastern coast of the continent and takes in the Falkland Islands, Ushuaia, and Puerto Madryn.

Dates and deals: March 20 or 21 for 14-15 nights, prices start from £5,949pp. Book it via seabourn.com

6. Norwegian Jewel

A mid-sized 2,376-passenger ship offering a more relaxed, “freestyle” cruising experience, lively bars, and classic entertainment.

The route: Grab your stetson for the “Boots on the Water” country music festival cruise is a round-trip from Tampa in Florida to Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico. Five days of live concerts featuring top country stars, line dancing, and themed nights to keep the party rolling.

Dates and deals: Five nights from Feb 13 –18, prices start from £2,102pp. Book it via bootsonthewatercruise.com

CARIBBEAN

7. Norwegian Luna.

This Prima Plus class ship makes its debut in 2026 and features the “Aqua Slide Coaster” and three-bedroom duplex Haven suites.

The route: The ship’s inaugural Caribbean season includes Western Caribbean itineraries to  Roatan Island, Honduras, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Harvest Caye, Belize.  Eastern Caribbean locations include Puerto Plata, Tortola, St. Thomas, and NCL’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay.

Dates and deals: Seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami, departing April 4, prices start from £1,088.75pp for an inside cabin. Book it via ncl.com

8. Sea Dream I – Sea Dream Yacht Club

Private luxury is the watchword on this recently refurbished yacht. It’s not brimming with venues or entertainments (aside from the only Thai-certified spa at sea), but ever-present staff members offer a “whatever you want, whenever you want” service. 

The route: The British and U.S Virgin Islands, French ies, Grenadines, and Anguilla. The yacht’s intimate size gives it access to much smaller Caribbean ports like St Barts, Saba, and Bequia.

Date and deals: From seven to 13 nights, prices start from £4,263pp and £6,849pp. Book via seadream.com

9. Renaissance – Ambassador Cruise 

A 1,100-passenger intimate and comfortable ship, newly refurbished for 2026, traditionally British but with a French feel and a multilingual crew. Cabins are spacious, and the pool has a retractable roof.

The route: The “Tropical Treasures” cruise visits the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao), which feel different from the rest of the Caribbean, with their Dutch-influenced food and culture. Then its onto Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia. Perfect for some winter sun.

Dates and deals: 14 nights departing from Bridgetown, November 22, prices start from £2,199pp, fly-cruise from Manchester Airport. Book via ambassadorcruiseline.com

SOUTH PACIFIC

10. Star Breeze – Windstar

The suites on this ship are enormous. Even standard size comes with a walk-in closet and a big bath.

The route: French Polynesia and the South Pacific is perhaps the closest place to paradise on earth. This cruise leaves the beaten path behind to sail to hidden gems, including the islands of Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea and Bora Bora.

Dates and deals: Seven nights all year round, sailings from Papeete, prices start from £2,230pp. Book via www.silversea.com

11. Diamond Princess – Princess Cruises

An elegant mid-sized Grand Class ship exploring Asia and Japan, this cruise offers a mix of traditional and authentic Japanese dining and adults-only lotus pool, catering to cultural travellers.

The route: The “Japan Explorer Spring Flowers” cruise traces Japan’s incredible archipelago coastline, and the spring date coincides with sakura season, when vast swathes of pale pink cherry blossom transform parks and gardens. From Tokyo sail to Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Kochi, and Tokushima, plus Busan in South Korea and cruising in the Kanmon Straits.

Dates and deals: 11 nights, departing March 17, prices start from £1,819pp. Book via princess.com

12. Celebrity Solstice

Described as “a destination in itself”, The Ship includes The Lawn Club, where you can kick back on the grass and take in a live concert and a spa with its own Persian garden.

The route: A 12-night round trip starting in Sydney, Australia, explores the South Pacific islands of New Caledonia and Vanuatu and includes stops in Lifou, Mystery Island, Luganville, Port Vila, and Noumea.

Dates and deals: Departs November 10, prices start from £978pp. Book via celebritycruises.com

AFRICA

13. Viking Osiris

A beautifully designed 82-passenger luxury ship complete with infinity edge pool.

The route: Passengers can tick off many ancient wonder boxes as they sail the Nile. Travelling between Aswan and Luxor, the route stops at UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, where Viking can arrange special access. 

Dates and deals: 11-night sailings on the “Pharaohs & Pyramids” 2026 cruise in February, prices start from £10,075pp. Book via vikingrivercruises.co.uk

14. Azamara Journey – Azamara Cruises.

A luxurious boutique hotel at sea, Azamara’s mid-sized vessel never feels crowded and offers everything modern cruisers are looking for, plus some unexpected extras onboard and cultural immersive experiences along the way.

The route: The South Africa Intensive Cruise sails from Port Louis in Mauritius to Madagascar, and on to Richards Bay, Durban and Cape Town in South Africa.

Dates and deals: 14 nights starting on January 20, prices start from £4,509pp. Book via azamara.com

15. Zambezi Queen

Designed specifically for wildlife viewing, the intimate and eco-friendly 28-passenger Zambezi Queen boutique boat offers close up unobstructed views of the river and African landscape.

The route: Embark on a uniquely African adventure with uninterrupted views of the Chobe National Park, home to over 120,000 elephants and other remarkable wildlife. The vessel operates between Namibia and Botswana, with guests typically boarding on the Namibian side.
Dates and deals: Two-night sailings during January, February, and December, or three and four-night sailings, available every Friday, all year round. From £699 per night pp Book via zqcollection.com

ALASKA/ICELAND/ANTARCTICA

16. The Poesia – MSC Cruises

The ship is undergoing a major refurbishment in early 2026 to add the MSC Yacht Club (a “ship within a ship” luxury concept), new dining options (Butcher’s Cut, Kaito Sushi Bar), and a refurbished spa. The upgrades coincide with the ship’s debut Alaska season.

The route: Setting off from Seattle in the north west of the US, the itinerary takes in the Inside Passage, Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Victoria in British Columbia, focusing on wildlife, glaciers, and culture.

Dates and deals: Departures between May and September, seven nights from £699pp cruise only to £1899pp with flights and hotels. Book via www.msccruises.co.uk

17.  Oceania Marina

The 1250-passenger ship has just undergone a major glow-up from buzzy bars called Horizons and Martinis to a grand dining room. Its penthouse suites have also been revamped with Italian marble bathrooms.

The route: The 14-night “Visions of the Solar Eclipse” cruise from Copenhagen to Reykjavik is designed to view the August 12 total solar eclipse in Iceland.

Dates and deals: Departs July 30 from £ 4,700pp. Book via sixstarcruises.co.uk

18. Ocean Explorer and World Explorer

Modern luxury polar expedition cruise ships are highly regarded for their comfort and excellent expedition teams, and are chartered by specialised Antarctic operators

The route: The Penguin Safari Expedition is a 16-day journey to South Georgia and the Antarctic. It’s designed to be the quickest route to South Georgia Island, known for its vast king penguin colonies and elephant seals, and explores the Antarctic Peninsula and its rich polar history. The cruise starts and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina.

Dates and deals: Departs January 24 or February 1 from £15,357pp to £31,036pp. Book via voyagers.travel