These are the world’s best cruise brands in 2024

The 2024 Luxury Travel Gold List recognises the most innovative and sustainable cruise brands across various categories

After a rigorous judging period, the 2024 Luxury Travel Gold List Awards shortlist has been announced, revealing the best brands in the world of cruising. These awards spotlight the industry’s leaders in luxury, sustainability and customer service and highlight cruise brands that have gone above and beyond, offering exceptional experiences that align with Luxury Travel’s core editorial pillars of authenticity, design and sustainability.

This year’s shortlist features cruise brands across several categories, recognising their commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences on the water. From expedition cruises exploring remote corners of the world to luxury river cruises offering intimate cultural experiences, these categories represent the diverse and evolving nature of luxury travel by sea.

Luxury Expedition Cruise Brand

The Luxury Expedition Cruise Brand category recognises cruise lines that offer immersive, adventure-driven experiences in some of the world’s most remote and untouched regions. Finalists include:

Aurora Expeditions (Australia)

Fiordland Discovery (New Zealand)

Ponant (Global)

Quark Expeditions (Canada)

Scenic Eclipse (Australia)

Seabourn Expeditions (United States)

Silversea (Global)

Viking (Switzerland)

Luxury River Cruise Brand

This category celebrates river cruise operators that deliver luxurious, culturally enriching journeys along some of the world’s most iconic rivers. The finalists are:

APT (Australia)

Avalon Waterways (Global)

Capella Cruise (Vietnam)

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises (Australia)

Viking (Switzerland)

Luxury Ocean Cruise Brand (Under 300 Guests)

Recognising ocean cruise lines that offer intimate experiences with fewer guests onboard, this category includes:

Capella Cruise (Vietnam)

Celestia Phinisi Yacht (Indonesia)

Ponant—Le Commandant Charcot (Global)

SeaDream Yacht Club (Norway & US)

Windstar Cruises (United States)

Luxury Ocean Cruise Brand (301-750 Guests)

This category highlights brands that balance luxury with a more social atmosphere, catering to a medium number of guests. Finalists include:

Crystal (Global)

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Global)

Silversea (Global)

Luxury Ocean Cruise Brand (Over 750 Guests)

For those seeking the grander scale of luxury ocean cruising, this category honours the best large cruise brands:

Cunard (Australia)

Explora Journeys (Australia)

Oceania Cruises (Global)

Viking (Switzerland)

These cruise brands have been chosen for their ability to deliver unique, luxurious, and sustainable travel experiences. Their commitment to innovation in design, exceptional customer service, and responsible tourism practices sets them apart in the luxury travel industry.

The 2024 Luxury Travel Gold List Awards invite you to vote for your favourite cruise brand. Head to the voting page here to have your say and support the brands leading the way in luxury travel.