Explora I: a Western Mediterranean week for three generations
Barcelona to Rome with connecting suites, a real kids' programme and nobody dressing for dinner.
Blackbury Picks
Our specialists' favourite cruises.
An editorial shortlist, not a ranking of everything afloat. Each pick is a sailing we would recommend to a real party, with the reasons on its page. Prices are planning figures per person.
Picks are Blackbury's opinion. They are not paid placements and not supplier claims.
Best for families
Explora I: a Western Mediterranean week for three generations
Space, connecting suites, children who are genuinely welcome, and ports that work for short attention spans.
Best for familiesExplora Journeys · Mediterranean
Best for families
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises · European Rivers
S.S. Maria Theresa: a Danube family sailing for three generations
Budapest to Passau on a dedicated family departure: castles, chocolate and no sea days.
Best for grandparents
Seven Seas Grandeur: Greek islands with everything included
Scenery from the ship, gentle days ashore, excellent service and no need to rush.
Best for grandparents
Regent Seven Seas Cruises · Greek Islands
Seven Seas Grandeur: Greek islands with everything included
Athens round trip with excursions, drinks, speciality dining and flights in the fare.
Best for couples
Evrima: the Riviera and Corsica on a Ritz-Carlton yacht
Small ships, serious food, and itineraries that linger where it matters.
Best for couples
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection · Mediterranean
Evrima: the Riviera and Corsica on a Ritz-Carlton yacht
Nice to Rome by yacht, with a marina off the stern and a children's programme that makes it work for families.
Best for couples
Silversea · Adriatic & Croatia
Silver Nova: Venice to Athens down the Adriatic
Silversea's brightest ship through Croatia, Montenegro and the Ionian, with a butler in every suite.
Best for food
Oceania Vista: Lisbon to Barcelona for people who travel to eat
Where dinner is the point of the day.
Best for food
Oceania Cruises · Mediterranean
Oceania Vista: Lisbon to Barcelona for people who travel to eat
Portugal, Andalusia and the Spanish coast with the best restaurants at sea, at an upper-premium price.
Best first cruise
Explora I: a Western Mediterranean week for three generations
A forgiving first week: easy ports, an easy ship, nothing to regret.
Best first cruiseExplora Journeys · Mediterranean
Explora I: a Western Mediterranean week for three generations
Barcelona to Rome with connecting suites, a real kids' programme and nobody dressing for dinner.
Best expedition
Silver Endeavour: Antarctica in comfort
The trip of a lifetime, in comfort.
Best expedition
Silversea · Antarctica
Silver Endeavour: Antarctica in comfort
The trip of a lifetime with a butler, zodiac landings twice a day and a fly-cruise option across the Drake.
Ultimate luxury
Evrima: the Riviera and Corsica on a Ritz-Carlton yacht
When the budget is not the constraint and the experience has to be faultless.
Ultimate luxuryThe Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection · Mediterranean
Evrima: the Riviera and Corsica on a Ritz-Carlton yacht
Nice to Rome by yacht, with a marina off the stern and a children's programme that makes it work for families.
Why Blackbury
Why take our picks seriously
They are our opinion, and we will change them when a ship disappoints. Here is what sits behind them.
01
The right ship
Not all luxury cruises are alike. We know the difference between the lines and find the ship that actually suits your party, travel style and budget.
02
Everything arranged
Flights, suites, hotels before and after, transfers, excursions, dining and special requests, handled together as one plan.
03
One person to call
One specialist owns your trip from the first conversation to the day you get home. You are never passed around a call centre.
04
Built around your family
Travelling with three generations? We plan around different ages, interests, energy levels and mobility needs.
Not sure which ship is right for you?
Luxury doesn't mean every ship suits every traveller. We'll tell you if we think a cruise isn't a good fit, even if that means recommending something else.