Luxury cruising
Holiday guide

Luxury cruising

While gigantic mega-ships make headlines,luxury cruising has been undergoing a quiet revolution in the background,with fabulous on-board dining,top-notch service and incredible itineraries taking passengers to some of the world’s greatest destinations in comfort and style.

Brought to you byOceania CruisesOceania Cruises

Scenic Eclipse II arrives in Sydney on Friday morning.

Bigger isn’t better:Why small ships offer the ultimate cruise trips

A small ship is a boutique hotel compared to the mega-ship’s resort;a private jet rather than an A380;a private tour compared to a coach tour.

  • byBrian Johnston
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The pool deck on board Oceania Riviera.

I desperately needed to de-stress. This ship helped me do it

It is possible to get away from it all,even while you have it all – and more – at your fingertips.

  • byJill Dupleix
Silver Ray’s unique asymmetrical design places the pool and lifts on one side.

I loved this ship so much,I booked again before I got off

After decades of family cruising with kids,my partner and I took a luxury cruise without them. It only took two days on board for us to lock in our next one.

  • byMonique Farmer
Matt Moran… at sea.

Meet the new wave of world-class chefs boarding cruise ships

Move over cruise buffets. Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth is leading the cruise dining renaissance with a voyage packed with Aussie culinary talent.

  • byBrian Johnston
The Grand Dining Room.
★★★★

This ship’s claim to offer the best dining at sea is no idle boast

Regatta doesn’t have the expensive finishes and furnishings of a luxury ship,but cleverly creates an indulgent air.

  • byBrian Johnston
The spot for sunlovers.

On board giant shipping line’s first foray into luxury cruising

Explora I feels like a spacious motor yacht rather than a ship,especially as the luxury is intimate rather than grand.

  • byLee Tulloch
The ship’s pool deck.

I can’t live like this:The cruise ship that ruined life on land for me

Returning to normal life is difficult after spending a week on board one of the world’s most luxurious ships.

  • byCraig Platt
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Bora Bora comes into view.

Sorry,cruise ship haters,I just want my holiday hassle-free and lazy

Pacific islands are glorious,but the logistics of travelling through them can be challenging,unless you’re on a cruise.

  • byBrian Johnston
A region with scope for a soaking – King George River falls.

Get drenched by WA’s most photographed falls in this extreme region

Falls are a headline attraction of True North’s voyage,and many of the numerous seasonal torrents that we’ll see will dry up in a matter of weeks.

  • byRob McFarland
Cafe Chebaane in Sidi Bou Said,Tunisia,overlooking the Mediterranean.

Med alert:How to beat the heat and crowds of Europe’s top hotspots

Travel to some of the Mediterranean’s most popular cities at this time and you might even find the locals welcome your arrival.

  • byAnthony Dennis
On the river in the cappuccino-coloured MS Estrela.

The Australian ship cruising one of Europe’s most spectacular waterways

The MS Estrela is a new ship for a new era of cruising,purpose-built to navigate the Douro River.

  • byKerry van der Jagt
Scenic Eclipse II arrives in Sydney on Friday morning.
★★★★★

Incredible luxury in remote locations? This ship delivers it

Scenic Eclipse II has the largest amount of space per passenger of any cruise ship,invoking a rich-friend’s-superyacht vibe.

  • byCarolyn Beasley
The popular Pool Deck offer sun and shade options.
★★★★★

No expense was spared in the creation of this ultra-luxury ship

Seven Seas Grandeur boasts a Faberge egg,three Picassos and the most expensive mattress at sea.

  • byKristie Kellahan
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Seabourn Encore in Sydney.

This is luxury cruising’s most relaxed,enjoyable ship

Many luxury ships are filled with rich people who keep to themselves and often look bored. Seabourn Encore is different.

  • byBrian Johnston
Postcard beauty:Hurtigruten Coastal Express between Bergen and Kirkenes.

This Arctic journey is a Viking (and foodie) fantasy

Cruising 2500 nautical miles along Norway’s ragged coastline enjoy port-to-plate gourmet local dishes along the way.

  • byAnabel Dean
Ushuaia – the southernmost city in Argentina.

Feel like you’ve seen it all? This cruise will change your mind

South America is an overlooked cruise destination,but nowhere gives you the chance to sail to more varied destinations.

  • byBrian Johnston
A Viking river cruiser at Les Andelys on the Seine – asking which river is best is like asking whether Brigitte Bardot or Catherine Deneuve is your favourite star of the silver screen.

If you can only do one French river cruise,do this

The three main French river destinations are all delightful,but if you’re only going to do one,which should you choose for a cruise?

  • byBrian Johnston