Luxury Cruising
Luxury Cruise Lines
We group cruise lines into three clear tiers — Ultra Luxury, Luxury and Premium — and this page is about the Luxury tier: refined, beautifully run ships that deliver a genuine luxury experience with their own distinct character. Viking, Oceania, Ponant and Cunard sit here, and Fine Travel books them all for travellers throughout New Zealand.
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In short
A luxury cruise line offers a refined, high-service experience with generous inclusions on elegant small to mid-sized ships, sitting just below the all-inclusive Ultra Luxury tier and above the Premium tier. The luxury lines Fine Travel books are Viking, Oceania, Ponant and Cunard. Viking positions itself as premium, but in our experience its ships, service and inclusions sit comfortably alongside the luxury lines; Cunard earns its place for the exclusive Queen Grill and Princess Grill suites.
Fine Travel is a full-service New Zealand travel agency, established in 2000, that books the leading luxury and premium cruise lines — including Viking, Oceania, Ponant and Cunard. We catalogue each line’s current specials and discounts so you can compare cruise deals in one place, and can arrange your connecting flights, hotels and insurance alongside the voyage.
The Luxury Tier
The luxury cruise lines
Viking
Understated, destination-focused cruising on elegant, adults-only ships. Viking positions itself as premium, but in our experience the ships, service and inclusions sit comfortably in the luxury tier.
Explore Viking →
Oceania Cruises
Small-ship luxury, sister line to Regent Seven Seas, celebrated for its “Finest Cuisine at Sea” and its generous simply MORE inclusions.
Explore Oceania →
Ponant
French-inspired luxury with an art-of-living style, on small yacht-like ships that reach remote shores — including luxury expedition voyages.
Explore Ponant →
Cunard
Timeless ocean liners with luxury at their heart — the exclusive Queen Grill and Princess Grill suites, with private restaurants, lounge and terrace.
Explore Cunard →Also Worth Considering
Premium & specialist cruise lines
Just below the luxury tier, these premium and specialist lines offer wonderful experiences in their own right — from heritage cruising and award-winning cuisine to true polar expeditions.
Holland America
More than 150 years of heritage and award-winning cuisine on spacious, mid-sized ships that reach ports the megaships cannot.
Explore Holland America →
Hurtigruten
Authentic expedition voyages along Norway’s coast and to the polar regions, for travellers who put the destination first.
Explore Hurtigruten →The Fine Travel Difference
Why book your luxury cruise with Fine Travel
You get the cruise line’s own fares and offers, the expertise of a boutique agency, and the whole trip looked after from New Zealand and back.
The same fare, plus expertise
Booking through Fine Travel costs the same as booking direct, with the same Viking, Oceania, Ponant and Cunard offers — and we catalogue each line’s current specials so you can compare deals in one place, with a dedicated consultant and our long-standing relationships with each line’s New Zealand representatives.
Exclusive Business Class airfares
On many cruise bookings we can offer personalised wholesale Business Class airfares, on top of the published fares we access with all major airlines — or premium economy and economy if you prefer.
The whole trip, handled
Beyond the cruise, we can arrange your connecting flights, pre- and post-cruise hotels, transfers and travel insurance — one trusted point of contact from New Zealand and back.
Common Questions
Luxury cruising — your questions answered
What is a luxury cruise line?
A luxury cruise line offers a refined, high-service experience with generous inclusions on elegant small to mid-sized ships. It sits just below the all-inclusive Ultra Luxury tier and above the Premium tier, and the luxury lines Fine Travel books are Viking, Oceania, Ponant and Cunard. Viking positions itself as premium, but in our experience it sits comfortably alongside the luxury lines, while Cunard earns its place for the exclusive Queen Grill and Princess Grill suites.
What’s the difference between luxury and ultra-luxury cruise lines?
Ultra-luxury lines are fully all-inclusive, with the smallest ships and the highest space and service ratios — Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and Silversea. Luxury lines such as Viking, Oceania and Ponant deliver a refined experience with generous inclusions, often on slightly larger ships, at a more accessible price. The difference is mainly the degree of inclusion and the space-per-guest, rather than one being “real” luxury and the other not. You can also explore our ultra-luxury cruise lines.
Which luxury cruise lines does Fine Travel book?
Fine Travel books the leading luxury lines — Viking, Oceania, Ponant and Cunard — as well as premium and specialist lines including Holland America and Hurtigruten. We work with each line’s New Zealand representative and can book any voyage they offer.
Are luxury cruises all-inclusive?
Luxury lines are generously inclusive rather than fully all-inclusive. Fares typically cover dining and a strong list of extras — Viking includes a shore excursion in every port, Wi-Fi and beer and wine with lunch and dinner, while Oceania’s simply MORE adds shore excursion and beverage credits on select voyages. The fully all-inclusive model, with excursions and all beverages covered, is the defining feature of the ultra-luxury tier.
Which luxury cruise line is best for New Zealand travellers?
It depends on the experience you’re after: Viking suits travellers who want understated, adults-only cruising with a strong destination focus, Oceania appeals to those who prioritise dining and value-rich inclusions, and Ponant suits travellers drawn to small, yacht-like ships, French style and remote itineraries. Cunard, meanwhile, is for those who love grand ocean-liner heritage and the exclusive Grill Suites. Because every voyage from New Zealand involves long-haul flights, we help match the line, itinerary and any pre-cruise hotel to how you like to travel. Contact Fine Travel for a recommendation.
Does it cost more to book a luxury cruise through a travel agent?
No — booking through Fine Travel costs the same as booking directly with the cruise line, with the same fares and offers. You also gain a dedicated consultant, our relationships with each line’s New Zealand representative, and the option of personalised wholesale Business Class airfares on many cruise bookings.
Does Fine Travel have special offers on luxury cruises?
Yes — the luxury lines run tactical specials and discounts that change constantly, and we catalogue the current offers for Viking, Oceania, Ponant and Cunard so you can compare cruise deals in one place rather than checking each line yourself. See our current cruise offers, or contact us for the latest deal on your chosen voyage.
Last updated 30 May 2026
Planning a luxury cruise?
Tell us roughly where and when you’d like to sail, and we’ll match you to the right line and voyage — with current pricing and the best available offer.