From cruising the Northeast Passageway on a luxury ship to a grand voyage of the Arctic on a world cruise, there are several experiences at sea that are once in a lifetime journeys.

Cruise Passenger has uncovered the best of the best for your personal bucket list. From high budget, to high energy, rare moments with Mother Nature, and even gastronomical feasts there is a magical journey waiting for you.

1. Crystal Cruises – Northeast Passageway

For an expert-led expedition to the Earth’s most remote polar regions, Crystal Cruises can take you to the Northeast Passageway. Until very recently the only ships able to go to the Northeast (as opposed to the Northwest) were specialised vessels that made the journey during a very limited window and with specialised ice-breaking ships. Therefore, this extremely remote ice-region has so far been unexplored by travellers.

Carrying just 200 passengers, the Crystal Endeavor will journey through the High Arctic in the late summer of 2021. The expedition will combine luxury and adventure – imagine Zodiac excursions with rare discovery, stunning wildlife and landscapes rarely ever seen before.

The Northeast Passage travels from the Bering Sea and East Siberia to the Barents Sea via the Arctic Ocean.

In terms of wildlife, it’s known that animal species outnumber humans in the high Arctic. As well as polar bears, Arctic foxes, walruses, reindeer, and whales, thousands of rare bird species live in the region.

Departures

Crystal’s Northeast Passage expedition visits another great region of the north: the North Cape. Before arriving in Tromsø, Norway, Crystal Endeavor will call in Honningsvåg, considered the gateway to the Arctic Circle.

Crystal Endeavor’s 28-night Northeast Passage expedition will sail from Anadyr, Russia to Tromsø, Norway on August 18, 2021.

Price:

Prices start from $69,142 and include:

1-night pre-cruise hotel in Anchorage
One-way Air from Anchorage to Anadyr

2. Silversea – Solar Eclipse

Imagine experiencing a total blackout, surrounded by a stark white continent. This Antarctic voyage will be unforgettable by visiting during the complete solar eclipse on 4th December 2021.

Guests are invited to be on deck as the eclipse plunges into darkness, and the shifting lights and whispering shadows of the night sky bring the region to life.

There will be just three voyages to experience this incredible phenomenon. Limited to just 127-suites per ship, you’ll feel the remoteness on the ship and in the sky.

Departures

Buenos Aires to UshuaiNovember 20, 2021Duration 22 daysSailing on the Silver Wind

Price:

Prices start from $48,420

3. Viking – World Cruise

Join Viking Sun as she circumnavigates the globe and collect more travel milestones during one cruise than most people do in a lifetime. Sail roundtrip London, cruising to six continents and visiting 111 of the world’s greatest cities and charming smaller ports. Immerse yourself in local cultures with overnight stays in 23 different destinations. Join us for an enriching odyssey on a voyage of discovery as we embark on this epic 245-day Viking Ultimate World Cruise.

• One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
• Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
• Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge
• 24-hour room service
• Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
• 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
• Access to top-rated spa & state-of-the-art fitness center
• Self-service launderettes
• Port taxes & fees
• Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
• YOUR STATEROOM
  • Private veranda
  • King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens & pillows
  • Separate seating area
  • 42″ flat-screen LCD TV with intuitive remote & complimentary Movies On Demand
  • 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
  • Spacious closet & drawers
  • Mini-bar; security safe; hair dryer
  • Spacious glass-enclosed shower
  • Heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror
  • Premium Freyja® toiletries; plush robes & slippers
  • Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping

Departures

London to London

Prices:

• From $117,995
• 245 Days
• 111 Guided Tours
• 53 Countries

4. RSSC Splendor – $16,000 per night per person

High atop the ship, this suite of more than 4,000 square feet rises above everything else at sea. Incomparable craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail are evident in everything from the unique design choices, such as rare works of art, to grand features like an in-suite spa retreat — a first for any cruise ship. The only thing to rival the luxurious interior is the spectacular ocean view from the private balconies.

The decadent appointments are still there: an acre of Italian marble, a $7.5 million art collection of 300 works, including a Picasso in the Regent Suite which also boasts a $295,000 bed, private spa, steam room, sauna and $147,000 Steinway piano.

Built by Fincantieri in Ancona, Italy, Splendor is 55,254 gross tonnes and 224 metres long, with 551 crew and 750 guests. There are 375 suites, five unique restaurants and three bars and lounges.

• SUITE SIZE292.7M² 
• BALCONY SIZE120M²

LAYOUT

• Private Balcony – Among the Largest at Sea with custom-made Tresse Minipool
• 2 Spacious Bedrooms
• Spacious Living Room With Sitting Area
• Private In-suite Spa with Sauna, Steam Room and Jetted Tub
• 3 Walk-in Closets, 2 Safes

AMENITIES

• FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Hotel Package Including:
  – FREE Transfer Between Hotel and Ship
  – FREE Breakfast
  – FREE Porterage
• FREE Unlimited WiFi
• FREE Personal Car and Guide to Explore Ashore*
• FREE Unlimited In-Suite Spa Services
• FREE Unlimited Laundry and Dry Cleaning
• Exclusive Access to The Study, A Private Dining Room For Up To 12 Guests
• Personal Butler

Departures

New York to Venice

Prices:

• DURATION 26NIGHTS
• DEPARTS APR 16/2020
• FARES FROM AU$23,750

5. Belmond – Michelin dining every day

Ultra-luxury barge cruise line Belmond has launched a gastronomic six-night French voyage that will take guests to six different Michelin-starred restaurants, one for every night.

The ‘Epicurean Burgundy’ itinerary sails on the exclusive Belmond Napoleonfrom St- Jean-de-Losne to Lyon.The ship is Belmond’s largest in their fleet and has only six cabins carrying up to 12 passengers.

And the foodies are here for the real stars of the voyage, the Michelin-starred restaurants. The six different restaurants boast a cumulative 12 stars, including two three-Michelin-starred restaurants.

Three Michelin stars is the highest honour a restaurant can receive, awarding “exceptional cuisine” that is “worth a special journey”.

The first stop is two Michelin-starred lunch at La Côte Saint-Jacques, just outside of Auxerre. The restaurant is nestled within a five-star retreat on the River Yonne and Chef Jean-Michel Lorain conjures up dishes that are colourful, playful and surprising in their simplicity, putting quality ingredients in the spotlight. His specialities include Back from the Islands rosette of lobster and fresh palm nut salad, and egg parfait with white Alba truffles and puy green lentils.

As you continue cruising along the River Saone to Seurre, you then arrive at your first three Michelin-starred restaurant, Maison Lameloise in Chagny. Lunch features the best of local tradition such as the Burgundy snail tart, among the stone and wooden beams that honour Burgundian heritage.

On day three, lunch at one-star Le Jardin des Remparts which serves modern dishes that feature seasonal and locally-sourced produce, after a morning exploration of Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy.

At Tournus, guests will be enjoying dinner at Aux Terrasses. Taste chef Jean-Michel Carrete’s bold dishes like charcoal-grilled octopus and hay-smoked pigeon at the restaurant that is set in a contemporary boutique hotel the centre of Tournus.

Guests can then look forward to the second three-starred restaurant of the itinerary, the world-famous Restaurant Georges Blanc in Vonnas. The restaurant has kept its three Michelin stars since 1981, and it has also built up a reputation for revisiting classics in impeccable style. Think Bresse chicken reimagined or a reworking of the Vonnas pancakes Blanc’s grandmother used to make.

Departures

The final restaurant is Restaurant Paul Bocuse in Lyon, holder of two Michelin stars. Highlights include black truffle soup – created for French president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing in 1975; sea bass in a puff pastry shell, and turbot with champagne sauce and more.

Prices:

The itinerary departs August 9, 2020 and you can sail on this superstar culinary journey from $11,955pp.

6. Uniworld – Amazon River Cruise

Experience the very best of Peru over 15 days of wonder and amazement.

From a deep dive into Lima—the “City of Kings”—to the legendary Machu Picchu, this 15-day cruise/tour is an all-encompassing adventure into the marvels of Peru and the Amazon rainforest.

Your adventure starts in Lima, where you’ll explore the colorful colonial architecture, the bohemian district of Barranco and the San Francisco Monastery. Journey into the Amazon on board the Aria Amazon, a five-star ship designed for your Peruvian adventure. Embark on river skiffs as you explore the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers before setting off to the birthplace of the Amazon River. Admire the diverse flora and fauna in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

Discover the beauty of the heartland of the Inka Empire, known as the Sacred Valley. Of course, no trip to Peru could truly be complete without a trek to the world famous Machu Picchu. A must-see, this spectacular piece of history has fascinated both historians and archaeologists alike. Your trip ends in the Andes Mountains in Cusco, a perfect blend of Ancient Andean culture and Spanish colonial splendor.

With no shortage of awe-inspiring beauty, this trip is sure to be an unforgettable adventure.

Departures

15 days from Lima to Lima

Prices:

September 23, 2020$22,099

Ship: Aria Amazon

7. Avalon Waterways – Oberammergau

12 Day River Cruise from Budapest to Munich

Sail through Central Europe’s splendid capitals and charming towns in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany on your Danube River cruise. You’ll also be our guest in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau for the once-a-decade performance season of the world-renowned Passion Play.

Your European river cruise begins in Budapest, Hungary to enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Heroes’ Square and the iconic sites of the “Pearl of the Danube.” Next, set sail for the Slovakian capital of Bratislava to see the Old Town and the gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral.

You’ll cruise to Vienna, Austria to see the Habsburg Imperial Palace and Vienna Opera House. Later savor the spectacular views of the Wachau Valley through Austria’s picturesque wine country. Enjoy a local wine tasting, join a hike to Dürnstein’s castle ruins, and visit Melk’s stunning Benedictine Abbey.

Your Danube River cruise continues to Linz, where you will see Austria’s largest medieval square the Hauptplatz, and the 1723 Trinity Column. Enjoy a guided city walk through the cobblestone streets of Passau, Germany and the magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

As the cruise portion of your Central European vacation concludes, you’ll begin an exciting guided tour of Austria and Germany, including Bavaria’s Neuschwanstein Castle, and Innsbruck’s St. James and Hofkirche Cathedrals.

This guided vacation through Germany is highlighted by your visit to the idyllic Bavarian village of Oberammergau for the Passion Play. Performed only once a decade, the Passion Play is a stunning theatrical event with a history dating back to 1634. Enjoy preferred seating and accommodations in Oberammergau for the Passion Play.

Enjoy guided sightseeing in Munich, including Nymphenburg Palace, the Marienplatz, and gothic Frauenkirche. Sample Munich’s Biergärtens and cafés, and see the famous Glockenspiel.

The perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and inspiration your Avalon Danube River cruise with the once-a-decade performance of Oberammergau’s Passion Play is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Departures

14 May 20 to 25 May 20

Prices:

Price starts from $7,980 per person and include:

• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Panoramic windows
• Elegant, contemporary design & decor
• Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
• Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
• Covered Observation Lounge
• Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day