These three cruises are offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences

It is estimated there are more than 50 ocean cruise lines and at least 25 river cruise companies around the world, offering thousands of itineraries every year. And some of them are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Take, for instance, Regent Seven Seas' 10-night Spotlight Voyage: departing on July 22, 2025, the Barcelona to Rome itinerary will be hosted by former Formula 1 driver Pedro de la Rosa.

Another example of a limited-edition cruise is Aurora Expeditions' Big Ace - the Bears, Ice, Glaciers, Arctic Climate Expedition sailing in June 2025 from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and hosted by renowned biologist and ocean conservation advocate, Dr Sylvia Earle.

Seabourn will turn the focus on sports, with two voyages in April 2025 (an eight-day Barcelona to Rome cruise and a seven-day Rome to Barcelona itinerary) to be hosted by German tennis legend Tommy Haas and British-born winner of the 1976 French Open, Sue Barker. rssc.com; auroraexpeditions.com.au; seabourn.com