From superyachts charting new horizons and wellness-led voyages to landmark celebrations, cultural enrichment and the arrival of an eagerly anticipated new ship, discover the stories making waves across the luxury cruise world.
Following the launch of its newest yacht in July 2025, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is extending its reach to two strikingly different destinations. Both are ideally suited to its intimate style of exploration, revealing moments and places that larger vessels often leave undiscovered.
Cruise through Alaska’s tranquil fjords framed by towering glaciers and snow-capped peaks before stepping ashore to discover ancestral forest trails and coastal communities shaped by deep cultural traditions. Whether taking to the skies on a scenic helicopter flight above vast icefields or savouring ocean-to-table dining showcasing the region’s freshest seafood, each experience reveals a different side of Alaska’s remarkable wilderness.
In French Polynesia, the pace slows as emerald islands, hidden anchorages, pristine reefs and rich local traditions create a deeper connection with the South Pacific. Guests can paddleboard across the glass-like waters of Huahine’s lagoon, explore the vanilla-scented shores of Tahaa, take in panoramic views from Mo’orea’s dramatic Belvedere Lookout or seek out Raiatea’s rare tiare apetahi flower, before ending with a Tahitian punch as the sun sets behind Bora Bora’s majestic Mount Otemanu.
Yoga overlooking the ocean and meditation beneath a starlit sky set the tone for Crystal’s dedicated Wellness Voyages, carefully designed to leave guests feeling better than when they boarded. Led by experienced practitioners, therapists and nutrition experts, these immersive sailings help travellers restore balance while enjoying all the comforts of a luxury cruise.
From sound healing sessions and Japanese walking classes to nutritional consultations and mindfulness workshops, every element has been thoughtfully considered. Combined with Crystal’s renowned dining, exceptional service and enriching discoveries ashore, these wellness-focused voyages, complete with optional detox days, provide the perfect setting to return home feeling refreshed, restored and revitalised.
Few cruise lines can claim a legacy quite like Seabourn’s. To mark its 40th anniversary in 2028, the brand is launching the Ruby Collection, a series of special voyages that celebrates the pioneering ethos first set in motion with the Yachts of Seabourn in 1988. Designed to honour both the cruise line’s heritage and its future, the collection spans the globe, from marina-focused Mediterranean and Caribbean sailings to a World Cruise that pays homage to the line’s inaugural Panama Canal journey.
New itineraries, returning favourites and distinctive experiences, including expanded Denali adventures in Alaska and festival-inspired sailings in Asia, offer fresh ways to explore. Meanwhile, specialty events, themed celebrations and anniversary programming on board bring the Ruby Jubilee to life. From discovering intimate harbours beyond the reach of larger ships to joining landmark voyages created for this celebratory year, the collection showcases the yacht-like approach to exploration that has defined the brand for nearly four decades.
Travel and creativity have long gone hand in hand, and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ ART 2 SEA programme brings the two together through a series of immersive, art-focused voyages hosted by respected collectors, gallery owners and art experts. For 2027, the programme introduces two new sailings where inspiring destinations and contemporary art meet at sea.
From sacred landscapes and ancient wonders to dazzling modern skylines, ART 2 SEA between Japan and China explores the rich cultural connections between these extraordinary countries. Overnight stays in Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong offer time to experience these dynamic cities after dark, with highlights including the sacred island of Miyajima, Mount Fuji, the Great Wall of China and panoramic views from Shanghai’s Jin Mao Tower. Museum visits, studio tours, exhibitions and expert-led talks add context to the relationship between Japanese and Chinese contemporary art.
From the colourful villages of the Cinque Terre and the iconic landmarks of Pisa to the glamour of Portofino and the Côte d’Azur, the 12-day ART 2 SEA in the Mediterranean voyage uncovers some of the western Mediterranean’s most captivating coastal destinations. Time ashore takes in the beaches, harbours and hidden coves of Elba, the distinctive character of Menorca, Ibiza and Mallorca, and the region’s artistic heritage through visits to renowned galleries, museums and artists’ studios guided by Hamburg-based gallery owner Carola Persiehl.
Representing the brand’s first new ship class in more than a decade, the highly anticipated Seven Seas Prestige™ is set to debut this December on her 14-night maiden voyage across Europe and the Caribbean, ushering in a new era of elegance and innovation. Joining a fleet that has helped define the all-inclusive ultra-luxury cruise scene for over 30 years, Seven Seas Prestige™ is Regent’s roomiest ship yet, welcoming just 10% more guests than its existing vessels while offering an impressive 40% more space on board. All-balcony suites add to the sense of space, and with 11 dining experiences in total, guests have plenty to discover at leisure.
Among the standout features are the new Solara Sports Deck, a stylish open-air retreat for recreation and relaxation, and a collection of two-storey Skyview Suites with categories such as Aura, Luna and Sola. These exclusive suites blend spacious interiors with private upper-level outdoor areas, complete with jetted tubs and sweeping ocean views.
It’s been a decade since Regent Seven Seas Cruises launched a new class of ship, that’s a long time for the superstars of luxury cruising to have finessed and refined their aspirations for their brand-new vessel – Seven Seas Prestige.
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