82% of travelers worldwide who have ever taken a cruise want to repeat, and 68% of those who have never embarked are clear that, at some point, they must try it. And the sooner, the better, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), whose latest report indicates that in 2025 more than 37.7 million passengers sailed the waters of the globe, 9% more than in 2024. From Barcelona to Miami - the quintessential port: on April 20, it set a global record by handling 72,401 passengers in a single day - passing through the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Antilles, Singapore, the Persian Gulf, or Antarctica. The idea that only older people populate the cabins is a thing of the past. Millennials have jumped on board the thousand and one adventures beyond the seas, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which points to the cruise segment as one of the most prosperous in the industry.
That's why cruise lines are increasingly racking their brains to launch their "even more challenging" offerings. Whether it's the longest dry slide on board a ship, The Spiral Tree of Life - measuring 81.3 meters and spanning 12 decks of the new World Asia that MSC Cruises will inaugurate in December. Or an observation platform in the form of a futuristic capsule that elevates you 91 meters above the ocean (built by Royal Caribbean). Or a restaurant, Archipelago, led by three chefs who together hold 13 Michelin stars - one of them is the Spanish Ángel León, and the idea belongs to Costa Cruises. Or a themed program for Star Wars fans, with costume contests, workshops to become Jedi Masters, and Chewbaccas strolling on deck.
Then there's the largest and most luxurious suite ever seen in the history of aquatic giants. Size? 817 square meters, with an impressive 360º panoramic balcony occupying 344 of them. Price per night? Starting at 22,500 euros. It has its own name, Skyview Regent Suite, and will be unveiled at the end of the year when the Seven Seas Prestige is launched, the latest ship from Regent Seven Seas Cruises, a leading company in the ultra-luxury market that this year focuses on the Japanese spring among cherry blossoms (its 10-night program starts on April 29 in Tokyo and goes through Kobe, Hiroshima, or Nagasaki) and on the jewels of the Aegean (seven nights departing on August 4 from Athens, with stops in Crete, Santorini, or Ephesus).
The package in both proposals is all-inclusive, with unlimited drinks and land excursions, specialty restaurants at no additional cost, and a butler in the penthouse suites and higher classes, among other services.
Both plans are served on a silver platter by Starclass, the luxury division of Un Mundo de Cruceros, the tour operator with the largest offering in the sector for Spain and Portugal: more than 8,000 voyages around the world. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is just one of the companies it markets, but the list includes others such as Oceania Cruises, Explora Journeys, Ponant, Disney Cruise Line, Seabourn, Crystal Cruises, or The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which brings the hotel chain's reputation to its yachts.
Also joining the list is Silversea, which this year is focusing on routes that coincide with international events such as the Venice Carnival, the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, or the August solar eclipse, allowing its passengers to enjoy them exclusively. Not to be forgotten are the river tours in Europe by Riverside Luxury Cruises aboard elegant boutique ships offering an intimate experience while strolling through charming villages along the Rhine, Danube, or Rhône rivers.
For the 2026-2027 season, Un Mundo de Cruceros also offers the option of having a Spanish-speaking guide on its selection of complete land, sea, and air trips. This translates into a package that includes flights, hotels, transfers, excursions, and daily activities on board in journeys through Australia, Cambodia, Patagonia, Panama, or Alaska, one of the most popular destinations lately. Companies like MSC Cruises know this well, offering it this year as one of its novelties with weekly departures from May to September from Seattle on its renovated MSC Poesia.
Navigating the so-called last frontier is not just about moving around but immersing oneself in picturesque fjords, cliffs of almost a hundred meters, ancient forests, and unique wildlife. Not to mention glaciers like Tracy Arm and fishing towns like Ketchikan, where you can taste exquisite wild salmon after spotting American eagles. The journey also covers the Canadian British Columbia, home to whales, porpoises, and sea lions. Those who choose this adventure can enjoy the Yacht Club on board, the private high-end space consisting of 63 luxury suites with a butler, as well as the state-of-the-art spa, gym, and the musical based on Dirty Dancing.
Additionally, MSC Cruises is launching a year-round route from La Romana, in the south of the Dominican Republic. A different way to explore the Caribbean by the company, which already has its private island, Ocean Cay, in the Bahamas. "We started calling at the island in 2014, and more than 10 years later, it is a pride to present our new homeport offer here," says Gianni Onorato, CEO of the company.
The journey will be available starting November 16 on a seven-night voyage aboard MSC Opera with the option to extend it to 14 nights. In between, idyllic enclaves like Martinique, Guadeloupe, British Virgin Islands, and Barbados among picture-perfect beaches, dolphins, and a unique place like Isla Catalina, the Dominican tropical paradise discovered by Christopher Columbus and ideal for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. Additionally, the company offers its Fly & Cruise packages, including both the cruise and the flight from Madrid.
The next plan takes us around the world. Literally. More and more cruise lines are proposing this feat in journeys lasting between 100 and 180 days, crossing all continents and several oceans. The number of ports where the ship docks ranges from 40 to 60, allowing passengers to visit up to 50 World Heritage Sites, as well as sleep in cities like Marseille, Sydney, Tokyo, or Los Angeles.
Most programs departing from Spain do so from Barcelona, like the Costa Deliziosa, which will depart from the Catalan city on November 27. Then, this Costa Cruises ship will begin its 139-day journey through 47 destinations in 29 countries. From the Azores to New York, Puerto Vallarta, Honolulu, Hong Kong, or Port Elizabeth in South Africa, where a safari awaits.
Viajes El Corte Inglés offers this voyage, as well as other round-the-world trips designed by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Azamara, Cunard Line, or Silversea. The latter luxury cruise line's journey lasts 140 days, covers 59 destinations in 30 countries, and is inspired by the spirit of exploration, "seeking to awaken curiosity and deepen the connection with the diverse cultures and landscapes of the world," in the words of Bert Hernández, the company's president. For this, it offers a true adventure aboard its Silver Dawn from Florida to Lisbon filled with local experiences in exotic places like Easter Island, French Polynesia, or the South Pacific.
Those with more time can opt for Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise of 274 days, visiting over 60 countries and up to 11 Wonders of the World. From the Peruvian Machu Picchu to the Egyptian pyramids or the Indian Taj Mahal. There is the option to book specific intervals by continent, but why not go all the way...