The 4 Cruises You Need to Put on Your Bucket-list

Whether you're a fine arts enthusiast, an avid gourmand in search of the world's best eats, or simply want to unwind in style, a cruise is the perfect way to satisfy your inner travel bug. These four cruises around the world are sure to impress...

Secret Isles of the South Pacific: Sydney- Papeete (Tahiti)

18 nights
Departs 10 January 2024
Seven Seas Navigator

Languid days, sapphire-blue views and barefoot luxury await in the South Pacific. Island-hop through tropical paradise aboard Seven Seas Navigator – with 345 crew members to just 480 guests – stopping to scuff through the sand at one of Regent’s newest ports, Mystery Island in Vanuatu, and splash about in the crystalline waters off Bora Bora in French Polynesia.

On day four, trade the big ship for a glassbottomed boat tour of the Duck Island marine reserve in New Caledonia – peer below the turquoise surface at colourful coral and other underwater wonders. Take a shore excursion through cosmopolitan Noumea – known as “The Paris of the Pacific” – which might include a wine and cheese tasting or a visit to the Maritime Museum.

As you drift through the dreamscape archipelagos of Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Samoa and Fiji, enjoy relaxed alfresco lunches with distracting ocean vistas at the Pool Grill and see fiery South Pacific sunsets from a window seat at Italian-inspired Sette Mari at La Veranda; there are five specialty dining venues on board. Navigator’s 240 spacious suites range in size from 28 to 109 square metres and each has a window that faces out to sea.

In Fiji, there’s opportunity to snorkel off bijoux Monuriki island (where Tom Hanks washes up in the film Castaway), though one of the lesser known isles, Caqalai, is the favourite sandy stop on the itinerary for Lisa Pile, vice president Australia and New Zealand at Regent Seven Seas Cruises: “It’s part of the Lomaiviti Island group and it takes just 15 minutes to walk around the island’s border. You’ll find golden-sand beaches, palm trees, idyllic blue water and stunning reefs.”

The highlights

“The lagoon in Bora Bora is a must-see. Viewing it from a luxury cruise ship is the best way to see the kaleidoscope of beautiful colours,” says Pile.

“In Vanuatu, thrill-seekers can hike to the top of a 20-metre cascading waterfall and enjoy a refreshing swim in a rock pool with breathtaking scenery. I also recommend taking a sailing yacht bound for the Pango Peninsula and snorkelling in the turquoise waters of Paradise Cove.”

Culinary Delights and Wild Wonders: Hong Kong- Sydney

32 nights
Departs 20 November 2023
Seven Seas Explorer

Whether you’re savouring world-class cuisine in Hong Kong and Bangkok or keeping watch for Komodo dragons in Indonesia and crocodiles in Darwin, this unforgettable cruise lives up to its name.

A whirlwind 32-night itinerary sees Seven Seas Explorer – the most luxurious ship ever built – visit 18 ports, with overnight shore stays. “You’ll call in at some of Asia’s most-loved locales, including ancient Nha Trang in Vietnam’s south, the buzzing city-state of Singapore and the islands of Ko Samui, Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia, with its rice terraces, temples and spectacular volcanoes,” says Steve Odell, senior vice president and managing director Asia Pacific at Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Up to 90 shore excursions are offered to maximise your time and appreciation of each unique destination.

During stretches navigating the South China, Java, Coral and Tasman seas, the ship’s next-level finishes and facilities come into their own. Artworks by Joan Miró and Picasso – yes, that Picasso – adorn the walls, all 366 suites have private balconies, Serene Spa & Wellness offers holistic treatments from massages to body wraps and the Regent Suite comes complete with its own spa retreat, a Steinway grand piano and private balcony space bigger than the average two-bedroom apartment.

Enveloped in luxury, allow yourself to be lured ashore for the night by the sultry climate and colonial architecture of Ho Chi Minh City, the street markets and temples in Bangkok, Bali’s beautiful beaches and Brisbane’s cosmopolitan food and drink scene. “This is a unique cruise for foodies wanting a culinary sojourn and to sample delicacies throughout Asia and Australia,” says Odell.

Have your fill on shore but don’t miss any of the ship’s eight dining venues, from the Parisian bistro classics at Chartreuse to cocktails and filet mignon at Prime 7.

The highlights

“Embrace Singapore’s exotic sights and sounds as you stroll or ride a trishaw through Chinatown, the Arab Quarter or Little India. If you’re a wildlife lover, embark on a night safari at the Singapore Zoo or relax in the verdant shade of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve,” says Odell.

“Dine in the re-inspired Sette Mari restaurant onboard, where my personal favourite is the cioppino – a seafood stew with shrimp, scallops, lobster, clams, mussels, calamari and fish.”

The Fine Art of Europe: Copenhagen- Stockholm

7 nights
Departs 19 August 2022
Seven Seas Splendor

“One of the best places to stand and marvel at Tallinn is from Kohtuotsa viewing platform, on the northern side of Toompea Hill,” says Regent Seven Seas’ Steve Odell. “You can see the towering spires of the Old Town and all the colourful buildings that make up this majestic city.” A day in the Estonian capital is just one under-the-radar highlight on this voyage that makes stops at the fabled northern ports of St. Petersburg, Stockholm and Berlin.

Setting sail from Copenhagen – originally a Viking fishing village and now among the world’s great dining and design hubs – Seven Seas Splendor’s 366 all-balcony suites grant all 732 guests private panoramas of the receding coastline. After an immersive day in Berlin, Germany, cruising the Baltic Sea towards Tallinn frees up time to sample the ship’s spoils, from the spa and boutique shopping to wine tastings, cooking classes and the magic of gazing at the star-filled sky.

In St. Petersburg for an overnight shore stay, be transported by the classical streetscapes and rich literary and art history. Included excursions range from a tour of Peter the Great’s grand palace, Peterhof, to an evening of Russian folkloric dance and a visit to the Fabergé museum. Wandering the city brought to life in Tolstoy’s epic War and Peace is enchanting in itself.

As Stockholm and the end of the journey draw near, swap stories and favourite moments over dinner and drinks at onboard fine-diner Chartreuse. And who knows, after a celebratory cocktail or two you might even test your pipes singing an ABBA tune at karaoke...

The highlights

“A tour of the incredible Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is a must. It’s Russia’s biggest art museum and I highly recommend our free guided tour, which takes just under four hours,” says Odell.

"In Tallinn, you must see the palaces of Toompea Hill, as well as the ancient convents, steepled churches and beautiful guild houses.”

Historic Sites and Crossroads: Monte Carlo- Athens (Piraeus)

10 nights
Departs 21 October 2022
Seven Seas Voyager

Witness a pink sunset in Santorini, bathe in Rome’s golden afternoon light, see the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and be dazzled by the glitz of Monte Carlo as you sail from the French Riviera to Greece’s ancient capital.

“Monte Carlo, capital of the world’s second-smallest country after the Vatican, packs a multitude of attractions into its compact area,” says Regent Seven Seas’ Lisa Pile of the itinerary’s glamorous embarkation port. “It’s long been a playground for billionaires and celebrities but it’s also rich in history, art and architecture.”

The 680-guest Seven Seas Voyager makes three Italian stops – in the bustling capital of Rome, pretty Salerno on the Amalfi Coast and Messina in Sicily. Take in the sights on an organised shore excursion or simply spend your time in town trying the local delicacies: arancini, pasta alla norma (eggplant, tomato, pecorino) and sweet marzipan confections called frutta martorana.

Between visiting Greece – Argostoli and Santorini – and an overnight stay in Istanbul, Turkey, order room service and watch the waves from your suite’s private balcony or discover Voyager’s countless other charms: dine in one of the specialty restaurants; see a musical revue at Constellation Theater; take a cooling dip in the teak-trimmed pool; try yoga or something more intense at the Fitness Center; and sip cocktails by the picture windows in the Observation Lounge as the ship heads towards the horizon.

The highlights

“Time your visit to the Palace of Monaco – the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, Prince Albert II – for the daily changing of the guard at 11.55am sharp, a ceremony that’s been going for more than 100 years,” says Pile.

“Monaco is gorgeous and a quick trip across the harbour on the public Bateau Bus offers stunning views and photo opportunities, including the prestigious Yacht Club designed by renowned architect Norman Foster.”