The Best Cruise Ships in the World: The Gold List 2025

"Quiet luxury rules onboard Oceania Cruises’s Riviera, where hues like sand, charcoal, and auburn predominate. After a 2022 makeover the 1,250-passenger ship feels sleeker and richer, with redone staterooms going big on marble baths. The Riviera is now sexier too, notably in Martinis Bar; sip Flirtinis (sparkling wine, Cointreau, and Absolut Raspberry) on tufted couches amid black, silver, and gold décor. Among eight complimentary restaurants, discover Red Ginger’s perennial fave: banana-leaf-wrapped miso-glazed sea bass. Riviera’s lavish afternoon tea with a classical string quartet tempts daily at 4 p.m. Find your inner Frida Kahlo at Artist Loft, where free workshops led by notable artists in residence abound. Distinguished chef Stephanie Hersch, formerly Julia Child’s executive assistant, runs the Culinary Center. If booking a Concierge-level veranda stateroom or above, access to the surprisingly underused Aquamar Spa Terrace, with a big outdoor Jacuzzi and sun-protected loungers, is yours. Seven-day sailings from $2,470 per person. —Janice Wald Henderson" - CNT Editors