Not Quite a Yachter (Yet)? Best Luxury Cruise Lines for Foodies, Culture-Seekers & Small-Ship Fans
Compare top luxury lines—Regent, Silversea, Oceania, Ponant, Windstar, Paul Gauguin, SeaDream, Explora. See ship sizes, price ranges, and what you get by booking with a travel advisor.
The Shortlist (sizes, feel, typical pricing)
Regent Seven Seas – All-inclusive leader (excursions, drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities). Midsize ships, typically ~700–750 guests; new Seven Seas Prestige arrives late 2026. World cruises & lavish top suites (The Regent Suite, one of a kind on the ship). Fares vary widely by region and suite; the cruise line positions itself at the very top of all-inclusive pricing, which is pretty accurate.
Silversea – Boutique ships; Silver Nova carries ~728 guests, while expedition vessels are far smaller. Recent public fares show examples like 14-day voyages from ~$9,500 per guest (vary by ship/date).
Oceania – Culinary-centric, premium-luxury value; new Allura class carries ~1,200 guests; strong itineraries and “Finest Cuisine at Sea.” Pricing skews lower than fully all-inclusive luxury—great value for food lovers.
Explora Journeys (MSC’s luxury brand) – 461 ocean-front suites; fresh design, wellness focus. Sample Caribbean sailings show lead-in pricing around $4k–$5k+ per guest for ~7–9 nights depending on season.
Ponant – French small-ship style, many sailings ~184–264 guests; polar-capable fleet and yacht-like ambiance. Indicative 8-day fares often $5,000–$8,000+ pp depending on itinerary.
Windstar – Motor-yachts & sail ships (148–342 guests). Often excellent value; frequent promos show cruise-only fares that can pencil out under $1,000 pp/day on select dates.
Paul Gauguin (French Polynesia) – Single-ship line, hyper-focused on Tahiti & the Society/ Tuamotu Islands. Recent lead-ins: 7 nights from ~$5,270 pp; 10 nights from ~$7,960 pp (seasonal).
SeaDream Yacht Club – Two true yacht-style ships (~112 guests); beloved for outdoor dining and casual elegance. Caribbean 7-nights often start ~$2,500–$3,500 per person.
Advisor edge: how I add value
Inclusions audit (so you compare apples to apples across “all-inclusive” vs. “cruise-only + add-ons”).
Cabin strategy (noise/positioning, connecting, balcony depth, bath layouts).
Itinerary finesse (festivals, shoulder-season weather, boutique port access).
Perks: group space, shipboard credit, private guides ashore—matched to your travel style.
Tell me your wish list (food, spa, UNESCO sites, no sea days?) and I’ll pair you to the right ship, cabin and season—maximizing inclusions and minimizing regrets.
