Oceania Cruises has announced its 2027 Around the World Cruise. The 180-night voyage will take place aboard one of the line’s newest ships Vista, visiting over 100 ports in 46 countries.

Setting sail from Miami on January 6, 2027, the 1,200-guest Vista will spend six months sailing to cultural and wonders across the globe. Guests will have the opportunity to choose from over 150 UNESCO World Heritage sites to visit during the voyage.

The adventure will start with a transit of the Panama Canal, then island-hop through the Pacific from Hawaii to Fiji. Then, guests will arrive to Australia before spending two months in Asia. After exploring the modern cities of the Arabian Peninsula, Vista will cruise the Mediterranean before concluding the voyage in London.

Two additional itineraries are also available: a 244-day Epic Global Adventure from Miami to New York City — Oceania’s longest world cruise option ever — or the shorter 127-day Continental Explorer cruise from Miami to Doha.

“Our Around the World cruise is an incredible way to explore the world in style, elegance, and comfort, and we’re thrilled to offer this immersive journey in 2027 aboard Vista,” said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer, Oceania Cruises. “Spanning six months at sea, this extraordinary voyage offers the rare opportunity to circumnavigate the globe while seamlessly connecting diverse continents, rich cultures, and authentic cuisines, creating an unforgettable experience for our guests.”

Oceania’s 2027 Around the World sailing starts at $76,199 per person. It includes the exclusive Prestige Package with amenities including:

• Access to exclusive shoreside events
• A free visa package
• Free luggage delivery
• The choice of unlimited beer, wine, and spirits or a generous shore excursion credit

These are in addition to the line’s standard inclusions: all specialty dining, room service, wifi, and daily gratuities.

Bookings for the 2027 Around the World cruise are now open.

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Oceania Cruises is detailing its Canada, New England, and Iceland voyages this summer, which will take place aboard its 1,250-guest Marina and 670-guest Insignia.

Marina was the first ship custom-built for Oceania Cruises, designed with a focus on dining venues and culinary experiences. It was the first vessel to feature a hands-on cooking school, and also includes four gourmet specialty restaurants that are included in the cruise fare. There’s also Oceania’s newest restaurant, Aquamar Kitchen, which is a wellness-inspired venue open for breakfast and lunch.

Those seeking a more intimate voyage can set sail on Insignia, which allows travelers to visit smaller ports of call such as Eskifjördur, Iceland.

Itineraries in Canada, New England, and Iceland this summer range from 11 to 19 days, with hundreds of small-group shore excursions to choose from.

2025 Season Highlights

Several 2025 Oceania Cruises sailings feature exclusive insider tips from Condé Nast Traveler editors who have handpicked their favorite ports on select 2025 and 2026 itineraries — sharing their invaluable insider knowledge on what to see, eat, and experience.

Marina

Scottish & Nordic Voyager — June 30 – July 11, 11 days from London to Reykjavik: Discover the stunning fjords of Iceland on this 11-day cruise. Conde Nast Traveler Exclusive Editor’s Tips include recommendations for places to enjoy a traditional Svele pancake at the top of Mount Aksla, accompanied by stunning views across the city center and surrounding fjord.

Vikings & Bon Vivants — July 11 – July 27, 16 days from Reykjavik to Montreal: Explore Iceland’s charming fishing villages, experience the lively local communities, and marvel at the thundering waterfalls and glaciers in the valleys of Narsaq, Greenland, home to diverse Arctic wildlife. Conde Nast Traveler Exclusive Editor’s Tips insist that guests visit Önundarfjörður Pier on the way to Dynjandi, and look out for the fabled supernatural beings rumored to live in each of the seven falls.

Far North Explorer — July 27 – August 12, 16 days from Montreal to Reykjavik: Indulge in the delightful allure of Quebec and Atlantic Canada’s celebrated villages before reveling in bucket-list visits to remote, colorful fishing villages such as the Inuit Paamiut in Greenland and puffin-dotted cliffs in spectacular Iceland.

Northern Vistas — August 12 – August 24, 12 days from Reykjavik to London: Experience an eye-opening journey among the beguiling islands of Northern Europe, from Iceland’s spectacular glacier-carved landscapes and the vividly green meadows of the Faroe and Orkney Islands to the British Isles’ warmth and hospitality.

Insignia

Subarctic Scenes — August 6 – August 25, 19 days from New York to Reykjavik: Guests begin their adventure in marvelous Atlantic Canada, where postcard-ready fishing villages invite exploration. Discover the spectacular glacial wonders of Greenland and Iceland, lands divided by magnificent fjords and hewn by colossal waterfalls.

“We’re thrilled to offer our guests the opportunity to explore some of the world’s most stunning and less-visited destinations,” said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises. “Our thoughtfully curated itineraries provide access to hidden gems, giving travelers the rare chance to discover locales they never imagined. It’s a true privilege for our staff and crew to see the joy these unique voyages bring, especially when guests experience the unmatched beauty of these destinations aboard our intimate, luxurious ships.”

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Oceania Cruises has expanded its range of immersive food-focused shore excursions with 12 new tours for 2025.

The new chef-led excursions are available in Amsterdam, Belfast, Invergordon, Valencia, and Valletta in Europe; Kobe, Kochi, Shimizu, and Busan in Asia; and Halifax, Quebec City, and Victoria in Canada.

The new additions mean Oceania Cruises now offers a total of 46 Culinary Discovery Tours, available on its four larger ships Marina, Riviera, Vista, and Allura, the later of which debuts this July.

Each Culinary Discovery Tour is limited to just 18 guests and is led by Oceania’s team of expert Chef Instructors. They go beyond traditional sightseeing, providing access to local markets, acclaimed restaurants, and hands-on cooking classes — both onboard and ashore.

New Culinary Discovery Tour Highlights

Kobe: New Chef-Led Culinary Journey Through Kobe (6 hours):

Discover how traditional Japanese kitchen knives are masterfully crafted and watch chefs use these precision tools to expertly prepare dinner. Artisans forge the knives in different shapes and sizes depending on their specialized uses. For instance, a santoku blade is considered an ideal general-purpose knife while the sujihiki may be the best for slicing meats such as beef. Following this immersion into knife-making, dine at Teppan Grill Keyaki, an 18th-floor restaurant that overlooks medieval Osaka Castle.

Busan: Chef-Led Busan Markets Tour (4 hours):

To prepare traditional Korean dishes during the onboard cooking class, the Chef Instructor will lead guests through two local markets to forage for ingredients. First stop is the legendary Jagalchi Fish Market. Widely heralded as “the ultimate place to see seafood,” this sprawling waterfront market is the largest of its kind in Korea. As travelers browse the seemingly endless stalls, they can expect to find every imaginable marine creature, including live eels, sea squirts, and skates, which are similar to stingrays. Using a “seafood treasure map,” guests will identify and check off these unique local specimens. After touring the seafood market, stop in at the Gukje Market, known for its international selection of gourmet ingredients before returning to the ship to create authentic Korean dishes.

Belfast: Chef-Led Tour of Coastal Flavors of County Down (4.5 hours):

Join local chef Paul Cunningham – a competitor on the BBC cooking series “Great British Menu” – along the shore to learn about locally sourced ingredients while sampling mussels and oysters and dining on a bowl of his seafood chowder at a nearby restaurant. A pint of Guinness or another stout will be perfectly paired to complement the meal. Afterwards, pause for photos at the atmospheric ruins of Dundrum Castle, a landmark since the 13th century.

Halifax: Chef-Led Tour Cider & Chowder: Authentic Nova Scotia (3 hours):

Learn about the “chowder trail” and artesian cider trends that define the modern culinary scene in Nova Scotia. Guests will leave the ship and meet a local foodie guide for the first stop at the taproom of an artisanal cider maker where they will be served a flight of four vastly different hard ciders. These may be seasonal pours, year-round favorites, or mixed into cocktails such as the Apple Spice, a concoction of spiced cider, ginger kombucha, and cinnamon liqueur. Other possibilities include a non-alcoholic cranberry cider and a watermelon cider mimosa. A short walk will bring guests to a famed local restaurant, a “fixture” in the trendy Dartmouth neighborhood, where they can watch the chefs preparing various dishes from their reserved seating area.

Invergordon: Chef-Led Foraging & Onboard Scottish Cooking Class (4 hours):

Shop in Invergordon for ingredients traditionally found in a classic Scottish chowder and learn to prepare it in a hands-on cooking class onboard. The soup Cullen Skink is named for the nearby village of Cullen and skink, a term for the beef from the front legs of a cow. While shopping for haddock and other items at George Cockburn & Son, guests will sample the butcher’s award-winning haggis, another classic Scottish dish. Select the vegetables for the soup at Black Isle, an organic brewery that also grows organic produce, before meeting back onboard and learning to prepare the soup.

Valletta: Chef-Led Tour Artisanal Malta Treasure (3 hours):

This carefully curated, small-group experience introduces Oceania Cruises guests to Maltese cuisine while sampling artisanal foods in a stunning grotto that was transformed into a restaurant decades ago. A short but scenic drive inland brings travelers to Rabat, where they will first visit a bakery that has been in the same family for generations. While showing how traditional Maltese breads are made, the baker will invite guests to help prepare a loaf and sample another bread straight from the oven.

Indulge in more local specialties in the Grotto Tavern, which occupies a cave once used as a bomb shelter in World War II. In this unusual setting, guests will watch the chef prepare pastizzi – a flaky pastry stuffed with ricotta cheese or curried peas – and then enjoy samples. As an accompaniment, local cheeses such as gbejna and a special tomato paste to slather on bread will be offered. Maltese wines that may include a ruby-red melqart will also be served.

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Oceania Cruises has announced that its signature French restaurant, Jacques, will be aboard its newest ship launching in July, Allura.

Named after renowned chef Jacques Pépin, Oceania’s first-ever Executive Culinary Director, the sophisticated venue is already a crowd favorite with guests sailing on Marina and Riviera.

In addition, Jacques will make its debut aboard Allura‘s sister ship Vista in October 2025. The line’s restaurants also include Polo Grill steakhouse, Italian restaurant Toscana, and pan-Asian Red Ginger — all found aboard all four of the line’s 1,200+ guest ships.

“Jacques is our culinary patriarch, having been a member of the culinary team since day one,” said Frank A. Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises. “His creativity and expertise form the very heart of our philosophy, The Finest Cuisine at Sea, which drives everything we do. Bringing this fabulous restaurant to Allura as she launches this summer, and to Vista later in the year, means the world to me, and the entire Oceania Cruises family.”

Oceania Cruises’ two Executive Culinary Directors and Master Chefs of France, Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale, will be working with Chef Pépin to bring new flavors to the menu, as well as honing the well-loved dishes that have been on the menu since Jacques was first introduced to the fleet when Marina was launched.

Oceania Cruises’ most-loved dishes from Jacques aboard Marina and Riviera will remain on the menu, alongside a selection of new options. These include duck with a Grand Marnier-infused orange sauce and a veal medallion with a morel sauce, in addition to new vegetarian dishes. For those with a sweet tooth, classic French desserts Crêpes Suzette and profiteroles will join other delicious choices on the dessert trolley.

Guests can look forward to more experiential dining in Jacques through the introduction of tableside service for a range of new dishes, including beef tartare. This, plus new crockery, glassware, and silverware will reinforce the importance of “l’art de la table,” augmenting the authentic Parisian bistro experience.

“I am so excited to be writing the next chapter of Jacques with my friends and colleagues, Chefs Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale,” said Chef Pépin. “This is the perfect opportunity to experiment with some delicious new dishes and to explore unique ways to serve some of the classics that our guests have come to know and love. We have lots of exciting plans for this latest iteration of Jacques. I cannot wait to share them.”

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With the excitement of a new year comes anticipation of brand-new cruise ships. As with most other years, there’s a slew of exciting new vessels coming in 2025. These include Celebrity’s final Edge-class ship Celebrity Xcel, Disney’s first purpose-built vessel for Asia, Royal Caribbean’s second Icon-class ship, and more. To help with your vacation planning, here are our picks for the 11 most exciting new cruise ships debuting in 2025.

11 New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2025

Allura

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line / ship class: Oceania Cruises / Allura Class
Size: 67,000 gross tons / 1,200 guests

Allura is the second ship in Oceania Cruises’ Allura class, following the debut of Vista in 2023. Part of a culinary-focused cruise line, Allura will feature many of the same restaurants as Vista. These include Ember serving reimagined American classics, Terrace Cafe, the new Crêperie, and Aquamar Kitchen — which features a menu of healthier options. The vessel will also house an expansive Culinary Center, which will include the new Chef’s Studio where onboard chef instructors will share their expertise.

All 612 of the staterooms on Allura will feature balconies, including six brand-new Concierge Level Solo Veranda staterooms. A variety of suite categories will also be available on the ship, as well as both Veranda and French Veranda cabins.

Other features of Allura include the Artist Loft where guests can take art classes, the Aquamar Spa with a spa sundeck, the Vitality fitness center with complimentary exercise classes, and multiple bars and lounges.

Allura is scheduled to sail in the Mediterranean for her inaugural season. The ship will then head to the Caribbean for the winter 2025-2026 season.

Brilliant Lady

Scheduled debut date: September 2025
Line: Virgin Voyages
Size: 110,000 gross tons / 2,770 guests

The fourth ship in the Virgin Voyages fleet, Brilliant Lady has been patiently waiting for her debut since delivery earlier this year. While most aspects of Brilliant Lady will be similar to her predecessors, some will be different. Notably, she is the first Virgin ship built to be able to transit the Panama Canal. This is due to her width ( the ‘beam’ in maritime terms) and ability to move the lifeboats inward during transit. She will also be the first Virgin Voyages ship to sail in Alaska.

The ship will feature the cabins that guests have come to know and love, including interior (Insider), oceanview (Sea View), and balcony (Sea Terrace) staterooms that feature a hammock. However, new to Brilliant Lady will be a new Sea Terrace category that features two hammocks on the balcony. The suite categories RockStar Quarters and Mega RockStar Quarters will also be available.

Specific details on how similar (or different) dining on board Brilliant Lady will be compared to her sister ships has not yet been announced. The line has said that concepts from its Eat and Drink Festival will be found on board, which included an Asian Night Market and a cocktail treasure hunt across several bars on board. Otherwise, it’s safe to assume that the ship will feature the same restaurants including Razzle Dazzle, Gunbae Korean BBQ, The Galley fast-casual fare, The Wake steakhouse, and more.

Virgin Voyages has also said that it will be introducing new music, comedy, and entertainment options aboard Brilliant Lady. Other features of the vessel will include The Dock aft sundeck and bar complete with daybeds, as well as the adjacent indoor Dock House with comfy seating and a laid-back atmosphere. Virgin’s iconic Scarlet Night and Pajama Party will also be found on Brilliant Lady. Additionally, guests can enoy The Manor nightclub, Redemption Spa, and The Red Room — a transformational entertainment venue.

Brilliant Lady will debut in NYC, offering Canada/New England and Bermuda voyages before homeporting in Miami to operate Caribbean cruises through the winter. In spring 2026, the ship will sail to Mexico and California from Los Angeles before heading up to Seattle to offer Alaska cruises through the summer.

Celebrity Xcel

Scheduled debut date: November 2025
Line / ship class: Celebrity Cruises / Edge Class
Size: 141,420 gross tons / 3,260 guests

Celebrity Xcel will be the fifth and final ship in Celebrity’s Edge class. It will feature many of the same venues and experiences as the other Edge-class ships, with some slight changes. One such change will be a larger Rooftop Garden, including an expansion over the side of the ship. The Grand Plaza (atrium) has been redesigned to let in more natural light as well. Celebrity has also hinted that there will be more entertainment options and parties on Xcel.

Favorite spots on board will include the multi-level aft Sunset Bar, the Magic Carpet cantilevered platform, a spa with SEA Thermal Suite, and The Retreat ship-within-a-ship complex. Like the two latest Edge-class ships (Beyond and Ascent), it will feature a fine dining restaurant by Chef Daniel Boulud, in addition to all the other favorites. The plant and light-filled multi-purpose venue Eden, complete with a bar, restaurant, and lounge, will also be found on Xcel.

When she sets sail, Celebrity Xcel will cruise from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.

Disney Adventure

Scheduled debut date: 2025 (month TBA)
Line / ship class: Disney Cruise Line / Global Class
Size: 208,000 gross tons / ~ 6,000 guests

Another one of the new cruise ships debuting in 2025, Disney Adventure will be the first mega ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. It’s also the line’s first purpose-built ship for the Asian market. The vessel will feature Disney Imagination Garden, a central open-air garden complete with Disney character topiaries, interior-facing balcony cabins, an Avengers-themed stage show, and a three-story storybook castle art piece. The space will also include two casual restaurants: Mowgli’s Eatery serving Indian cuisine and Gramma Tala’s Kitchen, offering up dishes inspired by the flavors of the Pacific and Asia.

The ship will also feature Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, and Wayfinder Bay where guests can shop, dine, and be entertained in areas inspired by their favorite Disney characters. Not to mention, there’s Marvel Landing with all-new super hero experiences and Toy Story Place with interactive play areas.

Disney Adventure will sail from Singapore, offering three and four-night cruises to nowhere. These voyages will spend the entire cruise at sea with no ports. As part of this collaboration between Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board, the ship will sail from Marina Bay Cruise Center for at least five years.

Disney Destiny

Scheduled debut date: November 2025
Line / ship class: Disney Cruise Line / Wish Class
Size: 144,000 gross tons / ~ 2,508 guests

Following the launch of Disney Treasure in late 2024, Disney Destiny will be the third vessel in the Triton class along with Disney Wish. These three new DCL ships will bring the total Disney Cruise Line fleet up to 8 vesels. The theme for many spaces on the ship will be heroes and villains, including classic Disney heroes and villains as well as characters from the Marvel Universe. It will feature a Black Panther-inspired Grand Hall (atrium) as well as an all-new lounge inspired by Doctor Strange.

Staterooms on the ship will include the exclusive Destiny Tower Suite — a one-of-a-kind accommodation in the funnel themed to Iron Man. Disney Destiny will also offer Hero Suites inspired by Hercules as well as Incredibles-themed IncrediSuites. Other staterooms will be similar to what Disney guests are used to, with most featuring Disney’s signature split-bathroom concept.

The three rotational main dining rooms on Destiny will feature two returning venues: Worlds of Marvel and 1923. The third restaurant will be the line’s first Lion King-themed dining room, Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King. As guests eat, they’ll enjoy a musical journey through the movie’s soundtrack. Disney Destiny’s confectionery will be themed to Edna Mode from Incredibles, and the ship will also feature two cafes inspired by Megara from Hercules and Merida from Brave.

Other features will include a Haunted Mansion bar and a Pirates of the Caribbean themed bar. The ship’s two upscale specialty restaurants will be Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté. The AquaMouse water attraction will be on board with a brand-new villains-themed storyline, and an immersive Oceaneer Club for kids with themes including Marvel Super Heroes, Star Wars, Disney Princesses, and more.

Disney Destiny will sail from Fort Lauderdale, offering an inaugural season of four and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and western Caribbean.

A Bit More on Disney Treasure

While technically launching in December 2024, most guests likely won’t get the chance to sail on Disney Treasure until 2025. This second ship in the Triton class is themed for adventure and exploration. Disney Treasure will tell stories of adventure not only from classic Disney movies but (for the first time ever) also from widely popular theme park attractions.

Disney Treasure showcases Captain Hook and Peter Pan at the stern. Aladdin and Jasmine on a magic carpet adorn the Grand Hall. The three main dining rooms will include Worlds of Marvel with a second show “Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix”, the all-new Plaza de Coco, and 1923. The Haunted Mansion Parlor will replace Hyperspace Lounge and the Skipper Society lounge themed after the Jungle Cruise attraction will replace The Bayou. This ship will also debut a brand-new Moana-inspired show called The Tale of Moana.

Disney Treasure will sail 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean out of Port Canaveral.

Luminara

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Size: 46,750 gross tons / 452 guests

Luminara will be the third vessel in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fleet, following Evrima and Ilma. Design for the all-suite, all-balcony cabins has been inspired by a private yacht. It will feature five restaurants, six bars, a wine vault, and The Ritz-Carlton Spa. An expanded marina will provide guests direct access to the sea.

Among the upper-suite categories will be new accommodations called The Residential Suites. They feature a separate living and dining area, a double vanity bathroom with soaking tub and separate shower, and a walk-in closet. Other suite categories on the ship include the Terrace Suites (the lowest category with its own seating area), the Signature Suites with a small separate living and dining area and a soaking tub, and the large Concierge Suites with a separate living and dining area, double vanity bathroom with soaking tub, and a balcony with al fresco dining area, outdoor shower, and hot tub.

Luminara will spend summer 2025 operating mostly seven-night cruises in the Mediterranean. The ship will spend winter 2025-2026 sailing in Asia.

MSC World America

Scheduled debut date: April 2025
Line / ship class: MSC Cruises / World Class
Size: 215,863 gross tons / 5,200 guests

MSC World America will be the second World-class ship for MSC Cruises, following MSC World Europa. Like its name implies, MSC World America will homeport in the U.S., sailing seven-day cruises from Miami to the eastern and western Caribbean. This class of ships is a completey new design for the cruise line.

The mega ship will feature seven districts, including Family Aventura featuring The Harbour outdoor park with a ropes course, an 11-story slide, and a new swinging attraction called the Cliffhanger. Other districts are Aqua Deck with the ship’s two main pools and The Terraces featuring nine restaurants and bars and a comedy club, among others.

MSC World America will also feature a massive MSC Yacht Club. This luxurious ship-within-a-ship is dedicated to guests in Yacht Club accommodations and includes its own sundeck, lounge, and restaurant.

Restaurant and bar highlights on MSC World America will include The Gin Project, Italian restaurant Eataly, Paxos Greek restaurant, Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki, Emporium coffee bar, Hola! Tacos and Cantina, and the Jean-Phillipe Chocolate Shop and Café.

Accommodation options on MSC World America will be extensive, including the standard interior, oceanview, and balcony cabins; a number of non-Yacht Club suite categories (including one with a hot tub); and Yacht Club accommodations ranging from interiors to Owner’s Suites.

Norwegian Aqua

Scheduled debut date: April 2025
Line / ship class: Norwegian Cruise Line / Prima Plus Class
Size: 156,300 gross tons / 3,571 guests

Norwegian Aqua, the third in NCL’s Prima class, will be 10 percent larger than her predecessors — Norwegian Prima and Viva — and feature some slight differences. Notably, this ship will not feature a go-kart racetrack. Instead, it will include a new thrill ride, the Aqua Slidecoaster. This part hybrid roller coaster and waterslide wraps around the funnel and can reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

Aqua will also include the line’s first Thai restaurant, Sukhothai (which is replacing Food Republic from the sister ships). The vessel’s adults-only sundeck Vibe Beach Club, the main pool deck, and the Ocean Boulevard waterfront promenade will be much larger and offer even more outdoor space. The teppanyaki restaurant, Hasuki, and the Metropolitan cocktail bar are also enlarged, the latter of which will now feature a grand piano and entertainment space.

Other highlights of Norwegian Aqua will include The Drop dry slide, an expanded Stadium, and a new Glow Court. Additional dining options include the Indulge Food Hall with its various stations offering a variety of cuisine as well as favorites like Cagney’s and Le Bistro. The ship will also feature Syd Norman’s Pour House, Improv at Sea (with a larger space), and a new production show themed to Prince and his music.

Norwegian Aqua will also feature The Haven, a luxury ship-within-a-ship complex. Alongside the same suite categories on other ships in the NCL fleet, The Haven will also include a brand-new three-bedroom duplex suite. Also on the ship are NCL’s famous studio staterooms for solo travelers, complete with an exclusive lounge.

When she sets sail, Norwegian Aqua will offer 7-day itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida. From August through October of 2025, the ship will position to New York for 5- and 7-day voyages to Bermuda. Then, she will sail Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami through April 2026.

Star of the Seas

Scheduled debut date: August 2025
Line / ship class: Royal Caribbean International / Icon Class
Size: 250,800 gross tons / 5,610 guests

Royal Caribbean is continuing its Icon class with the debut of Star of the Seas. This ship will now be the largest cruise ship in the world upon its debut. Like Icon of the Seas, the vessel will feature eight neighborhoods. It will feature many of the same venues and amenities including Category 6 waterpark, Crown’s Edge thrill ride, Absolute Zero ice skating rink, the AquaDome with indoor AquaTheater, and The Hideaway adults-only deck with suspended infinity pool. Star will also feature the family-friendly Surfside neighborhood complete with The Lemon Post family bar and the plant-filled Central Park area.

Unlike Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas won’t feature a New York City-themed supper club. Instead, the Chicago-themed Lincoln Park Supper Club will replace the Empire Supper Club. Other returning dining spots will include Chops Grille, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, AquaDome Market food hall, and the casual Basecamp.

Further, the ship will have a huge variety of staterooms, including the Surfside Family Suites with a separate room for the kids. Both traditional and infinite balcony cabins will also be available. The massive three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse is complete with an in-suite slide and “backyard” with direct access to the Surfside neighborhood.

While there haven’t been any entertainment announcements yet, the Back to the Future Musical is rumored to be the new signature show.

Star of the Seas will offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Star Princess

Scheduled debut date: October 2025
Line / ship class: Princess Cruises / Sphere Class
Size: 178,000 gross tons / 4,300 guests

The second ship in Princess’ Sphere class, Star Princess will offer many of the same features aboard Sun Princess. It will include The Dome, a glass-paneled venue that serves as both a solarium and entertainment space. The ship’s piazza will also feature a glass spherical shape that is visible from the outside of the ship. What Princess calls the “most technically advanced theater at sea,” the Arena, will also be on Star Princess.

Restaurants found on board will include The Butcher’s Block steakhouse, Umai Teppanyaki, Makato Ocean, and returning favorites like Crown Grill and Sabatini’s. Spellbound by Magic Castle — a part-dining, part-entertainment experience is also part of the entertainment lineup on Star Princess.

Suites on the ship will include the new Cabana Mini-Suites with private cabanas for the first time in the Princess fleet, Sky Suites which feature two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a separate seating area, and more. All suites are part of the Sanctuary Collection, which includes access to an exclusive restaurant, lounge, and sundeck with pool. Other accommodations include multiple balcony categories — including one with access to The Sanctuary amenities — plus standard oceanview and interior cabins.

Star Princess will offer two Mediterranean voyages in October 2025 before setting sail for Fort Lauderdale. From Florida, the ship will operate seven and 14-night Caribbean voyages through the winter. It will then reposition to Seattle for a 2026 summer season of sailings to Alaska.

Viking Vesta

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line / ship class: Viking / Ocean ship
Size: 54,300 gross tons / 998 guests

Viking Vesta is a continuation of Viking’s now-large fleet of ocean ships. Though, it will be a bit larger than the others that are currently sailing. For reference, Viking’s current ocean ships are just under 48,000 gross tons and carry 930 guests each. Despite the slightly larger size, Viking Vesta will still be nearly identical to the other vessels on the guest-facing side. The larger size is to accommodate new hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Features will include The Nordic Spa with thermal suite and Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant. Also on board are the Torshavn bar and music lounge and World Cafe buffet. The outdoor Aquavit Terrace features al fresco dining and an aft infinity pool. The light-filled Wintergarden near the main pool is the venue for daily afternoon tea. The cozy Explorer’s Lounge features floor-to-ceiling windows, and Mamsen’s serves waffles and split pea soup. Viking Vesta also includes a sports deck.

Like all Viking ocean ships, Viking Vesta will offer a nearly all-inclusive cruise experience. Besides accommodations, all dining and non-alcoholic beverages like water and specialty coffee are part of the cruise fare. Other drink inclusions are beer, wine, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. A shore excursion in each port of call, basic WiFi, access to the thermal suite, and room service are also complimentary.

Viking Vesta will sail in the Mediterranean, offering a variety of mostly seven to 21-day voyages. She will sail from various homeports including Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Piraeus (Athens).

Note: Passenger capacity figures are based on double occupancy.

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Do you have plans to sail on any of these new cruise ships debuting in 2025? Which of these ships are you most excited to check out? Drop us an anchor below to share your cruise plans for the new year.

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I often get the question, “Which cruise line is the absolute best?” and I have to immediately follow it with, “For who?”. With so many cruise lines available to book, it might seem like we’re simply comparing anchors to anchors, but almost every cruise line at sea excels in different aspects of the cruise experience.

For example, the best cruise for a young couple and their kids will not be the same as the best sailing for a couple’s retreat or a vacation for retirees with a penchant for adventure travel.

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Take a look at your travel group, your destination, and your personal preferences. If your palate doesn’t extend beyond chicken parm, maybe don’t worry about finding a ship with an established culinary program. Likewise, nightlife might not matter much to you if you’re an early bird always on the first available excursion.

We’ve chosen some key cruising superlatives and weighed in on which cruise lines shine in each category. While it’s not a comprehensive list, it should point you in the right direction when choosing the best cruise line — for you and only you.

Which Cruise Line is the Best?

Best Cruise Line for Budget Travelers

Our pick: MSC Cruises

Runner-up: Carnival Cruise Line

Honorable Mention: Margaritaville at Sea

Carnival has long been associated with wallet-friendly pricing, and it still is one of the best value cruise lines out there. However, MSC Cruises has blazed onto the scene with consistently cheap deals that make it hard to resist booking that budget cruise vacation. Five of the European cruise line’s mega ships now depart from the U.S., and weeklong Caribbean vacations are on average $100 per person, per night or less. Consider too the fleet is relatively young, with most of the stateside ships debuting within the past few years. MSC World America will sail from Miami when it debuts in 2025.

MSC has ships deployed worldwide, from its home in the Med to South America, Dubai and the Red Sea. This allows for competitive pricing, like a weeklong Western Mediterranean sailing from $65 per person, per night.

Among the cheapest cruise lines, we’d be remiss not to mention Margaritaville at Sea (formerly Bahamas Paradise), which runs short sailings to and from West Palm Beach. The two-ship company is currently one of the absolute lowest fares out there, with feel-good two-night sprints to Grand Bahama Island for less than $200 (total for two people).

Best Cruise Line for Luxury Travelers

Our pick: Silversea Cruises

Runner-up: Seabourn Cruise Line

Butlers, suites and caviar, oh my! When credit card statements are less of a concern, turn to ultra-luxury cruise lines Silversea and Seabourn, which both offer stellar itineraries, fine dining and intuitive service in plush and swanky surrounds. Both cruise lines offer an all-inclusive product, which touches on everything from premium wines and spirits to laundry and included gratuities. Book either line if you don’t want to have to lift a finger during the entirety of your voyage.

While both cruise lines offer a wide range of itineraries and even expedition-style offerings, Silversea has such a substantial footprint, including a ship dedicated to the Galapagos, that it edges out the competition. Special events on world cruises are an unmatched effort of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and the Silversea fleet is about double the size of Seabourn’s seven ships.

Best Cruise Line for Adventurous Travelers

Our pick: Lindblad-National Geographic

Runner-up: HX Hurtigruten Expeditions

Crave more than the standard-issue walking tour? Expedition cruise lines answer the call of the wild with journeys that bring you into the heart of nature. Staffed with experts and naturalists, these companies bring guests up close to wildlife with hikes, Zodiac cruises, and kayaking.

Lindblad not only offers the far-flung and lesser-traveled destinations associated with expedition — like the Arctic or the Amazon — but even more offbeat voyages that extend into Scotland, Japan and the Pacific Northwest. In addition to experienced expedition staff, Lindblad also features a National Geographic photography expert onboard and its newest ships are sleek and engineered for ice.

There are so many standout cruise lines infusing adventure into their offerings, so we also must shoutout Norway-based cruise line Hurtigruten, which has expanded rapidly into North America. Hurtigruten is constantly pushing the boundaries of introducing new ports and sustainable practices. It also features Arctic excursions under the midnight sun or northern lights, as well as a cruise through West Africa.

Best Cruise Line for Families

Our pick: Disney Cruise Line

Runner-up: Carnival Cruise Line

In one of the toughest and most competitive cruise categories of them all, “family” cruise lines abound. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and MSC also offer an absolutely mind-boggling amount to do with your kin, plus very solid kids clubs and partnerships like LEGO (MSC). However, the two cruise lines that always seem to have family at the very forefront are Disney and Carnival.

It’s hard to argue with a name like Disney when it comes to creating family vacation magic. From its thoughtfully outfitted cruise rooms to first-run films, state-of-the-art live productions of Disney favorites like “Frozen” and themed dining, the diversions never end. Its world-class kids clubs range from babies to teens and incorporate touches of Star Wars and Marvel in the mix, which is enough to make the adults jealous. Luckily, an adults-only array of bars and lounges cater to caretakers once the kids are in bed.

Carnival holds its own with its Seuss at Sea partnership, dedicated Family Harbor cabins and crowd-pleasing entertainment including “Hasbro, the Game Show.”

Best Cruise Line for Adults

Our pick: Viking Cruises

Runner-up: Virgin Voyages

Sometimes you just need a break from tiny humans, and you don’t want to be judged for it. While many cruise lines feature adults-only spaces such as lounges or sun decks, very few limit their passenger base to the over-18 crowd. Luckily, if that’s just what you’re looking for, there are options.

Look to the Vs for adult-only sailings, offered by both Viking and Virgin. Viking offers a comfortable, Scandinavian aesthetic onboard with high-quality cuisine (its buffet is one of the best at sea) and a chic thermal suite that is open to all. High marks also go to service and enrichment onboard a Viking cruise, which lacks a casino, though its guests don’t seem to mind.

If you are looking to get away from your beloved children and let looser, Virgin invites a fun-for-all atmosphere with tons of (included) restaurants, fitness classes, and edgy entertainment options. Plus, a private beach club on Bimini in the Bahamas is a port day experience clearly designed by Branson himself.

Best Cruise Line for Couples

Our pick: Celebrity Cruises

Runner-up: Princess Cruises

Thoughtful, contemporary décor sets the tone for what feels like an upscale resort onboard any of Celebrity’s ships. It’s this atmosphere, with engaging art, flying martini flights, and alfresco terraces where couples can canoodle. Spend the day in the stunning spa or thermal suite; eat your way through the ship or soak up the sun hand in hand. Celebrity offers both relaxing retreats and engaging performances to keep lovers occupied, especially on its ultra-modern Edge Class.

Couples of all ages can find some romance on the original Love Boats, which Princess continues to proudly advertise. Booked in a balcony room? Splurge on a full, course-by-course breakfast before beginning the day with your sweetheart. Later, be sure to attend the wine and chocolate pairing or surprise them with one of Princess’ many romance packages for an extra flourish of amor.

Best Cruise Line for Solo Travelers

Our pick: Norwegian Cruise Line

Runner-up: Virgin Voyages

Cruising alone is by no means lonely. Travelers taking to the seas solo can appreciate the considerate amenities of cruise lines who organize meetups or even dedicated lounges for singles. Norwegian Cruise Line made a statement about solo cruisers with the introduction of its studio cabin complex, featuring moderately priced rooms for one that also have access to a lounge where solo cruisers can meet up with others traveling independently. Studios can now be found across at least eight of Norwegian’s ships.

Another cruise line now supporting the solo cruiser is Virgin, which has waived the pesky solo supplements, or additional fee for being just one to a room. Though relatively new to the industry, Virgin is courting solo travelers with a whopping 46 single cabins onboard each ship, with six lucky guests snagging forward-facing ocean views. Virgin’s inclusive and welcoming atmosphere breaks the ice a bit better than most cruise lines when it comes to making new sailing friends.

Best Cruise Line for Entertainment

Our pick: Royal Caribbean

Runner-up: Norwegian Cruise Line

There are many times you’re likely to say “wow” on a Royal Caribbean ship, whether it’s at professional ice-skating flips, aquatic high-diving twists, or a roaming piano player who might fit those keys inside an elevator. Remember, this is all while you’re at sea! The variety and caliber of Royal Caribbean’s onboard talent is vast, but there is plenty more to do other than the shows, parades, and live music. You can also book an escape room, play laser tag, climb a rock wall, try surfing or fly down the top-deck waterslides, just to name a few.

Norwegian is hot on the tail of Royal Caribbean when it comes to on-deck attractions, from an impressive waterpark and ropes course to its scenic speedway go-kart track. However, when it comes to the stage, Norwegian has an absolute knack for landing Broadway- and West End-worthy talent…straight from the theaters of Broadway and the West End. These productions, ranging from “Jersey Boys” to “Beetlejuice,” bring all the pizzazz of the world’s best stages to cruise ship audiences — entirely free of charge.

Best Cruise Line for Enrichment

Our pick: Cunard Line

Runner-up: Holland America Line

If the thought of learning something on vacation attracts rather than repels you, consider these cruise lines for their guest lectures, their library collections and onboard facilities like Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 planetarium or Holland America’s Explorations Central (EXC) zones.

Cunard is a historic cruise company, with a legacy of onboard enrichment that stretches back for decades. Theme cruises — referred to by Cunard as “event voyages” — delve into topics more deeply, including insight from actual veterans as far back as WWII on their “Greatest Generation” sailings; the musical talents of a national symphony orchestra; or festivals at sea from food and wine to literature. Ballroom dancing classes, language lessons, and the dedicated Cunard Insights enrichment program all round out the academic offerings and are available on just about every sailing.

Holland America Line has updated its shelves with modern libraries as well as trending enrichment like free pickleball instruction. A partnership with BBC Earth results in a spectacular live orchestral performance set to footage of nature called “Earth in Concert.”

Best Cruise Line for Foodies

Our pick: Oceania Cruises

Runner-up: Silversea Cruises

Be sure to stretch your stomach before boarding an Oceania cruise, where the culinary arts have long been a focus and remain a top priority across the fleet. Dishes are continually being refined in every dining venue, including the Grand Dining Room, with recent additions like poke bowls in Waves Grill or an expanded Sunday Brunch as part of the line’s OceaniaNEXT improvements. Jacques Pepin is the cruise line’s longtime executive culinary advisor, and his onboard venues are a testament to French gastronomic excellence.

Beyond meals, Oceania guests can take part in culinary-themed excursions or book a cooking class at the Culinary Center. Mixology is included in this high-standard F&B mix, with the latest techniques — including zero-proof cocktails — incorporated into onboard bar menus.

Silversea is a luxury cruise line with a cornucopia of quality dining options, but its S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program takes the epicurean experience and turns it up to 11. Stretching from onboard kitchens, dining rooms and a themed bar to immersive shore tours, S.A.L.T. is a finely tuned culinary program that draws most of its inspiration from your itinerary and local products and customs. The full experience is currently available on select ships, including Silver Moon, Silver Dawn and Silver Nova.

Best Cruise Line for Nightlife

Our pick: Virgin Voyages

Runner-up: Carnival Cruise Line

No sleep till debarkation! Everyone has their own cruise style, and nothing is wrong with active days and relaxing evenings. However, for some, being able to dance past dawn and hit the town (er, decks) is all part of being on holiday. If that’s the plan, we recommend Virgin Voyages, who excel at tripping the light fantastic for their guests.

A Scarlet themed night with festival-style pop-up acts complements a nightly roster of stage performances including sexy takes on classic scripts, cabaret-style shows, a thumping nightclub and plenty of cool bars to hop from. It’s a ship that stays up, even if you are winding down, with a 24/7 diner and pizza shop and leisurely brunch options for the Morning After.

Carnival has long been known as a fleet of party ships, and while that reputation has faded over the years with more family offerings and longer sailings, the Fun Ships still know how to boogie down. Carnival makes it easy for anyone to have a good time with an incredible drink from Alchemy Bar or a home-brewed beer from the Key West-inspired RedFrog Pub, complete with live music.

Piano bars, sports bars and pool bars all have different vibes and promise to keep the good times rolling for as long as you can roll. Adult-only comedy shows and other after-hours entertainment add to the many reasons you should make every effort to enjoy Carnival’s nightlife.

Best Cruise Line for the Caribbean

Our pick: Royal Caribbean

Runner-up: Windstar Cruises

With cruising and the Caribbean going hand in hand, it’s hard to pick just one cruise line who excels there. But with “Caribbean” in the name, it’s hard to argue with Royal Caribbean and its fleet of almost 30 ships, including the world’s largest. Offering various ship classes, sizes and price points, Royal overwhelms with its Caribbean options. Sail short, weekend cruises from Port Canaveral or 11-night Southern Caribbean voyages from Cape Liberty, NJ.

Pair idyllic Caribbean ports like St. Maarten with Bermuda, or opt for a Bahamas cruise, which includes private island Perfect Day at CocoCay. Plus, homeports include Baltimore, New Orleans, Galveston and Jersey in addition to the various ports of Florida.

Taking a totally different tack, Windstar’s yachts and sailing ships offer an intimate way to visit the Caribbean. Unlike the bustling touristic areas where mega-ships dock, Windstar’s small vessels can anchor in tucked-away harbors on lesser-visited islands. It’s a completely different and revelatory way to see the many islands of the Caribbean beyond the marquee ports.

Best Cruise Line for Alaska

Our pick: Princess Cruises, Holland America (tie)

Runner-up: UnCruise Adventures

The Great State of Alaska — it’s another cruise destination frequented by many but mastered by the following lines. For a comprehensive, ocean cruising experience through the Last Frontier, you can’t go wrong with either Princess or Holland America.

Both cruise lines offer incredible lodges and land programs (with the Alaska Railroad) for extended Alaska cruise tours; both dedicate a multitude of ships to the region each season, with varying itineraries; and both offer cohesive onboard programming that highlights the cuisine, culture, and incredible wildlife of Alaska. If you’re looking for a difference, Holland America ventures up into the Yukon. For families, we recommend the North to Alaska programming from Princess.

If choosing between those two Alaska cruise heavyweights isn’t enough, we introduce a third option, and that is a small-ship expedition sailing that is a world apart from mainstream cruising. UnCruise is partially based in Juneau, with authentic ties to the state. Extensions in Juneau or to Denali are possible, but it’s all about the unique sailing and exploration opportunities onboard, which include dates typically outside the average cruise season.

Active pursuits like hiking and kayaking are all included, plus all meals and gear. Want to truly get away from it all? UnCruise does not offer onboard Wi-Fi, allowing you and your loved ones to be present in this magnificent destination.

Best Cruise Line for the Mediterranean

Our pick: Azamara Cruises

Runner-up: Viking Cruises

Rounding out the top cruise destinations, the Med is on the bucket list of nearly every traveler — and for good reason. Encompassing some of the world’s most popular vacation plans, you’ll find Italy, Greece, France, Spain and other European delights throughout the Mediterranean, drenched in stunning scenery and even better food and wine.

Serving this all up on a silver platter is Azamara, who is our pick for their immersive, country-intensive itinerary options. Rather than simply offering a sampler of one piece of the Med, home in on one country, spending 10 or 11 days in Italy or island-hopping Greece. The line’s AzAmazing evenings in port along with their signature all-white deck party add flair to any itinerary.

Another wonderful pick for the Med is Viking, whose ultra-comfortable ships ply a wide range of sailings here, from Istanbul to Athens and Barcelona to Venice, as well as Rome to Lisbon or a voyage with extended time in Malta, Morocco and Spain. Onboard, gorgeous outdoor spaces like the Aquavit Terrace and infinity pool are the perfect place to watch the sunset with a spritz. Italian dining doesn’t get much better than Manfredi’s.      

Best Cruise Line for Hawaii

Our pick: UnCruise Adventures

Runner-up: Norwegian Cruise Line

Perhaps a controversial pick, but if you’re looking for the ultimate Hawaiian experience on a cruise ship, consider expedition company UnCruise. Once again, we are nominating them for their intimate, onboard experience and the innate flexibility to sail where the weather and the waves are just right for a dip off the watersports platform.

Flagged in the U.S, UnCruise is one of the very few cruise lines approved to sail solely within Hawaii, embarking guests in Molokai and leaving them in Kona. Special experiences include night snorkeling with Pacific rays and plenty of time interacting with locals at events like a pa’ina feast and jam session.

Another option suited to larger groups and families is Norwegian’s Pride of America, the only other cruise ship approved to sail the Hawaiian Islands without a long stretch of sea days. Sail round trip on a weeklong cruise right from Waikiki in Honolulu, which makes pre- or post-cruise stays on the Big Island a breeze. Visit three other islands including Maui, Hawaii and Kauai, with pre-arranged land extensions as an option through Norwegian.

Best Cruise Line Private Island

Our pick: Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity)

Runner-up: Castaway Cay (Disney)

Honorable Mention: Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (MSC Cruises)

A land-based extension of some cruise lines is their carefully crafted private island experiences. Many of these islands are located in the Bahamas (including every mention here). The difference of where you might call depends on which cruise line or company you are sailing (for example, Celebrity is owned by the same parent company as Royal Caribbean and will join Royal’s calls at Perfect Day).

What we love most about the appropriately named Perfect Day at CocoCay is that it has been finely tuned to provide the ideal vacation day for nearly every passenger on any budget. Spend nothing more than time by the turquoise shores on a beach lounger or splurge on the impressive Thrill waterpark.

The island is aptly divided into “thrills” and “chills” directing guests to a poolside oasis or a 135-foot drop from Daredevil’s Peak. As with nearly any cruise line private island your onboard drink and Wi-Fi packages extend to shore.

Another immaculately crafted island experience comes from none other than Disney and its Castaway Cay with its always family-friendly attention to detail. Enjoy gentle swimming coves, bike rentals, plenty of grub and maybe even an appearance from your favorite characters — in their swim trunks.

High marks go to relatively new private island Ocean Cay, from MSC Cruises, which has focused a lot on rehabilitation of the island and its surrounding coral and marine life. Fun in the sun is still the focus, with great swimming spots, bars with a view and even fish-shaped ice cream cones. A differentiator? By night, stick around for a traditional Junkanoo parade followed by a laser lights show and dance party.

Comments

Which cruise line is the best in your opinion? Do you stay loyal to one brand or sail with multiple cruise lines? Drop us an anchor below to share your favorite cruise lines.

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Oceania Marina is part of the Oceania Class of ships in the Oceania Cruises’ fleet. This premium cruise ship offers a variety of dining options. The best part is that most of the dining on Oceania Cruises is complimentary. If you have an upcoming cruise with this brand, this guide is for you. We have all of the Oceania Cruises restaurant menus in this detailed look at all the food on Oceania Marina.

Oceania Cruises Restaurant Guide with Menus

Casual Dining

Baristas

The cruise ship’s coffee shop, Baristas, is on deck 14 aft. Your cruise fare includes all the espresso-based drinks at this location. In addition, during the morning and afternoon, the venue features snacks that are also complimentary.

The self-service stations offer small breakfast pastries, continental items, fruit, and toast. In the afternoons, you can find cookies, small pastries, and a few finger sandwiches. It is a great spot to grab a quite bite before or after your shore excursion.

Drink Menus

Terrace Cafe

Deck 12 is home to most of the casual dining on the ship. All the way aft is the Terrace Café. This is the cruise ship buffet. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the buffet offers a variety of hot and cold selections.

For breakfast, the venue was open most days from 7 am to 10 am. Here, the traditional fare includes a custom omelet station along with options like pancakes, French toast, and a variety of breakfast pastries. There are also cereals, plenty of fruit, and other lighter fare.

In our opinion, lunch options were a bit underwhelming though. Also, it was open only for a few hours, usually from 12 pm to 2 pm each day. For lunch, there was often a carving station and an additional station serving selections like pasta.

A custom grill serves made-to-order hamburgers, fish, and chicken as well. Further, there is a small salad bar and some premade items.

Dinner offered many of the same starters and entrees served in the main dining room. Similarly, the dinner hours at the Terrace Café are from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

During dinner hours, the grill sears up more premium options like steak, shrimp, and more. There are similar stations for dinner with a salad bar, a selection of appetizers, and often a wok station with custom stir-fry or pasta options.

Drink Menu | Lunch Menus | Dinner Menus

CRUISE DEALS: The Lowest Fares on Your Next Oceania Cruise!

Waves Grill

On our 10-night Northern Realms cruise on Oceania Marina, our go-to spot for lunch was the Waves Grill. The venue was open most days from 11:30 am to 4 pm.

Featuring signature hamburgers, sandwiches, and paninis, this outdoor eatery is conveniently located near the pool. It also has a small salad bar, as well as some delicious steak fries. Here, guests order with staff and the food is delivered to your table when it is ready.

During our cruise, the Waves Grill also offered a small breakfast buffet. Most mornings, it was open from 7 am to 11 am.

Adjacent to Waves Grill is the smoothie shop and ice cream parlor. Again, all the selections here are complimentary.

In the morning, you can get a variety of healthy bowls and smoothies. While in the afternoon, delicious homemade ice cream from Humphry Slocombe is on the menu.

Breakfast | All-Day Dining Menu | Ice Cream

Main Dining Room

Oceania Cruises offers a very traditional main dining room experience. The Grand Dining Room on deck 6 is open every day for breakfast and dinner. It is open seating, meaning guests are sat on a first come, first serve basis.

Breakfast options include entrees like banana pancakes and French toast, along with signature omelets including the keto omelet and the Spanish omelet. There is also a wide selection of standard breakfast fare.

Breakfast hours are from 7:30 am to 9 am most days. Each evening, the Grand Dining room is open for dinner from 6:30 pm to 9 pm.

At night, the Grand Dining Room serves a rotational menu. This menu features a variety of alternating appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, and desserts. In addition, there are standards that remain on the menu each evening.

Every night, you will find starters like chilled shrimp, lobster bisque, and Caesar salad. The Jacques Pepin signature entrees each evening consist of salmon, sirloin, and roasted chicken.

For dessert, cruisers can choose from various ice cream, a cheese plate, and the soufflé of the day.

Rotational selections include a globally inspired menu. From starters like foie gras, a Maryland-style crab cake, and beef carpaccio, cruisers have a variety of starters from which to choose. Various soups and salads also are available each evening as well.

Select cuts and chops of beef, poultry and pork, pasta, and seafood were among the entrees every night. Some of our favorites were the osso bucco, butter roasted lobster, and the truffle mac and cheese.

Breakfast | Wine List | Digestifs | Dinner 1 | Dinner 2 | Dinner 3 | Dinner 4 | Dinner 5 | Dinner 6 | Dinner 7 | Dinner 8 | Dinner 9 | Dinner 10

BOOKING BONUS: Exclusive Perks When You Book Your Next Oceania Cruise Now!

Signature Restaurants

Polo Grill

Located on Deck 14, Polo Grill is Oceania Cruises American-style steakhouse.

Like most of the signature restaurants on Oceania Cruises, Polo Grill is included in your cruise fare; though, reservations are required for this venue. Polo Grill is open from 6:30 pm to 9 pm each night of the cruise.

Of course, the popular menu selections include the signature cuts of beef, as well as seafood dishes and other chops.

During our dinner, some of the standouts included the clam chowder and oysters for starters.

For an entrée, I went with the surf and turf. My medium steak was accompanied by a succulent lobster tail. As you might know by now, the Princess went with the only chicken dish on the menu.

The sides dishes here were rather standard, with the roasted garlic mashed potatoes and crispy onion rings among our favorites.

For the final course, how can you pass up the chocolate fudge brownie for dessert?

Polo Grill Menu

Toscana

Also on deck 14 is the Italian restaurant Toscana. Similar to other venues, Toscana’s dining hours are from 6:30 pm to 9 pm.

We had the pleasure of dining here twice during our 10-day trip. In our opinion, the food at Toscana rivals the top Italian restaurants found on land. The large menu offers a variety of classically prepared Italian-American dishes. Not to mention, some delicious freshly made bread.

The fried calamari appetizer was crispy, with a tangy aioli dipping sauce. The Caprese salad starter featured creamy mozzarella cheese and ripe fresh tomatoes drizzled in olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette.

The pasta dishes were outstanding too, including the pesto gnocchi, the linguine cioppino, and the tagliolini carbonara. For entrees, my medium veal chop was tender with a creamy mushroom sauce. Additionally, the lobster fra diavolo had just the right kick, along with lusciously grilled lobster and al dente pasta.

Toscana Menu

Jacques

If you like traditional French cuisine, Jacques on deck 5 is your spot. Open from 6:30 pm to 9 pm, this venue serves up rich and decadent starters, entrees, and desserts.

It starts with crunchy French baguettes. From there, cruisers will dine on specialties such as duck foie gras, escargot, and a variety of other cold and hot starters.

For entrees, there are options like bouillabaisse, a French seafood stew, or lobster thermidor. You can also carve into a filet, the cheese soufflé, or try the duck parmentier with an orange sauce.

Just make sure to save room for dessert. Along with petit fours, cruisers can enjoy the pistachio crème brulee or the crepe of the day, among other delicacies.

Jacques Menu

Red Ginger

On the portside of deck 5 midship, you will discover Red Ginger. This pan-Asian restaurant is open from 6:30 pm to 9 pm as well and is the final complimentary Oceania Marina restaurant. As fans of this style of cuisine, Red Ginger did not disappoint.

When dining with a group, you can’t go wrong with the shared plate. With sushi, tempura, crispy calamari, and skewers, it offers a little bit of everything.

Certainly, don’t pass up the chicken satays or the imperial crispy potato roll. This is essentially a shrimp egg roll.

For larger plates, the miso glazed fish is light and flaky, with just the right amount of tangy glaze. The beef teriyaki was seared to perfection with an equally impressive sweet sauce. The Princess also enjoyed the red curry chicken which was just mild enough for her. Not to mention, the udon noodles and stir-fried rice were the perfect accompaniments to these entrees.

Red Ginger Menu

La Reserve

One of the only restaurants on Oceania Cruises that is an up-charge is La Reserve. This tasting menu includes 4 to 7 courses, with wine pairings, showcasing some of the finest cuisine at sea.

Reservations are required, and they do fill up quickly. Once you are booked, strap in for a multi-course culinary whirlwind.

With three different tasting menus, ranging from $75 to $295, the menus include items like scallops, lobster, Dover sole, and beef tenderloin. Accompanying wines or champagnes complete a perfect evening out.

Given that Heidi is a picky eater, this was the only venue we did not try during our time onboard Oceania Marina. However, those we spoke to raved about the quality.

Thus, this restaurant is a must for foodies and wine aficionados!

La Reserve Menu

A Taste of Vista

For those loyal Oceania cruisers, the newest ship in the fleet will be debuting in 2023. During our sailing, we were able to sample some of the new menu items coming to Vista. The ship will feature elevated food and beverage items that are sure to exceed all your expectations, including a number of new zero-proof cocktails.

Some other dishes we were able to sample included butternut squash risotto, porcini-dusted prime rib, and lobster wellington.

With just a taste of what’s to come on Vista, we are eager to get onboard and test out everything, including the new restaurants Ember and Aquamar Kitchen as well as the new pizzeria at the Wave Grill and the bakery near Baristas.

Comments

Which Oceania Cruises restaurant is your favorite? Do you have questions about the restaurant menus on Oceania Cruises? Drop us an anchor below with your dining preferences on Oceania Cruises.

The post Oceania Cruises Restaurant Guide with Menus appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.

The 66K gross ton Oceania Marina offers a premium cruise experience exuding sophistication and luxury. As one of the cruise line’s larger ships, this vessel which debuted in 2011 offers 16 decks of amenities and public venues. We have just returned from our first cruise with Oceania Cruises sailing the 10-day Northern Realms itinerary and want to share all the details with you in our exclusive Oceania Marina cruise review.

Oceania Marina Cruise Review

Pool Deck

For a cruise ship that can carry 1250 passengers, the pool deck features only one central pool on deck 12. There are also two whirlpools and a water fountain.

On decks 12 and 14, there are plenty of loungers encircling this central open space as well as some day beds on the forward and aft ends of the pool. Additionally, there is the Sanctuary on deck 14 offering over-sized lounge furniture for relaxing away from the pool area.

Further, those in concierge level or suite classes have access to an exclusive forward sun deck in the spa. Along with comfy furniture, there are two additional whirlpools here.

Given our sailing was less than half capacity, these outdoor spaces were always rather empty. Not to mention, this Northern Realms itinerary included a new port every day.

Still, with unseasonably warm and sunny weather for the Baltic region, there were certainly cruisers taking advantage of these outdoor spaces. While we packed a bathing suit, we actually never found any down time to enjoy the pool deck.

CRUISE DEALS: Save On Your Next Oceania Cruise

Sports Deck

On Oceania Marina, there are two outdoor areas boasting sports activities. Forward on Deck 16, you will find the putting green. It offers a quiet, secluded place for cruisers to practice their short game. Tucked away here too is a pickle ball court.

On the other end of the ship on Deck 15, there is the second sports area. With amazing aft views, there are two separate sports facilities and the jogging track. This secluded jogging track means walkers and runners do not need to dodge sun loungers like you often need to do on other ships. It takes 10 laps to equal one mile.

On the starboard side, there is shuffle board, while on the portside, you will find a croquet/bocce ball court. These classic cruise activities feel right at home on Oceania Marina. Since there is no midship outdoor promenade, this is the ideal spot for these pastimes.

Main Dining Room

It wouldn’t be a Oceania Marina cruise review if we didn’t talk about the dining.

On Deck 6, you will find the lavish main dining room, the Grand Dining Room. This restaurant is open seating, whereas reservations are required for the specialty restaurants.

During our cruise, the restaurant was open for sit-down breakfast every day and dinner each evening. We dined in the Grand Dining room on three occasions for dinner and once for breakfast.

The service was timely and very formal, and all of our dishes were always served at the appropriate temperatures. The waitstaff included a waiter, assistant waiter, and a sommelier. However, given the open seating, we had different servers each evening.

Some of our favorite entrees included the truffle mac and cheese, osso bucco, and butter-roasted Maine lobster. Although, the starters and desserts were pretty typical when compared to Oceania Cruises’ competition.

While Oceania Marina does offer more upscale main dining room menu selections, the food quality was pretty typical and exactly what we have come to expect from a contemporary cruise line.

Signature Dining

While we weren’t overly impressed with the main dining room, Oceania Marina wowed us with its signature restaurants.  

The cruise line prides itself on culinary excellence. Thus, most dining on the ship is included in the cruise fare. So, cruisers have the option of a traditional main dining room, as well as four signature restaurants.

These venues are certainly on par with up-charge specialty restaurants on other cruise lines. The food quality, presentation, and atmosphere also rank as some of the best dining experiences we have had at sea.

While Italian restaurants on cruise ships can vary greatly, the homemade pasta and expertly prepared entrees at Toscana were superb.

The seafood pasta and veal chop were something you’d expect to find in Boston’s North End. The diverse bread basket and custom olive oil and balsamic vinegar bar were a nice touch as well.  Not to mention, the classic starters like fried calamari and buffalo mozzarella were also excellent.

As fans of Pan-Asian food, Red Ginger was a great option too. With small plates like crispy ginger calamari, satays, and sushi, this restaurant is perfect for sharing.

Based on a recommendation from the culinary team, I went with the most popular item, the miso-glazed fish. It was flavorful, flaky, and had just the right amount of zest. Although, you can’t go wrong with the steak teriyaki either. The Princess was also a fan of the chicken curry and udon noodles.

Polo Grill is a traditional steak house. The surf and turf offered a classic take on this famous duo. Other hallmarks of this American-style eatery included clam chowder, oysters, and a chocolate fudge brownie. A steakhouse of this caliber would certainly cost $50+ per person on other cruise lines.

Finally, Jacques offers traditional French cuisine. We tested out some staples including the foie gras, cheese soufflé, lobster thermidor, and the crepes Suzette. Along with dessert, you need to sample a glass of the homemade port wine expertly poured tableside as well.

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Casual Eats

When it comes to grabbing something quick, cruisers have a few options. The Terrace Café on deck 12 aft is the cruise ship’s buffet. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

For breakfast, the options are pretty standard. Continental items like pastries, cereals, and fresh fruit are abundant. There are also other selections like eggs, pancakes, an array of breakfast meats, and a custom omelet station.

For lunch, there are a few entrée options and a grill with freshly seared steak, fish, hamburgers, and hotdogs. A small salad bar and other pre-made bites round out the selections. However, lunch was often open for only a couple of hours.

We never made it to the buffet for dinner, but the selections were a bit more upscale in the evenings. Often times, dinner items included several of the same selections from the main dining room.

For lunch, our preferred venue was the Waves Grill. Located outside, this venue serves up custom burgers and other freshly pressed paninis. The best part is that next door is the ice cream stand, featuring the line’s signature Humphry Slocombe ice cream.

The cruise line’s coffee shop, Baristas, also offers small bites. Along with the included espresso-based beverages, Baristas has a variety of small cookies, snacks, sandwiches, and pastries throughout the day.

Not to mention, 24-hour room service is included in the cruise fare with Oceania Cruises. So, you can order a full breakfast, lunch, or dinner for no added costs. There is also afternoon tea daily in Horizons.

Service

Oceania Cruises offers a classic-style of cruising. This holds true when it comes to the crew and service. With over 700 crew members, there are plenty of helpful hands around the vessel to offer friendly and prompt service.

Our stateroom attendant and butler were very visible and always stopped to say hi and ask if we needed anything.

Likewise, staff routinely made the rounds in the lounges to get drink orders or to chat in between songs and trivia questions. The same was true in the dining room and restaurants. The meals were all well-paced and delivered with a smile. The staff were also quick to clear dishes, offer refills on beverages, and make sure everything was to our liking.

Our morning barista quickly remembered the wife’s coffee order. The hostess at the Grand Dining remembered that I asked for a copy of the menu and continued to have one ready for me each evening.

Other small touches like this exemplified Oceania’s premium level of service. Where several cruise lines have cut back on staff, Oceania Cruises has not!

Daily Activities

With a new port of call each day, it is not surprising that there weren’t many planned onboard activities.

Peter and the rest of the entertainment team did offer a few predictable daytime activities. There was always late afternoon trivia, as well as daily Mensa brain teasers.

On select days, there were other organized activities, such as arts and crafts, dance classes, and sports competitions. On a few occasions, there were OLife talks as well. These topics touched on history and culture of the region. Unfortunately, we never did get to attend any of these talks.

Of course, cruisers can also use the various other amenities on the ship on their own, like the sports areas and the spa. On deck 14 aft, you will also find the Board Room. Here, cruisers can checkout popular board games and cards to challenge fellow passengers in classics like Trivial Pursuit or Monopoly.

In addition, there were a few up-charge wine and liquor tastings available during our sailing. Oceania Marina also has two signature venues, the Artist Loft and the Culinary Center. Both venues offered up-charge workshops and classes.

For the most part, once back onboard the ship, we were able to find activities to occupy our time.

Nightlife

For this Oceania Marina cruise review, the ship did feature a few late days in ports of call.

To our surprise, the Marina Lounge did feature a show each evening at 9:15 PM. These shows included three headliner acts. A pianist, comedian/ventriloquist, and West End singer. Each performer had two shows which were unique.

There were also performances by the ship’s singers and dancers. Among the shows were the Brill Factor, I Love Being Here With You: The Music of Peggy Lee, Dancin’ Fool, and Broadway in Concert.

Overall, these shows were on par with our expectations. Which is to say, entertainment is not where the cruise line shines. Though, the productions did give us something to do each evening with a predictable routine.

Each evening at 8:30 PM, there was trivia that took place in either Martinis or the Marina Lounge.

After the nightly show, cruisers could listen to some classical piano in Martinis or head up to Horizons. This Deck 15 lounge was home to the late-night scene with the Sync Session band and a few karaoke sessions.

Bars and Lounges

When it comes to options for drinks, there are a few choices onboard. The Waves Bar serves classic umbrella drinks and poolside favorites throughout the day.

Inside, there are four other bars to experience. The Grand Bar on Deck 6 is located near the casino. Yes, there is a small casino on the ship that was never busy. This bar serves the ship’s standard menu. These drinks couple well with the live pre-dinner music in the seating area outside the Grand Dining Room.

Horizons on Deck 15 shares the same menu as the Grand Bar. This venue is also home to the ship’s happy hour, which includes two for one cocktails from 10:15 PM to 11:15 PM each night. So, grab a drink while enjoying the live music.

After dinner, you can grab an aperitif at Baristas as well. Coffee shop by day, Baristas serves as a relaxing lounge at night with wine and array of after dinner drinks and specialty coffee cocktails from 6 to 10 PM.

Finally, Martinis on Deck 6 is home to a large signature cocktail menu. Along with classics like a Lemon Drop, you can try some new favorites like the Chocolate Soother or the Nutty. This was definitely our favorite spot to grab cocktails on Oceania Marina.

Stateroom

For this Oceania Marina cruise review, we stayed in a penthouse suite on Deck 10. Suite 10009 was located forward on the starboard side of the ship. This 420 square foot suite provided more than enough space and amenities for the two of us.

With a separate desk and seating area, I had my own little office for the duration of the sailing. There was also a separate vanity area and armoire with flat screen television across from the bed.

Further, the room even had a small table with two chairs, which was ideal for room service breakfast before heading ashore.

Immediately upon entering the room, the bathroom was to our right (the aft wall) and closet to our left (forward wall). Our suite included a walk-in closet, with a large clothes rack, a set of drawers, a shoe rack, and hooks for hanging items like bags and jackets.

The large bathroom had an oversized vanity area and sink. Although, the separate soaking tub and shower setup was not ideal for us.

The standup shower was on par with the size of a traditional shower on a cruise ship, with the soaking tub taking up a lot of the bathroom square footage. We are glad to hear that Oceania Cruises will be updating these stateroom bathrooms during the ship’s refurbishment in 2023.

Finally, the balcony was a good size. While on the skinnier side, it did run the entire length of our stateroom. With two wicker chairs and a table, it was an ideal spot for watching the sail in and out of ports.

Being a suite, our stateroom did come with a number of other perks as well, including Butler service, unlimited access to the Aquamar thermal suite, laundry service, garment pressing, and more.

Embarkation/Disembarkation

As part of our cruise package, we had a 1-night stay in Copenhagen ahead of the trip. Using the cruise line’s transfer from the hotel to the cruise terminal, the check-in process was smooth and efficient. Once at the terminal, we proceeded through security then waited about 15 minutes for those in higher-end suites and those with status to board first.

Once we were allowed to check-in, the entire process took less than 30 minutes from health check, to getting our key cards, to boarding the ship.

Disembarkation was similarly easy and well-organized. Again, we used the cruise line’s transportation from the cruise port to the Stockholm airport which was an approximately 40 minute drive.

We were assigned luggage tags Red 2. While our estimated departure time was 9 am, guests were asked to leave staterooms by 8 am. So, we grabbed a quick bite to eat at the Terrace Café and waited for our group to be called right on schedule.

Once our number was called, we walked right off the ship with no wait. We grabbed our bags and were escorted to a bus immediately.

Thankfully, our flights home were relatively as planned. Now, we have just about a week to get organized before we head back to Europe for our next cruise on Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand new ship!

Oceania Marina Cruise Review Itinerary

On this Oceania Marina cruise review, we visited a total of 9 ports of call. We explored 8 out of these 9 ports, as we stayed on the ship during our visit to Visby, Sweden to attend exclusive Taste of Vista media events.

Kiel, Germany

Our first stop was in Kiel, Germany where we took one of the cruise line’s new Go Local tours. These shore excursions are designed to give cruisers better insight into the daily life and everyday happenings of the communities the cruise line visits.

This Fruit Farm and Bakery tour included a transport to Hamburg along with other stops during the 7 hours. Among them was an apple farm where we learned the history of this family-run establishment. Not to mention, taste some homemade apple cake and apple liqueur.

Then, we explored more of the historic city of Hamburg. Along the way, we stopped at a local bakery for a franzbrotchen, strolled a few of the canal-lined streets near city hall, and observed the Elbe Tunnel. Unfortunately, the tour was slightly altered as there was construction prohibiting us from walking the tunnel as the tour described.

Ronne, Bornholm

The quaint Danish island of Bornholm is home to the picturesque city of Ronne. Here, we spent close to three hours strolling the cobblestone streets with our tour guide Lars.

Along the way, we learned about the history of Denmark, the island, and the region in general. We also saw some of the town’s landmarks. This Walking Tour of Ronne gave us ample time to explore and capture magnificent photos of the historic architecture and coastline before a return walk to the ship in the early afternoon.

Klaipeda, Lithuania

Not knowing what to expect, our stop in Lithuania was the highlight of the trip.

Our tour guide, Antanas, was a funny and charismatic host as he took us around his homeland during the 6-hour Soviet Nuclear Weapon Site shore excursion. The signature attraction of this tour was an underground Soviet Missile Launch Center. Constructed in 1962, this was the first of several facilities created during the Cold War.

This now museum is both fascinating and riveting. The tour was enhanced by the guide’s witty sense of humor and passionate connections to today’s global conflicts.

Along the way, we also stopped at Zemaitija National Park and sampled some Lithuanian cuisine and beer at a local restaurant before returning back to the ship.

Riga, Lativa

Known as the Pearl of the Baltic, Riga is the picturesque capital of this former Soviet state. So, it is fitting that our walking tour was entitled Charming Riga.

Our tour guide made sure we were able to see all of the highlights of the city in this close to 3 hour trek. From the art nouveau architecture to the bucolic city parks and remnants of Soviet rule, we saw both the new and old character of the city. The city’s historic churches, monuments, and intersecting cultures produce a modern city that still maintains its 19^th century character.

With stops in Town Hall Square, Livu Square, Dome Square, the Swedish Gates, and more, this was a great introduction for our first time visiting Riga, Latvia. Now, we can’t wait to return.

Tallinn, Estonia

We visited Tallinn, Estonia on a previous Baltic cruise. Even though we explored Upper Town and Lower Town before, we opted to do a similar tour again. Retracing our steps on the Tallinn Old Town with Beer Tasting tour, we were able to take in all of the views of this medieval town. Even if there were two other cruise ships in port.

Walking the old city perimeter and the historic streets of Tallinn never gets old for us!

Another draw of this tour for me was the accompanying beer tasting. In fact, this turned into a full lunch. So, now we can say that we have tried Estonian food as well.

After lunch, we skipped the ride back to the ship and spent an extra hour or so in the city. The warm, sunny weather was great for enjoying more of the city with some much-needed coffee.

Helsinki, Finland

Another popular stop on a cruise in this region is the capital of Finland. During our last visit here, we saw many of the main attractions in the city of Helsinki. Thus, this time around, we opted to venture beyond the city on the Helsinki, Porvoo, and Countryside shore excursion.

As one of the most popular things to do in Finland, Porvoo is a charming little town where we had about 75 minutes to walk around and explore the cafes, shops, and sites of Old Porvoo. Of course, a coffee and some local candy were in order.

But before our 40-minute bus drive to Porvoo, our tour started with a short walk around the market and Senate Square in Helsinki.

Following our time in Porvoo, the tour included a drive into the countryside to a horse farm in Savijarvi. This family-owned estate included lunch and time to learn more about the world championship horses.

Kotka, Finland

Given the conflicts in the region, this itinerary obviously did not include the traditional stop in St. Petersburg. Thus, Kotka, Finland was a new stop offered on this Oceania Cruises itinerary. This small island is located about 20 miles from the Russian border.

There were not many options for tours at this port. So, we opted for a sailing adventure on a tall ship around the archipelago.

During the tour, our guide gave us some history of the region and relationship between the islanders and nearby countries.

While relaxing, the 2 hour jaunt out into the bay and back was not as exciting or as scenic as we had hoped.

Stockholm, Sweden

Our last port of call was Stockholm, Sweden. The ship arrived at this capital city at 11 AM with an overnight stop before disembarking the following morning.

Given some work commitments, we were not able to participate in an organized tour. Instead, we took the cruise line’s shuttle to downtown for a couple hours. Subsequently, we were able to find a canal cruise that worked with our limited availability.

The 50-minute tour was a great re-introduction to the city. The gorgeous weather and outdoor seats on the boat let us view the beautiful architecture and natural spaces.

Following the canal cruise, we took a quick self-guided walk around the Royal Palace and Gamla Stan before returning to the ship. Admittedly, we would have done more if we had more time.

While we could have gone out later in the evening to see more on our own, we stayed aboard the ship for good-bye dinner and drinks.

Certainly, this was the perfect ending to a memorable cruise in one of the most picturesque areas of the world.

Comments

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We set sail last week on Oceania Marina for a 10-day cruise. This Northern Realms itinerary was our first time sailing on Oceania Cruises. So, we share some of our initial observations of this premium cruise line as it compares to our experiences cruising with a variety of other cruise brands.

Our First Time Sailing On Oceania Cruises

Oceania Marina

We recently set sail on Oceania Marina for a cruise through the Baltics. Oceania Marina, built in 2011, is one of two ships in the Oceania Class of ships. This 1,250 passenger, 66K+ gross ton vessel offers 16 decks of restaurants, lounges, and entertainment areas.  

From chatting with the resident artist in the Artist Loft or cooking classes in the Culinary Center to immersive shore excursion options, Oceania Cruises offers some unique elements that cruisers won’t typically find on other lines.

Still, there are several familiar spaces that made us feel right at home on the ship. The main pool deck is Deck 12. Here, you will find plenty of upgraded loungers, a pool, and two whirlpools.

There are also outdoor sports areas. These include a putting green, bocce ball court, running track, and shuffleboard. Of course, there is also a spa and fitness center.

Throughout the vessel, there is a classic, upscale styling to the public spaces, including the elegant central staircase with its marble adornments.

Additionally, the Grand Dining room is ornate with a large chandelier and metallic accents. Martinis, the main lounge on Deck 6, is a warm and cozy venue with over-sized furniture and dark wood tones.

The staterooms have a very traditional layout as well, with a muted color palette, rich wood furniture, and marble accents in the bathroom. Although, executive leadership onboard has indicated that all cabins will be updated to a “contemporary” design when the ship enters drydock next year.

Overall, Oceania Marina is elegant and easy navigate. The ship feels comfortable and the venues inviting even to those who are new to the cruise line.   

Dining on Oceania Cruises

Oceania Marina offers guests a variety of dining options, from casual fare to upscale dining experiences. One benefit of sailing with Oceania Cruises is that most of the dining is included in the cruise fare. This includes the four signature restaurants on Oceania Marina.

On Deck 5, Red Ginger is home to Pan-Asian cuisine. The beef teriyaki, miso-glazed fish, and red curry chicken entrees were well-prepared and delicious. We also enjoyed several of the starters, including the crispy potato roll, which was like a shrimp egg roll, as well as the ginger calamari and the satays.

Also on Deck 5 is Jacques, the French restaurant onboard with a menu curated by Chef Jacque Pepin. This venue features rich items like cheese soufflé, lobster thermidor, and foie gras.

On Deck 14, there is Polo Grill and Toscano. Polo Grill is the cruise line’s American-style steakhouse. Here, the surf and turf was the perfect combination with a well-seasoned filet and flavorful lobster tail. The crispy onion rings and garlic mashed potatoes were the ideal accompaniments as well.  

Toscano is perhaps one of the best Italian restaurants at sea, with a variety of authentic Italian appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Our favorites included the delicious pasta courses and the veal chop.

Of course, there is also the traditional main dining room. Located on Deck 5, the Grand Dining Room features a rotational menu every night for dinner. Some of the standouts for us so far have included the truffle mac and cheese, osso bucco, and butter-roasted Maine lobster.

Other casual dining options include the Terrace Café. This buffet was open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is also the Waves Grill, serving healthy options for breakfast and custom burgers, paninis, and other smaller plates in the afternoons. 

Not to mention, there is complimentary room service 24 hours a day and an ice cream kiosk on Deck 12. This venue serves homemade ice cream that would certainly be an up-charge on other cruise lines.

Overall, we appreciated the personalized level of service in each of the restaurants.

Onboard Activities

With 9 ports of call on this 10-day itinerary, this port intense trip had no sea days. So, it is not surprising that there were limited onboard activities during the day. Still, there were some events hosted by the cruise director staff like daily trivia and the Mensa challenge. Occasionally, you will also find events like dance classes and arts and crafts.

Of course, there are other up-charge events like art classes, cooking classes, and tasting events as well.

Along with the sports deck activities, a running track, and the gym, there is the Aquamar Spa on Deck 14. The ship’s spa features a steam room, sauna, and heated loungers.

More akin to a luxury cruise line, these amenities are open to all guests. Our class of suite also has access to an exclusive forward sun deck. Further, all fitness classes onboard are included in the cruise fare.

In the late afternoons, resident lecturers present talks about the ports of call as well.

Surprisingly, there has even been an evening show every night of the cruise. At 9:15 pm, the Marina Lounge hosts production shows and headliner acts. While not the best entertainment we have seen, it is nice to have a nightly show in the main theater. We are creatures of habit, so the predictable dinner and a show is ideal for us.

Afterwards, you can usually find the house band on Deck 15 in Horizons, the resident pianist in Martini’s, or an occasional karaoke session. Additionally, the Grand Bar is a third option to grab a cocktail. The best part is that there is often 2 for 1 drinks starting at 10:15 PM as part of a late night happy hour.

Honestly, with long days ashore, we didn’t really miss all the extra activities found on more contemporary cruise lines.

Final Thoughts on Oceania Cruises

With our first sailing on Oceania Cruises almost complete, we now have a good sense of what this cruise line offers its guests. First, Oceania Cruises is more all-inclusive than other contemporary cruise lines, with amenities like specialty coffee and signature dining included in the cruise fare.

Oceania Cruises also offers a small ship feel with more personalized service and immersive experiences.

With various complimentary dining venues, including the main dining room, a traditional buffet and pool grill, to gourmet specialty restaurants, the cruise line delivers on its promise of culinary excellence.

Service too is top-notch. There are a plethora of friendly servers ready to help out in the Waves Grill or Terrace Café. In the dining rooms, the team of waiters, assistant waiters, and sommeliers, guide you through your dining journey.

The staff are quick to remember your names and go out of their way to accommodate your every request. Our stateroom category even came with a butler for that extra level of personalization and customization.

True, the onboard amenities and entertainment options are a bit meager compared to today’s megaships. Though, that is sort of the point as the cruise line transports you to amazing ports of call on a variety of itineraries.

While ashore, you can enjoy immersive shore excursions with some new tour categories like Go Local, Go Green, and Beyond Blueprints options. Once you are back onboard the ship, you can enjoy 5-star quality dining and accommodations as you await the next day’s adventure.

This 10-day itinerary visited countries we never thought we would be able to see, like Lithuania and Latvia.

For us, the unique and diverse shore excursion program, coupled with a small intimate ship, was the perfect option for cruising the Baltic region. We could certainly see ourselves sailing on Oceania Cruises again in the future.

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There is no better time than now to start planning the ultimate Alaska cruise experience. If you’re looking to book that bucket list voyage in 2025, we’ve meticulously researched and compiled our comprehensive guide to the Best Alaska Cruises 2025.

Even if you’re not planning to book your trip of a lifetime this coming year, our curated selection provides an excellent starting point to begin researching your dream Alaska vacation.

Table of Contents

• Key Considerations for Selecting Your Ideal Alaska Cruise
• Top Alaska Cruises Departing from Seattle
• Best Alaska Cruises Sailing Roundtrip from Vancouver
• Recommended One-Way Alaska Cruises
• Alaska Cruises from San Francisco
• Unique Alaskan Cruise Experieces

Key Considerations for Selecting Your Ideal Alaska Cruise

When choosing your perfect Alaska cruise for 2025, several important factors should guide your decision:

Your Alaska Cruise Budget

Your budget will significantly influence which cruise option works best for you. Our recommendations span from family-friendly cruise lines to all-inclusive luxury experiences. Remember that prices can vary substantially based on travel season and cabin selection as well, among other factors.

We have more in-depth resources on Alaska cruise costs and the best time of year to visit Alaska to further guide you in the decision-making process.

Your Preferred Departure Location

Whether you prefer embarking from Seattle, Vancouver, or another port will impact your overall travel arrangements and itinerary possibilities. Most major cruise lines have a variety of ships sailing to Alaska, so there will be plenty of choices.

Your Ideal Cruise Itinerary

The specific ports, glaciers, and sailing routes you most want to experience should inform your cruise selection.

Are you looking for a roundtrip itinerary or a one-way itinerary? Most roundtrip itineraries depart from either Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia. One-way cruises are usually Northbound routes from Vancouver or Southbound routes from Seward or Whittier, Alaska.

Are there specific ports you want to visit? Popular ports of call include the southeastern Alaska towns of Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. Some visit Icy Strait Point, Sitka, or Victoria, BC as well. You’ll also want to pay close attention to the time in port that each ship offers, as this can range from short 4-hour stops to full days to explore.

Further, not all cruise ships have the privilege to cruise through Glacier Bay National Park. Is this a must on your Alaska cruise? We think it should be! Hubbard Glacier is another “must-see” on many guests’ lists. So, familiarize yourself with the differences, so you pick the right one.

Finally, are you looking for a typical 7-day Alaska cruise or do you want something a bit longer? Would you consider booking a land and sea option which combines a cruise with an additional land tour?

Your Travel Party’s Needs and Preferences

The ages, interests, and activity levels of everyone in your group will help determine which ship and itinerary will provide the most satisfying experience for all.

The selections for best Alaska cruises 2025 vary in terms of ship size and amenities. If you are cruising with kids or a multi-generational family, you will want to ensure the ship has activities that will interest everyone. Yes, Alaska cruises are a great vacation for the whole family! However, if you are looking for less kids onboard, a more enriching experience, or a more all-inclusive vacation, you may want to avoid the more mainstream family cruise lines.

Now that you’re better equipped to decide which of these Alaska cruises is right for you, let’s dive into our picks for the 2025 cruise season.

Top Alaska Cruises Departing From Seattle in 2025

Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Edge ushered in a brand new style of cruising for Celebrity Cruises when she debuted in 2018. This 130K gross ton ship, with a capacity just over 2,900 guests at double occupancy, launched with several new amenities and features, as well as some “firsts at sea”. Among the stand-out features is the multi-purpose Magic Carpet.

Celebrity Edge is also home to the dynamic space Eden, four unique main dining rooms, a state-of-the-art main theater, a reimagined pool deck, the tranquil Rooftop Garden, and the lively Grand Plaza with the Martini Bar. This premium cruise ship offers the elegance, style, and service that you would expect to find on a luxury cruise line along with a variety of activities and events found on mainstream cruise ships.

In 2024, Celebrity Edge ushered in a new era of cruising for the brand once again, this time in Alaska. As the first Edge Class ship to cruise the region, Celebrity Edge returns to sail roundtrip from Seattle in 2025. This 7-day itinerary features stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, along with cruising Endicott Arm and the Dawes Glacier.

Norwegian Encore (Bliss or Joy)

Norwegian Cruise Line will have three Breakaway Plus Class ships sailing from Seattle this summer. Norwegian Encore is the newest of these vessels, but Norwegian Joy recently received some updates too.

At 169K gross tons and carrying close to 4,000 guests at double occupancy NCL Encore includes attractions like waterslides, a Waterfront promenade, a racetrack, the virtual reality complex Galaxy Pavilion, and a new adult-only Spice H20. We love that this class of ship has plenty to offer all types of travelers, making it a great option for multi-generational families.

Additionally, the ship boasts an indoor Observation Lounge, a wonderful thermal suite, and the up-charge Vibe Beach Club which are all perfect for glacier viewing. Norwegian Encore also features NCL favorite bars and restaurants, as well as the brand’s signature Freestyle approach to dining while cruising way up north.

Norwegian Encore is sailing the popular 7-day roundtrip itinerary from Seattle in 2025. The itinerary features stops in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria, BC, along with scenic cruising in the spectacular Glacier Bay National Park.

Sister ship Norwegian Bliss offers two different itineraries in 2025. One visits Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Victoria, and Glacier Bay. The other visits Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Victoria, and the Dawes Glacier. Norwegian Joy offers a bit more time in the area with 9- and 10-day itineraries, visiting either Glacier Bay, Dawes Glacier, or Hubbard Glacier.

Anthem or Quantum of the Seas

As another one of the largest ships to cruise in Alaska, Royal Caribbean‘s Anthem of the Seas will replace Ovation this summer, sailing alongside sister ship Quantum of the Seas. These ships feature some of the most innovative spaces and amenities at sea. Anthem of the Seas is nearly 169K gross tons and features several thrills for all ages, along with a variety of dining and entertainment options. This ship carries over 4,100 passengers at double occupancy.

Built for cold water cruising, the ship’s SeaPlex is a massive indoor complex featuring bumper cars and roller skating. There is also the innovative North Star. This aerial gondola extends 300 feet above sea level for one-of-a-kind views of the Alaskan landscape. The ship also has a sky diving simulator and distinct entertainment in several venues including Two70 and the Music Hall.

Loyal to Royal cruisers will find signature bars and restaurants on Anthem and Quantum of the Seas as well. Not to mention, there’s the indoor Solarium, plenty of whirlpools, and an outdoor pool to enjoy while soaking in the views.

Both Anthem and Quantum of the Seas are sailing roundtrip from Seattle in 2025. These ships offer a couple different itineraries with a combination of ports that include Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Victoria, BC. Many also include sailing through Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. Notably, Royal Caribbean ships do NOT sail in Glacier Bay National Park.

Discovery or Royal Princess

It is tough to pick the best Alaska cruise for 2025 among the 7 Princess Cruises’ ships sailing in the region this year. If you’re looking to sail from Seattle though, your choices are Discovery Princess or Royal Princess.

Discovery Princess is the sixth and final Royal Class ship. This 145K gross ton ship carries 3,660 guests and shares all of the style and luxury of her predecessors. This ship features a large inviting Piazza, a variety of dining options, and signature entertainment. There are also plenty of places to enjoy the scenery like the enhanced Sanctuary or maybe even the Wake View infinity pool.

And we have to say the cruise line offers some of the best enrichment in the region with its North to Alaska programming. From meeting Libby Riddles, an iditarod dog musher, to puppies in the Piazza, exclusive Alaska food and beverage offerings, and more.

Plus, with the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, cruisers can enjoy a more all-inclusive experience with drinks, specialty dining, WiFi, and more.

The big difference between Discovery Princess and Royal Princess is the itinerary. Discovery Princess sails the Inside Passage visiting Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, Victoria, and Dawes Glacier. Royal Princess visits the same ports but Glacier Bay National Park instead of the Dawes Glacier. While we love Discovery Princess, we also love Glacier Bay, so it’s difficult to decide between these two options from Princess Cruises.

Eurodam

Much like Princess Cruises, Holland America Line has a large presence in Alaska. The cruise line has been sailing the region for over 75 years and has 6 ships there in 2025. Our pick for Holland America’s best ship sailing from Seattle is Eurodam. This Signature Class ship is the perfect mid-sized vessel at 86K gross tons and carrying just over 2,100 passengers at double occupancy.

Holland America is also well-known for its Alaska enrichment program. The cruise line promises that you’ll see more glaciers than with any other cruise line. In fact, with its Glacier Guarantee, you will receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15% of your cruise fare if you do not visit a glacier during your voyage.

As part of its We Love Alaska programming, Holland America features Alaska Up Close presentations where you can learn more about Alaska’s history, culture, and wildlife. There’s also new culinary and beverage experiences including its Fresh Fish program, serving 100% fresh Alaska seafood.

In between all the sightseeing and enrichment opportunities, Eurodam features nightly entertainment on the World Stage, live music in the Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard Onboard, a pickleball court, and top-notch specialty dining.

Eurodam’s 7-day roundtrip itinerary from Seattle features visits to Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria, along with scenic cruising in Glacier Bay. If you’re looking for an alternative HAL ship from Seattle, there’s also Westerdam. This ship has a similar itinerary but visit Dawes Glacier instead.

Carnival Luminosa

Carnival Luminosa is a nearly 93K gross ton ship carrying just over 2,800 guests (double occupancy). This ship sailed as part of the Costa Cruises’ fleet since 2009. Combining elements of the Spirit Class and Vista Class ships, Luminosa transferred and began cruising as part of the Carnival fleet in November 2022.

Carnival Luminosa features many FUN ship favorites, with Carnival favorite bars, restaurants, Cloud 9 Spa, Serenity adult-only area, and several family-friendly activities. Some of these include the Alchemy Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, RedFrog Rum Bar, Piano Bar 88, and The Punchliner Comedy Club. There’s also Camp Ocean for the little ones, making this ship another family-friendly option from Seattle.

Guests will also be treated to a few unique features on Carnival Luminosa, like a sliding sky dome over the pool deck and Italian-inspired decor. This makes the ship a unique choice for a Carnival cruise to Alaska.

While newer and slightly larger, Carnival Luminosa share a lot of similarities with Carnival Spirit also cruising to Alaska in 2025. One noteworthy difference is that Carnival Luminosa does not feature a Guy’s Burger or Blue Iguana Cantina.

Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Spirit both feature roundtrip itineraries with stops in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria. Both also cruise Tracy Arm Fjord.

Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth, one of four ships in the Cunard fleet, just received a major update ahead of her inaugural season of Alaska cruises from Seattle in 2025.

This luxurious 91K gross ton ship carries just over 2,000 passengers. Queen Elizabeth’s signature spaces, such as the Commodore Club, Queens Room, Garden Lounge, and The Pavilion, have been thoughtfully revitalized, with nods to the golden age of cruising still present. Further, the outdoor decks have been enhanced to give guests better viewing opportunities when sailing the region. The Pavilion Wellness Café, which debuted on Queen Anne, has also been added to the ship.

Between ports, guests can indulge in upscale dining, enjoy Afternoon Tea, throw back some British pub fare and brews at the Golden Lion, or enjoy cocktails at one of the various bars and lounges. The ship also features pools, a spa, casino, library, games deck, live music in the Queens Room, and nightly entertainment in the Royal Court Theatre.

For cruisers looking to test the waters with this British cruise line, Queen Elizabeth is a unique option in Alaska this season. This ship sails a variety of itineraries roundtrip from Seattle ranging from 7 to 11 nights. All the popular Southeastern Alaskan ports are highlighted along with various scenic cruising, including Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier on some sailings.

Top Alaska Cruises Roundtrip From Vancouver

Koningsdam

Holland America’s Koningsdam debuted in 2016 and weighs in at slightly under 100K gross tons. With 2,650 passengers, Koningsdam is the perfect mid-sized ship for your Alaska cruise from Vancouver. Koningsdam, along with all HAL ships sailing the region, feature a robust Alaska program with plenty of unique enrichment and culinary opportunities.

When you are not exploring the Last Frontier, Koningsdam offers top-notch amenities, entertainment, and dining. There’s theater performances on the World Stage, BB King’s Blues Club, Billboard Onboard, and the Rolling Stone Lounge showcasing amazing musicians.

In addition to Pacific Northwest cuisine, cruisers can also indulge in specialty dining at Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, Canaletto, and even a Morimoto by Sea pop-up experience.

This Pinnacle Class ship’s itinerary visits Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, as well as cruising through Glacier Bay National Park.

Disney Wonder

If you’re looking for an Alaska cruise from Vancouver in 2025 with a little bit of extra magic, look no further than Disney Wonder. That’s right, even Disney Cruise Line cruises way up north to Alaska! Disney Wonder weighs in at 83K gross tons and carries 2,400 passengers at double occupancy.

Disney Wonder features plenty of Disney touches in its décor, dining, and entertainment. With character meet and greets and first-run Disney movies, there will be plenty to keep the whole family busy between ports of call. There’s also Disney staples like its rotational dining with three main dining rooms, including Triton’s, Animator’s Palate, and Tiana’s Place, as well as the adult-only Palo specialty restaurant.

As the only Disney cruise ship sailing the region, this is a must for all the Disney fans out there. However, Disney cruises do come with a higher price tag than some of the other contemporary cruise lines.

Disney Wonder is sailing 7-day itineraries visiting popular ports in southeast Alaska. These include Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, as well as cruising Stikine Icefield for glacier viewing.

Celebrity Solstice

Celebrity Solstice is a 122K gross ton vessel that is part of Celebrity Cruises’ beloved Solstice Class of ships. This ship carries just over 2,850 passengers at double occupancy.

On Celebrity Solstice, you can play some bocce ball at the Lawn Club or partake in a Hot Glass Class. You can also enjoy some amazing views in the Sky Observation Lounge or sip a cocktail at the aft-located Sunset Bar if the weather permits.

After a long day exploring the Alaskan wilderness, you can relax in the Solarium or the Spa, join in on the fun at the Martini Bar, indulge in some fine dining at Murano or Tuscan Grille, or take in a show at the theater. Not to mention, there’s other favorites like Cafe al Bacio for morning coffee or afternoon snacks and the World Class Bar for one of a kind cocktails.

Cruising roundtrip from Vancouver, there are two different 7-day itineraries. One sails to ISP, Juneau, and Ketchikan along with cruising the Hubbard Glacier, the longest tidewater glacier in North America. The other visits Icy Strait Point, Skagway, and Ketchikan, along with the Dawes Glacier.

Serenade of the Seas

Serenade of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class of ships. At 90K gross tons, the Radiance Class ships do not feature the large indoor Royal Promenade found on newer megaships in the fleet but rather a more intimate Centrum. Serenade of the Seas also only holds just over 2,100 guests at double occupancy.

Still, multi-generational families will find plenty to keep themselves busy between ports of call. Serenade still has Royal Caribbean staples like a rock-climbing wall, mini-golf, a sports court, casino, spa, and Solarium. There’s also favorites like the Windjammer buffet, Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, and Izumi specialty restaurants, along with the Schooner Bar, English pub, and nightly productions in the main theater.

In 2025, Serenade of the Seas is sailing a few different 7-day itineraries. Most feature a combination of 3 stops including Sitka, Skagway, ISP, Ketchikan, Haines, and Prince Rupert. While most include scenic cruising in the Tracy Arm Fjord, a few cruises do feature Hubbard Glacier instead.

Grand Princess

If you’re a loyal Princess cruiser looking to sail from Vancouver, Grand Princess offers a perfect blend of traditional cruise charm and modern amenities for your Alaska adventure. At 107K gross tons and accommodating 2,600 passengers at double occupancy, this vessel is a comfortable mid-sized ship.

Guests can enjoy the ship’s signature Piazza, the vibrant central hub for entertainment and gatherings. Culinary highlights include the Crown Grill steakhouse, Sabatini’s Italian restaurant, and Alfredo’s Pizzeria. For entertainment, there’s Movies Under the Stars, performances in the Princess Theater, and live music around the ship. There’s also plenty of bars to enjoy some cocktails like Crooners Martini Bar, the Wheelhouse Bar, Good Spirits at Sea, and the One5 Lounge.

Grand Princess also features the adults-only Sanctuary retreat, alongside multiple pools, hot tubs, and the Lotus Spa for post-adventure relaxation. Not to mention, the ship has all the same Alaska programming as the other Princess ships sailing in the region.

The itinerary calls in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan with scenic cruising through Endicott Arm. Select sailings feature Glacier Bay National Park instead.

Recommended One-Way Itineraries

Sapphire Princess

Sapphire Princess is a 115K gross ton cruise ship with a capacity of just over 2,600 guests. Designed for scenic cruising, she is an excellent choice for an Alaska voyage. The ship features expansive open deck space and a wraparound Promenade Deck that is perfect for viewing glaciers and wildlife.

This mid-sized ship offers a blend of Princess cruise staples along with the line’s signature Alaska enrichment. With favorites like Sabatini’s, Alfredo’s Pizzeria, Crooner’s martini bar, the climate-controlled Conservatory with a pool and whirlpools, Skywalkers nightclub, and the Lotus Spa, guests can relax and have a good time between exciting ports of call.

Sapphire Princess is just one of three ships sailing the popular Voyage of the Glaciers itinerary in 2025. This itinerary cruises either Northbound from Vancouver to Whittier, Alaska or Southbound in the reverse direction. It visits Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, and Glacier Bay National Park. The Southbound route also includes Hubbard Glacier.

Caribbean Princess and Coral Princess are cruising the same routes this Alaska season for even more options. Caribbean Princess is the largest of the three ships, while Coral is the smallest.

Nieuw Amsterdam

If you are looking for other options to cruise Alaska with Holland America in 2025, Nieuw Nieuw Amsterdam is sailing a one-way itinerary from Vancouver to Whittier (and reverse) as well. Nieuw Amsterdam is a nearly 87K gross ton vessel with just over 2,100 passengers at double occupancy.

Nieuw Amsterdam boasts several complimentary dining venues. Among them are the poolside Dive-In Burger, a pizza window, the Lido Market buffet, and the main dining room. Not to mention, Holland America Line offers 24-hour room service and some of the best specialty restaurants at sea.

When it comes to onboard activities, the cruise line offers a traditional series of cruise activities and enrichment, nighttime entertainment, live music, and more. The ship also features the same Alaska programming as the other HAL ships in the region. With personal service and well-executed dining, Nieuw Amsterdam is an ideal backdrop to the amazing vistas of the Alaskan wilderness.

During the Northbound and Southbound Glacier Discovery itineraries, cruisers will enjoy stops at the usual ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. The ship will also cruise Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier for some amazing scenic vistas.

Celebrity Summit

If you are looking to cruise to Alaska with Celebrity Cruises, Celebrity Summit is another great option for best Alaska cruises in 2025. This 91K gross ton ship, carrying just over 2,200 guests at double occupancy, received a complete revitalization in 2019 with more than $500 million of upgrades.

Celebrity Summit features over 50% verandah staterooms for enjoying the Alaska scenery, along with the exclusive Retreat for those in the most luxurious accommodations. The ship is also home to the popular Martini Bar and Sunset Bar, Cafe al Bacio for some coffee and sweet treats, and the popular specialty restaurants Tuscan Grill and Le Petit Chef at Qsine.

Of course, guests can enjoy nightly entertainment, a spa, casino, two pools, and pickleball at sea as wel. The Sky Lounge perched at the top of the ship provides great forward-facing views of the scenery, and there’s also the outdoor Rooftop Terrace at the aft of the ship for admiring the glaciers. Celebrity also offers its Beyond the Podium series which provides plenty of enrichment during an Alaskan cruise.

Celebrity Summit is sailing one-way routes from either Vancouver or Seward, Alaska. These itineraries visit Ketchikan, Juneau, ISP, Sitka (or Skagway), and the Hubbard Glacier.

Radiance of the Seas

As one of the top Alaska cruises year after year, Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas is sailing the region once again in 2025. Radiance of the Seas is a sister ship to Serenade of the Seas and features a very similar layout and list of amenities.

On Radiance of the Seas, you might not even need a balcony. This ship offers some of the greatest views of Alaska from the nine-story central atrium and outward facing elevators. While you cruise Alaska on this ship, you can also enjoy favorites like the Schooner Bar and Chops Grille, along with the nostalgic Viking Crown Lounge perched at the top of the ship. There’s also a Solarium and an indoor movie theater.

Radiance of the Seas is sailing 7-day, one-way routes from either Vancouver or Seward. These itineraries are more port intensive than some of the other Royal Caribbean offerings in the region. They feature stops in Juneau, ISP, Sitka (or Ketchikan), Skagway, and the Hubbard Glacier.

Norwegian Jade

NCL’s Norwegian Jade is also heading to Alaska for the 2025 season. Norwegian Jade is 93.5K GT and carries nearly 2,400 guests at double occupancy. The ship was reburbished in 2022 adding new venues, modern decor, and updated staterooms.

If you don’t need all the bells and whistles of the larger mega-ships, Norwegian Jade might be perfect for you. The ship still offers a classic Freestyle NCL experience but with less crowds and less up-charge experiences. Not to mention, the line’s new More at Sea gives guests a more premium experience with inclusions like drinks and specialty dining.

There are still plenty of nightly entertainment and dining options onboard as well to help you unwind after a long day ashore. You will find the specialty restaurants Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro, La Cucina, and the hibachi style Teppanyaki. There is also the complimentary O’Sheehan’s Pub, plenty of bars like the popular Sugarcane Mojito Bar and Bliss Ultra Lounge, and unique production shows in the main theater.

Norwegian Jewel is sailing one-way itineraries from either Vancouver or Seward, Alaska. Again, these itineraries include classic Alaskan ports like Juneau, Ketchikan, ISP, and Skagway. They also feature scenic cruising at the Hubbard Glacier.

Viking Venus (or Orion)

Offering a small ship, more all-inclusive experience in Alaska, Viking features two ocean ships sailing in the region this season. Viking Venus and Orion are identical 930-passenger, 47.8K vessels that boasts all veranda staterooms and an elegant yet simplistic Scandinavian design.

On a Viking Ocean cruise, guests receive a free tour in each port of call, WiFi, no up-charges for specialty dining, and complimentary room service. Guests can also enjoy beer, wine, and soft drinks at meals, specialty coffees and bottled water anytime, access to the thermal suite, and more without any nickel and diming.

Additionally, the ship offers upscale dining that is all included in the cruise fare, bars and lounges with live music in the evenings, and enrichment opportunities to fill your time between ports. You can even warm up with afternoon tea in the Wintergarden after a long day ashore.

Viking Venus and Orion are sailing an 11-day Alaska and Inside Passage Cruise in 2025. This itinerary will sail from either Vancouver or Seward. It visits Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, ISP, and Valdez. It also includes scenic cruising of the Inside Passage and Yakutat Bay.

Oceania Riviera

Oceania Cruises also has a small ship in Alaska in 2025. New to the region, Oceania Riviera offers sailings ranging from 7 to 12 days throughout the season. Options include one-way sailings from Vancouver to Anchorage (and reverse), Vancouver to Seattle, and roundtrip Seattle. Ports include a combination of Ketchikan, Haines, Juneau, Sitka, Wrangell, Victoria, Icy Strait, Skagway, and Klawock, along with scenic cruising of either Hubbard Glacier or Tracy Arm. One featured sailing even includes stops in Kodiak and Homer, Alaska.

As a culinary and destination-focused cruise line, there are a variety of food-focused shore excursions too. These include an exclusive crabbing experience in Ketchikan, a Sitka culinary adventure, and a seafood sampling in Juneau, among others.

Oceania Riviera is 66K gross tons and carries 1250 passengers, making it the perfect size to explore some of the lesser visited areas in Alaska. Recently refreshed, the ship features spacious reimagined staterooms; gourmet restaurants including a complimentary steakhouse, Italian, Asian, and French restaurant; and new hands-on cooking classes. Guests can also enjoy afternoon tea, partake in enrichment opportunities, rejuvenate at the Aquamar Spa, and sip cocktails while listening to live music in the evenings.

Silver Nova

Silver Nova is one of the newest ships in Silverea’s ultra-luxury fleet. This 55K gross ton vessel carrying only 728 guests returns to Alaska in 2025 for its second season. With more guest to space ratio, butler service for every suite, and exquisite dining, this ship certainly provides a unique Alaska cruise. Not to mention, it’s one of the most inclusive experiences you’ll get in the region.

Silver Nova houses a large array of restaurants, bars, and lounges, including Silversea’s S.A.L.T. culinary program that offers regionally-inspired cuisine and The Shelter, a brand-new intimate bar. This ship’s expansive outdoor spaces, Panorama Lounge, and the forward-facing Observation Lounge provide exceptional viewing opportunities.

Silver Nova sails either 7-day itineraries from Vancouver or Seward or 14-day roundtrip voyages from Vancouver. They visit popular ports such as Skagway, Juneau, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, and Ketchikan, plus some rarely visited stops like Valdez, Icy Bay, Wrangell, and Haines. 

Silver Moon will also cruise Alaska on 7-day voyages. This itinerary features a day spent cruising in Hubbard Bay, along with stops in Skagway, Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan.

Seabourn Quest

For another ultra-luxury Alaska cruise option in 2025, there’s the recently revitalized Seabourn Quest. This roughly 32K gross ton vessel, carrying just 458 passengers, is sailing her maiden season in the region. Seabourn Quest features 7-day itineraries between Vancouver and Juneau, a unique embarkation/disembarkation point. The itineraries call in Haines, Icy Strait, Sitka, and Ketchikan, along with some lesser visited ports like Wrangell, Prince Rupert, and Alert Bay, as well as cruise through Glacier Bay National Park.

There’s also the unique opportunity to partake in Ventures by Seabourn thanks to the ship’s water-level marina platform. These adventures range from kayaking, to hiking, to glacier viewing by zodiac. This means you can set off on your explorations right from the ship while it is anchored.

Additionally, Seabourn Quest offers an intimate and elegant onboard atmosphere with all-suite accommodations, a variety of culinary experiences including The Grill by Thomas Keller, a spa with thermal suite, and more. Not to mention, premium spirits and fine wines are always complimentary, as are all dining venues.

Regent Seven Seas Explorer

For yet another ultra-premium experience in Alaska, Regent Seven Seas Explorer is sailing the region. This 55K gross ton ship carries 750 passengers and offers a truly all-inclusive cruise. Guests can enjoy included shore excursions, premium beverages, specialty dining, WiFi, and gratuities.

Regent Seven Seas Explorer also features all-suite accommodations, gourmet restaurants including Asian and French cuisine as well as a signature steakhouse, and exquisite design details. Between ports of call, guests can partake in hands-on cooking classes, take a dip in the infinity pool, relax at the spa, or enjoy cocktails in one of the onboard lounges.

RSS Explorer is sailing one-way itineraries from Vancouver to Whittier (and reverse). Stops include a combination of Icy Strait, Klawock, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria, BC, along with cruising Hubbard Glacier.

Alaska Cruises from San Francisco

Ruby Princess

Ruby Princess is another one of Princess Cruises’ ships sailing Alaska in 2025. However, this ship offers a unique itinerary. This 113.5K gross ton ship, carrying just over 3,000 guests at double occupancy, is sailing an 11-day route roundtrip from San Francisco.

The itinerary features stops in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Prince Rupert or Victoria, BC along with scenic cruising in either Glacier Bay or Endicott Arm. There are also 5 sea days to enjoy all the ship has to offer.

As the final Grand Class ship, Ruby Princess features a similar layout and amenities to Grand Princess and Sapphire Princess already mentioned above. So, there’s plenty to keep you entertained during your time on the ship.

Carnival Legend

Carnival Legend is another ship sailing to Alaska from San Francisco in 2025. As part of Carnival’s very popular Spirit Class, this ship is 88.5K GT and carries just over 2,100 guests at double occupancy.

Carnival Legend is sailing a series of 10-day cruises roundtrip from CA. Ports of call include Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, Prince Rupert, and scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord, along with four additional sea days. Uniquely, Carnival alternates this itinerary with a 4-day option to Baja, Mexico from San Francisco.

Between scenic cruising and time ashore in Alaska, guests can also grab favorites from Guy’s Burger Joint or BlueIguana Cantina, along with some drinks at the RedFrog Rum Bar, Alchemy Bar, or Heroes Tribute Bar. There’s plenty of time for entertainment, relaxation, and upscale dining too. Past guests will find familiar favorites like comedy shows in Punchliner, Playlist Productions in the theater, a Cloud9 Spa, the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, and Camp Ocean for the little ones.

Unique Alaskan Cruise Experieces

Of course, these are just some of the many choices for the best Alaska cruises in 2025. It all comes down to what you want out of your Alaskan adventure.

There are plenty of other sailings in the region that may appeal to different types of travelers. If you aren’t really “a cruiser”, a cruise is still one of the best ways to visit Alaska. So, there are sailings out there for you too. Lindblad Expeditions, UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, and HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), to name a few, provide a more off-the-beaten-path and experience.

These expedition ships carry much fewer passengers and are a more active way of exploring the region. The accommodations will likely be less luxurious, and there will be far fewer amenities onboard. But, you will venture to more remote locales for a very different Alaska cruise than the mainstream and luxury cruise lines offe.

Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed. There is so much natural beauty, rugged landscapes, and wildlife waiting for you in Alaska.

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