Travel

Sail away in style: The best luxury cruise deals for 2023

Looking out to sea on the deck of Seabourn Cruises

Ready to pack your bags and set sail on an unforgettable voyage in 2023? With an abundance of travel sales to take advantage of right now, there’s never been a better time to book your next cruise holiday. Whether you want to get away with the family, treat yourself to a bonus minibreak or are looking for the ultimate romantic retreat, we’ve scoured the internet for the best cruise deals to grab right now.

From luxury bucket list adventures to last-minute short breaks, these top cruise deals boast exclusive offers, luxury cruise ships and incredible itineraries from the world’s most popular cruise lines. Even better, right now sailing in style (or indulging in a bonus weekend away sometime soon) is made even more affordable with savings of up to £1200 off per person to be snapped up. Here are the best deals right now on luxury cruises setting sail in 2023…

Royal Caribbean: 7 night Caribbean cruise in January 2023

Sit back with a cocktail around one of the resort-style pools on Oasis of the Seas… or brace yourself for the tallest slide at sea.

Ship: Oasis of the Seas 

Departing from: Miami 

Visiting: Bahamas, Cozumel (Mexico), Honduras, Costa Maya (Mexico) 

Date: 29 January 2023

Winter – and dry February especially – is the perfect time to visit the Caribbean, and this is the perfect way to do it. This incredible deal will see you escape to paradise on the epic Oasis of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world, with a distinct design of seven different ‘neighbourhoods’, each packed with innovative experiences – thrill seekers should brace themselves for the tallest slide at sea while if sitting back and getting comfy is more your thing, you won’t want to miss the ship’s incredible productions like Andrew Lloyd Webber’s official Cats musical, or Olympic-level high dives and aerial acrobatics at the al fresco AquaTheater.

  • Get this deal from $816 (about £674) pp at Expedia.

Fred Olsen: 9 night Northern Lights cruise in March 2023 

Fred Olsen shop in Norway
Fred Olsen’s Norwegian itineraries will take you through incredible fjords and natural wonders.

Ship: Bolette 

Departing from: Newcastle 

Visiting: Ålesund, Tromsø, Alta, Kristiansund (Norway)

Date: 9 March 2023 

The only thing that may be more spectacular than voyaging to the Arctic Circle, meeting local Sami communities and sailing through panoramic Nordic nature unlike anywhere else on the planet? Being lucky enough to witness the elusive Aurora Borealis, the most incredible light show on Earth. This itinerary will take you stargazing across the Arctic, with the opportunity to sled through the snow with trained huskies and visit the iceberg-shaped Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø. Book now and you’ll also get totally free all inclusive drinks, or a free on-board spend to enjoy. 

MSC Cruises: 4 night Mediterranean cruise in April 

The Aurea Spa on MSC Armonia
Incredible ocean views from MSC Armonia’s Aurea Spa

Ship: MSC Armonia

Departing from: Venice

Visiting: Split (Croatia), Kotor (Montenegro), Zadar (Croatia)

Date: 4 April 2023 

Not only is this mini cruise great value – with the option to add premium all-inclusive drinks for just £60 per person right now – but you’ll experience some of the most breathtaking vistas the Med has to offer. Once you’ve explored the Mediaeval architecture and stunning Croatian caves and coastlines, you’ll return to enjoy the sunshine on MSC Armonia, which boasts a fun open-air spray water park for kids and the lavish MSC Aurea Spa for adults. 

Princess Cruises: 7 day Mediterranean cruise with France & Italy in April

The pool deck on Enchanted Princess pool deck
Enchanted Princess is a MedallionClass ship – meaning you’ll enjoy personalised service, a touchless experience, and food and drinks delivered on-demand to you, wherever you are on the ship. 

Ship: Enchanted Princess 

Departing from: Barcelona 

Visiting: Gibraltar, Marseille (Provence), Genoa, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Rome

Date: 15 April 2023

A week-long all-inclusive cruise for less than £850 is an incredible deal – especially when it’s on board the spectacular Enchanted Princess. Right now, you can grab a ‘Princess Plus’ upgrade totally free when you book, which means you’ll get an all-inclusive drinks package, unlimited Wi-Fi and crew gratuities included for free. Not only is it great value, but you’ll visit beautiful Barcelona, Marseille, Florence and Rome, amongst other picturesque ports. Even better, the Enchanted Princess is a MedallionClass ship – an experience we’re huge fans of, and you can read our full review of, here. That means personalised service, a super smart touchless experience, and food and drinks delivered on-demand to you, wherever you are on the ship. 

MSC Cruises: 3 night Northern Europe cruise in April 

The robot bartender onboard MSC Virtuosa
Order a drink from a friendly robot bartender onboard state-of-the-art MSC Virtuosa.

Ship: MSC Virtuosa 

Departing from: Southampton 

Visiting: Rotterdam (Amsterdam), Zeebruge (Bruges) 

Date: 21 April 2023 

Maximise your holiday time in 2023 with this great MSC mini cruise, which conveniently falls over a weekend and sails straight from the UK. You’ll get to experience the stunning new MSC Virtuosa, one of the two largest ships in the MSC fleet – a futuristic vessel, described as a “masterpiece at sea”. What does such a masterpiece entail, exactly? Well, for starters, there’s a robot bartender, a fabulous indoor promenade featuring the longest LED dome at sea, and five fabulous swimming pools (oh, and a rope course at sea hanging over the top of them). For just £40 extra per person right now, you can also make it all-inclusive, with a premium drinks package. Now that’s a luxurious long weekend. 

Seabourn Cruises: 7 night European cruise in May 

Patio Pool on Seabourn Encore
The stunning patio pool on the ultra-luxury Seabourn Encore.

Ship: Seabourn Encore

Departing from: Athens 

Visiting: Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Israel

Date: 7 May 2023 

For an ultra-luxe experience, the award-winning Seaborn Encore offers a high-end all inclusive experience, all-suite accommodations, and fine dining like no other line. Despite this being a larger Odyssey class ship in the luxury Seaborn fleet, expect a super-yacht style feel, thanks to personalised, intimate service, and a rich, mahogany design. Every suite comes complete with your own personal suite host and suite attendant who will ensure your stay is perfect and can arrange anything from a private in-suite cocktail party to a signature ‘Pure Pampering’ bath, while every single suite comes ocean-facing, with walk-in wardrobes, separate living and dining areas and marble bathrooms. This deal is the perfect way to experience the luxe line, with suites available now at the unusually low rate of $3318 (about £2,754) per person for 7 nights. 

Princess Cruises: 7 Day Alaska cruise in May

Princess Cruises’ Alaska itineraries promise a bucket list trip in 2023.

Ship: Sapphire Princess 

Departing from: Vancouver 

Visiting: Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, Anchorage (Alaska) 

Date: 17 May 2023 

Now this is a bucket-list trip. On this cruise, you’ll get closer than you’d ever imagined to the most spectacular scenery nature has to offer, visiting some of the most scenic ports, glaciers and national parks in the world. For wildlife lovers, this trip is a dream, with the opportunity to visit world-famous Alaskan rainforests, go dog sledding, and even witness humpbacks frolic in the water as you go whale watching. The Sapphire Princess, meanwhile, provides the perfect base to return to or glacier-gaze from, with award-winning dining, fabulous entertainment including lavish musical productions and vibrant nightlife, and the luxury Lotus Spa to unwind in. Book now and you’ll get an all-inclusive drinks package, Wi-Fi and gratuities thrown in for free.  

Uniworld River Cruises: 15 Day Grand Central Europe Cruise In August 

River Princess by Uniworld River Cruises
The luxury River Princess has an excellent 4.8 out of 5 star rating from its customers.

Ship: River Princess 

Departing from: Basel 

Visiting: Switzerland, France, Germany and Austria 

Date: 5 August 2023

High-end design, all-inclusive fine cuisine and acclaimed sommeliers are just some of the reasons why Uniworld River Cruises has earned an excellent 4.8 out of 5 star rating from its customers. This lavish Grand Central Europe journey is totally new for 2023, and combines two of the longest rivers in Europe for the ultimate river cruise – so you’ll take in the quaint scenery of the Rhine and the awe-inspiring sights of the Danube. Right now, you can save an enormous £1200 per person with flights and all-inclusive cruise included. You’ll be sailing onboard the ultra-exclusive 128-passenger River Princess in your own balcony suite – the perfect place from which to see Europe’s most stunning views. 

Celebrity Cruises: 7 Night Western Mediterranean Cruise in September 

The rooftop garden on Celebrity Edge
The rooftop garden on Celebrity Edge is tended to daily by a resident horticulturist.

Ship: Celebrity Edge

Departing from: Barcelona 

Visiting: Valencia, Ibiza, Portofino, Corsica, Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Rome (Civitavecchia) 

Date: 2 September 2023 

The luxury Celebrity Edge has won almost too many accolades to mention, including multiple Travel Weekly’s awards for best large ship, premium ship and best overall ship, as well as an excellent 4.8 out of 5 star rating from previous cruisers. Why? Its incredible spas, stunning rooftop garden, and 29 distinct restaurants and bars serving up world-class refreshments designed by Michelin-starred chefs are just the start. A cruise on the Edge is also not complete without a visit to the Magic Carpet, a floating platform and sky-high dining venue which hovers out over the sea and offers unforgettable open-air experiences, including live music and Dinner on the Edge. Even better, right now this beautiful summer itinerary is part of the semi-annual sale. 

Uniworld River Cruises: 13 day India’s Golden Triangle & The Sacred Ganges cruise in September 

Experience India’s Golden Triangle in luxury on board the Ganges Voyager II.

Ship: Ganges Voyager II

Departing from: New Delhi

Visiting: Jaipur, Kalna, Kolkata, Mayapur, Murshidabad, Matiari (India)

Date: 9 September 2023 

Luxury river cruises provide a boutique trip like no other, with personalised service, an exclusive feel and experiences only a rare few get to ever indulge in. Even better, right now, you can save up to £1200 per person on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure – and return flights from the UK are included. This is the ultimate way to experience India’s ‘Golden Triangle’ of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, including the extremely rare opportunity to see the Taj Mahal two times, once at sunrise and once at sunset. You’ll be staying in an elegant suite, complete with a cosy sitting area, French balcony for drinking in the rich views and all the amenities of a five-star hotel. 

MSC Cruises: 7 night Emirates cruise in December 

MSC Virtuosa in Dubai
Escape to Dubai’s winter sun in style with MSC Cruises.

Ship: MSC Opera 

Departing from: Dubai 

Visiting: Muscat, Sir Bani Yas Island, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi

Date: 3 December 2023 

Fancy some winter sun in 2023? In what might be the greatest Christmas gift you can give to your future self, right now MSC is offering an absolute steal, with a seven night round-trip cruise from Dubai on sale for just £399 per person, with the option to add a premium drinks package to your trip for just £100 on top. Not only does December provide the perfect weather in which to visit the region, but you’ll also have the opportunity to explore incredible culture, such as the spectacular Sheikh Zayed Mosque, and have fun in the sun with beach barbecues, mangrove kayaking, 4×4 adventures and more all on offer at these stops. 

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