A luxury cruise offers a six-star experience at sea, combining world-class service, gourmet dining, spacious accommodations, and immersive itineraries. These cruises focus on quality over quantity — fewer guests, more attentive staff, and an emphasis on comfort, exclusivity, and personalised experiences.

Many luxury cruises are all-inclusive, covering fine dining, premium drinks, gratuities, and often shore excursions and Wi-Fi. Regent is fully all-inclusive, while Seabourn and Azamara include many extras. Oceania offers a more premium experience with the option to customise what’s included.

Luxury cruises typically favour elegant resort wear or smart casual dress codes. While formalwear is welcome, most lines have moved away from rigid dress codes. Expect relaxed refinement — think tailored trousers, summer dresses, or a jacket at dinner, depending on the venue and cruise line.

Prices vary depending on the cruise line, itinerary, and suite category. A luxury cruise can start around £2,000–£3,000 per person for a week, with ultra-luxury or world cruises commanding significantly higher prices. All-inclusive fares often deliver excellent value when factoring in what's included.

A six-star cruise often includes spacious suite accommodation, all meals, fine wines and spirits, gratuities, 24-hour room service, enrichment programmes, and sometimes shore excursions, flights, and Wi-Fi. Each cruise line varies slightly, so it’s worth checking what’s included in your fare.

Luxury cruises offer a more intimate, personalised, and upscale experience. Smaller ships allow access to exclusive ports, while the guest-to-crew ratio ensures attentive service. You’ll find gourmet dining, refined décor, fewer crowds, and a focus on relaxation and cultural enrichment over big-ship buzz.

Luxury cruises sail to some of the world’s most breathtaking and exclusive destinations. Explore the Greek Isles, Norwegian fjords, or the French Riviera in style, or head further afield to Asia, the South Pacific, or South America for a more adventurous voyage. Many itineraries feature lesser-known ports, overnight stays, and immersive cultural excursions — perfect for travellers seeking unique experiences beyond the usual tourist trail.

Absolutely. One of the biggest advantages of a luxury cruise is access to unique and lesser-visited destinations that mainstream cruise lines often can’t reach. Smaller, boutique ships are able to dock in exclusive ports, hidden harbours, and remote islands that larger ships simply can't navigate — no tender boats required. That means you could be sipping wine in a quiet Croatian village one day and exploring ancient temples in Southeast Asia the next, all without the crowds. Luxury cruise lines also offer more immersive itineraries, with overnight stays and extended port time, giving you deeper, more meaningful experiences in each destination.

For many travellers, yes. Luxury cruises provide exceptional value when you consider what's included — premium dining, drinks, service, and access to rare destinations. If you value comfort, cuisine, and curated experiences, a luxury cruise can be a truly unforgettable investment in travel.

For first-timers, Azamara and Oceania offer a great balance of luxury and approachability. Regent is ideal if you want a fully all-inclusive experience from the outset. Seabourn suits those who enjoy yacht-style intimacy and high-end service. It depends on your travel style and what matters most.