The Most Luxurious Cruise Ships at Sea

With each passing year, cruise ships grow more opulent and extravagant, with everything from retractable ceilings to butler's pantries. The cream of the crop rival some of the world's best hotels, and have price tags to match. (One of the ships on this list even commands six-figure fares.) While a fun cruise can be had relatively inexpensively, if you want to sail in style on your next cruise — or just daydream about how the other half lives — here are some of the most lavish options.

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The Ritz-Carlton is taking to the seas with its new ship the Evirma, which is slated to debut later this summer. After years-long pandemic-related delays, cruisers can now experience the hotel-like suites, including two-story penthouse lofts, and suites with private terraces and whirlpools designed to rival a luxury apartment. The ship is supposed to be all about pampering: amenities include spa rooms, personal trainers, multiple pools and lounge areas, and the "S.E.A" restaurant, designed by a chef that runs a Ritz restaurant with three Michelin stars. 

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Custom-built by local craftsman using traditional materials, the Sanctuary Ananda is all about sleek luxury and Burmese style. The teak-filled ship resembles an upscale Burmese home and has 21 spacious suites, a luxe Owner's Suite, a sundeck, and an outdoor pool. All of the suites have floor-to-ceiling windows, full balconies, Malaika Egyptian-cotton sheets, and bathrooms stocked with L'Occitane products. 

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The Sky Princess offers cruisers spa services, two top-deck pools, and world-class dining at more than 25 restaurants and bars, including La Mer from 3-Michelin star chef Emmanuel Renaut. The ship's Sky Suites offer space for five guests, with two bedrooms and two baths, 270-degree views, and the largest balconies at sea. 

The Celebrity Edge includes 950-square-foot residences known as Edge Villas, with each featuring one bedroom and two bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private terrace, and a plunge pool. There's also a private "luxury resort" onboard where a sundeck, pool, lounge, and restaurant are reserved exclusively for suite-class guests. The new guest room concept, Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda, turns the entire living space into a veranda. 

Ponant's Le Laperouse includes 24-hour butler service for those on Deck 6, an infinity pool, spa, and a fitness room with a sauna. The ship also offers a multi-sensorial underwater lounge. The lounge is a below-sea-level space that allows passengers — thanks to portholes, cameras, and hydrophones — to see and hear what's happening underwater. 

Oceania's Marina and Riviera ships each include a grand staircase designed by Lalique featuring ornate double stairs with balustrades of crystal medallions. These sailing works of art involved 74 artisans laboring for 3,200 hours and using 9,200 pounds of crystal. The Owner's Suites have 2,000 square feet and are furnished with Ralph Lauren decor. The suites span the full width of the ship and include grand entry foyers with hand-laid tiles. 

For the cruise goer who likes to get off the beaten path, there are these two ships with expeditions as far north as the Arctic Circle, as far south as Antarctica, and plenty of adventurous locales in between. Each ship has modern suites, a fitness and wellness area, extendible glass balconies, state-of-the-art environmental technology, 180-degree observation decks, and cushy restaurants and lounges for in-between explorations. 

The Silver Muse was designed with a focus on upper-category suites and connecting suites. Each comes with a dedicated butler — yes, please — and the Owner's Suite even includes a private veranda with floor-to-ceiling glass doors and a dining room for six. 

A combination of a yacht and a small resort, the MS Europa 2 has its share of stunning suites, including a 1,066-square-foot Owner's Suite and 840-square-foot penthouse suite. The ship also features family apartments where children and parents live in separate areas connected by a door and a balcony — with one side kitted out specifically for young travelers. MS Europa 2 has both public and private spa spaces for guests who want a sauna, whirlpool, and relaxation (and sometimes all to themselves). 

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Designed to look like a Nordic ski lodge, the Viking Star is decorated with stunning light woods like birch and juniper. Like many other ships, the Owner's Suite is the most luxurious. The 1,448-square-foot accommodation includes multiple rooms, a private veranda, and three flat-screen televisions. The master bathroom features a heated floor in addition to the usual glass-enclosed shower and double sink, and there's a private library, ocean-view dry sauna, and a boardroom for catered parties. 

Scandinavian design and science enthusiasts will jump at the chance to board the new MS Roald Amundsen, a hybrid ship that reduces emission by sailing with electrical propulsion. In addition to stunning interiors, the ship boasts a wellness center, indoor and outdoor observation decks, infinity pool, and the Amundsen Science Center. The space is packed with state-of-the-art technology such as touch screens and science equipment as well as lecture spaces, a small library, and speciality areas for workshops in photography, biology, and more. 

A ship designed to look and feel like a luxury yacht, the Seabourn Encore includes 300 suites, all with balconies, walk-in closets, and bathrooms that have marble touches. The Wintergarden Suites are even more deluxe, each with a dining area, a butler's pantry, and a solarium with a bathtub that provides sea views. Need more space? A neighboring cabin can be added to form a grand suite. 

Described by Cruise Critic as regal in its 18th century décor, this homage to the former Austrian empress resembles a floating palace. All accommodations include made-to-order Savoir of England beds, Egyptian cotton sheets, and marble-lined bathrooms. There's also a Viennese café and an enclosed, heated pool. 

When not exploring gorgeous destinations, guests of the five-star ship will find the ship includes a watersports marina, extensive spa, butler service, and Apple music systems in many rooms. The Owner's Suite 7002 is 531 square feet, not including the private balcony. The suite bathroom features a full-size tub and separate dressing area. 

This cruise ship shines thanks to a few A-list contributors. The restaurant menu on the Seabourn Ovation was dreamed up in partnership with Thomas Keller, who has created three Michelin-starred restaurants, and the onboard entertainment is the work of award-winning lyricist Tim Rice, who wrote the music to "Aladdin" and "The Lion King." 

This ship includes 375 suites, with its "top of the ship" residence a 3,000-square-feet behemoth. The suite includes two balconies, three walk-in closets, and a private spa and solarium. There are also 5,000 chandeliers and more than 2,000 pieces of artwork on board.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story referred to the Canyon Ranch Spa aboard the ship, a smaller version of the famed celebrity favorite in Arizona. It has been replaced by the cruise line's own Serene Spa & Wellness.

The Scenic Eclipse from Scenic Luxury Cruises is an ultra-luxury mega yacht. It was designed with 114 all-veranda suites, ranging from 345 square feet to a staggering 2,659-square-foot two-bedroom penthouse suite. The ship also has a state-of-the art theater and a 5,900-square-foot spa sanctuary, as well as butler service for all guests. The Eclipse comes equipped with a custom-built, seven-seat submarine, offering underwater exploration for cruise passengers. 

While not as big or grand as some other luxury ships, Ecoventura's MV Origin is one of the greenest and most luxurious ships to sail the Galapagos Islands. There are 10 deluxe staterooms, all with large windows providing unobstructed ocean views, and within are fine linens, climate controls, memory foam pillows, flat-screen televisions, a personal espresso machine, and rainfall showers. 

The top accommodations on The Queen Mary 2 cost more than $100,000 per person for the line's round-the-world trip. For that price, a cruiser gets a 2,500-square-foot cabin with two floors, his-and-hers bathrooms, a private gym, and a deck. This ship also has a full-scale planetarium and 3D cinema as well as one of the biggest wine cellars at sea. Even pets get the royal treatment, with a kennel and kennel master whose job is to pamper each animal.

This all-suite so-called "luxury mega yacht" launched sails the Galapagos, which means it's allowed an occupancy of only 100 — each of whom will arrive at their Celebrity Flora stateroom with a personal suite attendant to help them unpack. Cabanas transform into double beds for sleeping under the stars (it's called "glamping,") and there's a custom stargazing lesson from one of the onboard naturalists. But there's also an observatory, library, and eco-conscious technology to keep travelers focused on the science. 

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