The Luxury Cruises My Palm Beach Clients Are Booking in 2026
A new generation of ultra-luxury sailings is redefining what it means to travel by sea. Here’s what’s generating the most interest right now.
A few years ago my Palm Beach clients were asking about Viking Ocean and Regent Seven Seas. This year, I’m fielding a different set of questions — about ships that don’t exist yet, or that just set sail for the first time. Here is what I’m actually seeing, with honest notes on each.
A note before we get started: several of the entries below are in or near the booking window right now. If something catches your eye, reach out. These categories sell faster than people expect.
Four Seasons I
Four Seasons Yachts — Four Seasons I
Four Seasons I launched on March 20, 2026 — the 65th anniversary of the brand — departing from Málaga, Spain. It is not a cruise ship in any traditional sense. The vessel carries 190 guests across 95 all-suite accommodations on a 34,000-gross-ton hull, which works out to roughly 50% more space per guest than its closest luxury competitors. Every suite has floor-to-ceiling windows and a private terrace.
The design philosophy is residential. Suites range from 500 square feet up to a 9,975-square-foot Funnel Suite with wraparound curved glass. The ratio is extreme by any standard.
Who it’s right for
Clients who are deeply loyal to the Four Seasons brand on land and want to extend that relationship to sea. Also strong for multigenerational travel — the suite configuration system can connect up to five suites and accommodate parties of 16.
Amangati
Aman at Sea — Amangati (Spring 2027 — Now Bookable)
Amangati doesn’t sail until spring 2027, but it is bookable now and generating serious interest from exactly the clientele you’d expect. Aman guests are not casual luxury travelers. They are people who have already stayed at Amanpuri, Amangiri, and Aman Tokyo, and who choose those properties precisely because of what they don’t offer: crowds, noise, and anything that feels mass-market.
Amangati translates from Sanskrit as “peaceful motion.” The vessel is 180 metres (600 feet) across nine decks, carrying just 94 guests in 47 suites. Suites range from 731 to 3,811 square feet, all with private terraces. The design draws on the aesthetic of a Japanese ryokan — full-height windows, natural light, and a constant visual connection to the water.
What’s on board
The Aman Spa spans 12,817 square feet across two decks — the largest spa in luxury yachting by a significant margin. Eight treatment suites open onto private terraces with outdoor whirlpool baths. Dining spans Mediterranean cuisine at Alira, Japanese washoku and teppanyaki at Akari and Hiori, and the Aman Grill. There is a Jazz Club (inspired by Aman New York), a cinema, and the Selora Marina and Lounge, which provides direct sea access via two floating platform wings.
Who it’s right for
Existing Aman loyalists, first and foremost. Beyond that, clients who find the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton yacht products slightly too social or polished, and who are looking for something with more restraint and more emphasis on wellness and privacy. The 94-guest cap is a meaningful differentiator.
Orient Express Corinthian
Orient Express Corinthian — Orient Express Sailing Yachts
Orient Express Corinthian is the world’s largest sailing yacht — a claim that is not marketing language but a technical fact. The vessel is 220 metres long, with 4,500 square metres of rigid SolidSail technology spread across three tilting masts rising over 100 metres high, capable of 100% wind-powered propulsion in favorable conditions. It is built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire and operated by Accor’s Orient Express brand, which has been in the luxury travel business since 1883.
The vessel carries 54 suites ranging from 485 to 2,476 square feet, all with private terraces or panoramic windows. Interiors are designed by Maxime d’Angeac, Artistic Director of Orient Express, drawing on the grandeur of the golden age of rail and the great ocean liners — executed entirely by French artisans. On board: five restaurants (including a specialty dining room under multi-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno), a 54-foot lap pool, an aft infinity pool, a spa, a 1930s-style speakeasy, a 115-seat Parisian Art Deco cabaret, a marina, and a recording studio.
Who it’s right for
Clients drawn to the Orient Express heritage and the French luxury aesthetic specifically. The sailing yacht format — short, curated voyages with deep shore access — suits those who want the ports as much as the ship. The Caribbean season is particularly well positioned for Palm Beach clients looking at a late 2026 or early 2027 sailing without a transatlantic commitment.
The Ritz Carlton Ilma
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Of the newer yacht brands, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is the one with the most operational track record. The first ship, Evrima, launched in 2021. Ilma followed in 2024, and the third vessel, Luminara, entered service in 2025. The fleet is now fully operational — no maiden voyage unknowns, no construction delays to navigate. That matters when you’re booking clients a year out.
Evrima is the smallest and most intimate of the three at 149 suites and 298 guests. Ilma and Luminara carry 224 and 226 suites respectively, with more generous pool and lounge spaces. All three offer the same core product: all-suite accommodations with private verandas, a near 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio, multiple dining venues, and a fully all-inclusive fare structure covering meals, premium beverages, Wi-Fi, and gratuities. Marriott Bonvoy points can be earned and redeemed, which matters to a segment of clients more than it used to.
Who it’s right for
Clients who want the intimacy and service level of the newer yacht brands but with the reassurance of a fully operational fleet. Strong for Marriott Bonvoy loyalists. Also well-suited to clients who want itinerary variety beyond the Mediterranean — French Polynesia, Alaska, Hawaii, and Asia give this collection more range than most of its direct competitors. For Palm Beach clients looking at a Caribbean sailing this winter, Ilma’s San Juan and Barbados departures are worth a close look.
Explora II
5. Explora Journeys
Explora launched its first ship in 2023, added Explora II in 2024, and is adding Explora III in 2026, the first LNG-powered vessel in the fleet, with three more ships following by 2028. It is one of the faster-growing fleets in this segment.
Each ship carries 461 all-suite, all-balcony accommodations on a 63,900-gross-ton hull. The entry category — the Ocean Terrace Suite — already comes with a private terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows. Ocean Residences (70 to 149 square metres) include butler service and a private jacuzzi. The Owner’s Residence, at 280 square metres, spans the full width of the ship with a private terrace, outdoor dining, wine cellar, and dedicated fitness room. The brand’s concept is “Home at Sea” — residential comfort over the more formal register of traditional luxury liners.
What’s included
The fare is nearly all-inclusive: all dining across nine culinary venues with no specialty surcharges, unlimited beverages including fine wines and premium spirits, in-suite dining, gratuities, and high-speed Wi-Fi. Shore excursions are not included, but a shuttle to city centers is provided where applicable. The on-board wellness offering is substantial — a spa of over 700 square metres, four pools (including one covered), thermal facilities, and fitness programming. The service model is trained in partnership with EHL Hospitality Business School in Geneva, which is an unusual credential and one that shows in the on-board culture.
Who it’s right for
Clients who respond to the hotel-at-sea concept and want a residential feel without the formality of some of the older ultra-luxury lines. The brand tends to appeal strongly to guests who already stay at Four Seasons, Aman, or Rosewood on land — the same sensibility translated to sea. The Miami Caribbean departures are a practical option for Palm Beach clients who want a short flight and a direct embarkation. The zero single supplement policy makes it an easy recommendation for solo travelers in the client base.
The Established Lines My Clients Are Still Booking
The newer products generate the most questions, but the bulk of my bookings are still with lines that have a proven track record. Regent Seven Seas and Silversea remain the workhorses of the ultra-luxury ocean segment — all-inclusive, polished operations with strong itinerary coverage. Seabourn continues to be a strong choice for clients who want a quieter, more understated experience.
On the river side: AmaWaterways and Uniworld are where most of my European river cruise bookings land. Viking is right for some clients. The distinction usually comes down to ship size, style preferences, and whether they want a more social or more intimate experience on board.
A Note on Booking
The most common mistake I see is waiting. The inventory on the Four Seasons yacht’s summer 2026 Mediterranean sailings is effectively gone. Amangati’s debut season will fill the same way. If any of the above has caught your attention, the conversation is worth having sooner rather than later.
Krista Nannery is a Virtuoso travel advisor based in Palm Beach, Florida, specializing in ultra-luxury ocean cruises, European river cruises, and highly customized international itineraries. She can be reached at hello@antidotetravel.com.
About Krista
I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in Palm Beach, Florida. I attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad and I have my MBA from the University of Chicago. Before building my travel business, I spent 20 years in the investment management industry and over a decade living and working in London, England. I’ve personally traveled to 80 countries and now design thoughtful, highly customized trips for travelers who value expertise, access, and a seamless experience.
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