Ultimate guide: The world's seven best cruises

There are thousands of voyages taking place around the world. But here's our pick of the seven best cruises for seven different types of travellers.

FOR YOUNG FAMILIES

Disney Magic at Sea: There's absolutely no need to endure a 20-hour flight and head to New York City to give kids the Christmas of their lifetime. Disney Cruise Line is bringing the magic of Manhattan, complete with Broadway-style shows, right here on our doorstep. The four-night Disney Magic at Sea cruise from Auckland to Sydney will depart on December 17, 2024, and feature a cast of colourful Disney characters - from Mickey and Minnie Mouse to Cinderella and Rapunzel - as well as distinct festive touches: hello, Kris Kringle and mega Christmas trees. From December 17-21, 2024; from $2520 per person; disneycruise.disney.go.com

FOR OLDER FAMILIES

Australia & New Zealand: Elegant design and pocket-friendly prices lure families to Princess Cruises time and again. But it is an exhaustive range of dining and entertainment options, combined with versatile accommodation that ranges from interior cabins to suites, that makes the cruise line particularly popular with intergenerational groups. Experience it onboard Royal Princess's 13-day New Zealand tour, which starts and ends in Sydney, and visits ports such as Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland along the way. Five departures between January and March 2024; from $1399 per person; princess.com

FOR YOUNG ADULTS

French Daze & Ibiza Nights: You can join the party on any Virgin Voyages ship anywhere in the world; the cruise line's adults-only vessels feature dazzling nightclubs, larger-than-life entertainment spaces and a range of revelries - from all-night pool soirees to PJ parties where you can turn up in your onesies. But the eight-day French Daze & Ibiza Nights cruise from Barcelona to Barcelona is a rite of passage. Glam up in Marseille, spread out on a creamy beach in Cannes and greet vivid sunsets with equally vivid cocktails on the Spanish island of Mallorca as part of this itinerary, which saves the best to the end: an overnight stop at Ibiza. Because a few hours are just not enough to let your hair down on one the world's wildest party islands. Eight departures between May and August 2024; from $4492 per person; virginvoyages.com

FOR COUPLES

Pharaohs & Pyramids: Golden souks, sky-high minarets and timeless pyramids shimmering in the distance set the stage for this Nile River itinerary, which kicks off with three nights in mesmerising Cairo before sailing from Luxor. Discover ancient history in the Egyptian capital, then set sail on one of the world's most legendary rivers - and Africa's longest - onboard the all-suite Viking Ra ship, specifically built for these waterways. With fewer guests (52) than staff (55), the luxe factor here is off the charts, and we're totally in love with the generously sized Verandah Suites with floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open onto private balconies, with views of timeless monuments drifting past. More than 170 departures in 2024; from $9595 per person; vikingrivercruises.com.au

FOR ADVENTURE

South America - Argentina & Chile: Witness breathtaking marvels of Mother Nature - from glistening glaciers in the Tierra del Fuego National Park to giant elephant seals on the shores of Elephant Island in Antarctica - as part of this 14-day cruise out of Buenos Aires aboard NCL's Norwegian Star. A brisk hike at Stanley - the capital of the Falkland Islands - with scenic views and vivid birdlife at every turn is also part of the adventure. Departing December 22, 2024; from $5095 per person; ncl.com

FOR GOURMET TRAVELLERS

Classical Mediterranean: Want to test Oceania Cruises' "Finest Cuisine at Sea" claim? Sign up for the 14-day Barcelona to Rome voyage, which will feature American celebrity chef Sara Moulton as well as the Dom Perignon Experience, where six impossibly decadent courses - from Brittany blue lobster in yellow curry broth to sakura tea ice cream - are matched to six outstanding vintages. Departing May 18, 2024; from $11,510 per person; oceaniacruises.com

FOR LUXURY

The Galapagos Islands: Kill two birds with one stone - experience the epitome of luxury cruising and witness the diverse flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands - with this seven-day San Cristobal to San Cristobal voyage aboard Silver Origin. Fine-dining restaurants, faultless butler service and gleaming suites with ocean-view bathtubs and balcony showers raise the bar when it comes to at-sea hospitality, but the true luxury here is close encounters with the wild creatures - from the listless marine iguanas to the waddling Galapagos penguins. Fifty-eight departures in 2024; from $11,150 per person; silversea.com

Cruising may not be the first thing that springs to mind when it comes to exploring our own backyard, but Australia is home to some of the world's most fascinating voyages, starting with the ones in the Kimberley region. A range of cruise lines - Scenic, Ponant, Coral Expeditions, True North and Kimberley Expeditions, to name a few - operate cruises in the region during the dry season (April to October) and once-in-a-lifetime experiences range from taking in bird's-eye views of Horizontal falls from a seaplane to drifting through soaring red cliffs in a small boat.

Elsewhere in Australia, Murray River Paddlesteamers and Murray Princess operate multiple-night journeys - replete with laid-back country charm and history - on the country's longest waterway spanning three states: NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

And if you go further south, you'll find On Board, which takes explorers to remote parts of Tasmania, such as Port Davey, where roads don't go but On Board's luxury small vessels can. Breathe in some of the cleanest air in the world and rejoice because this is Australia at its most pristine.

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