Translated by Bethszabee Garner
The ships rely not only on comfort and gastronomy but also offer dedicated destinations.
Expedition cruises around the world
Greenland and Alaska with the HX company
With a global team of 1,000 professionals, HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), the world’s leading expedition cruise company, has operated five modern ships since 1896.
Twelve itineraries in Greenland, lasting from 11 to 21 days between August 2025 and September 2026, allow travelers to discover fjords, mountains, glaciers, icebergs, giant crevasses, and endless ice fields, an infinite playground dear to the Inuit. In August 2026, a brand-new Greenland–Iceland–Spitsbergen itinerary will allow passengers to witness a total solar eclipse in eastern Greenland.
Aboard the Celebrity Xcel from Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises, the first cruise line to be recognized by the Forbes Travel Guide Star Award for excellence of its cruises, presents its 2025 program featuring a brand-new experience aboard the Celebrity Xcel: The Bazaar, designed to extend the experience of shore excursions. Each day, the three-deck space transforms to immerse guests in the visited destinations, with examples such as markets for local handicrafts, destination-inspired festivals, and culinary experiences.
The ship will be based in Fort Lauderdale and will offer 7-night itineraries to the Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, Saint Thomas, and Saint Martin. In summer 2026, it will spend the season in Europe with 7- to 11-night cruises departing from Barcelona or Athens. Among the new features, through 32 dining and bar experiences inspired by world flavors, there is Bora, an open-air restaurant perched on deck. After dinner, guests can continue the evening at a convivial piano bar or enjoy interactive shows at the club…Not to mention the signature event, "Shine the Night", to dance under the stars.
Heading to the Galápagos with the Celebrity Flora
Each 7, 10, 11, or 16-night itinerary promises an unforgettable experience while giving passengers the opportunity to contribute to the region's conservation and reforestation efforts through the "Rewilding Galapagos" project. Designed to sail through this pristine paradise, the Celebrity Flora is an intimate 100-passenger mega-yacht that places the Galapagos at the heart of every experience. In a refined setting, guests enjoy exceptional all-inclusive comfort, fine dining, and the award-winning service of Celebrity Cruises. Starting from €6,547.
www.celebritycruises.fr
Signature Cruises
Hurtigruten
A true specialist of the Far North and particularly of cruises that let you admire the northern lights, Hurtigruten has, since last year, offered a Premium line. Spring is the ideal time to discover the Norwegian fjords, while summer guarantees mild temperatures and long days under the midnight sun.
Two itineraries: the North Cape line (Bergen–Honningsvåg–Oslo: 6 departures in 2025) over 14 days and just as many stops: fjords, Lofoten Islands, and northern lights (from €3,354); and the same route from Oslo (8 departures), also with 14 stops including a full day to discover Oslo (from €3,561). The Spitzbergen line lasts 16 days with 14 stops and 9 departures (€4,826, including flight and French guide).
Meals and drinks included. You’ll board the MS Trollfjord, renovated in 2023, featuring its panoramic lounge, 1893 bar, three restaurants, sauna, and fitness room.
Aboard Exploris One
The company has begun its second Antarctic season with a series of exceptional voyages aboard its ship Exploris One.
On the program are destinations such as “Iceland, Land of Fire and Ice” (9 days, 8 nights aboard, from €5,140) departing Reykjavik, “Viking Routes of the Great North” (12 days, 11 nights, €6,900), “Inuit Villages and Disko Bay” (9 days, 8 nights, €7,360), “The Great Southern Loop” (19 days, 17 nights, from €11,750), and even the 2025 (and 2026!) New Year’s cruise “The Antarctic Peninsula, New Year’s Eve under the Polar Stars” (14 days, 12 nights, €10,240).
There are nine cabin categories, from “Superior” to the “Owner’s Suite” (67 m² including a large private terrace of 15 m², marble bathroom with bathtub and shower, panoramic bay windows, living room with sofa bed, etc.).
Luxury Cruises
They live up to their name, offering large and beautiful cabins, exceptional amenities, fine dining by renowned chefs, luxury boutiques and, of course, extraordinary destinations.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Embark aboard Ilma, a sumptuous new yacht (2024), departing from Barcelona on September 20 for 7 nights (from €9,200), from Rome for 6 nights on October 4 (€9,400), from Fort Lauderdale on November 7 for 7 nights (€6,500), or on November 26 for 5 nights (€4,700), from San Juan on December 12 for 6 nights (€5,600) or aboard Evrima or Luminara, enjoying absolute comfort, true luxury, remarkable gastronomy, a refined spa, exemplary service… and let’s meet on the sun deck!
Corinthian in 2026
A technological gem built by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the Orient Express Corinthian will be the largest sailing ship in the world: 220 meters long! With 4,500 m² of sails across its three tilting masts, it can reach 17 knots.
Designed by architect Maxime d’Angeac, artistic director of the Orient Express, the ship features an exceptional decor inspired by the golden age of the Orient Express and the spirit of innovation and comfort that made the brand legendary.
The ship includes 54 suites (from 45 m² to 230 m²!) with panoramic bay windows or private terraces. To satisfy every desire, the vessel offers five restaurants, each with its own strong personality.
Multi-starred chef Yannick Alléno, already present in the two dining cars of the Orient Express train, will oversee La Table, featuring menus inspired by the regions traveled. Eight bars, including a 1930s-style speakeasy, a 115-seat cabaret, a recording studio, a cinema, a spa, and a 16.6-meter swimming corridor complete the yacht’s world.
The Marina, located at the stern, will host dinners and nautical activities. The French will have the chance to see it early, as stops are planned in Monaco and Saint-Tropez after Portofino.
The Four Cunard Ships
The British luxury cruise line, one of the leading operators on the North Atlantic since 1840 and celebrating its 185th anniversary, is renowned for its experiences. It is even dedicated to the royal family since they no longer have their own yacht.
Currently, four ships are in operation: Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Anne, and Queen Victoria, sailing to destinations in Europe, the Caribbean, the Far East, and Australia.
Queen Elizabeth, fully renovated with its iconic spaces (the Commodore Club, Queens Room, Garden Lounge, and Pavilion), will be positioned in the Caribbean, offering itineraries of 9 to 28 nights: “Eastern Caribbean”, departing from Miami on October 16, 2025, for 12 nights with stops in San Juan, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Bridgetown (Barbados), Philipsburg (Saint Martin), Tortola (British Virgin Islands), and returning to Miami (from €1,445 per person). Departing from New York on November 26, another 12-night itinerary aboard Queen Mary 2 (from €1,990).
The company also offers around-the-world cruises, from 58 to 118 days, departing from various ports: Hamburg, Sydney, Southampton, New York, Los Angeles (from €8,390 to €15,050). Very “British” atmosphere. Don't forget your evening wear.
Explora III, a new reference for luxury sea travel
Explora Journeys, the new luxury brand of the MSC Group, introduces its new flagship, Explora III, which will set sail on its inaugural voyages in summer 2026. This ship, the first in the fleet powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), will feature 463 spacious suites (313 Ocean Suites, 109 Ocean Penthouses, 39 Ocean Residences, and 2 Owner’s Residences), along with award-winning dining and wellness experiences inspired by the ocean. During its inaugural season, it will take guests along the coasts of Northern Europe, Iceland, and Greenland.
Its signature restaurants (Anthology, Sakura, Fil Rouge, Med Yacht Club, Marble & Co. Grill, and Emporium Marketplace) will return, alongside new concepts. Ocean Wellness and Fitness, the ocean-inspired wellness concept, has been redesigned to provide a unified space and a state-of-the-art fitness center in partnership with Technogym.
Ponant, of course…
The Arctic, Antarctic, Europe, the Caribbean, North America, Southern Africa, the Indian Ocean, Asia, there is not a sea this renowned company doesn’t sail, offering comfort and luxury aboard its ships.
Embark in Dunedin aboard Le Soléal for 15 days and 14 nights starting December 29, 2025 (then January 2026, December 2026, and January 2027, from €11,340) to Antarctica: the subantarctic islands of New Zealand; from Ushuaia: 19 days, 18 nights (March 3, 2026, or March 10, 2027): trip to the Southern Lands and Valdés Peninsula (from €14,350); the same voyage is available aboard Le Boréal (March 5, 2026, or March 4, 2027, from €14,350). You can also embark aboard L’Austral for the same destination (November 5, 2025, or February 28, 2026, from €15,200).
As for The Great Southern Loop (November 11, 2025; January 25, November 17, or December 4, 2026), it will be aboard Le Lyrial departing from Ushuaia.
Silversea
Founded in 1994, the Silversea company may be young, but “noble souls mature quickly.” Committed to maintaining the highest standards of excellence, the company has carved out a new niche in luxury travel with smaller, custom-designed ships capable of accessing more exotic, less-visited ports.
With no assigned tables or set dining times, all passengers may dine where, when, and with whom they wish. Despite their “small” size, these ships offer a full range of services worthy of the grandest liners. Several new vessels have taken to the sea: Silver Origin, reserved for Galápagos expeditions and designed specifically for that destination, and Silver Moon and Silver Dawn from the Silver Evolution series, following the success of Silver Muse.
For example, the Silver Cloud was chosen for New Zealand and Australia (11 days, 10 nights, from €9,000), and the Silver Endeavour for Northern Europe, Scotland, Faroe Islands, Iceland (12 days, 11 nights, €11,000).
Mixed Cruises
Sometimes the ships are imposing, but the range of offers, cabins, and ports of call allows for “premium” experiences.
Aboard the Star Flyer, Star Clipper, and Royal Clipper
The sailing-cruise specialist for over thirty years, with its three legendary ships, announces its itineraries in the Caribbean and Costa Rica.
The Star Flyer, the four-masted vessel based in Saint Martin, the pearl of the Caribbean, will embark passengers from November 2026 to March 2027 for 7-night cruises alternating between two itineraries: “Windward Islands” and “Treasure Islands” (7 nights from €1,724 per person), departing from and returning to Saint Martin.
The Star Clipper, for its part, offers three cruises: a 10-night cruise from Aruba to Grenada (from €2,848), departing from Oranjestad to Aruba on January 27, 2027; a 7-night cruise from Grenada to Antigua on February 27, 2027 (from €1,980); or a 7-night cruise from Antigua to Antigua on March 13 (from €1,980). The Royal Clipper, the exceptional five-masted ship that was spotted in Monaco on the day of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, will welcome passengers from Bridgetown to Barbados from December 2026 to March 2027 for 7-night itineraries alternating weekly between the “Grenadine Islands” and the “Windward Islands”.
A 139-Day World Tour with Costa Cruises
The departure will be from different ports, starting on November 21, 2026 aboard the Costa Deliziosa, for a return on April 12, 2027, lasting 129 to 142 days (from €15,799 to €17,999) after crossing five continents, 29 countries and 47 destinations, with stops in the fascinating destinations of the planet.
You can also embark on shorter segments of 33, 63, 84, or 100 days depending on the chosen port (from €2,499). The ship, with its Murano glass furnishings and decorations, outdoor decks named after flowers, elegant cabins, romantic Sunset Bar for seaside aperitifs, and gourmet dining options, is an ode to comfort, relaxation, and entertainment (dance shows, concerts…).
Legend of the Seas for Royal Caribbean
After debuting during a summer season in Europe in 2026, departing from Barcelona and Rome with 7-night itineraries, the Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s third revolutionary LNG-powered ship featuring cutting-edge environmental technology, will be based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. From there, it will offer 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean itineraries, including stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas.
With its eight themed neighborhoods, more than forty bars and restaurants, and numerous attractions such as Crown’s Edge, a mix of suspended walkway and ropes course soaring nearly 50 meters above the ocean, plus its many relaxation and leisure spaces, Legend of the Seas offers every guest their own perfect cruise (from €1,952).
Article written by Bernard Van de Kerckhove, featured in issue 12 of OniriQ magazine.
