The Ultimate Sea Voyages Everyone Will Be Raving About in 2026
A new generation of ships curate once-in-a-lifetime experiences around gourmet dining, polar exploration, and architectural tours
Aqua Expeditions | Aqua Lares
Offering voyages to the Spice Islands, the Galápagos, and other remote regions, Aqua Expeditions will launch its sixth ship, Aqua Lares, in February 2026. In summer, the 77-meter superyacht and icebreaker, which accommodates just 30 guests, will traverse the crystal fjords and glaciers of Svalbard in Norway and the Arctic Circle on 5- to 14-night itineraries complete with wildlife sightings—polar bears, walruses, reindeer, Arctic foxes—and the opportunity to experience the midnight sun. “With Aqua Lares, we’re setting a new benchmark for luxury exploration at the edges of the map,” says founder and CEO Francesco Galli Zugaro. While the destinations may be far, the journeys will be exceptional, with 15 sumptuous cabins, a spa, and curated displays of vintage art from Zugaro’s personal collection.
Oceania Cruises | Oceania Allura
When Oceania Cruises christened its newest vessel, the 1,200-passenger Oceania Allura, in Miami in November, it did so with a panel of James Beard Award nominees. But what else would epicurean adventurers expect from the cruise line whose first-ever culinary director was Jacques Pépin? Currently sailing from South Florida to the Caribbean and Mexico, the ship hosts incredible food experiences, such as feasting on the French chef’s signature herb-crusted rotisserie chicken in the Grand Dining Room, relishing a six-course tasting menu with Dom Pérignon in the intimate restaurant Privée, and receiving hands-on culinary instruction in the state-of-the-art cooking school.
Silversea | Silver Muse
Launching December 21 with a 14-day sail from Barcelona to Lisbon, Silversea’s newly refurbished Silver Muse will transport travelers through some of the most architecturally profound and culturally rich destinations in Europe. On board the midsize vessel, which holds 600 passengers, guests can take in the ocean views from the apartment-like Grand Suites, which include approximately 500-square-foot private verandas, the largest on the ship. In port, newly orchestrated itineraries escort small groups to see astonishing buildings conceived by Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona; archaeological ruins of the Ancient Roman Forum District in Cartagena, Spain; and Moroccan decorative arts at an under-the radar museum in Casablanca. silversea.com
A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2025 Winter issue under the headline “Priority Boarding.” Subscribe to the magazine.