Cruise in style HELLO! India's top picks of ultra-luxury cruises

1. THE AFRICAN EXPANSE

The undulating landscapes of Africa should hold a place of pride on your bucket list, and exploring it on a cruise might just take it up a notch. From coastal voyages around South Africa, to expeditions to the archipelagic Seychelles, one gets a blend of culture with tropical luxury, as well as glimpses into history and age-old traditions along the way.

HELLO! RECOMMENDS:

Azamara Cruises merge luxury with cultural exploration, with itineraries spanning vibrant cities like Cape Town, Durban, and Mombasa, and the serene locales of Zanzibar and Seychelles. With six eateries, sun-drenched decks, riveting onboard entertainment, and a revitalising spa, their ships pack in all the luxuries.

2. THE GLITTERING MIDDLE EAST

A cruise across the Middle East will open your horizons to a world of heritage, culture and bling. Think Muscat, Oman’s miniature capital, or Khasab, colloquially known as ‘the Norway of the Middle East.’ Take in the opulence of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and the heritage of Fujairah, the last port of the UAE. Sail through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, disembarking in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s gateway to Mecca.

HELLO! RECOMMENDS:

The 13-night voyage from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to Malta’s Valleta aboard Crystal Symphony by Crystal Cruises unfolds across ancient wonders — from Petra in Jordan to Luxor’s Valley of the Kings and Alexandria’s storied shores in Egypt. It later drifts towards European Mediterranean icons in Crete and Olympia in Greece, Sicily in Italy, and Valletta, treating you onboard luxuries along the way.

3. AN ALASKAN ADVENTURE

Glide past calving glaciers, towering fjords, meandering whales, and soaring eagles, all from the comfort of a luxurious, scenic voyage through Alaska’s Inside Passage — sure to be the journey of a lifetime. Such a cruise would take you through Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay, and Sitka.

HELLO! RECOMMENDS:

Silver Nova by SilverSea Cruises. It comes with a capacity for 728 guests, spacious suites (some affording 270-degree views) and outdoor spaces showcasing the pristine wilderness of ‘The Great Land.’

4. DOWN THE NILE

One of the oldest civilisations of the world, Egypt’s charm is best unravelled while cruising down the Nile. While the Pyramids of Giza continue to cast their spell on the onlooker, treasures at the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in Cairo — home to over 1,20,000 relics — are waiting to be discovered. Also explore the ancient temples in Luxor, and the fabled Colossi of Memnon.

HELLO! RECOMMENDS:

Sun Boat III by Abercrombie & Kent is an Art Deco-inspired vessel that’s all about luxury and pampering. With a capacity of just 34 guests, this cruise gives you insider access to a restricted area at the massive paws of the Great Sphinx, chartered aircrafts in between destinations, and an early morning hot air balloon flight over the legendary river

5. SAVOUR SOUTH AMERICA

A South American cruise would unlock a passage into a rich tapestry of landscapes and cultures. Sail from Rio de Janeiro to the dramatic fjords of Chile, stopping at Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Patagonia. Explore Amazonian rainforests, Andean peaks, colonial towns, picturesque modern cities, and monuments of civilisations past. Enjoy tango performances, wildlife excursions, and scenic voyages past glaciers.

HELLO! RECOMMENDS:

Seabourn Venture by Seabourn boasts 4K wildlife cameras and a 23-person expert team on board, in addition to other ultra-luxury offers like caviar on the ice.

6. A SOUTH PACIFIC SOJOURN

Cobalt blue waters, white sandy beaches, island life, warm local residents, a host of water sports… Evidently, the South Pacific charm is waiting to be unravelled. Besides Australia and New Zealand, islands like Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Bora Bora, Tahiti, Moorea, and Rarotonga are ready to be explored — and a cruise is the best way to delve deeper into their waters.

HELLO! RECOMMENDS:

The 746-capacity Seven Seas Splendor by Regent Seven Seas Cruises traverses the azure waters of countries like Panama, Costa Rica, and Gautemala, offering fine-dining options, wellness treatments, and designer boutiques, among other luxuries.

7. AN ARCTIC AFFAIR

Picture towering glaciers, floating icebergs, remote fjords, hunting polar bears, breaching whales, and lazing walruses, while the Northern Lights add to the magic, and indigenous communities extend a warm welcome. Now visualise all of this and more aboard a luxurious ship. A cruise in the Arctic around Scandinavia will take you through the pristine beauty of Geiranger, the former Hanseatic League city of Bergen, the remote Honningsvåg, and also Tromsø, Norway’s northernmost city. 

HELLO! RECOMMENDS:

Viking Vela by Viking Cruises. The line’s Scandinavian-designed ships are meant for guests to take in views from a private veranda in every stateroom of the ship. Another plus: their onboard fine-dining options.

8. THE CARIBBEAN COURSE TRAVEL

This one’s a tropical escape filled with sun, sea, and shenanigans along islands in the Caribbean. Take in the beauty of Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize, Honduras, and the Cayman Islands on the western side. Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Virgin Islands, and Jamaica await on the east. Lounge on white-sand beaches, snorkel by vibrant reefs, or explore colonial towns and lush rainforests.

HELLO! RECOMMENDS:

The cruise ships of Explora I by Explora Journeys sail from Bridgetown in Barbados, and the rainforests and hissing volcanoes of Roseau in Dominica, to the Phillipsburg National Marine Reserve in Sint Maarten. It also cruises past San Juan in Puerto Rico and Road Bay in Anguilla, before docking at St. John in the US Virgin Islands and Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy.

9. A EUROPEAN ODYSSEY

Few would dispute that cruising through the Mediterranean is perhaps the best way to soak in the beauty of Southern Europe. Sip a glass of wine as you sail down Italy’s Amalfi Coast; roam the volcanic island of Santorini; explore the mysterious Quinta de Regaleira castle in Sintra; relax on the white-pebble beaches of Croatia; or marvel at the Jurassic topography of the Canary Islands. A Mediterranean cruise will leave you with memories of a lifetime.

HELLO! RECOMMENDS:

Legend of the Seas by the Royal Caribbean sails through Rome, Naples, and Florence in Italy, Barcelona and Palma De Mallorca in Spain, and Provence in France. It also boasts an AquaTheater, Central Park, water sports, and indulgent gourmet meals.

10. THE FINAL FRONTIER

The ultimate voyage to the end of the earth, this awe-inspiring journey is where you can witness breaching whales and explore icy bays by a zodiac around the white continent. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure promises raw, untouched beauty and unforgettable encounters (think colonies of penguins) in the most pristine place on the planet.

HELLO! RECOMMENDS:

Atlas Ocean Voyages navigate electric-blue ice formations to a rocky shore, where snowclad mountains rise into the clouds, presenting an otherworldly setting. Whether you’re hiking a massive glacier alongside a colony of gentoo penguins or watching a humpback whale breach the surface a few feet away from your zodiac safari, the Antarctic Circle will take your breath away.