While the idea of going on a cruise conjures up a cliched image, cruise ships exist on a spectrum – and the experience depends entirely on where you enter it, from cheap-and-cheerful floating cities with organised fun, waterslides and all-you-can-eat buffets, to rarefied super luxury experiences with Michelin dining and designer bathrobes.
Cruising routes cover almost every navigable corner of the globe, from ocean crossings to serene river cruises. You can cruise for a few days, close to home, or take to the high seas on a world tour for months on end, should your budget and free time allow. Cruising offers ease and efficiency, unpacking of luggage just the once, and the ability to take in multiple destinations without the stress of airports along the way. There really is a cruise for everyone.
A river runs through it
River cruising is a smoother voyage for those wanting to avoid seasickness. Small boat voyages are like the chic European cousin of the big, bold American ocean liners.
“River cruising is growing rapidly,” says Niamh Foran, brand and communications specialist with the Travel Department, “and we have seen growth here. For 2025 we grew 34 per cent on passenger numbers and 50 per cent on revenue. Our popular river cruise destinations are Danube, Rhine and Douro, with the Rhone and Seine continuing to attract new customers too.”
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River cruises offer a slower pace, while still ticking off those bucket list attractions along the way. “Take our Danube cruise for example,” says Foran. “You can relax on board and enjoy the entertainment, dining and company, while disembarking in the beautiful and historic cities of Budapest, Vienna and Passau, to name a few. Our customers enjoy the relaxed nature of the cruises while having all the details taken care of.”
Travel Department’s cruise prices include flights and transfers from the airport to the cruise dock. “All you need is your suitcase and your sense of adventure,” says Foran.
The floating resort
Is bigger better? It depends on what you’re looking for. Royal Caribbean International currently holds the record for the largest cruise liners on the seas. The Icon of the Seas is the largest by gross tonnage and capacity of up to 7,600 passengers at full capacity, served by a crew of 2,350. Its impressively enormous sister ship, Star of the Seas, joined the roster in 2025, boasting the largest waterpark at sea, featuring six waterslides, seven pools and 10 whirlpools. The cruise operator even has its own private island, CocoCay in the Bahamas, for the exclusive use of its guests on stop-offs, where there are miles of white sand beaches, complimentary dining in a choice of restaurants and optional extras such as an adults-only beach, a 1,600-foot-long zip line course and balloon rides.
For families, a floating city with endless entertainment options including waterparks and Broadway-quality musicals gives kids the freedom to explore activities within the confines of the ship, and peace of mind to parents.
Premium cruises
At the other end of the spectrum, you won’t find karaoke or all-you-can-eat buffets on premium cruises. If you’re wishing for a five-star hotel at sea, then your dream can come true. In fact, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fulfils the brief exactly. Every suite (of which there are only 149 to 226, depending on the ship) has an ocean-view terrace, and each of its yachts features an innovative marina with direct access to the sea for water sports.
Its inaugural Alaskan itineraries, aboard the Luminara, debut in May 2026, marking the fleet’s first-ever voyages in the region. “Our new Alaska itineraries offer a new and unparalleled way to explore the remarkable region by sea, combining access to secluded destinations and remote wonders with the comfort of ultra-luxury accommodations and personalised service,” says Jim Murren, executive chairman and chief executive of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “The intimate size of Luminara allows us to visit smaller, less-travelled ports, providing our guests with a more immersive way to experience Alaska’s natural beauty and wildlife.”
Reservations are also open for summer 2027, with a host of new European itineraries, including curated shore experiences that offer the ultimate in insider access and cultural depth. Imagine a sunset sail away from Zadar, past the famed sea organ that turns the crashing waves to music, or a sky-to-cellar helicopter journey soaring above Majorca’s Serra de Tramuntana before landing for a wine tasting at an organic gravity-flow winery – the stuff that travel dreams are made of.
Expedition cruising
Been there, done that? An expedition cruise to Antarctica, the Arctic or Galápagos Islands is the ultimate bucket-list item. For adventurers, National Geographic expedition cruises, operated by Lindblad Expeditions, explore the remotest and untouched corners of the planet, from Antarctica to Alaska.
Smithsonian Journeys (smithsonianjourneys.org), allied to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, is another choice cruise option for the intellectually curious. For a sample: how about seeing Komodo dragons in their natural habitat before heading around the Spice Islands of Indonesia and snorkelling the reefs of the Coral Triangle, all accompanied by renowned academics and subject matter experts? Recommended reading lists are provided to brush up on the history and culture of your destination.
Smithsonian Journeys cruises make use of Ponant Explorations vessels. The French small ship cruise line specialises in cultural cruising, and prides itself on the very best of cuisine and stylish interiors. An upcoming Ponant cruise – A World Affairs Voyage from Copenhagen to London – in September 2026 will feature lectures and discussions on-board with two leading experts on international affairs, including former Nato Supreme Allied Commander, Admiral James Stavridis, exploring how the northwest corner of Europe the journey traverses, is an apt destination for reflection on what history can teach us about issues of international security. Shore visits are similarly themed to stimulate the mind – sustainability-focused excursion options include exploring wind power at the North Sea Offshore experience or a visit to Agrotopia, a state-of-the-art urban farm in the town of Roeselare in Belgium.
Music cruises
If that all sounds like too much hard work, how about letting your hair down at a floating music festival? A cosy cabin certainly beats the muck and rain of a campsite. Music cruises cater to all tastes, from country to EDM. Yes, even wee Daniel will be doing a turn on the All Star Irish Charter Cruise around the Med from September 5th to 12th, 2026 (gertrudebyrnepromotions.com).
The EuroMillions winner
If I won the EuroMillions, I wouldn’t tell anyone – but there would be signs. This might be one of them: the 2026 Crystal Cruises 107-night world cruise, which departed from Los Angeles on January 11th. Stopping off at 55 destinations across 19 countries, it’s the ultimate luxury cruise.
“Our approach to itinerary planning is rooted in a balance of cultural connection, natural beauty and unhurried discovery,” says Mario Parodi, vice-president of itinerary planning and port and fuel operations for Crystal.
Cosseted in luxury, from bed linens by luxury Italian linen-maker Jesurum Venezia 1870, to Ortigia soaps and shower gels in the bathrooms, and plush Etro bathrobes, I could happily wallow just in my cabin, but with a Nobu on board, and shore excursions such as “Tai Chai, Dim Sum and Tea” in Hong Kong, or a day trip to the Elephanta Caves followed by a meal at the iconic Khyber restaurant in Mumbai, I think I might be tempted beyond just that. I’m buying my Lotto tickets and manifesting hard for the 2027 sailing.
Cruising, done properly, is less about surrendering independence than outsourcing logistics. For travellers who value comfort and a relaxed pace of travel, the right ship can offer a compelling way to see the world. Whether you want the lap of luxury, intellectual insights, or a really massive waterslide, there’s a cruise for you.
