Best cruise ships for first-timers: 5 ships making cruising cool

First-time cruisers are on the rise thanks to new-look ships with breezy appeal.

What if we told you cruise ships aren’t just for extended families, bookish singletons and cashed-up retirees? These days they’re starting to look, well, hip. 

Propelling this shift in demographics is an array of on-board changes: from swell fit-outs by acclaimed designers to improved dining options created by top chefs, and celebrated guests making scheduled appearances to memorable shows as good as anything you might see on land.

According to a recent report by the Cruise Lines International Association, Millennials and Generation X are in fact the most enthusiastic cruisers – with an overwhelming number saying they will cruise again. Plus, the number of first-time cruisers continues to increase. Almost a third of cruisers over the past two years were new to cruising, up from 24 per cent in 2019.

Another reason for the uptick is that these generations have realised that a sojourn at sea offers impressive value. For the cost of a good hotel room, you get a mostly all-inclusive break. Add in seamless sailing to multiple ports, excellent internet access and endless Frozen Daiquiris and it’s hard to resist dipping a toe in the water. Here are some operators and cruises that fit the bill.

Virgin Voyages' ships are adults-only zones. Picture: @thefraserjames

ADULTS-ONLY GLAMOUR

It’s true, for some the term “cruiser” might conjure up images of shuffleboard, casinos and buffets, which could be why Virgin Voyages prefers to call its guests “sailors”. This operator took to the high seas in 2021 with the policy that passengers must be 18 years or over. Since then it has introduced game-changing facilities and experiences to appeal to younger holiday-makers.

Let’s start at the top with Richard’s Rooftop Bar (named after Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson), the exclusive outdoor bar with circular lounges and elevated hot tubs by lauded British designer Tom Dixon. Add 20 restaurants, food carts and pop-ups, as well as group fitness classes and a festival-like line-up of shows. Later this month Melanie C (aka Sporty Spice) will be on board to DJ on a five-night sailing from Lisbon. This voyage aboard Scarlet Lady will call into Porto and La Coruña before concluding in Portsmouth, UK. 

The Living Room area on board the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection ship Luminara

LIKE A PRIVATE YACHT

It’s no surprise that the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers gorgeously designed vessels with exemplary service, as one would expect from the leading luxury hotel brand. Think marble and walnut interiors, James Beard Award-winning chefs and a marina-style zone where guests can swim directly into the sea. The swish appeal of this cruise line, launched in 2022, has been successful in attracting affluent Millennials and Gen Xers who might have once dismissed regular cruising. The brand has reported that 50 per cent of its customers are new to cruising, with 20 to 30 per cent repeat customers already.

Debuting this month in Monaco is its third vessel. The 452-guest Luminara will sail in Asia from December, making it all the more appealing for Australians. A typical sailing is the seven-night Singapore return voyage, which takes in Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi and Phuket. 

Princess Cruises' Crown Princess features MedallionNet fast internet.

AN OFFICE AT SEA

There was a time, not so long ago, that cruising came with dodgy satellite connections at hefty prices. But these days, guests can treat their cruise as a moving office with fabulous ever-changing views. Princess Cruises’ fast internet (its MedallionClass ships have MedallionNet) means it can offer what it calls “the ultimate remote workstation: an office at sea”.

The cruise line has noted a change in passenger demographics, with more Millennials and young families embarking from Aussie ports. The younger guests are drawn to its innovative MedallionClass wearable technology (akin to a digital badge) as well as engaging shows, fine-dining options and, for those with children, dedicated kids’ and teen clubs.

A tempting itinerary is the nine-day Queensland with Great Barrier Reef aboard Crown Princess, sailing return from Brisbane and taking in Willis Island, Port Douglas, Cairns, Townsville and Airlie Beach. Departing in March 2026, it’s also a good way to prolong summer. 

Explora Journeys boasts one of the world's newest fleets.

A FLOATING BOUTIQUE HOTEL

In days of yore, luxury cruising meant strict dining times, formal wear and blingy design. Enter Explora Journeys, a new cruise brand whose public spaces and staterooms (all with private balconies) evoke a smart boutique hotel. The brand has collaborated with leading architectural studios and prestigious furniture designers to deliver a sense of unrivalled nautical chic.

The six dining venues are intimate and relaxed, like something you might see in a major city, and there are more than 2500sqm of outdoor decks with numerous pools and hot tubs, so it’s easy to carve out a private space. Its appealing itineraries include the 11-night Journey to Cosmopolitan Casablanca & Castaway Canaries, departing from Barcelona this October and taking in Alicante, Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, Cádiz and two nights discovering Casablanca, which includes the chance to take in Moroccan night-life. 

Bumper cars are just one of the attractions on board Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas.

A GREAT VALUE WEEKEND AWAY

Looking for an unbeatable getaway where accommodation, meals and all entertainment is included? Simply head out to sea. Royal Caribbean offers two- and three-day short voyages priced from $669, considerably less than one might spend on a city break.

“Our short weekend escapes continue to be a hit with groups of young friends looking for an easy, hassle-free break,” says the group’s Gavin Smith. These short sailings also give first-timers a taste of what life is like on a cruise.

This upcoming season, the 4905-guest Anthem of the Seas will debut on our shores. The ship features the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, as well as bumper cars and a roller-skating rink. Guests can dine at one of its restaurants, such as Japanese Izumi or the Med-inspired Solarium, and then take in the Olivier Award-winning musical We Will Rock You, featuring Queen’s anthems. There are short return sailings available with Royal Caribbean from Sydney and Brisbane.

Originally published as Best cruise ships for first-timers: 5 ships making cruising cool