No matter how many cruises you’ve done, it’s time to shake things up and broaden your horizons beyond the usual suspects.
Cruise lines are plotting a plethora of innovative out-of-the-ordinary cruise options to one-up the growing competition. They’re exotic experiences you haven’t been able to have before and are destined to be remembered for years after they end.
But even though some are more than a year away, you’ll have to act fast to get on board, because many of them are on smaller ships that are destined to book up early. Here are just a few that have come across our desk in recent weeks:
Penguins and culinary exploration in Patagonia
A cruise line you may not have heard of wants to prove there are even more penguins in Patagonia than humans. Australis Cruises is offering four- and eight- night excursions from Cape Horn to explore the vast glaciers, remote islands, and rugged landscapes of southern Patagonia. The highlights are massive penguin colonies at Tierra del Fuego, Punta Arenas, and Puerto Madryn.
The company’s ships carrying 100 to 200 guests are designed to be eco-friendly and meals are made with locally sourced ingredients, including fresh seafood caught straight from the southern seas, locally raised animals, and seasonal produce from nearby farms. Guests can also enjoy a range of Chilean and Argentine wines, craft beers, and spirits that reflect the rich flavors of the region.
It’s a magical mystery cruise
A host of the world’s most talent magicians will feature on a 19-day journey of Seabourn Encore from Long Beach to Miami. The voyage in April, 2025 that includes a Panama Canal crossing and ports in Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia will feature nightly Magic Moment entertainments to steal the show. The stars include illusionist Josephine Lee, one of the world’s foremost female magicians, known for her remarkable illusions and featured on Britain’s Got Talent. Another illusionist, Blake Vogt blends humor and mind-bending tricks. Then there is comedy sleight of hand magician Jack Rhodes, and Mark Haslam, known Known for his Houdini Mystery as well as other classic feats that seem impossible.
In the complimentary onboard enrichment program, Seabourn Conversations, guests will also have opportunities to interact with special lecturers in science, literature, history. Each speaker will offer enlightening conversations and lectures, and will join guests for meals, adventuring ashore, and socializing throughout the voyage.
Exploring space from the sea
Swan Hellenic Cruises plans a series of cruises in collaborations with the SETI Institute, which began life with NASA’s Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence program (SETI) in the 1980s. Each of the special 2025 cruises feature SETI Institute scientists to provide expert insights into the history and latest discoveries in astronomy, astrophysics, astrobiology and planetary science, as well as the quest to find other forms of life within and beyond our solar system.
A special cruise from Halifax to Reykjavik on SH Vega starting May 22, 2025 includes Pamela Harman, the institute’s director of education. Crossing the North Atlantic to Iceland, exploring historic sites and natural wonders over 11 nights, the cruise will feature such events as presentations on how visible and invisible light helps us understand the universe and a Moon and Mars Trivia Contest.
Celestyal is going all-in on Iconic Arabia
Celestyal Cruises will be sailing both of its ships on innovative Iconic Arabia itineraries for the winter of 2025-26. The 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey will make Doha its home port starting in November 2024 and Celestyal Discovery is joining her and homeporting in Abu Dhabi starting in 2025.
There are three- and four-night cruises, sailing round-trip from Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi. The three-night cruises visit the ports of Doha, Qatar and Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE and has 25 shore excursions available to book now, while the four-night option takes in Fujairah, UAE, Muscat and Khasab, Oman with 34 tours available.
The excursions offer a range of half- and full-day options and include seven of the cruise line’s premium Authentic Encounters, providing unique experiences with local people and attractions, with group sizes limited to 12 guests or fewer. Onboard, meals inspired by head chef Yves Sou, born in Cambodia and raised in France, will explore tastes of the region.
And to celebrate the location, a range of 13 innovative new drinks will be on the bar menus. They range from the Arabian Jewel – a gin-based cocktail with a base of fragrant rosewater and spicy cardamom to the Desert Mirage, a vibrant cocktail with a blend of passion fruit and White Oak Rum, enhanced with a hint of lime and mint.
Celestyal will continue to offer cruises of up to 14 days in the Mediterranean from April through October.
Explora is front row for Monaco’s Grand Prix
Explora Journeys will be the only luxury ocean ship docked in Monaco during the Formula 1 Grand Prix from May 22-25, 2025. And an exclusive access to the Formula 1 Paddock Club is available to book for guests staying in Ocean Residences and Penthouses on board EXPLORA II. The newly launched ship will be docked in Port Hercule, steps from the race track and the Paddock Club will host a series of exclusive events and gatherings complete with gourmet dining, premium beverages, and up-close access to teams, drivers, and race cars.
EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II offer 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences designed to be Homes at Sea for guests, all with sweeping ocean views, private terrace, a choice of eleven distinct culinary experiences across six vibrant restaurants plus in-suite dining, Chef’s Kitchen, twelve bars and lounges (eight indoor and four outdoor), four swimming pools, extensive outdoor decks with 64 private cabanas, wellness facilities, and refined entertainment.
A solar eclipse at sea
A special highlight of Oceania Cruises’ 2026 collection is Marina’s Solar Eclipse Cruise sailing from Copenhagen to Reykjavik departing on July 30, which positions travellers in the path of totality for the 2026 Solar Eclipse. Guests will enjoy extensive onboard programming including an onboard eclipse viewing party, signature cocktail offerings, and special cooking demonstrations. In addition, renowned expert astronomer Dennis Mammana will be on board as the guest enrichment speaker and will be narrating the actual eclipse.
Where in the world is Mystery Island?
And for your really long-range planning, a two-week cruise on Celebrity Edge from Sydney in January, 2027 is a geography lesson in the exotic islands of the South Pacific. It sails to Noumea, New Caledonia and then to remote places in the 80-island archipelago of the independent country of Vanuatu that haven’t been on cruise itineraries before: Mystery Island, Luganville and Port Vila. Another rare port is Lifou, Loyalty Island before returning to Sydney.
And if you’re intrigued by Mystery Island: it has no permanent population because it’s considered taboo to live there. The locals from the nearby island of Aneityum–population 1,200–set up shops and bars on the white sand beaches with swaying palms when cruise ships call. There are miles of beach, so the 3,000 guests on Celebrity Edge have plenty of room to roam.
Throw a floating party in Paradise
Just sold your app to Google? Bring up to 13 guests to sail with you aboard Celestia, a handcrafted 45-meter Phinisi sailing yacht with a crew of 17 built using UNESCO-protected methods and designed to offer custom journeys through the Indonesian archipelago.
On a four night, five day Culinary Journey with Indonesian celebrity Chef Wayan Kresna Yasa, guess can explore the archipelago’s culinary traditions, ingredients, with cooking demonstrations and market visits, and experiences both above and below the water. The bottom line: $54,000 US plus 12 per cent tax (Total $60,480).
Or opt for eight days to retrace the history of Indonesia’s Spice Islands. Guests will discover the history and colonial remains of what was once one of the world’s most important spice trade territories. Highlights include Banda Besar, Hatta, Banda Neira, and the storied Pulau Rhun Island, which was traded by the English to the Dutch for the island of Manhattan in 1667. The crew will customize shore events for you. And the price: $94,500 US plus 12 per cent tax (Total $105,840).
Story by Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
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