FIVE OF THE MOST LUXURIOUS CRUISE SHIPS IN THE WORLD.

With the myriad of options out there, it can be hard to choose the right cruise that gives the hoped-for experience. With our picks below, you’ll be able to travel the entire globe without leaving the lap of luxury. Get an awesome experience on some of the wonderful luxurious cruise ships.

For All-Out Luxury: Regent Seven Seas Explorer

 Image courtesy of Vincent Camacho on Unsplash

Even if you aren’t a cruiser, chances are you’ve heard of the Regent Seven Seas Explorer, the world’s most luxurious and grandest cruise ship with destinations from Europe to Bora Bora. Launched in spring 2016, passengers dine on lobster, foie gras, caviar, and escargot under a $200,000 chandelier built of hand-blown glass while the walls are adorned with art worth $7 million. The all-suite ship was “built for the one-percenters,” according to Frank Del Rio, president, and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holidays, Regent’s parent company. 542 crew members serve a maximum of 750 guests for a luxurious ratio. Ship passengers can indulge themselves with extensive gourmet dining, be pampered in the Canyon Ranch Spa in partnership with Red Flower, shop in boutiques, and experience world-class nightly entertainment. Suites feature Hermès and L’Occitane amenities. For the ultimate cruising experience book the Regent Suite: a 3,875-square-foot collection of rooms featuring an in-suite spa, three marble bathrooms, two balconies, a private garden, and walk-in closet.

For Foodies: Oceania Riveria

Image courtesy of Hello Lightbulb on Unsplash

For epicures, there is no better ship than the Oceania Riveria, which calls on ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Greek Isles. With 147 suites and 478 non-suite staterooms, the cruise caters to a larger crowd, without sacrificing luxury. The luxurious ship’s programming is deeply entangled with dining: choose from a French bistro, a refined steakhouse, Italian food (with place settings by Versace), and Asian delights. Each night 24 gastronomes can also partake in a Wine Spectator led seven-course meal at La Reserve or reserve a dinner from Polo Grill or Toscana. The ship also boasts a Culinary Center – a self-contained cooking school at sea – that offers up to a dozen guests hands-on experience. For the best experience, book the Owner’s Suite: a 2,000-square-foot suite that comes with extra perks like 24-hour butler service, unlimited spa access, and priority restaurant reservations.

For Curious Travelers: Viking Star

Image courtesy of Billy Pasco on Unsplash

Born out of the desire of loyal Viking River Cruise passengers who wished to travel in the Viking way on the high seas, the Viking Star offers passengers the destination immersion its loyal fans have come to expect. Sleek and modern, the ship offers each guest a veranda and the Explorer Suite, the largest onboard, spans more than 757-square-feet. The Star can accommodate 930 guests and employs 550 staff to serve them. Specialty restaurants, like The Chef’s Table, offer guests a rotating menu of themed, set course meals. For adventurous eaters, book The Chef’s Table and receive a Chef-led market tour followed by a hands-on gourmet meal experience. Viking is known for their focus on the destination, meaning you often stay overnight in port and you can partake in tours at each port, gaining a true taste of what being a local is like. Relax in the Viking Nordic-themed spa complete with a snow grotto.

For River-cruisers: Aqua Expeditions’ Aria Amazon

Image courtesy of Eutah Mizushima on Unsplash

It’s a sign of the times we live in that you can explore the legendarily wild and untamed Amazon on a luxury cruise. Aqua Expedition’s Aria Amazon takes just 32 guests in 16 suites on a journey through the Peruvian rainforest. Itineraries include visits to indigenous villages and an opportunity to fish for piranha. Indulge in unique Amazonian cuisine from a well-known Lima chef and impeccable service from the 24 crew members. On excursions, either hiking or skiff-based, naturalist guides identify wildlife and teach you about tropical plants. The Aria shines for guests who are looking for luxurious adventure, gourmet dining, and a familiar camaraderie with fellow cruisers. While it’s light on entertainment options, the floor-to-ceiling windows in each suite ensure a constantly shifting view of some of the most rugged landscape in the world.

For Anti-Cruisers: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection of luxurious cruise ships

 Image courtesy of Jay Basha on Unsplash

The 2019 cruising season is just around the corner, which means your chance to try out the legendary Ritz-Carlton hospitality on the high seas is rapidly approaching. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection intends to be the anti-cruise ship line of cruises. Ships will hold just 298 passengers in 149 suites (as opposed to the traditional stateroom), each with a private balcony. The small, ultra-luxury ship will be staffed by 246 crew, meaning passengers will experience a bespoke and intimate cruise. Because of the small size of the ship, Ritz-Carlton’s itineraries can stop in ports that are inaccessible by larger vessels, like Capri, Portofino, St. Barts, or Cartagena. To give guests a chance to “experience the locations in unique and experiential ways,” the journeys are planned in partnership with local chefs, artists, and musicians. If you are unwilling to share space with others, the yachts will also be available for private charter.

For more information on the world’s most luxurious cruise ships, click here.

Featured image courtesy of Katarzyna Ostrowska on Unsplash.