Luxury cruising is hotter than ever. So what are the trends we’re likely to see? Karryon Luxury speaks to six luxury cruise brands who reveal that solo and slow travel, multi-gen bookings, culinary excellence, longer sailings, and cruises to cold-climate destinations are among the growing trends for 2025.
This year, bookings for cruises in all sectors surpassed even the heights reached in pre-pandemic 2019, and it doesn’t look as though the demand is going to slow down anytime soon.
In the luxury cruising sector, which is enjoying unprecedented growth, luxury travel specialists Virtuoso reported in June that cruise bookings over the next 18 to 24 months in excess of USD$50,000 have increased more than 100 per cent compared to the same time last year.
So, what are luxury cruising guests looking for in 2025? Here’s what the experts are predicting.
Nicole Costantin
Head of Sales, APAC
Explora Journeys
“A significant trend we are noticing at Explora Journeys is that luxury travellers are getting younger. The average age of guests on an Explora Journeys cruise is only 50, much younger in comparison to other luxury cruise lines.
More and more, we are finding luxury cruising travellers value choice, space and privacy as their top priorities. We have adapted our fleet design to increasingly meet these needs with the newest ship to enter our fleet, Explora III, offering more space than ever before with one of the highest ratios of total public space per guest in the industry at an incredible 18.7 square metres.
We have also focused on higher suite categories, offering more luxurious, inclusive and spacious accommodations including the Ocean Penthouses, which now account for 24 per cent of the suite inventory, and the Ocean Residences, which have increased to nine per cent of the total inventory.
We are also seeing a greater desire for our guests to switch off completely with the ability to still stay connected when required. We help create this through our ocean-inspired wellness philosophy to create an Ocean State of Mind.
Damian Perry
Managing Director – APAC region
Hurtigruten
“Interest in Northern Lights cruises has continued to grow for Hurtigruten in 2024 and we expect that trend to continue into next year.
Skyscanner recently identified astro adventures as one of the top trends for 2025 and at Hurtigruten, we also anticipate the appetite for astro tourism to continue. Hurtigruten has developed an exclusive partnership to deliver astronomy voyages led by experts such as our Chief Aurora Chaser Tom Kerss, which show significant high demand.
Another trend we anticipate in 2025 is travellers seeking full-package solutions through sail and land packages. An example of this is Hurtigruten’s new Savour the Northern Lights itinerary that sees our guests cruise in premium style aboard Hurtigruten’s MS Trollfjord; disembark and discover stunning Norwegian towns along the way; stay in a glass igloo in Finland; and continue their exploration by sleigh or snowmobile.
Solo travel is also a growth area for 2025, a trend across the globe that Hurtigruten is supporting. Norway offers a safe and comfortable destination for those travelling independently, with the benefit of being able to converse in English in much of the country.”
Lisa Pile
Vice President Sales & General Manager, APAC
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
“Slow travel: At Regent we’re seeing an increase in appetite for experiential travel – Australians want to stay in each destination for longer, to explore the local culture, cuisine and customs at a more leisurely pace. We have launched 15 Immersive Overnights sailings, with overnights in nearly every port of call – some have two or even three nights in each port.
Consecutive cruises: Bookending two or three voyages together to create an extended holiday also allows guests to benefit from deeper destination immersion.
Culinary excellence: Last year, we unveiled 128 new culinary-focused shore excursions in the Mediterranean which have proved very popular. Crafted in collaboration with local chefs and experts, these excursions promise guests an unforgettable gastronomic journey through France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.
Multi-generation travel is absolutely on the rise. At Regent, we’re seeing a notable increase in bookings made by families, particularly on shorter seven to 10-day itineraries in the Mediterranean or Northern Europe. Port-intensive itineraries in these regions mean there’s lots for younger family members to do.
Close to home sailings, for example cruises in Australia and New Zealand or Asia, as well as segments of a Grand Voyage (which is upwards of 20 days), and our World Cruises are also popular with multi-generational groups.
Destinations of interest: The top trending destinations for 2025 include the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Asia – but it’s the itinerary that motivates Australian travellers the most. We are adventurous travellers, and we like to venture to new destinations for bucket list experiences, so our new Africa voyages are also selling very well, particularly around the west coast of Africa. On the east coast of Africa, we are calling into multiple new ports in Madagascar in 2026.”
Anthony Laver
General Manager, Sales & Marketing APAC
Scenic Group
“Scenic Eclipse I and II, the world’s first Discovery Yachts, go beyond traditional cruise concepts. They define a new category of immersive discovery, which in turn is attracting the same travellers who are booking six-star hotels and ultra-luxury resorts.
They are the only ships to feature two onboard helicopters and a submersible and, along with exceptionally spacious suites and extensive dining and wellness experiences, the two Discovery Yachts are geared to inspiring the next generation of guests.
This has enabled guests to expand their discovery and immersion in the polar regions, Oceania, the Mediterranean, the Kimberley and many popular South-East Asian destinations.
A strong trend for back-to-back Grand voyages of 30 days plus, multi-generational and group bookings has seen several itineraries start selling out for 2025 and beyond – especially by luxury travellers who are new to cruising.
We are also seeing increasing demand for pre- and post-cruise land extensions. Ocean and river cruise combinations also offer guests a diversity of once-in-a-lifetime itineraries and allow them to combine multiple countries and regions seamlessly, in unrivalled ultra-luxury.”
Birgit Vadlau
Vice President of Hotel Operations
Silversea
“Silver Nova, currently sailing in Australia and New Zealand, represents the future of ultra-luxury cruise travel with her innovative asymmetrical design and extensive range of public venues.
Our well-travelled guests see food and drink as a way to truly experience a destination. Reflecting this, Silver Nova’s range of nine dining venues enhances the luxury of choice, serving diverse cuisine in stunning settings. The heart of this culinary offering is S.A.L.T., an evolving program reimagined aboard Silver Nova with exclusive venues and the newly launched S.A.L.T. Chef’s Table, showcasing immersive dining at its finest.
In keeping with international food trends, Silversea has also expanded its range of vegetarian, vegan, and plant-based dishes. Its new culinary options include starters, mains and desserts, with additional options in all restaurants on all ships.”
Michelle Black
Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand
Viking
“Australian and New Zealand travellers are placing increased importance on when to go to their chosen destination. With global hotspots at capacity and often overcrowded during the European summer, travellers are favouring trips to lesser-known destinations, with fewer tourists, at a quieter time of year.
At Viking, we have long promoted our Quiet Season Mediterranean voyages, which allow travellers to evade the challenge of over-tourism at popular European destinations by visiting between November and February.
I personally love travelling during the quiet season because you experience so much more from a destination when there are no crowds or long queues, and the weather is still pleasant. I also love the cultural authenticity you get from dining with the locals, when the restaurant is quiet and service is better, and taking their tips on the narrow cobblestone laneways to explore and architecture to see, as I meander back to the ship.
Other quiet season perks that work for me range from the calmer atmosphere to shorter waiting times at historic landmarks (allowing for even more exploration), and lower airfares.”
