Smooth sailing: Embark on these luxurious voyages across the high seas

Could there be anything better than leaving all your worries on the land and setting sail on the high seas? Add to that the luxury of five-star services and intermittent experiences of wine, wildlife, and worldly wonders and we're sold. Here is a list of cruises that can fix you up. 

AVALON WATERWAYS: BEST FOR WINE LOVERS
Begin your journey at Port St Louis in southern France and travel north along the Rhône and Saône rivers, stopping at Arles—whose vistas famously inspired Van Gogh’s landscapes—and visiting the wineries of Beaujolais, Chardonnay, and Châteauneuf du Pape. Take part in guided tastings with the onboard master of wine as you pass picturesque villages and sprawling countryside.

Avalon Waterways (www.avalonwaterways.co.uk)

CELEBRITY: BEST FOR WINTER SUN

Spend a glorious week soaking up warm rays in the Bahamas, Mexico, and Grand Cayman on the Celebrity Beyond. Disembark at the beautiful city of Nassau to swim amid its thriving coral reefs, walk along Costa Maya’s pristine sandy beaches, discover the untouched caverns and lagoons of Cozumel, and explore George Town’s famous rum distilleries and farmer’s markets.

Celebrity Cruises (www.celebritycruises.com)

SEABOURN: BEST FOR CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

Set sail from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and stop to wander through the vibrant cities of Ushuaia and Ezeiza before traversing the ocean towards the Antarctic on the Seabourn Venture. The top deck offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands, while small zodiac boats and kayaks take you nearer to glimpse the native fauna, which includes reindeer, arctic foxes, walruses, and polar bears.

Seabourn (www.seabourn.com)

SILVERSEA: BEST FOR WILDLIFE

Explore the Galápagos archipelago in cosseting luxury aboard the Silver Origin, which provides a butler service for every suite and serves Ecuadorian-inspired seafood dishes at its restaurant. The ship was made specifically for expeditions across the region and has eco-conscious features as well as those that heighten the beauty of the surroundings, with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow for views of the sea lions of San Cristóbal, the iguanas basking on Darwin Bay, and the giant tortoises that populate the Santa Cruz highlands.

Silversea (www.silversea.com)

Five more favourites

HOLLAND AMERICA 
ROTTERDAM TO NEW YORK
Retrace the line’s inaugural voyage to celebrate its 150th year.
www.hollandamerica.com

PRINCESS
NORTH AMERICA
Hike through the Canadian Rockies before departing for an Alaskan adventure.
www.princess.com

REGENT AFRICA
Embark on a spectacular sea safari that takes you around South Africa, Namibia, and Mozambique.
www.rssc.com

PONANT: NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC CRUISES 
ANTARCTICA
Navigate a spellbinding circuit of South Georgia and the Falklands Islands.
www.ponant.com

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
EUROPE
Sip port in Lisbon and dine on tapas in Tenerife during an 11-day Canary Islands excursion.
www.ncl.com