Certainly, every luxury traveler has his or her own vacation style and personality. No two people are alike. That said, savvy consumers also value “intel” from the experts. So, here’s what several Pavlus Travel team members would select as the best luxury cruise or tour brand.
In addition, they’ve also picked one specific itinerary they’d love to personally take. So, come along and check out their expert travel perspectives!
(Shown above, Seabourn is picked as the best luxury line by Erin Conner, a Pavlus Travel executive. Photo by Erin Conner.)
1. Best Luxury Cruise: Explora Journeys
“Explora Journeys is the absolute highlight of all of my sailing experiences,” emphasizes Fia, one of Pavlus Travel’s experienced personal travel planners. On one recent voyage, “the ship was immaculate, with friendly staff everywhere I turned,” she explains.
In addition, “the staterooms clearly were carefully thought out, as ‘every minute detail’ has been carefully curated,” she adds. That ranges from maximizing the space to luxurious amenities such as heated bathroom floors, Dyson hair dryers, and a mini bar refilled daily that reflects the guest’s specifications.
But her praise goes even further. “The restaurant offerings were not merely the best food I’ve had at sea,” the advisor emphasizes, “but some of the best food I have had, ever!”
She also appreciated the spa’s complimentary features: “What’s nice is that guests don’t have to book a treatment or a specific suite class to access the sauna, salt therapy room and a hydrotherapy pool.”
Most Desired Itinerary
“One Explora Journeys itinerary that I’d love to experience is the seven-night ‘Journey of Arabian Sparkle & New Year’s Magic,” says Fia. That luxury voyage sails roundtrip from Dubai on December 28, 2026.
Why does this have strong appeal for the advisor? “It’s the perfect blend of exotic adventures in the deserts of the United Arab Emirates and guests can then retreat back to the lap of luxury on Explora II,” she explains. That vessel has 461 suites, penthouses and residences.
Also, travelers will have a fabulous opportunity to ring in the New Year with a spectacular celebration off the coast of Dubai. If it sounds good to you, talk with a skilled personal travel planner today. At press time, fares began at $4,975 per person, double occupancy.
2. Best Luxury Cruise: Tauck
“Tauck is definitely luxury and top-of-line in many aspects,” says Lee, a Pavlus Travel personal travel planner. “They use the best of properties and accommodations.”
Another perk? “The tour guides are absolutely the best,” she tells The Meandering Traveler.
In addition, “with everything included, guests don’t have to worry about being ‘nickeled and dimed’ for items along the way.” She says that “takes the stress out of worrying while you are on vacation.”
In addition, Tauck provides inclusive transfers, making the journey seamless from the time guests step out of the airport until they return home and end their journey. “It really is white glove,” she adds. “Having traveled with many different tour companies over the years, I truly see Tauck as by far the best.”
Her Pick? Mountain Gorilla Safari
As for the top Tauck trip that Lee would love to take, here’s a look. She’d suggest travelers interested in an adventurous Tauck escorted tour consider the “Mountain Gorilla Safari: Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda” itinerary.
Departing on July 1, 2026, this 16-day eco-adventure begins in Arusha, Tanzania, and concludes in Kigali, Rwanda. What’s special? Wildlife spotting is the top activity.
Tauck says that their guests will have opportunities to potentially spot the “Big Five” as well as silverback mountain gorillas. They also can choose to “meet” a gorilla family living in Rwanda’s wilds.
And they can also visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Museum, dedicated to saving these endangered mountain gorillas.
At press time, fares on available departures started at $27,790 per person, double occupancy. “Since this 2026 itinerary is highly popular, many journeys are already sold out,” Lee explains.
“So, the clock is ticking,” she says. “Contact one of our Pavlus Travel personal travel planners right away if you’re interested in exploring availability for Tauck’s “Mountain Gorilla Safari: Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda.” We’re here to assist and answer your questions.”
A Bit Less Adventure
If that journey is a bit too adventurous for your taste, Lee suggests considering Tauck’s 10-day “Norwegian Fjords & Coastal Treasures” vacation. Departing June 17, 2026, this small-ship vacation starts in Bergen. Norway, and ends in Oslo, Norway. Fares started at $10,390 per person, double occupancy, at press time.
3. Best Luxury Cruise: AmaWaterways
Recently traveling with upscale AmaWaterways, Lauren, another skilled Pavlus Travel personal travel planner, had this to say: “The river line’s overall experience was effortless. I was thoroughly impressed by the food as well.”
Plus, she adds, “they’re known for their very wide variety of excursions. So, you’ll find more than the typical walking tour. It’s nice to have choices.”
For instance, AmaWaterways often offers different levels of activity/fitness (active, regular and easy) for one specific walking tour. Thus, those guests who choose a walking tour during a visit to Durnstein, Austria, will stroll with their guide from the river vessel into town for their tour.
But alternatively, they might instead choose that same excursion’s “active” version. It involves similar touring in town but also climbing an adjacent mountain.
Or they might choose the “easy” version of that same tour. A small, motorized “toy train” will pick guests up right at the ship, transport them through a village and vineyards, before entering a city gate. Guests then disembark right at the town’s center and begin touring.
Dining, Service and Itineraries
“Onboard AmaWaterways, I’ve also found both the cuisine and service by the crew to be wonderful,” Lauren explains. “This upscale line has also added a special dining experience to each ship. Hands down, it’s a fun and unique experience at no extra cost.”
In addition, she cites the line’s unique and different itineraries, “which make them stand out.” One great example? Did you know that AmaWaterways recently became the first major river line to begin voyages on Colombia’s Magdalena River? It’s true.
This robust new option is also closer-to-home — compared with European, African or Asian river regions — for many U.S. travelers
Thus, Lauren would absolutely love to take the line’s new seven-night “Wonders of Colombia” itinerary. The new, 60-passenger AmaMagdalena began operating voyages this year between Cartagena and Barranquilla.
Guests can also explore even more with pre-cruise options in Cartagena and Medellin and a post-cruise stay option for Panama City, Panama. Plus, a new sister river vessel, AmaMelodia, will launch later this year.
4. Best Luxury Cruise or Tour: Crystal
Another best luxury cruise? “I traveled on Crystal Symphony recently from Venice to Athens and this Crystal ship was absolutely beautiful,” says Pavlus personal travel planner Tracey. “In addition, all suites come with butler service, and it was exceptional.”
Overall, she felt that the ship’s crew members were “so warm,” and the personalized service catered well to guest preferences.
Crystal Symphony‘s staterooms and suites also had many complimentary amenities. In particular, Tracey liked the premium bath products, a mini-bar re-stocked daily and the 24-hour room service.
Specialty restaurants were “delicious,” she says, “and the main dining room had open seating, so no reservations were needed.”
Are you a spa lover? “I also went to their spa and had both a facial and a massage that was amazing,” she stresses. Tracey also liked the nightly entertainment. She cites the pool party with an Elton John theme, and a comedian, among other entertainment options.
Most Desired Sailing?
Tracey’s most desired upcoming Crystal itinerary is Crystal Serenity‘s 19-night “Baltics & Northern Europe: Lisbon to Copenhagen.” Departing June 27, 2026, from Portugal to Denmark, the journey has two different fare options.
At press time, those fares started at $9,460 per person, double occupancy, for an Explorer Fare and $10,500 per person, double occupancy, for a Standard Fare. So, chat with your personal travel planner.
5. Best Luxury Cruise: Seabourn
Another best luxury cruise experience? Erin Conner, Pavlus‘ vice president of leisure sales, cites Seabourn: “I absolutely loved my recent luxury expedition sailing on Seabourn Venture. It was incredible.”
“Firstly, the suite sizes were perfect with plenty of room to accommodate a working traveler,” she explains, as she was working remotely on board. She also felt the large walk-in closet space was “perfect for accommodating the various clothing layers needed for this Arctic expedition.”
Seabourn also provides complimentary cold-weather parkas and water bottles; a stocked mini-bar and the guest’s choice of in-room liquor; and binoculars for guests to use during the voyage. Overall, she cites these elements as her firsthand observations.
- “The common areas of the ship were beautiful.”
- “All members of the staff were incredibly warm and friendly. They knew us by name before we knew it!”
- “Dining staff took note of our preferences immediately. Plus, the food variety and consistency of the culinary quality was fantastic.”
- “The bar team was very knowledgeable, made tasty cocktails and offered suggestions as needed.”
- “The cruise director was engaging and entertaining.”
- “Expedition leaders were extremally involved and present throughout the trip. They were always at hand to discuss wildlife, terrain, and the region’s history.”
Inspiration: Another Seabourn Trip
Having recently taken a Seabourn expedition cruise in the Arctic, “I’d love to cruise next on the classic Seabourn product,” says Conner. The Mediterranean region — where the line has significant voyage experience and a multitude of options — is most of interest. So, drum roll please!
She’s selected Seabourn’s 21-day “Greek Isles, Dalmatian Delights & Ephesus” itinerary. The 458-passenger Seabourn Quest will set sail from Dubrovnik, Croatia, to Piraeus (Athens), Greece, on July 5, 2026, for a delightful eastern Mediterranean itinerary.
If this is of interest to you as well, talk with a skilled personal travel planner today!
6. Best Luxury Cruise: RSSC
“Regent Seven Seas Cruises truly provides an all-inclusive, high-end travel experience,” emphasizes Rose, another frontline personal travel planner at Pavlus Travel. In her opinion, the ultra-luxury line offers everything from a sophisticated ambiance to world-class entertainment, pampering spa services and fine wines.
As a frontline travel planner, she stresses that “it’s really important for me to have confidence in a product.” Her belief is that this luxury brand has “fair pricing, comprehensive services, global cruise itineraries, and the chance to explore exotic locations with unlimited shore excursions.”
She’s seen firsthand how “Regent Seven Seas provides those for our guests.” In her opinion, Regent Seven Seas with its seamless and opulent experience is “a top choice for those seeking luxury at sea.”
Tokyo to Vancouver
So, what voyage would she love to take? Rose cites the 17-night “Tokyo to Vancouver” cruise by Regent Seven Seas’ 746-passenger Explorer, departing May 3, 2026.
Guests have a pre-cruise land option in Tokyo (Hakone). Among the inclusions are a hotel stay and touring. “It’s a fantastic way for guests to kick off their luxury adventure and get to know Tokyo better,” says Rose.
In northern Japan, Explorer‘s ports of call will include Hitachinaka, Miyako, Hakodate and Kushiro. In Hitachinaka, guests might head to the Hitachi Seaside Park.
“While this park is absolutely stunning year-round, the real showstopper is the Nemophila ‘baby blue eyes’ bloom in spring,” Rose says. “Just picture endless rolling hills covered in more than 4.5 million tiny blue flowers during late April and May. It feels akin to walking through a dream.”
Also, on this Regent Seven Seas voyage, guests will cruise Alaska’s Inside Passage and see Kodiak, Whittier, Sitka, and Ketchikan, AK.
Plus, this cruise will end in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Up to 43 shore excursion choices are included within the cruise fares.
At press time, those started at $14,399 per person, double occupancy. Contact your personal travel planner to ask questions, learn about accommodations options, and smooth the booking process.
Wondering what this travel agency calls “The Pavlus Difference,” then click to read this recent blog.
7. Best Luxury Cruise: Silversea
Annette, another Pavlus personal travel planner, likes that “ultra-luxury Silversea has a very intimate feeling onboard their ships.” She explains that the line’s fleet of classic ships accommodate just 546 to 746 guests, so there’s typically a smaller ship, boutique-luxury feel on board. The line also operates more intimate expedition vessels.
“And with the high staff-to-guest ratio, the result is more personalized service,” she stresses. Plus, the all-inclusive onboard experience is a plus — everything from some included shore excursions to beverages.
Top perks from Annette’s perspective are the “beautiful, spacious accommodations and bathrooms.” And the dining onboard offers everything from L’Atlantide, the impressive main dining room, to such specialty dining venues as Kaiseki or La Dame.
Perhaps most of interest to “foodies,” Silversea also offers the innovative S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program with dedicated venues on its newer ships. It’s all about taking a deep dive into the local culinary and beverage scene for the specific region of sailing.
What’s incredible, though, is that those ships with dedicated S.A.L.T. onboard dining and bar venues even serve up local tastes from the specific port visited that day. In addition, S.A.L.T. excursions are now offered on every ship.
Silversea’s luxurious ships sail to the Arctic, Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, the Americas, Africa, Antarctica and beyond. “Along the ships’ itinerary routes, guests have the opportunity to explore nature, history and different cultures,” says Annette.
Most Desired: Galapagos
What Silversea voyage would Annette most love to experience? She cites a Silversea expedition cruise within the Galapagos Islands. Sailing throughout the year, the 100-passenger Silver Origin offers itineraries roundtrip from San Cristobal.
This cruise is a great way to spot birds — such as the Blue-Footed Booby, cormorants and other seabird species — along with dolphins, marine iguanas, seals, sea lions and more.
Fares for the July 11, 2026, Galapagos expedition cruise started at $12,450 per person, double occupancy, at press time. Talk to your personal travel planner for all the options in 2025 through 2027.
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