The Luxury Trend The Travel Elite Are Loving
THE VESSELS
Les Bateaux Belmond
Routes: Burgundy, Champagne, Bordeaux and Provence.
For a slower, more private way to discover France, Les Bateaux Belmond offer the chance to explore the country’s waterways aboard one of seven beautifully appointed luxury boats. Rather than following a fixed itinerary, each journey is tailored to the guests, with a dedicated crew, private chef and guest experience manager on hand throughout. Routes wind through some of France’s most celebrated wine regions, including Burgundy, Champagne, Bordeaux and Provence, combining leisurely days on the water with private visits, vineyard tours and carefully planned experiences.
Each vessel has its own character, with spacious cabins, en-suite bathrooms and generous living areas designed for relaxed time on board. Some also have heated swimming pools, while dining and drinks are included to make the experience feel particularly seamless. Coquelicot, Belmond’s signature floating villa, was redesigned by Parisian duo Humbert & Poyet with interiors inspired by Champagne, while newest addition Marguerite mixes contemporary design with French antiques. There’s also a nice sense of history behind the collection. Belmond’s French fleet began with five river vessels, some of which had previously served as WWII cargo boats or commercial freight barges. They’ve since been transformed into elegant floating retreats, while retaining their connection to the waterways they were built to navigate.
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Explora III
Routes: The Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland.
Explora III is designed to feel less like a traditional cruise ship and more like a luxury hotel that happens to move. The latest addition to Explora Journeys’ fleet combines spacious ocean-front suites, refined dining, wellness and beautifully considered spaces with ever-changing views. Its inaugural journey began in Barcelona before travelling through the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland. With 461 suites, generous public spaces and almost one host per guest, the experience has the feel of a private yacht. Highlights include a double-height Lobby, The Conservatory Pool & Bar with its retractable glass roof, three heated outdoor pools and 60 private cabanas. The atmosphere is deliberately low-key, with no set schedule or pressure to do anything other than enjoy the journey. Explora III is also the fleet’s first LNG-powered ship, reflecting the brand’s focus on reducing its environmental impact.
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Nile Seray, An A&K Sanctuary
Route: Nile itineraries combining Egypt’s major archaeological highlights with lesser-visited experiences.
Nile Seray this November. Designed for just 64 guests, the new riverboat has 32 spacious suites, each with a separate seating area, floor-to-ceiling windows, a waterside Juliet balcony and generous bathroom. The interiors pair clean, contemporary lines with traditional Egyptian touches, while facilities include two restaurants, a top-deck swimming pool and canopied daybeds. As ever with A&K, the real appeal lies in the experiences beyond the boat. Expert Egyptologists accompany guests on excursions, offering deeper insight into Egypt’s archaeological history and access to some of the West Bank’s most impressive tombs. The launch comes at an exciting time for the country, following the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum and a renewed interest in Egypt as a destination. A&K has a long history on the Nile, dating back to 1977 when founder Geoffrey Kent leased the steamship SS Memnon after a chance encounter with actor David Niven on the set of Death on the Nile. Nile Seray marks the latest chapter in that story.
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Orient Express Corinthian
Routes: The French Riviera and the Mediterranean.
Described as the world’s largest sailing yacht, Orient Express Corinthian combines the glamour of the golden age of travel with impressive modern design. Created by Orient Express with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the 720ft yacht has just 54 suites, each with a panoramic window, generous proportions and a dedicated butler. Interiors blend leather, precious wood and marble with a contemporary take on Art Deco and classic ocean-liner style. There are five restaurants, eight bars, a cabaret, Guerlain spa, swimming pool and marina, with dining overseen by multi-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. Until October 2026, the yacht will sail the Mediterranean and Adriatic before crossing to the Caribbean, with 2027 itineraries extending to Northern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. Voyages of one to four nights can also be combined, allowing guests to create a more personalised journey.
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Steam Ship Sudan
Route: Aswan to Luxor (or the reverse), taking in Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and Nobles, Edfu and the Temple of Philae.
For a truly nostalgic take on Nile cruising, it’s hard to beat the Steam Ship Sudan. Launched in the 1920s, this beautifully restored vessel is the last surviving ship from Thomas Cook’s original fleet of Nile steamers, with its teak decks and Belle Époque interiors still intact. Vintage mercury mirrors, ornate cast-iron beds, leather armchairs and a traditional bar capture the glamour of a bygone era – one that Agatha Christie and her archaeologist husband, Max Mallowan, experienced first-hand.
Rediscovered and restored at the turn of the 21st century, the ship is now owned by Voyageurs du Monde and appeared in the 2004 film adaptation of Death on the Nile. Today, demand is high, with travellers often booking years ahead. Trips include guided visits to landmarks including the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Complex, making it a particularly atmospheric way to experience the Egypt that inspired Christie.
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Amangati
Routes: Mallorca to Nice, Naples to Salerno and Athens to Rhodes.
Aman is bringing its signature approach to luxury to the sea with the launch of Amangati, its first ocean-going vessel. Beginning in the Mediterranean in 2027, the yacht will have just 47 suites for a maximum of 94 guests across nine decks, creating the same sense of privacy, space and understated luxury found at Aman’s resorts. The first sailings will take in some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful coastlines, from Mallorca to Nice, Naples to Salerno and Athens to Rhodes. Expect a mix of famous marinas, smaller harbours and remote anchorages, with a slower pace and itineraries designed to get beneath the surface of each destination. On board, there’s an Aman Spa, signature dining and expansive spaces to relax, while shore experiences will be tailored to individual interests – from wellness and food to adventure and culture. For something even more private, the entire yacht will also be available to charter, with bespoke itineraries and experiences created around the group.
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