Voyages at Sea: Time to Plan
The best cabins on the most interesting ocean cruises and expeditions are booked well in advance. Here are the voyages worth planning now.
Classic Norway with Havila Voyages
For 130 years, passenger and cargo ships sailed the “Norwegian Coastal Express” route along the west coast of Norway, from Bergen to Kirkenes. Today you can follow it with Havila Voyages. Over 12 days the ship calls at 34 ports, and the schedule is designed so that places passed at night on the northbound leg are seen by day on the way back. You can also choose a one-way voyage.
Highlights include a stroll through Bergen, whose old wharf is a heritage site, and a funicular ride up Mount Fløyen; the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord surrounded by peaks and spectacular waterfalls; crossing the Arctic Circle; the Saltstraumen maelstrom, one of the world’s strongest tidal currents; the Viking heritage of the Lofoten Islands; meeting the indigenous Sámi people; Tromsø, the “Paris of the North”; and the North Cape plateau, the northernmost point of Europe.
Havila Voyages cruises are gentle on the environment, preserving the silence and nature of the fjords. The company has four new ships with panoramic windows, Jacuzzis, men’s and women’s saunas and a gym, and the restaurant on board serves local cuisine.
Dates: all year round. In summer you will see the midnight sun, and in winter the northern lights.
The Grand Mediterranean Voyage 2028, Silver Dawn, Silversea
Over 59 days from Istanbul to Lisbon you will visit 50 ports in 13 countries and enjoy hundreds of excursions. You will see Istanbul’s architectural masterpieces, ancient Ephesus and the travertine terraces of Pamukkale, sail on a gulet, wander the charming streets of Çeşme and Alaçatı, follow the wine routes of Turkey’s Aegean coast, and visit Mykonos and Delos, Rhodes of the Knights, the grand palaces of Alexandria, Crete, the Peloponnese, Athens and Santorini.
The waterfalls of Krka National Park, Diocletian’s Palace and the culinary riches of Istria in Croatia. Lake Bled and its cliff-top castle in Slovenia. The towns and Slow Food movement of the Bay of Kotor. Malta, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast; Rome, Corsica and Tuscany; Marseille and Barcelona; Mallorca and Cartagena; the arched bridges and bullring of Ronda, the intricate facades and gardens of the Alhambra; wine and flamenco rhythms in Cádiz; the carved facades of the 500-year-old Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon – all will be highlights of the voyage.
Dates: 23 September – 21 November 2028.
To the Poles with Silversea and Quark Expeditions
Silversea has already announced its 2028-2029 expeditions. Its luxury yachts sail to the Arctic, Greenland, Antarctica, the British Isles and Scandinavia, Polynesia and the Galapagos. Don’t forget its flagship Antarctica Fly Cruise: from Patagonia, home to the company’s hotel The Cormorant at 55 South, a private plane flies guests to King George Island, saving up to four days of travel.
Quark Expeditions has a similar offer: on the Antarctic Express expedition you cross the Drake Passage southbound aboard World Voyager and fly back. And Quark’s voyage to the South Pole aboard Ultramarine (Polar Class 6) includes at least two helicopter excursions and heli-landings.
Exploring Antarctica aboard Douglas Mawson, Aurora Expeditions
Launched in 2025, Douglas Mawson has 86 cabins, with passenger numbers limited to 154 on cruises and 130 on expeditions. Ulstein X-Bow technology ensures a smooth ride in any weather. Guests can enjoy two Jacuzzis, a sauna (indispensable after a polar plunge), a heated pool, a gym and a medical centre. At sea, historians, cultural experts, biologists and ecologists give talks, and you can satisfy your curiosity in the library and science centre on board.
A range of polar itineraries has been designed for Douglas Mawson, including fly-cruises over the Drake Passage in both directions. On the 11-day Across the Antarctic Circle: Fly the Drake expedition, days 3 to 9 are spent along the Antarctic Peninsula: you will cross the Antarctic Circle, see whales, seals and penguins and cruise among icebergs by Zodiac.
Dates: 7-17 February 2028.
The South Pole even closer: St Helena and Icebird, Terra Nova Expeditions
Terra Nova Expeditions was founded in 2024 for southern expeditions. Its ship, St Helena, originally carried passengers, cargo and mail to the island of St Helena in the South Atlantic and was completely refitted by 2022. With a capacity of 150, guest numbers are limited to 98, looked after by a crew of 81. On board are two Jacuzzis, a gym, a spa, spacious decks for wildlife viewing and a full science laboratory, and every expedition includes research in which guests can take part. The six-guest expedition yacht Icebird can reach secluded bays and channels.
The Ultimate Antarctic Adventure combines voyages on both vessels. With more than 500 landing sites, every journey is unique. The programme includes Zodiac and kayak cruises, photography workshops, camping on the ice, polar plunges, snowshoe hikes and five days of exploration aboard Icebird. Meals, equipment, guides and all excursions are included.
Dates: 25 January – 14 February 2027.
The debut season of Scenic Ikon
Imagine a yacht equipped with two helicopters and a submarine. This is Scenic Ikon, the new expedition yacht in the Scenic Discovery Yachts collection. In its first year, from April 2028 to March 2029, it will call at 110 ports in 21 countries, including 26 new destinations, sailing the Mediterranean and Aegean, Egypt, Cape Verde and Senegal, Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and the Chilean fjords.
Scenic Ikon accommodates 270 guests. As well as expedition equipment, it has a two-storey innovative spa (1,700 sq m), 15 restaurants, 8 bars and lounges and a high-tech venue for shows, cooking classes and science presentations. Many first-year voyages are already sold out, so it really pays to book early.
Elegance embodied – Crystal Grace, Crystal Cruises
The new 650-passenger Crystal Grace will be launched in 2028. It is a true floating hotel, with wool carpets, marble and walnut parquet in the cabins and, in some suites, verandas with 270-degree views.
Its collection of nine restaurants includes the only Beefbar at sea by Riccardo Giraudi, Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa and Osteria d’Ovidio, created with brothers Raffaele and Massimiliano Alajmo, whose Le Calandre holds three Michelin stars and was ranked 31st in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 – plus a bistro, international restaurants and a gelato bar. On board are children’s play areas and a kids’ pool, a cigar and cognac club, a library and computer room, boutiques, a lounge area by a huge pool, a spa and gym, a golf simulator, an open-air padel court, a casino and a concert hall. In summer the ship will cruise the Mediterranean, and from September 2028 the coasts of the USA and Canada.
Masterpieces of Europe, Orient Express
Orient Express offers cruises in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Caribbean, including voyages timed to iconic events such as the Venice Film Festival (1-5 September 2027), the Monaco Yacht Show (21-26 September 2027) and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez (26-30 September 2027). One of the most fascinating itineraries is A Voyage of Glamour, Grandeur and Gastronomy aboard Orient Express Olympian from London to Lisbon.
You will visit Torquay, the jewel of the English Riviera, and walk in the footsteps of Agatha Christie; explore the historic monuments of the “corsair city” of Saint-Malo, also famous for its cuisine and its proximity to Mont-Saint-Michel; and spend your visit to Bordeaux on wine and sights from the Place de la Bourse to the Grand Théâtre. Bilbao’s iconic Guggenheim Museum is paired with an introduction to Basque cuisine, and in Porto you will step into the world’s most beautiful bookshop and admire the azulejos of São Bento station.
Dates: 16-27 August 2027.
Treasures of the Indian Ocean with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
The two-week Expedition Madagascar: One of Evolution’s Most Beautiful Gifts aboard Hanseatic Nature combines three dream destinations – the Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius – and lets you extend your holiday at a Mauritius hotel after the cruise.
You will explore remote natural sites and villages by Zodiac, visit bird sanctuaries and the giant tortoises of Aldabra, discover the extraordinary biodiversity of Madagascar and the islets off its northern and eastern coasts, learn from experts and simply enjoy the beach in whatever way suits you. You will be charmed by the French flair of exotic Mayotte and its inimitable cuisine blending African, Indonesian, French and Indian influences, and Réunion will stay in your memory for its mountain peaks, the “pitons” (a hike to one of them and a helicopter excursion are included).
Dates: 11-26 February 2028.
Would you like to book a cruise or expedition? Our travel consultants will help you choose the itinerary, ship and cabin and arrange flights to the port of departure. See also our other expeditions.
