Best cruises to take in 2025
If you're looking ahead to next year's holiday, a cruise could be the ideal solution. With modern facilities on board, you can indulge in luxurious spas, soak in relaxing pools, or unwind in hot tubs while basking in the sun on deck.
Cruising offers the chance to travel in complete comfort and style and immerse yourself in relaxation, leaving behind the stresses of daily life. River cruises, in particular, can be a great way to get to know a country, allowing you to explore charming towns and breathtaking landscapes at a leisurely pace.
To help you plan your next getaway, we've curated a selection of top cruises for 2025 that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. Whether you're seeking cultural experiences, a culinary journey, or a relaxing retreat, there's a cruise waiting for you. So, why not start planning your cruise adventure today?
Cruise the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia on this 17-day cultural voyage along one of Asia's most famous rivers. Before embarking on the luxurious Mekong Jewel river ship, spend two days exploring historic Ho Chi Minh City and spend time in Cambodia's capital of Phnom Penh. There are 13 immersive excursions included in your itinerary, including the archaeological site of Angkor and visit ornate Buddhist temples. Alternatively, discover the fascinating history and culture of South East Asia on this unforgettable fifteen-day cruise through Thailand's vibrant capital, Bangkok to Cambodia and Vietnam.
Embarking on a cruise to Antarctica is an adventure like no other. Discover pristine ice-capped landscapes and unique species of wildlife including emperor penguins and whales on this incredible 15-day cruise. Your adventure will begin in Buenos Aires, where you'll board MS Fridtjof Nansen or MS Amundsen before sailing though the icy waters of Antarctica with an expert expedition team, who'll tailor your excursions based upon the conditions.
Cruise through Japan during the cherry blossom season and immerse in the beauty of the iconic sakura blooms. Typically occurring from late March to early April, landscapes tranform into a sea of delicate pink and white petals, drawing both locals and international visitors to parks, temples, and riverbanks. A cruise offers a unique vantage point to appreciate these ephemeral flowers from the water, where you can witness cherry blossom trees lining the shores. You will also visit stunning temples, picturesque old towns to ultra-modern high-tech cities to experience Japan's culture of contrasts.
Discover the delights of the Douro River on this eight-day all-inclusive river cruise on board an elegant ship. Explore the rolling hills and terraced vineyards from the comfort of your ship. Experience the local culture with visits to some of the regions most peaceful villages and and enjoy food and wine tastings to try some of the region's famous produced port wine. For those who embark on this leisurely river cruise of the Douro Valley are treated not only to exquisite wines but also to breathtaking landscapes, whilst winding through dramatic hills and valleys.
Set sail on an unforgettable eight-day luxury cruise through the enchanting Venetian Lagoon, where food lovers and fans of culinary excellence can rejoice in a rare opportunity to meet one of the nation's most beloved chefs, James Martin. This exclusive journey not only provides access to the breathtaking sights of Venice, such as the iconic Doge's Palace and the magnificent St Mark's Basilica, but it also immerses you in a vibrant culture steeped in history and gastronomy. Back on board, James will host a private Q&A session about his life and culinary career and give a talk as well as curating and cooking a special gala dinner.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure as you voyage along Norway's spectacular coastline on a 12-day adventure on a Hurtigruten expedition ship sailing in the company of expert guides. Sail through glacial fjords, past towering mountains and spot incredible species of wildlife including puffins, orcas and humpback whales. Joining you for part of the cruise is expert wildlife photograpger Doug Allan who will join for three days to host a photography workshop, give insightful talks along the way and accompany you on an arctic coastal walk. A highlight of the trip is the chance to witness the etheral beauty of the Aurora Borealis as you sail through the Arctic Circle.
Step aboard stylish MS Midnatsol cruise ship and sail along Norway's spectacular coastline, past hundreds of fjords, majestic mountains and have the chance to see the greatest light show on Earth, the Northern Lights. You'll be travelling with an expert team of accomplished astronomers led by the renowned Chief Aurora Chaser, Tom Kerss, who will host a series of insightful onboard lectures about the cosmos and join you on exciting excursions in search of the Aurora Borealis. Tom will also accompany you on a exclusive trip to the incredible Planetarium in Tromsø where you'll find out more about 'Experiencing the Aurora' and the constellations.
Join Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge on a five-star river cruise through France's scenic Medoc wine region and sample the excellent cuisine onboard, luxurious SS Bon Voyage. Sail along the banks of the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde discovering historic landmarks along the way and sample the excellent cuisine onboard the cruise. Visit some of the region's best vineyards and sample the finest vintages on a tour of the Château Royal de Cazeneuve wine estate. Tom will be joining you onboard for part of the cruise where he'll host a cooking demonstration and answer your questions in a Q&A session.
Sail aboard the luxurious S.S. La Venezia ship on this exclusive eight-day river cruise of the Venetian Lagoon. You'll have exclusive access to iconic landmarks, including an atmospheric lighting ceremony at St Mark's Basilica and early morning entry to Doge's Palace.
A highlight of the trip is the company of celebrated chef and MasterChef judge Monica Galetti, who'll give a special talk, and Q&A and join you on a trip to Chioggia's vibrant local market.
Cruise through Norway's stunning fjords aboard Holland America's luxurious flagship Rotterdam. You will also enjoy further stops in Amsterdam with its pretty canals, explore Rotterdam's historic Delfshaven, see Oslo's famous Opera house and enjoy Brugge' picturesque waterfront. Making this trip extra special is the company of Si King of the Hairy Bikers who will join you onboard and prepare a special gala lunch, as well as host an insightful talk and Q&A session.
Sail on a luxury ship along the sacred river Ganges and explore fascinating cities including Agra, Jaipur and Old Delhi. Visit holy sites, ornate temples and traditional villages to meet the locals. Joining you for part of the tour is double Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar. Atul will join you on a visit to Kalna Market, host a live cooking demonstration and give a talk and Q&A about his career and passion for Indian cooking on this special tour of India's Golden Triangle.
