Luxury Cruises In Europe
Explore Europe's Finest Luxury & Premium Cruise Lines
Introduction
This article provides a high-level overview of the luxury cruise lines that operate in Europe. It is aimed at travellers seeking a luxurious cruise experience that is tailored to specific interests and regions within Europe. The information includes the unique selling points (USP) of each cruise line, their target audience, and some of the destinations they serve.
Azamara Club Cruises
USP: Azamara is known for its immersive, destination-focused experiences with longer stays in port and overnight excursions. Their smaller ships access unique ports, and they offer exclusive cultural events through their “AzAmazing Evenings.”
Target Audience: Sophisticated travellers who want to delve deeply into local culture, cuisine, and history, with time to explore destinations beyond the standard sightseeing tours.
Destinations: Mediterranean and Northern Europe, with ports that include destinations like Kotor in Montenegro, Bordeaux in France, and smaller ports throughout Greece and Italy.
Azamara Sisters Meet - Slovenia
Azamara Onward - Livorno, Italy
Crystal Cruises
USP: Crystal Cruises offers refined luxury with spacious suites, exceptional personalised service, world-class dining—including Chef Nobu's Umi Uma—and immersive, curated destination experiences.
Target Audience: Crystal appeals to affluent, culturally curious travellers, including couples, solo adventurers, and experienced cruisers seeking elevated experiences, culinary excellence, and unmatched service.
Destinations: Major Mediterranean cities like Rome and Athens, along with explorations of Iceland, the Baltic region, and the Canary Islands.
Crystal Serenity
Crystal Cruises
Cunard Line
USP: Cunard offers iconic ocean liners, impeccable White Star Service, and exclusive experiences like transatlantic crossings and themed voyages.
Target audience: Cunard appeals to affluent travellers seeking refined dining, cultural enrichment, and heritage-rich cruising experiences.
Top Europe Destinations: Cunard’s European itineraries include the Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean, and historic ports across the British Isles and Northern Europe.
Cunard Fleet Four Ship Twilight - Image by Cunard
Queen Anne Funnel - Image by Cunard
Explora Journeys
USP: Explora Journeys combines contemporary luxury with spacious suites, world-class dining, and a wellness-focused approach, all while prioritising sustainability and immersive cultural experiences.
Target audience: Explora Journeys caters to affluent travellers, including solo adventurers, couples, and families, who value modern luxury, personalised service, and eco-conscious, culturally enriching journeys.
Top Europe Destinations: The sun-soaked Mediterranean ports like Venice, Athens, and Santorini, the Norwegian fjords, Stockholm, and Copenhagen, and the natural wonders of Reykjavik and remote Icelandic landscapes.
Explora Journeys Ship
Explora Journeys - Image by Jay Clark
Hapag-Lloyd EUROPA 2
USP: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises sets itself apart with a commitment to modern elegance, personalised service, and exceptional onboard experiences. Flagship vessels like the EUROPA 2 boast spacious accommodations, refined design, and world-class dining. With an emphasis on flexibility and a relaxed atmosphere, the cruise line provides a contemporary take on luxury travel, appealing to guests seeking sophistication and comfort.
Target Audience: Designed for discerning travellers, Hapag-Lloyd caters to both solo adventurers and families, offering bilingual service and dedicated family-friendly amenities like Kids’ Clubs and family apartments. Their cruises are particularly suited to those who value cultural immersion, enrichment opportunities, and seamless hospitality, with options tailored for international guests.
Destinations: Hapag-Lloyd’s itineraries span iconic destinations and less-travelled regions, from the sun-soaked Mediterranean and Northern Europe’s historic cities to the pristine Arctic. Their smaller ship size allows access to exclusive ports while eco-friendly technologies and responsible tourism practices underline their commitment to sustainability in luxury travel.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Main Reception EUROPA 2
Oceania Cruises
USP: Known for its gourmet dining and rich itineraries, Oceania offers ‘The Finest Cuisine at Sea,’ curated by master chefs, with culinary experiences central to the journey.
Target Audience: Culinary enthusiasts and travellers with a deep appreciation for arts and history, desiring both luxury and enriching shore excursions.
Destinations: France, Portugal, and the Iberian Peninsula; often exploring culinary destinations within Spain, Italy, and smaller ports in Greece and Turkey.
Oceania Cruises R-Class Ships
Oceania Riviera - Marmaris Turkey
PONANT
USP: PONANT combines luxury with expedition cruising, offering voyages on intimate, yacht-like vessels featuring relaxed, understated luxury. They also partner with the Smithsonian for themed sailings featuring enriched cultural programs.
Target Audience: Travellers seeking the "French touch", culture enthusiasts, and those looking to explore out of the way places in luxury & on education-focused voyages.
Destinations: Key Mediterranean regions Provence, Corsica, the Greek Isles, and Norway’s fjords. PONANT also offers unique routes through the British Isles and small ports in Ireland and Scotland, together with some awe-inspiring Arctic Circle voyages.
Le Jacques Cartier - Gulf of Morbihan ©StudioPonant Ophelie BLEUNVEN
PONANT in Mykonos @StudioPonant Julie Gourio
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
USP: Known for its truly all-inclusive packages, Regent offers unlimited shore excursions, specialty dining, and premium beverages. Its fleet is designed with spacious suites, and guests enjoy personalised butler services.
Target Audience: Luxury travellers seeking a highly curated, worry-free experience; ideal for those who value comprehensive inclusivity and upscale service.
Destinations: The Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Baltic. Highlights include ports in Greece, Spain, & Scandinavia.
Regent Seven Seas - Image credit arvido-5514642 on Pixabay
Regent Seven Seas Mariner in Kotor Montenegro - Image by RSSC
Scenic Ocean Cruises
USP: Scenic Ocean Cruises combines ultra-luxury with innovation, offering all-inclusive experiences aboard state-of-the-art Discovery Yachts, complete with helicopters, submersibles, and access to smaller, exclusive ports.
Target Audience: Scenic appeals to affluent travellers seeking adventure, personalised service, and immersive cultural experiences, including couples, families, and solo explorers.
Destinations: Scenics European itineraries include the Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords, and Dalmatian Coast, offering a mix of iconic cities like Venice and Dubrovnik and hidden gems only accessible by smaller ships.
Scenic Eclipse Valetta Malta
Scenic Eclipse Reine Lofoten Islands Norway
Seabourn
USP: Seabourn epitomises understated luxury with smaller, yacht-like ships that access exclusive, less crowded ports. Signature features include complimentary caviar, personalised in-suite dining, and partnerships with renowned chefs.
Target Audience: Upscale, discerning travellers looking for an intimate "club-style" cruising experience with an emphasis on high-quality service and culinary experiences.
Destinations: The French Riviera, Italian coastlines, and surprise locations in the Adriatic. Key destinations include Monaco, Sicily, the Dalmatian Coast, and boutique ports in the Norwegian fjords.
Seabourn Encore Aerial 
Seabourn at Qaqortoq, Greenland
SeaDream Yacht Club
USP: SeaDream offers a ‘yachting, not cruising’ experience, featuring ultra-small ships for fewer than 100 guests. Personalised services like ‘Balinese beds’ for sleeping under the stars are popular.
Target Audience: Couples and honeymooners looking for a romantic, secluded, and unique cruise with intimate surroundings and personalised touches.
Destinations: Boutique Mediterranean routes, including smaller islands and ports across the French and Italian Rivieras, the Amalfi Coast, and Croatia.
SeaDream Yacht Club
SeaDream Yacht Club - Caviar Splash
Silversea
USP: Silversea offers a unique expedition-style cruising option with onboard enrichment programs, luxurious suite accommodations, and fine dining. Their smaller ships provide access to secluded destinations.
Target Audience: Adventurous luxury travellers interested in immersive experiences that blend high-end amenities with local cultural immersion.
Destinations: The British Isles, Iceland, and Mediterranean islands like Malta and Sardinia. They also visit less-travelled regions such as the Arctic Circle and Greenland for expedition-focused travellers.
SilverRay Aerial Shooting ©Silversea Cruises Ltd
Silversea Patmos Island ©Silversea Cruises Ltd
Viking Ocean Cruises
USP: Viking provides elegant yet affordable luxury, focusing on cultural immersion with lectures, concerts, and regionally inspired cuisine, but without the casino and nightlife.
Target Audience: Mature, culturally curious travellers who prefer in-depth, slower-paced itineraries.
Destinations: Known for extensive European river and ocean itineraries, Viking covers the Baltic Sea, British Isles, and Mediterranean hotspots like Barcelona, Venice, and Dubrovnik.
Viking Ocean Cruises - Tromsø, Norway
Conclusion
There really is a cruise line that offers something unique for each luxury traveller; it's just a matter of finding the one that meets your needs and suits your preferences. As a Master accredited member of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and one of the top 100 cruise consultants in Australia, I have specialist luxury cruise knowledge & experience to assist you in this process.
Philip Clapé
Luxury Cruise Planner
Not sure how to choose your ideal luxury cruise line?
Other European Travel Articles