These cruises can take you to places few travellers have seen before

It's not just the size of the ships, the extent of voyages cruise lines are launching around the world are getting bigger and bigger, too. Take Aranui Cruises' mixed freight and passenger vessel Aranui 5, for example. The 125-metre ship will offer 25 itineraries in 2025, four of which will visit five Austral Islands - Tubuai, Rurutu, Rimatara, Raivavae and Rapa Iti - in French Polynesia. The 13-day journeys will become the only way to check out these islands.

Meanwhile, Princess Cruises is making waves in Alaska, launching its most extensive calendar of voyages in the region in 2026. On offer are 180 cruises, setting off from five different ports on eight different ships, including the yet-to-be-launched (in August 2025) Star Princess. Over in Asia, Norwegian Cruise Line is going more immersive, too, by offering 40 overnight stays in 10 sought-after ports. Destinations range from Osaka and Kobe in Japan to Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok and Bali. aranui.com; princess.com; ncl.com