The best luxury cruise ship experiences

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Submarine tours with Seabourn
Channel James Bond by diving as low as 300m beneath the surface of the ocean in a stunning submarine. Ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn will operate submarine excursions from its expedition ship Seabourn Venture, due to make its inaugural sailing from Greenwich in December 2021. Each of the ship’s two battery-powered subs can carry one pilot and six guests, who sit on swivel seats to soak up 360-degree views of sunken wrecks, reefs and marine wildlife. With undistorted views in virtually all directions, the plush leather-upholstered air-conditioned subs house Bluetooth stereo systems and a champagne chiller for guests to toast their marine adventure.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Celebrity Cruises
Actress and Goop wellness guru Gwyneth Paltrow has joined forces with Celebrity Cruises to become a wellbeing adviser on their next Edge-class ship. The Hollywood star has designed an exclusive wellness package called Goop at Sea for Celebrity Beyond, due to make its debut from Southampton on April 27, 2022. Paltrow says that she and her team are “curating programming and fitness kits” for Celebrity’s wellness experience, but the finer details are still under wraps. Paltrow promises to “bring onboard some of my favourite practices and tools for deepening wellbeing and joy”. Sister ship to existing vessels Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex, the liner will also house a spa with a float room, crystalarium, infrared sauna, hammam, salt room, mist aroma steam room and rainfall room. The ship will also feature Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud’s first at-sea restaurant.

AzAmazing Evenings with Azamara
Azamara’s catchily named AzAmazing Evenings are one-of-a-kind onshore experiences that seek to immerse guests in the local culture after the sun goes down. Tailored to the destination, previous standout evenings have included moonlit gondola rides in Venice; a vineyard tour under the stars in Santorini; watching a Maori performance at Te Papa Museum in New Zealand; and a dazzling acrobatic display in Monaco. The best bit? One of these memorable excursions is included for free on all Azamara cruises except transatlantic crossings and voyages that are less than seven nights long.

Silversea’s S.A.L.T
Anyone with a passion for gastronomy will love Silversea’s immersive culinary programme S.A.L.T (Sea And Land Taste), poised to make its debut in Greece on June 18, aboard the Silver Moon. Curated by Adam Sachs, former editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine, the foodie programme encompasses market trips, hands-on cooking demonstrations with local guest chefs, and food-themed shore excursions. Cruisers can tuck into an ever-changing roster of dishes at S.A.L.T Kitchen, a high-end restaurant that adapts its menus to reflect the dishes of each port on the journey – hyped by Silversea as an “industry first”. In the S.A.L.T bar, guests can sip regional drinks to enjoy an authentic taste of the destination.

Culinary Arts Kitchen with Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is also cooking up a culinary storm with 16 new two-hour cooking classes aboard Seven Seas Splendor. Courses cater to all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned chefs, and feature hands-on instruction. Tap into trends like street food and plant-based cookery, or learn how to create an unforgettable brunch. Other classes focus on preparing Mediterranean food, French classics and Cuban recipes washed down with a mojito. As well as boasting state-of-the-art workstations, the Culinary Arts Kitchen features floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning ocean views. The culinary programme is part of RSSC’s enrichment series, also featuring lectures spanning a wide range of thought-provoking topics, from wildlife to architecture.