The best new cruises in the world: 2025 Hot List
We've spent the last 12 months sleeping, eating, and sailing our way around the globe in order to bring you the 29th edition of the Hot List, our carefully curated annual collection of the best new (and reborn) hotels, restaurants, and cruise ships in the world, and we had a ton of fun doing it. How could we not when it involved activities like zip-lining to dinner in the Maldives, sleeping in an actual tree house in Kenya, and eating a truly memorable meal in a converted auto body shop in Mexico City? The through line of this year’s list is joy – something we could all use a little more of in our lives. These are the 2025 Hot List winners for best new cruises in the world.
Explora JourneysExplora II – Explora Journeys
With its streamlined, 922-passenger second ship, Explora Journeys is doubling down on its recipe of unfussy luxury meant to appeal to both newcomers and seasoned cruisers seeking a premium experience that isn’t so stuffy. It’s also trying to burnish its family-friendly credentials, so I brought along my 8- and 10-year-old to put the ship to the test. Things got off to a good start when they discovered the foosball table, video games, and karaoke machine at the Nautilus kids club while I enjoyed the sea breeze and a stiff martini at the top-deck Sky Bar. They approved of the pickleball, touch tennis, and half basketball courts; I felt the same way about the nearby alfresco rowing machines and exercise bikes. We all gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up to the greenhouse-like Conservatory Pool, with its retractable roof and after-hours movie screenings; to the array of high-quality international eats on offer at the five restaurants and food hall; and to our suite, which offered a cute little library both kids selected books from, just enough space for the three of us, and a lovely terrace where we ate room service breakfast and revelled in being together at sea. Jesse Ashlock
andBeyond Galapagos ExplorerGalapagos Explorer – andBeyond
South African tour outfit andBeyond has long been known for some of the finest safari lodges in Africa, but its latest launch is a wholly different kind of wild. The new andBeyond Galapagos Explorer, the first ship in the brand's portfolio, swaps the bush for Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands, where the sleek, six-suite expedition yacht sails through one of the world’s most extraordinary ecosystems. During the seven-night itineraries that alternate between the eastern and western reaches of the archipelago, guests wake up to volcanic peaks, Mars-like landscapes, and surreal shorelines teeming with wildlife. Daily excursions bring them up close with Galápagos giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and curious sea lions, while evenings on board wind down with Ecuadoran barbecue feasts, expert-led talks, and soaks in the Jacuzzi on the top deck. True to andBeyond’s conservation-driven ethos, the ship maintains a small footprint by hosting a maximum of just 12 guests (the Galápagos' lowest guide-to-guest ratio) and supporting local socioeconomic and ecological initiatives to help safeguard this fragile wonder for generations to come. Chris Schalkx
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht CollectionIlma – Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Far from my cramped studio apartment in New York City, the decks of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma felt like such a respite. Everywhere I looked, there was space: plenty of inviting empty chaises by both pools; small cocktail tables overlooking the sparkling blues of the Mediterranean (and not just beyond the sleek chrome railing but also underfoot via glass-paned floor); and the sprawling Marina Beach, the floating lounge space off the ship's aft, where I was able relax under a cabana with my feet in the cool, salty water. Even in my own suite, I could sprawl on the king-size bed or pace my private terrace and manage to work up a sweat. The only place where space was at a premium? At Seta, where my eight-course dinner included a succulent cut of Wagyu rib eye that I still think about. Maybe I'll never own a private yacht, but I know where to find the next best thing. Taylor Eisenhauer
Nour El Refai/AmaWaterwaysLilia – AmaWaterways
The AmaLilia is AmaWaterways’ second luxury river cruiser to hit the Nile, joining the AmaDahlia, which launched in 2021. The 236-foot, 82-passenger ship feels intimate yet, due to its taller profile, holds more luxury suites. Its amenities include a fitness centre, a gift shop, a spa, and a sun deck, where you can find a pool and vibey lounge area outfitted with macramé-fringed two-person loungers ideal for sipping a drink (not available off-boat) after a long day of tomb and temple trekking. The AmaLilia’s strengths are its crew’s attentive service and the quality of its onboard Egyptologists, who accompany you everywhere, starting with a three-day Cairo land tour and a trip to the spectacular new, air-conditioned Grand Egyptian Museum. Between the largely Mediterranean menu in the main dining room, the intimate chef’s table multicourse tasting restaurant on the upper deck, nightly dancing, and a galabeya night to show off our newly purchased Egyptian caftans, we were well fed and entertained. The sleek, modern suites are spacious and light-filled thanks to the French balcony off the bedroom and a walk-out veranda off the sitting area – a perfect place to take in the view of palm trees, caramel-colored mountains, and colourful fishing boats drifting by. With marble bathrooms in every room, and a full tub and shower in the 13 suites, the ship is the perfect luxury home base to see Egypt’s treasures without wearing yourself out. Melinda Fulmer
Christopher Ison/CunardQueen Anne – Cunard Line
As the Queen Anne sails into Norway's winding, narrow fjords after a day crossing the boundless blue of the North Sea, we are surrounded by towering walls of granite and picturesque farmhouses, like a scene straight out of a fairy tale. The ship itself is also strikingly beautiful; it combines the timeless elegance Cunard is best known for with luxurious contemporary touches. I take in the magic of the fjords from the library’s floor-to-ceiling windows, then from the infinity-pool Jacuzzi on the private Grill’s Terrace deck (reserved for Grill’s guests), and then again from the Art Deco-inspired Commodore Club, where, to the tunes of a live pianist, I sip on a martini made with the ship’s special-edition gin. On gala nights, passengers trade their hiking gear for tuxedos and floor-length gowns to kick off an evening of ball dancing and merrymaking. In the morning, I recover from it all in the expansive spa, where you can swim, shvitz, and shiver your way through the thermal pool, Himalayan-salt sauna, cold room, and more. Whether you want to escape to eras gone by or enjoy the modern indulgences of cruising today, the Queen Anne has it all. Hannah Towey
Silver Ray/Silversea Cruises LtdSilver Ray – Silversea Cruises
Silver Ray, Silversea’s newest vessel, has an electric, glitzier vibe that attracts a high-energy, somewhat younger crowd who relish a cruise where drinks and caviar flow free and freely, and where suite butlers offer posh personalised pampering. At daytime hangout Pool Bar, the whirl of bartenders’ blenders fashioning the frothiest drinks goes nonstop. Pre-dinner, alfresco Dusk Bar delivers spectacular sunsets, Champagne-forward Shelter is the most intimate retreat, and buzzy Panorama Lounge is best for making friends. Know that Kaiseki’s Japanese cuisine is complimentary only at lunchtime, Silver Note jazz club reservations are hardest to score, and La Dame’s Michelin-star-style service and cuisine make the surcharge worthwhile. In the evenings, Venetian Lounge performers can rock the room as passengers dance at their seats. Janice Wald Henderson
Kent Phillips/DisneyTreasure – Disney Cruise Line
While every vessel in Disney Cruise Line’s fleet pairs the convenience of cruising with the fun of the Disney parks, the newly launched Disney Treasure raises the bar with its immersive experiences, attention to detail, and hospitality. Bringing the brand's true magic to the seas, it's a must-do for any Disney lover, After all, how many fans have dreamed of what it would be like to sip on a cocktail inside the Haunted Mansion while Madame Leota floats in front of you above the bar? The ship’s signature rotational dining rooms are no different; guests enter into the world of Coco during two unique dining shows complete with singing, dancing, and storytelling. The ship is full of nods to beloved Disney properties both old and new, including an Aristocats-themed piano bar, the AquaMouse water slide that features Mickey and his pals, and a new, Broadway-style stage show inspired by Moana with world-class puppeteering. The Disney Treasure isn’t paying just fan service – guests of all ages who may not be as invested in the brand’s IP can still appreciate the incredibly comfortable and well-designed staterooms, the expansive Senses Spa, an easy-to-navigate ship layout, and a level of hospitality that Disney Cruise Line has become known for. Plus, unlimited soft serve and round-the-clock room service don’t hurt either. Jaqueline Dole
Royal CaribbeanUtopia of the Seas – Royal Caribbean Cruises
In the wake of world's largest vessel, Icon of the Seas, from Royal Caribbean comes Utopia of the Seas, a smaller (only relatively so; the capacity here is for 5,668 passengers) but no less antic megaship with so much to do that you simply could never experience it all within the confines of a single voyage. That’s due in part to sheer volume and in part to demand. This writer, for example, was unable to secure a reservation to enjoy the experiential dining extravaganza called "Royal Railway," which features an immersive dinner show against a Wild West backdrop, such was the competition for a seat. That's not to say I wasn’t entertained, though, and the wonders persisted between embarkation and disembarkation. The highlight is the kinetic Aqua80sToo show in the open-air AquaTheater, where Olympic-grade high divers splash around (and splash you if your seat is good enough). The feats of athleticism are must-sees, among the ship’s myriad marvels. Charlie Hobbs
White Rain/VikingVela – Viking Cruises
There may be no better place to take in views of some of Europe’s most enchanting ports and coastlines than from the seventh deck of Viking Vela. The Norwegian line’s newest ocean ship has made its home continent its primary focus, and introduced a range of new itineraries to keep pace. It spent much of this winter on Viking’s new northern lights-themed sailings, whisking passengers from London to the far north of Norway in search of the aurora borealis. At the Arctic port of Alta – one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights – passengers can dogsled (and reindeer sled!), visit an Indigenous Sami village, and take in local landmarks like UNESCO-recognised ancient rock art and the Northern Lights Cathedral. After a day of exploration and immersion, there is always room back in the Scandinavian-style sauna to relax with just enough time for freshly made pasta at Manfredi’s. While the layout and amenities are identical to its sister ships, Vela is slightly larger than the rest of Viking’s ocean-going fleet, allowing for 17 additional cabins and room for 998 total passengers (versus 930). It’s also equipped with a partial hybrid propulsion system that is “hydrogen-ready,” part of Viking’s mission to be able to sail with zero emissions in sensitive environments like the Norwegian fjords. Hannah Towey