Forget the well-trodden tourist paths and set sail for the extraordinary. In 2024, luxury cruise lines are unlocking hidden corners of the globe, offering unparalleled experiences in destinations that ignite the imagination and stir the soul. Pack your sense of adventure, as we go through the Top 5 cruise destinations for 2024, and the cruise lines taking you there.
1. Antarctica
As one of the Top 5 Cruise Destinations for 2024, Antarctica offers nothing short of life-changing experiences. With plenty to choose from in terms of luxury Antarctica cruises, this polar expedition is one for the books – each trip is unique not just by design, but because the White Continent’s ever-changing landscape would allow no less, as no two cruises can include the same sights and activities.
Access remote locations such as South Georgia Island or the Weddel Sea onboard an ice-breaker vessel without sacrificing an ounce of comfort, as the current luxury cruise brand’s state-of-the-art expedition ships have raised the bar on what an Antarctica exploration can look, and feel like.
Luxury Antarctica Cruise Lines Taking You There:
Silversea Expeditions
Best for: Exploring in comfort
Silversea Cruises’ Antarctica fleet consists of three expedition ships sailing to the White Continent, all of them offering equal high standards of luxury and comfort. Well equipped with a spa, fitness center, exquisite dining venues, and full suite options, you can choose between sailing in the Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, and Silver Endeavour.
Whichever ship and itinerary you decide on, expect large suites, all-inclusive door-to-door fares, a butler and attentive staff always at your service, tremendous space-to-guest ratios, and a limited capacity to ensure the most intimate, up-close experience possible.
Silversea Cruises’ Antarctica guests are provided with a parka, rain jacket, lent binoculars, and waterproof boots to ensure the best experience, with the least amount of packing. These will be very useful with twice-daily outings in the ship’s zodiacs and kayaks, taking you up close to the fauna of the region, while an expedition team with extensive polar experience leads the way.
Choose between 10 to 18-day itineraries, longer sails including visits to the Falkland and South Shetland Islands. Fly business class directly to and from King George Island to avoid the dreaded two-day roundtrip Drake Passage crossing, and enjoy pre-and-post cruise land programs to make the most out of your adventure with Silversea Cruises.
Viking Cruises
Best for: Longer in-depth voyages
Expanding to the expedition realm, Viking has recently debuted their Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis, both of which sail to this top 5 cruise destination for 2024, hosting up to 378 passengers. Departing on 13-to-19 days itineraries from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, Argentina, a Viking Antarctica cruise provides the bonus of giving you time to experience one of South America’s most spectacular cities.
Interested in an even more enticing voyage? The newly launched itineraries covering Nuuk, in the Arctic, to Ushuaia in the footsteps of Antarctica in 87 days, or the 43-day Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale voyage promise just that.
Pre and post-cruise extensions are also available, including a Patagonia post-sail, or four nights in the mythical Eastern Island. Viking Cruises program also includes air and transfers, making it truly an all-inclusive experience.
Passengers with limited mobility will appreciate Viking’s sheltered Hangar, where they can board and debark their Special Operation Boats from inside the ship, fully protected from the elements. Adventure activities include kayaking amongst glaciers on the lookout for Gentoo penguins, and Weddel seals, sailing to the Beagle Channel, and boarding a Viking DNV classed submarine.
Onboard, relax in the comfort of your stateroom, indulge in The Nordic Spa, attend lectures at the panoramic auditorium, and assist onboard scientists with their research. Viking Expedition jackets are available to all guests, as well as all excursion gear needed, plus stateroom binoculars to spot the blue whales from your panoramic windows.
Scenic Cruises
Best for: An immersive destination
Scenic Antarctica Cruises are led by the spectacular Scenic Eclipse, and Scenic Eclipse II, custom-built, all-inclusive expedition superyachts, and la creme de la creme in expedition cruising. This 200-passenger vessel includes butler service and all-suite accommodations with verandas, plus 10 different dining experiences, nine bars, and lounges, plunge pools, a yoga and Pilates studio, two seven-seat helicopters, and its very own submarine.
Built purposefully to explore the polar regions, this environmentally-savvy vessel features the top technology to ensure the least minimum impact possible during their 12 to 22-day cruise itineraries.
Reach the rarely-seen Emperor penguin colonies, or include the Chilean fjords, and the Falkland Islands in your itinerary, which by the way includes flights to and from Buenos Aires and Montevideo to Ushuaia, plus all airport transfers.
Azamara Cruises
Best for: Expanding your voyage
Offering voyages of up to 17 nights, Azamara Cruises not only covers Antarctica but extends your vacation to the bustling capitals of Buenos Aires and Montevideo, offering you a chance to enjoy the urban landscape before immersing yourself in the wondrous wilderness of the Southern Hemisphere.
Spend your days at sea relishing in your floating boutique hotel – how about a treatment at Sanctum Spa? Savoring inspired Italian cuisine at the Aqualina restaurant or enjoying some evening entertainment at the Cabaret Lounge. Once back in your own private retreat, take some well-deserved rest before waking up to the expansive views outside your balcony, and order some freshly made breakfast in bed.
For outdoor adventurers and wildlife lovers, days exploring Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia, the Falklands, and of course, the Antarctic Sound, will go by fast while kayaking with sea lions, photographing penguins, and learning about this fascinating peninsula from the expert guides onboard.
Seabourn Cruises
Best for: All-inclusive luxury
Seabourn’s Antarctica sailings aren’t just about exploration. Spacious suites with ocean views make this a 5-star experience, while world-class chefs and attentive staff ensure every need is met. Unwind in the onboard spa, soak in lectures by guest experts, or sip cocktails on the observation deck as the icy panorama unfolds.
Sailing aboard the Seabourn Venture or Seabourn Pursuit, both ships fit no more than 200 passengers on polar expeditions, while including all the luxury and comfort you would expect from the brand. Can count on a fully stocked suite bar, varied dining experiences, complimentary champagne and caviar, and all-suite accommodations onboard an all-inclusive itinerary.
Focus on the adventure with Zodiac explorations, spot wildlife from afar from your suite’s panoramic windows using complimentary high-end Swarovski Optik binoculars, and relish the flexibility of an itinerary focused on offering the most incredible experiences.
Don’t forget, Seabourn Antarctica cruises cover airport transfers, pre-cruise accommodations, and flights, making sure you arrive relaxed, and ready for adventure on your luxury Antarctica cruise.
Atlas Voyages
Best for: Luxury yacht experience
Sailing in Atlas Voyages’ expedition ships, the World Navigator and World Traveller, expect to be onboard a yacht-style ultra-luxury vessel. These intimate and elegant polar class ships fit a little less than 200 guests onboard, offering a highly personalized experience, and a tremendous staff-to-guest ratio.
Certified environmentally-savvy ships, they both offer itineraries to Antarctica ranging from 9 to 13 days, covering expeditions departing from Ushuaia. Spend your time onboard assisting enrichment lectures from expert guides, indulging in the various dining options, or relaxing in your spacious suite.
Atlas Ocean Voyages’ polar expeditions include Zodiac safaris, shore landings led by the expert expedition team onboard – which ranges from biologists to ecologists and ornithologists – and free cultural immersion to Tierra del Fuego, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or the fascinating Punta Arenas.
Enjoy private charter jet service, private group airport transfers, and pre and post-cruise hotel stays as part of your all-inclusive Atlas Voyages Antarctica itinerary.
2. Galapagos Islands:
Explore the volcanic islands where Charles Darwin unlocked the secrets of evolution onboard the best luxury cruises to Galapagos. Encounters with giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and unique bird species found nowhere else on Earth, make this one of our Top 5 Cruise Destinations for 2024.
With trips to the islands being so logistically complicated, a cruise is the best way to experience Galapagos. Get the most out of week-long itineraries sailing all year long, as weather is stable in the region, meaning the perfect time to sail is whenever you are ready to go.
Best Luxury Cruises To Galapagos
Silversea Cruises
Best for: Luxury yacht experience
Silversea’s Silver Origin stands out easily as one of the best luxury cruises in the Galapagos. Custom-built to cruise the region, the Silver Origin is Silversea’s first destination-specific ship, which means it has been specially built to protect the fragile environment through which it sails.
This all-suite ship carries no more than 100 passengers and includes everything from butler service to premium spirits on a fully stocked minibar. Door-to-door itineraries make sure you arrive on time and fully relaxed for your Galapagos adventure, as all details are covered by the cruise line.
Experience the highest crew-to-guest ratio in the Galapagos, and relish this ship’s sophisticated interiors, its two restaurants featuring local, national, and international dishes that will make your mouth water.
With 8 Zodiacs available for excursions, which include snorkeling with sea lions, expect spectacular wildlife sightings you could not find anywhere else, as Silversea sails the north, central, and western loops of this remote archipelago, making it a great option to discover this top 5 cruise destination for 2024.
Celebrity Cruises
Best for: Stargazing and intimate encounters
Celebrity Cruises’ Galapagos experience is nothing short of extraordinary. Experience a luxury resort at sea on the 100-guest, all-suite Celebrity Flora, feel like a true explorer in the fantastic 48-guest Celebrity Xpedition, or move even closer to the action, with the intimate experience offered by the 16-guest Celebrity Xploration.
The brand offers seven-day itineraries that can be added to an all-inclusive package of 10 to 16 nights around South America. Visit the middle of the world in Quito, Ecuador, open yourself up to the magic of Macchu Picchu, eat some real ceviche in Lima, and discover the enchanting Cuzco, the ancient city of the Inca – all included with air, transfers, five-star hotel and tours.
Enjoy curated activities such as a night of Glamping under the stars, and savor globally inspired, but locally sourced cuisine with menus crafted by a Michelin-starred chef.
A typical day on a Celebrity Cruise in Galapagos involves waking up to freshly brewed Ecuadorian coffee, and a gourmet breakfast, putting on a wetsuit, and getting ready for the day’s adventures.
Take your tender to the first island to witness blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises in their habitat. Relax at the beach, go snorkeling, or take on a guided hike – lunch will be served on your ship as it gently moves toward the next destination.
The Galapagos consists of 22 islands, plus 107 rocks and islets, covered in white sand beaches or black fields of lava flows, each with its own unique flora and fauna. With two excursions per day, your Celebrity Cruise to Galapagos provides plenty of opportunities to explore. Settle down at the end of the day stargazing from the deck, chatting with fellow explorers over drinks and gourmet dinner, or tucked in comfortably into the haven of your suite.
Hurtigruten Expeditions
Best for: Solo Travelers
A Galapagos cruise is certainly an investment, but Hurtigruten makes sure to make it a more accessible one for solo travelers, waiving its single supplement on various Galapagos itineraries.
Get onboard the MS Santa Cruz II, a ship fully equipped with everything you need to get on exploration mode: From panga boats and kayaks to get you closer to your destination, to snorkeling gear and paddleboards, plus a glass bottom boat for viewing marine life.
Carrying no more than 90 passengers, Hurtigruten Galapagos cruises offer an intimate, carbon-neutral experience, where the focus is truly on your destination. Expert local guides accompany every excursion and take the time out from their research to chat and mingle with you, sharing their knowledge and experience around this, one of the most fascinating places on Earth.
Enjoy local ingredients transformed into mouthwatering meals fit for every diet and preference, served along with creative cocktails onboard. The Scandinavian-inspired decor assures comfort and style all over the ship, with expansive cabins fit for singles, couples, groups, and families alike.
With action and adventure at the focus of their experience, Hurtigruten Expeditions offers the chance to extend your Galapagos cruise with an incredible 6-day tour in the Ecuadorian rainforest, or a luxury eco-lodge stay in the Amazon rainforest.
3. Africa:
Crisscrossed by some of the longest rivers in the world, Africa enters our top 5 cruise destinations for 2024 chart thanks to being undercrowded, but no less fantastical. Adventurers headed here get to experience bustling cities, breathtaking nature, epic cultural landmarks, and encounters capable of completely altering one’s perception.
African cruises and the luxury lines taking you there
Uniworld River Cruises
Best for: History aficionados.
Uniworld River Cruises takes the pleasure of leading you through a spectacular Nile River cruise. With itineraries of up to 12 days, sailing in the luxurious S.S. Sphinx and the River Tosca, this breathtaking journey takes you through Egypt’s most wondrous sites.
Begin and end your adventure in Cairo, visiting the Egyptian Museum’s unrivaled collection of pharaonic artifacts, to then continue your travels to Giza, where you will be able to scratch witnessing the ancient Pyramids and the Sphinx off your bucket list.
With stops and shore excursions along the Temple of Karnak, the world’s largest ancient religious complex, and the mythical Temple of Luxor, all guided by renowned scholars and explorers, this Nile river cruise will leave you breathless.
Families will love the Generations Family Program on select River Tosca sailings, featuring fun-filled activities for the younger members of the family, including cultural exchanges with local kids.
As usual, all luxuries are included onboard. Enjoy a lavishly appointed riverview stateroom onboard your ship, with the option to extend your journey with pre and post-cruise land programs.
AmaWaterways
Best for: Intimate, luxury boutique hotel experiences.
As a luxury river cruise line, AmaWaterways has plenty to offer when it comes to African river cruises. Choose one of their Africa Safaris & Wildlife Cruises to get a taste of the impressive wildlife of the continent, combining your river cruise and safari into one adventure.
Sailing along the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers on the lavish Zambezi Queen, take on a shore excursion to the spectacular Victoria Falls, spot hippos and giraffes from the deck, and guess how many different bird species you can see. A hint? There are over 500 different species to be found along this route.
The luxury river cruise brand offers an ample variety of itineraries, some of them even featuring South African penguins sightseeing along the Cape Point Peninsula near Cape Town, and wine tasting at the famous Cape Winelands. The option to extend your voyage and take on pre and post-cruise stays at 5-star hotels and lodges is also available, with all transfers included.
Egypt and Nile river cruises, on the other hand, cover pre-cruise hotels in Cairo, a roundtrip 11-night sail along the Nile, and land experiences guided by qualified English-speaking Egyptologists. A private tour of the tomb of Queen Nefertari, and a private lunch at the Abdeen Presidential Palace coming as part of the pack.
Expect spectacular service on small cruise ships, offering an intimate voyage where you are one with the landscape. Expansive sun decks, massage rooms, and all amenities and comforts are guaranteed onboard your floating boutique hotel.
Oceania Cruises
Best for: Unexpected destinations
Oceania Africa Cruises’ plus comes with extensive itineraries, visiting unexpected ports such as Seychelles, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, and Gambia, covering the full continent, and connecting destinations along the seas of the world – Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town, anyone?
The luxury cruise line allows you to extend your stay pre or post-cruise at elegant hotels with superb locations, including free air date changes, free transfers, and porterage. Multi-day land programs in Africa come with exclusive tours of winelands and wildlife, filling up your itinerary with bucket list experiences all over the continent.
These are no expedition voyages though, the Nautica, the vessel you will most likely find sailing along Africa, fits up to 670 guests, and every luxury you may expect. Its elegantly appointed suites and staterooms mostly feature private verandas, while you can enjoy fine dining at any of the four open-seating restaurants before hitting the casino or any of its eight different lounges.
Regent Seven Seas
Best for: Ultimate luxury and enriching experiences
Sail onboard the Seven Seas Voyager with Regent Seven Seas Africa cruises, indulging in its all-balcony suites from where to take the endless views. Designed for a holistic experience in which you make the most out of Regent’s all-inclusive fares, the Voyager will be your home away from home, as you sail for up to 16 nights along the Indian Ocean and Mozambique channels.
Curated itineraries include pre or post-cruise land programs for all suite categories, unlimited shore excursions, beverages, specialty restaurants, premium Wi-Fi, and valet laundry service.
Keep an eye out for white rhinos, South African penguins, ostriches, and elephants on excursions along private game reserves and National Parks, and travel picturesque roads to spectacular beach destinations where to lay and relax. At the end of the day, savor the Michelin-starred menu onboard, stargaze from one of the ship’s expansive decks, or settle into your luxurious suite.
4. Norwegian Fjords:
Carve through dramatic fjords flanked by towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls, as luxury cruises on the Norwegian Fjords take you to explore charming villages nestled in idyllic coves, hike pristine trails amidst breathtaking scenery, and witness the midnight sun paint the sky in mesmerizing hues.
Coming in strong as one of our Top 5 Cruise Destinations for 2024, itineraries along the fjords depart from major cities like Oslo and Bergen to dive deep into the most spectacular landscapes of Northern Europe. Trust us, this is the cruise one takes to witness the Northern Lights up front.
Luxury cruises to the Norwegian Fjords
Hurtigruten Expeditions
Best for: Exploration and cultural exchange, plus solo traveling
When it comes to Norway, Hurtigruten Expeditions not only invites you to visit it but to live it. Presenting signature routes from a cruise line that has sailed the Norwegian coast for generations, Hurtigruten takes you on various voyages across the North Cape, Svalbard, and Spitspbergen – offering experiences based on cultural exchange, wilderness sightings, and enthralling explorations.
Choose a 12-day astronomy voyage roundtrip from Bergen, receiving unique insight and knowledge about the Arctic sky and the Aurora Borealis, or journey on a magical wintertime voyage along the full length of the Norwegian coast.
Hurtigruten’s onboard suites include fine dining every day, breakfast in bed whenever you feel like it and travel to and from Norway. Solo travelers will appreciate the cruise lines’ reduced single supplements, and all guests will be delighted to try culinary Nordic delights, served by an attentive staff eager to showcase the finest of Norwegian cuisine.
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Best for: Multigenerational families
Dive into Viking history and the beauty of the Norwegian fjords, as the Norwegian Cruise Line takes you on a wide variety of voyages including not just the Fjords, but also Iceland, the Netherlands, and Belgium – featuring hidden treasures from a line that certainly knows the way.
Stroll through UNESCO World Heritage villages such as Geiranger, the gateway to the Geiranger Fjord, before coming back to a ship with all the amenities you could have asked for. Chosen as one of the best cruise lines for families by Travel Weekly, Norwegian makes your vacation a pleasure, offering free fares for third and fourth guests, expansive suites with the option to interconnect, and onboard entertainment for everyone.
Crystal Cruises
Best for: A luxury resort experience at sea
Discover the best of Norway, including Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea while enjoying the comfort and elegance of a Crystal Cruise. With excursions curated by the A&K Travel Group, plus a luxury vacation experience featuring unparalleled suites, the best of fine dining, and a butler and concierge team always at your service, Crystal comes out as the best way to enjoy a 5-star experience at sea.
Spend sea days enjoying the spacious comforts of the Crystal Symphony, and Crystal Serenity, getting a taste of the only Nobu restaurant at sea, and delighting in Broadway-style evening shows. For shore excursions, take on a 4×4 ride to Bragdavellir in Iceland, a haven for nature lovers, or spend the afternoon shopping for Harris tweed in Stornoway. However you decide to spend your time, it will surely be worth it onboard this luxury cruise line.
Scenic Cruises
Best for: Ultra luxury expedition
Scenic Cruises’ spectacular Baltics and Norwegian Fjords cruises feature experiences along the Lofoten Islands, Gdansk in Poland, and the trendy Finnish capital of Helsinki. These ultra-luxury expedition voyages take place onboard the fabulous Scenic Eclipse, which sports a Polar Class 6 rating allowing it to glide into the the most remote regions of Earth with ease.
Equipped with two onboard helicopters, custom-built submarines, and luxuriously appointed suites, you can bet there is no Norwegian Fjord expedition alike. Sail through glaciers, wildlife, and waterfalls onboard this exquisitely appointed Discovery Yacht, and get off the ship to come closer to polar bears, whales, and walruses, discover a bit of Viking history, or visit centuries-old fishing towns accompanied by a team of location experts.
Once back at your suite, take on a relaxing bath drawn by your personal butler, before heading onto any of the ten different dining rooms for a true, multicultural culinary journey.
5. Australia & New Zealand
Between the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean, Australia & New Zealand are diversity hubs: From bustling cities to spectacular beaches, exotic wildlife, deserts, mountains, and rainforests. Experience unparalleled natural beauty, adventure sports, and delicious wine tastings, choosing amongst the various cruise lines visiting this region, and the diverse journeys they offer.
Luxury cruise lines taking you there
Holland America Cruise Line
Best for: Adventurous families
Travel together to the Land Down Under, enjoying everything a Holland America Cruise Line can offer onboard. Families will love the Kids Club, extensive entertainment options, and discounted prices for the first and second guests.
Witness the Great Barrier Reef, the beautiful island of Hobart, Tasmania, and explore the virgin jungles of Dili, in Oriental Timor. With itineraries ranging from 14 to 39 days, there is almost too much to see on this spectacular journey.
Holland’s elegant cruise fleet offers ample staterooms, panoramic views, and high-level gastronomy. Off-board, scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge, meet Tasmanian devils in Port Arthur, hop on a helicopter in Melbourne, or ride camels on Cable Beach in Broome.
Princess Cruises
Best for: Exclusive tours and shore experiences
Sailing on iconic itineraries departing from Sydney, boarding a Princess Cruise to Australia & New Zealand will be quite an unforgettable experience. With a choice of ports as grand as the continent itself, there is plenty to marvel at: From the spectacular scenery of the Fiordland National Park in New Zealand, to the award-winning wineries in Margaret River. Discover unique experiences to gain a new perspective on the region.
Princess Cruises’ award-winning excursions include several Discovery and Animal Planet Recommended and Exclusive tours, filled with opportunities and experiences you will never forget. For the ultimate adventure, choose an in-depth Princess Cruisetour Vacation combinable with your cruise, adding a multiple-night land tour.
Virgin Cruises
Best for: Casual ambiance and exciting entertainment
Virgin Cruises’ inaugural season to Australia & New Zealand is coming in this year with rates too good to be missed! As a cruise line that excels for its casual ambiance and exciting entertainment options, you can choose itineraries from 3 to 12 nights, departing one-way between Melbourne and Oakland, or round-trip from Melbourne, enjoying the delights of the Tasman Sea.
Experience one-of-a-kind overnights in Tasmania’s capital, Sydney’s fabulous Emerald Harbor, and Tauranga’s spectacular coastal seascape, where urban enchantment meets ancient Mãori culture. Staying true to its flexible nature, Virgin constantly adds new destinations to its itineraries, plus tremendous deals to get you excited to travel.
Regent Seven Seas
Best for: Ultra luxury experience
Experience Australia & New Zealand in the ultimate luxury onboard Regent Seven Seas, choosing between hikes in the Blue Mountains outside Sidney, or feeding stingrays near Gisborne. When all of this is done knowing you have a spacious suite with all comforts waiting onboard, the experience is a thousand times more special.
Curate your journey by choosing a land program based on your preferences: Whether focused on culture, food & wine, or active excursions, there is something fit for every traveler. Choose an itinerary including strolls through the South Pacific, with stops in Tahiti or Bali, and relish on the all-inclusive elegance only Regent can offer.
Book your next adventure
Ready to set sail on one of these Top 5 cruise destinations? Make sure to contact your trusted travel advisor at Luxury Cruise Connections. With over 40 years of accumulated experience, and having sailed themselves to each of these tremendous locations, they will be happy to guide you into choosing the perfect luxury cruise.
For more insider tips and details, don’t forget to follow us on Social Media, and subscribe to our mailing list!
Mavi Parra is a journalist, content creator, and traveler with over 10 years of experience in various communications fields. Specializing in digital media and advertising, her work focuses on the relationships between travel, culture, and destinations. Currently, she is Luxury Cruise Connection’s content writer, developing engaging content to educate and promote luxury cruise travel.
