If you’re searching for a cruise that takes your experience to a whole new level, including world-class dining, sights, views, wildlife and more, these five suggestions are sure to entice.
Scotland
Cruising round-trip from Oban you’ll head to Salen on Loch Sunart, Armadale, Kyle of Lochalsh, Eigg, Muck, Hynish, Iona, Jura, and Tayvallich and cruise Ardnamurchan and the Sound of Islay. Visit an award-winning art gallery on the edge of Loch Sunart; the Museum of the Isles set in the grounds of a ruined castle; walks on Eigg and Muck; discover the hidden gem of Lip na Cloiche Garden on Mull; unwind in the spiritual calm of Iona Abbey with the opportunity to join the Easter Sunday service; enjoy walks at Craighouse on Jura where red deer outnumber people; and visit the picturesque village of Tayvallich. The cruise takes place on the 48-guest Hebridean Princess, an iconic vessel twice chartered by Queen Elizabeth II for private family holidays. The epitome of understated elegance, it combines the atmosphere of a fine country house hotel with a renowned level of service and attention to detail, top class dining, and knowledgeable onboard guides.
Departs 31 March 2026 with prices from £4,167 per person based on two sharing an Inside Super King, rising to £9,576 per person for a Balcony Super King. www.hebridean.co.uk
Italy
Leave the crowds behind and experience Italy and the Adriatic from a different perspective on this unique off-season voyage from Venice to Rome, with calls in Zadar, Dubrovnik, Messina, and Naples. Along the way, visit popular attractions like the Sistine Chapel, St Mark’s Square and Pompeii without the crowds, giving you time to absorb the talent of Michaelangelo, the beauty of Venice and the tragedy of Pompeii. Walk the legendary walls of Dubrovnik’s old town, hike tranquil Dalmatian parks, dine in family homes in small villages, and learn to cook authentic pizza in a Sicilian kitchen. The eight-night cruise takes place onboard the 312-guest all-suite yacht Star Legend which features spacious ocean-view accommodation, fully equipped fitness centre, spa with complimentary sauna, infinity pool and hot tubs, water sports marina and choice of bars and restaurants.
Departing 23 March 2026 with prices from £2,043 per person based on two sharing a Star Porthole Suite, rising to £4,603 per person for the Owner’s Suite. www.windstarcruises.com
Arctic
Set sail to Svalbard, said to be one of the best places on the planet to see polar bears in their native habitat. In addition to the bears, there’s a chance to see walrus, reindeer, Arctic foxes, fur seals and numerous species of birds. The archipelago offers unique hikes, with artful arrangements of whale bones on pebbled beaches, and the ghostly remains of trapper’s huts. On this 10-day cruise you can also explore under the midnight sun and take advantage of spectacular photo opportunities with tips from a National Geographic expert; sail up to rock-wall rookeries teeming with thousands of birds; actively explore by kayak and Zodiac cruise; and hike the spongy tundra. The cruise takes place onboard the National Geographic Resolution, a fully-stabilised vessel with ice class PC5, category A, which features an observation lounge, library, main lounge with bar, an expedition based with lockers for expedition gear, restaurant with 270-degree wrap-around view, and two other dining options.
Departing 18 May 2026 with prices from £10,565 per person based on two sharing a category 2 stateroom, rising to £18,891 per person for a category 7 Bridge Deck cabin. www.uk.expeditions.com
France
Enjoy a journey into the past of the Impressionist masters on a week-long cruise that begins and ends in Paris and visits Conflans, Rouen, Le Havre, Caudebec-en-Caux, Les Andelys, Vernon, and Mantes-la-Jolie. As the ship winds along the Seine into the Normandy countryside to Le Havre on the rugged Atlantic coast, guests can follow the footsteps of Van Gogh, Cezanne and Gauguin and visit idyllic villages; the museum town of Rouen with its many monuments and architectural treasures; the white cliffs of Étretat which is full of history and legends; and the picturesque harbour town of Honfleur. You’ll cruise on board the 146-guest AMADEUS Diamond, which combines smart technology and modern design with the utmost in comfort. From the lower decks to the open-air River Terrace, there’s countless ways to spend the day, such as indulging and unwinding with a massage, keeping active in the fitness studio, or challenging your shipmates to a putting contest on the Sun Deck.
Departing 22 April 2026 with prices from £2,081 per person based on two sharing a C4 category cabin with panoramic window, rising to £3,679 per person for an AMADEUS Suite with French balcony. www.amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk
Asia
Sail from Japan to Taiwan and back during cherry blossom season on this two-week voyage. Setting off from Tokyo, the ships sails to Shimizu, considered one of Japan’s most beautiful ports because of its outlook on Mount Fuji, then continues west to Kobe, renowned as a culinary hotspot and a good base for visits to Kyoto. A day at sea is followed by the coral-fringed Okinawa archipelago before reaching Taiwan, stopping at Keelung, a gateway to Taipei. Sailing back to Japan, there are calls in at Kagoshima and Kochi before returning to Tokyo. The cruise takes place on the 606-guest Crystal Symphony which offers discerning travellers enriching experiences onshore and at sea, with almost one member of crew per guest. The ship is home to the first-ever Casino de Monte-Carlo at sea, part of an exclusive partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM). Wellness can be enjoyed at the Aurōra Spa, and spectacular entertainment comes courtesy of Broadway-standard shows. Then there’s the world-class dining, including Umi Uma – the only dining experience at sea by chef Nobu (Nobuyuki Matsuhisa) – and a specially curated Osteria d’Ovidio menu by three-time Michelin-starred Italian chef Massimiliano and celebrated restaurateur Raffaele Alajmo.
Departing 5 April 2026 with prices from £8,600 per person based on two sharing a Sapphire Ocean View Suite, rising to £19,100 per person for a Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite. www.crystalcruises.com
