Top 10 Luxury Cruise Lines
Ranked for 2026

Luxury cruising is not one thing. “Luxury” spans from premium lines where a drink package is a nice add-on, all the way to ultra-luxury ships where everything — including shore excursions, fine dining, and open bars — is included in the fare. Choosing the wrong tier is the most common and most expensive mistake luxury cruise shoppers make.

Craig has booked clients across all of these lines and watched the reviews come back. These rankings are based on what clients actually report when they return — not brochure promises.

The Quick Overview: Luxury Tiers

If you’re comparing a Celebrity balcony to a Silversea suite by base fare, you’re not comparing the same product. The ultra-luxury lines look expensive until you add up what you’d spend on excursions, drinks, and gratuities on a premium line. For many itineraries, the all-in cost difference is smaller than it looks.

The Rankings

#1 — Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best for: Travelers who want zero decision fatigue. Regent is the truest all-inclusive luxury line — flights, shore excursions, drinks, specialty restaurants, and gratuities are included in every fare. The ships are mid-size (around 700 guests), with some of the largest suites at sea. Itineraries lean heavily toward destination-focused voyages: Antarctica, Greenland, Southeast Asia, and Mediterranean deep-cuts that larger ships can’t access.

Craig’s take: The best choice for first-time luxury cruisers who don’t want to think about what anything costs once they board. The flight credit alone often covers $1,000+ per couple. If you hate being nickel-and-dimed, Regent eliminates that entirely.

Watch out for: The all-inclusive structure means you pay for things you might not use (open bar is included even if you’re not big drinkers). The included excursions are solid but not always the most adventurous options available independently.

#2 — Silversea Cruises

Best for: Expedition cruisers and itinerary-first travelers. Silversea does ultra-luxury better than almost anyone in remote destinations — Antarctica, the Arctic, Galapagos, Papua New Guinea. Their Expedition line uses purpose-built ships with Zodiacs for shore landings where no dock exists. The onboard product is excellent: butler service, suite-only accommodations, open bars, included excursions.

Craig’s take: If the destination is the point — and especially if that destination is somewhere genuinely hard to reach — Silversea is the top pick. The expedition experience is legitimate, not theatrical. Guests come back changed.

Watch out for: The regular ocean fleet is excellent but not quite at Regent’s consistency level for included excursions. Expedition sailings book 18–24 months out for peak seasons.

#3 — Viking Ocean Cruises

Best for: Culturally curious adults who want a no-children, no-casino, no-production-show experience. Viking is uniquely positioned: mid-price luxury with a strong cultural focus, excellent itineraries, and a genuinely adult atmosphere. Every Viking Ocean voyage includes a port excursion at each stop, wi-fi, and a beer/wine/soft drinks package with meals. Ships are identical in layout (700 guests), which means the product is consistent across the fleet.

Craig’s take: The best value in the luxury tier. Clients who try Viking rarely go back to mainstream lines. The cultural programming onboard (lectures, music, regional cuisine) makes the sea days feel like part of the trip rather than downtime between ports.

Watch out for: No children under 18 — not a bug for their target audience, but worth knowing. Pricing looks close to premium but the inclusions make it genuinely competitive with the luxury tier.

#4 — Oceania Cruises

Best for: Food-focused travelers and anyone who cares deeply about dining quality. Oceania has the best cuisine at sea, period. The partnership with the Culinary Institute of America shows in the food quality, and the specialty restaurants (Jacques, Red Ginger, Polo Grill) are genuinely excellent. Ships are mid-size (1,200 guests), itineraries are destination-rich, and the atmosphere is sophisticated without being stuffy.

Craig’s take: If eating well is a priority, Oceania is the answer regardless of budget tier. The base fare is in the luxury range, but drink packages and excursions are extra. The “Simply More” package adds shore excursion credits and drink packages for a cleaner all-in experience.

Watch out for: Not truly all-inclusive at the base fare level — the add-on packages are necessary to get the full experience. The ships are older than some competitors but recently refurbished.

#5 — Seabourn Cruise Line

Best for: Ultra-luxury travelers who want small ships and intimate service. Seabourn carries around 600 guests, offers butler service in all suites, and has partnered with the Michelin-starred Chef Thomas Keller for onboard dining. The Seabourn Venture and Pursuit are purpose-built expedition ships for polar and remote voyages. All-inclusive: open bars, specialty dining, gratuities, complimentary excursions at certain itineraries.

Craig’s take: The Thomas Keller partnership is real — the food quality is noticeably better than other lines at this tier. Seabourn clients tend to be experienced luxury travelers who want fewer guests and more staff attention. The staff-to-guest ratio is exceptional.

Watch out for: Not every itinerary includes excursions. Check carefully what’s included on your specific voyage before comparing price to Regent.

#6 — Azamara

Best for: Destination immersion travelers who want to stay longer in each port. Azamara’s signature is overnights in port — staying in Santorini or Dubrovnik while the mega-ships leave at 5pm. Mid-size ships (around 700 guests), AzAmazing Evenings (one included private shore event per voyage), and a semi-inclusive model (drinks with meals, self-service laundry, gratuities included in most fares).

Craig’s take: A genuinely differentiated product. If the reason you cruise is to experience destinations rather than the ship, and you hate being herded off at 4pm, Azamara solves that problem. Particularly strong in the Mediterranean and Asia.

Watch out for: The fleet is small and older. The overall ship experience isn’t as polished as Viking or Oceania, but the destination experience compensates.

#7 — Crystal Cruises

Best for: Travelers who want a classic, formal luxury ocean experience. Crystal relaunched in 2023 under new ownership after its 2022 bankruptcy — the product has returned with the same all-inclusive approach (excursions, drinks, gratuities, specialty dining) on mid-size ships. The refurbished ships are in excellent condition. Formal nights are more common here than on most competitors.

Craig’s take: Worth watching since the relaunch. Early reports from returning Crystal clients are positive — the product quality is back. The brand reputation took a hit from the bankruptcy, which means pricing is currently more competitive than you’d expect for the included value. A good moment to try Crystal if you were curious before.

Watch out for: The bankruptcy is recent history — some clients are understandably cautious. Book with travel insurance and consider the track record as you evaluate.

#8 — Windstar Cruises

Best for: Travelers who want small-ship access and a sailing-yacht aesthetic. Windstar operates a mix of motor yachts and actual sailing ships (wind-powered, with engines as backup). The ships are tiny — 150 to 300 guests — which means access to ports and anchorages no other cruise line can reach. The vibe is casual luxury rather than formal. Strong in the Caribbean, Greek Islands, and Tahiti.

Craig’s take: The Star Collector itineraries (back-to-back voyages with no repeat ports) are among the best in the industry for the Greek Islands and Mediterranean. If you want to feel like you’re on a private yacht without chartering one, Windstar is the answer.

Watch out for: Small ships mean limited onboard amenities — no casino, no production shows, small fitness center. That’s by design, but it’s not for everyone.

#9 — Celebrity Cruises (Premium Tier)

Best for: Travelers who want a premium experience at a more accessible price point, with the option to add luxury amenities. The Celebrity Edge-class ships are genuinely beautiful — the design, the Magic Carpet (an outdoor venue that moves between decks), and the suite experience on the retreat deck rival true luxury lines in feel. The “Always Included” package (drinks, tips, wi-fi) brings the all-in cost closer to the luxury tier than the base fare suggests.

Craig’s take: For clients who want luxury aesthetics without committing to a full luxury fare, Celebrity — particularly in a suite on an Edge-class ship — is a genuine step up from mass-market cruise lines. A great entry point for clients considering their first luxury sailing.

Watch out for: Still a larger ship (2,900 guests) with corresponding crowds at ports and onboard peak hours. Luxury suites book fast; availability is often limited 6+ months out.

#10 — Holland America Line (Premium Tier)

Best for: Experienced cruisers who value itinerary over entertainment, with a more traditional at-sea experience. Holland America’s Pinnacle-class ships are handsome, itineraries lean long and exotic (world cruises, Alaska, South America, Asia), and the food quality is consistently above the mass-market average. The Have It All package bundles drinks, excursions, specialty dining, and wi-fi.

Craig’s take: Not flashy, but deeply reliable. Holland America clients tend to be repeat cruisers who know exactly what they’re getting. The Alaska product in particular is excellent — longer itineraries with Glacier Bay access that shorter cruises can’t offer. Quieter demographic than most major lines.

Watch out for: The entertainment product is dated and the ships skew older in demographic. If energy and nightlife matter, look elsewhere.

At-a-Glance Comparison

How to Choose Your Line