The 10 Best Cruises to Book Right Now…Even If You’re a Skeptic
We took your biggest cruising complaints and found the perfect solution (aka ship!) for every single one.
Aqua Expeditions
Listen, I know what you’re thinking. Cruises? In 2023? It’s okay if you’re skeptical—we love critical thinking over here!—but believe me, cruising has come so far since the days of icky buffets, tiny cabins, and cheesy formal nights. Not only are they fun now, but they’re actually super frickin’ chic…if you find the right one.
Alas, not all cruise lines are made equally. That’s why I’m here. I took 10 of the biggest (now outdated) complaints about cruising (for example, that they’re for old people, or that the food sucks) and found 10 ships that are the perfect solve. There’s literally no reason why you shouldn’t get your aye, aye, captain on these days, and you’re gonna see why.
Read on for the 10 best cruises to book rtfn for your next vacay. Congrats on becoming a cruise person.
1. “THESE SHIPS ARE SO BIG AND CROWDED.”
Actually, Aqua Expeditions’ ships are small—like, 7 to 20 cabins total—and operate only in exciting remote locations, like the Galápagos Islands, where you can get off the boat daily to explore. Excursions are also complimentary, which is great, because who would want to miss swimming with whale sharks in Indonesia?!
Aqua Expeditions
2. “I DON’T HAVE 12 DAYS TO BLOW ON A BOAT.”
Duh, it’s 2023—we’ve all got shit to do. Princess Cruises offers quick trips that make the most of your valuable time. See: a gorgeous two-day weekend along the Pacific Northwest or a five-day cruise to Cabo on board the new Discovery Princess (which is stunning, trust).
Princess Cruises
3. “I’VE HEARD THE FOOD SUCKS.”
It doesn’t on Windstar Cruises. The line’s partnership with the James Beard Foundation (like the Academy behind the Oscars but for foodies) means that on certain sailings, top chefs hop aboard and then shop local markets, host cooking demos, and whip up mouthwatering dishes like coconut dashi clam chowder.
Windstar Cruises
4. “THE WI-FI IS SH*TTY.”
Virgin Voyages has bars, baby, and not just the drinking kind (although those too). The basic Wi-Fi actually works and is complimentary, so you can post fire ’grams from the middle of the ocean—and use the ship’s Sailor app to deliver champagne to you anywhere on board, anytime, by simply shaking your phone.
Virgin Voyages
5. “MY FRIENDS ALL HATE CRUISING, AND I CAN’T GO ALONE.”
Says who? Say YOLO and go solo (sorry) with Norwegian Cruise Line, the first to offer single-occupancy studios. Each voyage has a designated “solo traveler host” who organizes daily meetups. Of course, if you’d rather not be social, you can also order room service and veg after your 4.5-hour selfie tour in Santorini. Up to you.
Norwegian Cruise Line
6. “I WANT TO ACTUALLY BE IN THE CITY I’M VISITING.”
Then find a cruise line that often stays in port overnight, like Celebrity Cruises. That means you can catch sunsets and sunrises in pretty cities like Istanbul, Copenhagen, or Lisbon before popping back to your swanky stateroom.
Celebrity Cruises
7. “DON’T YOU HAVE TO PAY EXTRA FOR, LIKE, EVERYTHING?”
Um, not on Silversea Cruises. Perks start when your private driver (included) picks you up for your flight (also included). Make sure to mention your favorite drinks to your butler, so they can stock your minibar while you’re out on your daily excursion (you guessed it—all totally included).
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Silversea Cruises
8. “I JUST KNOW I’M GONNA GET BORED ON BOARD.”
Maybe with that attitude. But once-in-a-lifetime destinations will probably entertain even you. Adventure Life starts each of its air-cruise trips to Antarctica by flying you over the notorious Drake Passage to an expedition vessel bound for the seventh continent. There’s a bar, a gym, and a library on board, but you’ll be too busy waddling with the penguins to care.
Adventure Life
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9. “CRUISES ARE FOR OLD PEOPLE.”
First of all, respect your elders. Second of all, you’ve clearly never been on board a Star Clippers sailboat. These fancy pirate-esque ships sail into some of the chicest ports, so you’ll get to sip cocktails in Cannes or bask on the beach in Barbados…all with a very youthful group of sailors.
Star Clippers
10. “I’D RATHER STAY AT A BOUGIE HOTEL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.”
Fifty bucks says you forget you’re even on a boat after you see your spacious suite on one of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s superyachts, which are now sailing the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Caribbean. The only clue you’re at sea will be the view as you sip daiquiris from your private terrace.
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection