The World’s most exclusive cruise lines for 2025

Escapes by BFP explore the worlds best cruises for 2025

One of the best ways to explore the world is via the unrivalled comfort of a luxury cruise liner.

The world is full of so many extraordinary and beautiful places that it can sometimes feel hard choosing just one to explore on a holiday.

This is one of the things which make cruises so wonderful. They give you the chance to explore lots of places and see many interesting things and enjoy unrivalled five-star luxury on-board.

With so many exceptional cruise liners operating globally, the Escapes by BFP team has collated its top ten list of its favourite cruise ships for 2025.

These are some of the best cruises in the world, according to our team of luxury travel experts.

National Geographic Islander II – Lindblad Expeditions

National Geographic Islander II, Lindblad Expedition’s latest vessel in the Galápagos Islands, substantially elevates the bar for small luxury ships in the area.

Measuring 280 feet long, 46 feet wide, the ship accommodates just 48 passengers and offers a 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio, allowing for a more personal onboard experience.

It has 26 well-appointed light and airy suites offering large windows, king and twin convertible beds, a sofa, marble bath and other comforts. The four Islander Suites have separate living rooms and bathrooms outfitted with a tub, in addition to a glassed-in rain shower. The Santa Cruz Islander Suite can be reserved as a Family Suite with a connecting double suite.

You can swim seals and sea lions in the morning, do yoga on a beach, enjoy Ecuadorian cuisine and sip cocktails at the bar.

This gracious, intimate cruise ship offers a true connection to Galapagos via a relaxed, high-end experience.

Queen Elizabeth, Cunard

The Cunard’s art deco-inspired Queen Elizabeth evokes the golden era of ocean travel with daily afternoon tea and black-tie dances in the grand ballroom.

Enjoy luxury, glamour and style on a truly remarkable voyage. Enjoy spacious decks on the Queen Elizabeth, Cunard, endless entertainment, luxurious accommodation and a splendid array of fine restaurants.

Relax with a treatment at the Mareel Wellness & Beauty spa, enjoy a game of croquet on the Games Deck, savour the entertainment in her Royal Court Theatre or visit the expansive library which stocks more than 8,000 books. The choice is yours on-board this special Cunard ship.

Regent Seven Seas Voyager, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

The Regent Seven Seas Voyager provides outstanding luxury via its premier all-inclusive cruises.

The amenities seem endless on-board this world-renowned luxury cruise liner, it has 354 opulent suites for up to 700 passengers, nine decks and six restaurants, including a French speciality restaurant and Compass Rose, where you can dine from Versace plates under palatial chandeliers.

Time spent on-board the ship is as enriching as time ashore. Relax by the pool, treat yourself to a spa treatment, enjoy fine dining or try your luck in the casino.

The Regent Seven Seas Voyager excels in delivering an exceptional service and has a high crew-to-passenger ratio. The waiters take pride in remembering your name and your favourite drink from day one.

Silver Spirit, Silversea

Enjoy a romantic getaway on one of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world.

Relax and enjoy a personal butler service, all-inclusive drinks and fine dining. The 608-passenger ship offers its guests the most complete cruise experiences available. Its home from home atmosphere is achieved via spacious decks, cosy lounges and sumptuous suites complete with private verandas.

Silver Note, the ship’s intimate jazz bar and its Italian restaurant La Terrazza are both exceptional to experience and create memories that last a lifetime.

Scenic Spirit – Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

This boutique ship is in a class of its own. On board Scenic Spirit guests enjoy impeccable service, exceptional dining, ultra luxurious suites and an unrivalled all-inclusive guided river cruise.

The ship’s resistance pool is the perfect place to relax following a day touring floating markets and ancient ruins or embarking on an immersive excursion. Then enjoy extravagant multi-course meals and free-flowing drinks at your leisure.

Scenic Spirit’s flagship Mekong River cruise is simply wonderful, you’ll see monks at a Buddhist temple, farmers working the fields and local dancers.

This boutique ship is big enough for you to relax and small enough to remain exclusive, with a capacity for only 68 guests.

Emerald Harmony, Emerald Cruises

Discover the natural delights and cultures of Southeast Asia on a luxury Mekong River cruise in Cambodia and Vietnam on-board the Emerald Harmony.

Emerald Harmony is a stylish contemporary sanctuary spread across five decks for its 84 passengers. The ship is home to a fine restaurant that serves international cuisine, beautifully designed cabins and a blissful pool, spa and fitness centre.

While its bars feature live music performances during the peak season, there is not a huge amount of entertainment each night.

Emerald Harmony is perfect to enjoy an Asian adventure and a sophisticated travel experience.

Azamara Pursuit, Azamara

The 702-passenger Azamara Pursuit is a truly magnificent luxury cruise ship that delivers careful holidays that dreams are made of.

The elegant ship provides an unrivalled all-inclusive experience for its guests via its excellent restaurants, bars and staterooms. Exceptional leisure options include swimming pools, a spa and fitness centre providing the perfect place to relax.

Its itineraries deliver immersive experiences that go off the beaten track to ensure guests sample local culture via guided tours.

The luxurious suites, stunning amenities and personal service combine to deliver unforgettable voyages.

Crystal Symphony

Embark on the voyage of a lifetime to extraordinary destinations on-board the deluxe Crystal Symphony.

This stunning luxury cruise ship is simply fascinating. Each space is individually designed to create unique experiences and atmospheres throughout the ship.

Each voyage is all-inclusive and a butler service comes as standard for each suite.

Enjoy exceptional dining, luxuriate on an oversized lounger, or take in the views over Afternoon Tea.

Explore Europe and the Mediterranean, the Baltics, Americas and Caribbean on-board this luxurious cruise ship.

Seven Seas Grandeur – Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Seven Seas Grandeur is the very essence of luxury, perfectly combing unparalleled service with exceptional cuisine and awe-inspiring decor to deliver unforgettable holidays.

This 746-passenger ship has 373 all-veranda suites complete with marble bathrooms and furnished private balconies.

Enjoy the feeling of pure luxury from the moment you board this beautiful ship. Its art collection is unrivalled, with Picasso and Miro painting on-board and the only Fabergé egg permanently on display at sea.

Foodies are spoilt for choice with a myriad of fine restaurants to dine in, where chefs create exactly what you want.

The leisure amenities include a putting green for golfers, swimming pools and spas that restores the mind, body and soul.

Seven Seas Grandeur is an experience you will savour for years to come.

Seabourn Pursuit

Ultra-luxurious Seabourn Pursuit cruises to remote locations and boasts exceptional dining experiences.

It boasts a dedicated expedition team to guide you through unforgettable trips at every port.

With a maximum of 264 guests Seabourn Pursuit is purpose built, elegant and luxurious. Its dining experiences and wellness spaces are simply out of this world. The service is impeccable with a truly exceptional attention to detail.

This ship is popular with retired couples and adults and as the ship is designed for expedition sailing it is smaller than a typical cruise liner.

Sailing on the Seabourne Pursuit is a truly special experience.

Whatever your luxury cruise ship dreams are for 2025 our team of experts are on hand to guide you through the wonderful options available to create a tailor-made cruise holiday for you.