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Eight sister ships followed, all with the same profile of stunning Scandinavian decor, well-planned itineraries that linger in ports, and the promise of no nickel-and-diming. When river cruise line Viking debuted its ocean ships with the 930-passenger Viking Star in 2015, it was with the goal of creating a better, value-packed cruise experience for adults aged 55 and up. Suggested itinerary: 14-night Viking Homelands itinerary between Bergen, Norway, and Stockholm, Sweden, from $6,999 per person.

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Read our full review of sailing a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2. Embrace the interesting talks hosted by historians and other fascinating lecturers-when you’re not walking around deck embracing the fact that in crossing a mighty sea you are part of a long and storied seafaring tradition. Spend time in the massive ocean-view library, relax in the spa with a hydrotherapy pool, and sip at the champagne bar while listening to live jazz. Beyond the pomp and circumstance, you’ll find the best pub at sea, complete with darts tournaments, trivia competitions, and pub grub. For the rest, the Art Deco–inspired main dining room, Britannia, with its soaring ceilings, staircase, and chandeliers, fulfills any fantasies you might have of glamorous ships of yore. At the high end, Princess and Queens Grill guests can access exclusive restaurants where they can order tableside preparations such as Dover sole.

The ship operates in traditional style, meaning you dine based on your type of accommodation. Being onboard feels like a special occasion, especially if you join the crowd in the ship’s chandeliered Queens Room ballroom, where passengers can dance to a live big band in a throwback to the golden era of travel. Venerable British line Cunard’s 2,705-passenger Queen Mary 2 is a real ocean liner, a vessel defined by its reinforced steel hull that can handle the Atlantic, which it crosses regularly on sailings between Southampton, U.K., and Brooklyn, New York. Suggested itinerary: 7-night transatlantic crossing, from $1,289 per person.There are more cruise ships with family-friendly services, too, as well as those catering more to solo travelers with dedicated staterooms and social spaces.Ĭourtesy of Greywolf Studios Limited/Cunard Other welcome developments in recent years include more reliable and faster Wi-Fi-meaning you can catch up on your work and stay connected with friends and family while on board (if you must)-and a greater variety of dining options, such as menus with vegan and plant-based selections. They’re exploring new places beyond the Caribbean and Europe and Alaska, from the far reaches of the South Pacific to the west coast of Africa, the southern tip of South America, and the North Pole. Ships now can produce their water using onboard desalinization plants, and they are cutting their energy use and laying the groundwork for a move away from fossil fuels. They sail faster and quieter and leave less of a footprint. They are more technologically advanced and more environmentally friendly.

Cruise ships have changed so much since I first started sailing. As a longtime cruise writer, I’ve sailed on more than 170 ships over the course of nearly four decades.