Get to know the boutique cruises to the upper crust

Luxury suites, gourmet meals, and exclusive experiences await on boutique cruises to the Upper Elfion - the next trend in pampering vacations.

 Crystal Cruises   (photo credit: PR)
Crystal Cruises
(photo credit: PR)

Those who can afford it know - a pleasure cruise is the ideal vacation. A magnificent journey around the globe, aboard luxurious boutique ships in front of magical landscapes, an experience that is second to none. These are smaller ships that carry less than a thousand people, which allows the ships to anchor in small ports that cannot be accessed by huge ships, and thus be exposed to rare places.

Boutique ships that offer pampering suites with balconies open to the heart of the sea, chef meals from the best in the world, courteous and meticulous personal service, rare shows and rich content throughout the voyage. Undoubtedly, everything was thought of in detail, so that it would be a one-of-a-kind vacation. So which companies offer the most fascinating cruises? Fasten your seat belts, we're sailing.

Cruising on a 6-star boutique ship

Crystal Cruises is one of the best and most respected cruise companies in the world. In Israel it is represented by Ofir Tours, when they offer 6-star luxury cruises to a variety of destinations around the world. One of the most requested routes is from Quebec (Quebec) in Canada to Fort Lauderdale (Fort Lauderdale) in Florida. These are 14 particularly pampering nights on a boutique ship that carries only about 740 passengers. The price of this exclusive cruise is about $8,600 per passenger including taxes in a luxurious suite. This price includes a Michelin-level kosher luxury restaurant, free drinks, a team that includes a chef and a kosher supervisor, and for dessert, a performance by the star Gloria Gaynor, so you can sing "I Will Survive" with her in the middle of the sea. Unlike other companies, Crystal Cruises sails a route where you can get off the ship and return the next day. On this cruise, you stop for the night in New York, so you can also taste the Big Apple on the same vacation. Crystal Cruises and Ophir Tours offer another variety of pampering cruises around the world, including an exclusive six-star kosher cruise, with meals at the level of Michelin restaurants and a close supervisor. Between the cruises you can enjoy a route that departs from Lisbon to London for 10 pampering nights. The cruise starts already on 12.6.25. 

Another fascinating route departs from Copenhagen in Denmark to Reykjavik in Iceland, 8 nights in front of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. The cruise starts at the height of summer, on 14.8.25. Another route departs from Reykjavik in Iceland to Oslo in Norway, a fascinating journey for 14 extraordinary nights, starting at $8,300 per passenger.

 A chef's dinner at the level of a Michelin restaurant (credit: PR)
A chef's dinner at the level of a Michelin restaurant (credit: PR)

A trip of a lifetime from National Geographic

For the naturalists among you, meet Expedition Cruises, a luxury cruise that will take you to the wildest nature in the world. A rare opportunity to be exposed to the primordial nature, the local cultures and the science behind the most interesting areas on the planet. National Geographic's cruise ships are well equipped with research laboratories, lecture rooms and advanced logistics, to allow the team of guides and experts to pass on their knowledge to passengers, an extraordinary journey with the most fascinating people in the world. The journey will be joined by a team of experts, seasoned photographers, marine biologists, historians or naturalists and photography guides. 

An integral part of the journey is going to the beaches and itineraries in the wild and unspoiled nature, in special Zodiac boats. You will be able to see rare animals up close, watch breathtaking landscapes and get to know authentic cultures in their natural environment. National Geographic's fleet includes about 15 small boutique ships, with only 28-150 passengers, some of which are even integrated with helicopters for those who want to see everything from a bird's eye view. An unforgettable experience for nature lovers and explorers at heart. A golden opportunity to explore and get to know the ends of the earth while learning and enriching yourself scientifically and culturally.If you fancy a shorter voyage, Expedition Cruises also offers shorter itineraries of 7-14 nights and longer itineraries of 14-28 nights in Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean, Australia and New Zealand, the Pacific, South America, the Caribbean, Bermuda/Northern Europe and Alaska , at a special price starting at $4,300 per passenger. 

Cruise around Europe

The Oceania Cruises cruise company offers pampering luxury cruises at the highest level. This is one of the world's leading companies in luxury cruises, specializing in a culinary experience at the level of Michelin restaurants and world-wide cruises.

Oceania's eight luxury ships carry between 600-1200 guests on board and over 400 crew members, who will make this unique experience precise, thinking of the smallest details. The experience includes elegant suites, beach tours, unlimited soft drinks and fine coffee, free internet, outstanding personal service and the benefit of credit for unique beach tours. at a price of up to $1,200. A 15-night cruise to Greenland and Iceland, departing from Tromsø in Norway and ending in Reykjavik in Iceland. From $6,229 per passenger in a double room. 

 Boutique cruise. Meticulous personal service (credit: PR)
Boutique cruise. Meticulous personal service (credit: PR)

Around the world in five months

If you've always dreamed of circumnavigating the world on a one-of-a-kind voyage, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering the dream cruise for the first time in history. This is an impressive journey across 40 countries and 6 continents in 140 nights, about five months around the globe. The journey starts from Miami, through the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, the Pacific Ocean towards Australia and New Zealand, through Asia, Africa, Europe and will end in New York. 

Along the journey, the ship will dock at 71 ports, and will stop for 14 nights in major cities such as Bali and Singapore. A rare journey around the world that starts for the first time in January 2027, places are limited and registration has already begun. 

This is a luxury ship that holds approximately 746 passengers, which includes huge and particularly meticulous suites, luxury chef meals, quality wines and champagnes, exceptional service and rich content, with over 480 tours included in the price and a visit to 73 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Opportunity Paz to go on a rare journey around the world, at the highest level of comfort and luxury in the world. Regent Seven Seas Cruises also offers short pampering cruises around the world, one of the most requested routes is from Barcelona to Athens, 10 pampering nights in a double suite with a balcony overlooking the sea, starting at $6,500 per passenger including taxes.

All inclusive cruise

Silversea, one of the best luxury companies in the world, owns a fleet of luxurious and innovative ships, including boutique yachts and expedition ships for pampering cruises around the globe. What sets Silversea apart is the all-inclusive route that takes care of you from the moment you leave the door of the house and back, including shuttle services and everything in between. The ships offer luxury suites, which include an attached personal butler, an extraordinary culinary experience and a variety of services that will make your vacation perfect. 

The company's unique routes encompass all seven continents, from the South Pole to the North Pole, through the most fascinating destinations in the world. The new Silver Origin, the company's unique flagship for exploration cruises in the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, was recently launched. Only one hundred passengers will be able to enjoy a trip of a lifetime, starting at $10,500 per passenger in a double suite. Our recommendation, prepare the passports.

  (credit: PR)
(credit: PR)

Explore the ends of the globe

If you are curious and want to see the world from a slightly different angle, you should get to know Hurtigruten Expeditions, which specializes in unforgettable cruises to Antarctica at the South Pole and the Norwegian fjords at the northern end of the globe. These are ancient mail ships that have been converted into luxurious geographical exploration ships, to allow travelers to get to know the world's fascinating destinations up close. If dramatic glaciers, towering peaks and breathtaking views speak to you, this is the cruise for you.