Dreaming of setting sail on the vast expanse of open waters? Explore our curated selection of the most exciting and immersive cruise voyages
Whether you’re longing for the icy wonders of Antarctica or seeking inspiration from sporting legends, these ten incredible, immersive cruises embarking in 2024 offer a blend of comfort and exploration. Get ready to set sail and create memories that will last a lifetime with this guide to the most highly-anticipated and immersive cruises around the globe
A culinary voyage around Australia
February 2025
After the success of the inaugural Great Australian Culinary Voyage in 2023, British luxury cruise line Cunard is offering the third iteration of this popular voyage. The Great Australian Culinary Voyage, running in 2025, will highlight the country’s most acclaimed chefs and produce. Culinary experts – namely the return of renowned Australian chef and restaurateur Matt Moran – will present culinary connoisseurs with an epicurean experience at sea.
Cunard is committed to showcasing the finest produce from Australia and New Zealand, providing guests with an authentic taste of the region’s culinary forages. 95% of proteins (meats and fish) will be sourced locally and the cruise will include a degustation of diverse cuisines and flavour profiles for the duration of the deployment. Premium Australian meats, fresh dairy produce and fine local seafood, including scallops, lobster and Moreton bay bugs will be on the menu.
Work on your health while mingling with sporting legends
February 2024
Sail from Sydney on 13 February 2024, Cunard’s seven-night Sporting Greats and Wellness Voyage will offer passengers the chance to network and learn from sporting icons through live talks, activities and bespoke shore excursions. The cruise is presented by sporting legends, Brett Lee, Adam Goodes, Karrie Webb and Mark Beretta and will include talks from former Australian national cricket team captain, Kim Hughes; distinguished Australian military officer and former Governor-General of Australia-turned-philanthropist, Sir Peter Cosgrove; and Australian journalist, television presenter and author, Tracy Spicer. The immersive journey will offer an extensive wellness program with Dr Joanna McMillan and Professor Luigi Fontana and provide education and inspiration on health and wellbeing. Guests will be able to indulge in daily complimentary movement classes, breath workshops and ice bath sessions.
A taste of the wild life in South America
February 2025
&Beyond and Quark Expeditions have joined forces to offer guests A taste of the wild life and a masterclass with Kris Tompkins. The expedition will be led by co-founder of Tompkins Conversation and renowned conservationist, Kris Tompkins, who will educate and offer guests insight into the wildlife preservation efforts in Chile and Argentina’s unforgettable landscapes.
The collaboration between &Beyond and Quark Expeditions will commence at the Estancia Cerro Guido ranch in the Chilean Patagonia’s Torres del Paine and will provide guests with a chance to observe wildlife preservation activities led by expert puma researchers and trackers. This will be followed by an Antarctic cruise aboard Quark Expeditions polar vessel that will showcase the ongoing conservation efforts in the region and sustainability efforts in both Chilean and Antarctic ecosystems. The exclusive and immersive experience, which is limited to just 14 guests,18 days will set sail in February 2025.
Rub shoulders with travel experts aboard the Chairman Cruise
April 2025
Embarking from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and concluding in Rhodes, Greece, the 6-night Crystal Chairman Cruise voyage aboard Crystal Symphony will depart on 2 April. This unique cruise will feature a series of special lectures, interactive discussions and exclusive meet and greets with the executive chairman of A&K travel group, Manfredi Lefebvre and founder and chairman Emeritus of Abercrombie & Kent, Geoffrey Kent.
Guests will be joined by notable figures in the travel industry, who will showcase and share the knowledge they have obtained in the years working in the travel industry – including author Peter Maeck, Justice Dennis Curran, artist Martin Kaye, and musical theatre actress Sabrina Aloueche. Entertainment aboard the Crystal Symphony will showcase an array of award-winning productions and cabaret shows, namely ‘Icons in Concert’, ‘Crystal on Broadway’ and the Elton John tribute show, ‘Rocket Man’. Onboard activities will also include golf classes led by PGA professionals, ballroom dance classes and educational, technology classes.
Additionally, guests will be able to extend the adventure by travelling on a pre-cruise trip to AlUla in Saudi Arabia before the Chairman Cruise. This overland and intimate experience, curated by Abercrombie & Kent, will extend over five days and is set to educate guests on Saudi Arabia’s heritage, explore the UNESCO World Heritage site Hegra and visit the iconic Elephant Rock.
Experience the natural diversity of East Asia
February 2024
Crystal Cruises is offering a journey around East Asia that will highlight the natural diversity between its destinations. Departing from Hong Kong Harbour on 28 February, the experience will extend over 14 days and dock in Singapore on 12 March. The cruise will set sail to Taiwan, where passengers will indulge in local epicurean cuisines and visit landmarks and natural treasures, including the Taroko National Park.
The exploration continues into Japan’s remote Ryukyu Islands, where guests will learn about the history, culture and archaeology of the site, and visit the pristine water of the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Before concluding the trip in Singapore, the cruise will sail to the Philippines’ capital city Manila, to explore the natural beauty of the area, including the Puerto Princesa subterranean river, followed by a brief stopover in the Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei. The cruise will dock in the multi-cultural and progressive city of Singapore, where guests can visit the architecture, epicurean culture and cultural landmarks.
Break Antarctic ice on the Silver Endeavour
December 2024
Break Antarctic ice on the Silver Endeavour, as Silversea Cruises presents an immersive experience exploring the white continent. Departing from King George Island on February 27th, the expedition will take place over six days. Experiences aboard the Silver Endeavour include sightseeing landmarks and wildlife, as well as immersive activities including hiking and kayaking.
The cruise will set sail from King George Island, where guests will sightsee regular visitors, including different penguin types and leopard seals, that can be spotted in the water or on the shore. Venturing into the Antarctic Sound, guests will experience Gentoo penguins hopping around and cape petrels sweeping overhead. Once reaching the Antarctic Peninsula, onboard visitors will witness cathedral-sized icebergs up close and blue-hued glaciers slowly shifting locations over three days. Before docking back in King George Island, the cruise will visit the South Shetland Islands – the largest, most hospitable island of Antarctica – where the cruise will sail into the collapsed volcano of Deception Island and guests can hike the Luna landscape and dip into the geothermally-heated waters of Pendulum Cove.
Discover the wonders of New Zealand’s natural beauty
February 2024
Experience New Zealand’s coastal scenery on a Silversea cruise sailing from Auckland to Sydney. The journey will commence on February 11th 2024, taking place over 13 days, and will showcase and explore New Zealand’s natural beauty. Before departing the blue-green waters of New Zealand’s north island, guests will discover the cityscape of Auckland, exploring lava caves, grape-laden vineyards, flourishing wildlife in the Hauraki Gulf’s islands and 360-panorma views of the city, from the heights of Mound Eden.
The journey will then continue onto Tauranga, where guests can kayak across Lake Rotoito and explore the darkened caves illuminated by glittering glow worms and where coastal footpaths wind around the harbour for exploring and immersing themselves in surrounding scenery. This is followed by a stop in Gisborne, a destination known for being the first location to see the sunrise, surrounded by beach views and nature reserves.
Napier is a destination for the wine connoisseurs among the guests, to indulge in and visit local wineries, before departing to an easy-going atmosphere of New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. The journey continues with interactions with native wildlife, namely swimming with Hector’s Dolphin and visiting the Manderley Working Farm, in Akaroa, and helicopter whale watching and Kaikoura Sea Fishing, in Kaikoura.
Guests will discover Nelson on foot, with an itinerary showcasing a winery trail walk, quad bike forest adventure, or a helicopter ride by Abel Tasman flightseeing. Before spending three nights on international waters, cruise guests will visit the homeland of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, New Plymouth. A destination ruled by the great outdoors, this city showcases walkways, botanic gardens and award-winning golf courses. The Silversea cruise will then dock in Sydney where guests can explore famous stretches of sand such as Bondi Beach and architectural masterpieces, such as the Opera House.
An extended journey to a yachtsman’s Caribbean of remote refuges
January 2024
Step away from the typical tourist areas with Explora Journeys’ authentic journey in the Caribbean, where guests will explore the culture and tradition of tropical islands. The 12-night journey commences in January 2024 and departs from the vibrant capital of Barbados, Bridgetown. Guests will experience the slow Bajan rhythm of this welcoming island, before travelling to Roseau, to venture through rainforests, detox in volcanic mud baths and trek a slumbering 4,000-foot volcano. The adventure continues to Castries in St Lucia, where guests are welcomed to refresh in the waterfalls of this tranquil tropical isle and watch whales while enjoying the fresh catch with a tasty local brew. On day four, boarders will explore the botanical gardens and bird preserves and can opt to visit the Cocoa House for a taste of chocolate’s rich root, in Deshaies. A day in Gustavia will showcase the French Isle’s secluded beaches, where guests can snorkel warm, turquoise water to the lull of gentle waves. The expedition continues with a visit to the historic Old San Juan, where guests can visit centuries-old forts and shop boutiques for artisan works, before visiting the coral reefs and soft beaches in Virgin Gorda. Guests will get active in Basseterre, with an itinerary featuring a rainforest trek, sail day or train ride, before heading to St. John’s to sip fine aged rums, swim with stingrays and zip-line through lush forests. Guests will discover the sultry tropical beauty of the setting for The Pirates of the Caribbean in Kingstown, before arriving back in Bridgetown.
Visit architectural landmarks and the natural beauty of the Arabian Peninsula
February 2026
Explora Journeys offers a unique cruise exploration of the Middle East, where guests will visit ancient wonders, architectural landmarks and the natural beauty of the Arabian Peninsula. Before departing from Egypt on 26 November 2025, guests of the eight-night journey will wander the burial chambers, monuments and expressive artistry of Luxor, Safaga. After a day at sea, guests will arrive in the bustle and buzz of Saudi Arabia’s oldest city, Jeddah. The guests will visit Islamic holy towns, unearth secrets in the backstreets of UNESCO-celebrated Al-Balad, explore ruins and floating mosques, and then unwind strolling amongst the charms of the Corniche, over two days. This is followed by a trek to Sokhna, where passengers will explore the colossal structures that belong to the great pharaohs of the old kingdom in Giza Platea. The journey continues into Sharm El-Sheikh, for desert adventures and the opportunity to explore the heart of Cairo for the great Pyramids and Sphinx. Moving to Aqaba, where guests are welcomed into the Middle Eastern culture, visit rock-hewn Petra and take a four-wheel-foray to the rust-coloured sands and towering rocks of UNESCO-listed Wadi Rum, before heading back to Safaga.
A northern Pacific journey from Tokyo to Vancouver
May 2024
Regent Seven Seas is offering a northern Pacific journey from Tokyo to Vancouver aboard Seven Seas Explorer. Departing from Tokyo, the adventure takes place over 17 nights and commences on 3 May 2024. Setting sail to Hitachinaka, guests will explore the beaches, bustling fish market and vibrant gardens, including celebrated Hitachi Seaside Park – a 500-acre oasis with dozens of flower species that include 170 varieties of tulips and millions of blue nemophila. The cruise continues to three destinations in Japan, including Miyako fishing port where excursion highlights include a walk through Ryusendo Cave and a visit to Jodogahama Beach. At Hakodate, historical buildings and wellness rituals are highlighted, including a bird’s-eye view of the star-shaped fortress and surrounding moat from the adjoining Goryokaku Tower Observatory and wellness rituals including hot springs, including the Yunokawa Onsen.
Japan’s northernmost island, Kushiro, is home to a variety of plant and animal life, local artwork at Hokkaido Kushiro Art Museum and freshly caught local cuisine, for purchase at Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf. In the following few days, guests will cruise along the Pacific Ocean and enjoy onboard programs before arriving in Alaska’s Dutch Harbour, a major commercial fishing port. There, passengers will hike along trails walked for centuries by the Unangan people while watching for eagles soaring overhead. In Kodiak, guests can opt to participate in endless outdoor activities, ranging from hiking through the forests to watching Kodiak bears foraging for food and fish enthusiasts will find Kodiak Island offers great salmon, halibut and trout fishing.
The Alaskan adventure continues in Seward, with views of two active volcanoes, the highest point on the continent of North America (Mount McKinley) and six major mountain ranges, before venturing to Sitka, known for its fishing industry, annual summer classical music festival and, of course, its many historic visitor attractions. The journey ends with a quick stop into Ketchikan, before docking in Vancouver, home to soaring old-growth trees and a spectacular collection of First Nation totem poles.
