Cruise ships
Luxury at sea mainly means fewer guests, more space, high service and often a strongly inclusive fare model. For German-speaking guests, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is the direct address – internationally, Regent, Silversea, Seabourn and Explora are clear ultra-/boutique-luxury options.
As of August 2026. Inclusions vary by fare and promotion.
Hapag-Lloyd
German-speaking luxury, small ships
Regent / Silversea
Ultra-luxury with high inclusion
Seabourn / Explora
Yacht feel or boutique entry
The clearest address when luxury and German onboard language should go together: MS EUROPA and EUROPA 2 – small guest numbers, high service, lots of space per guest.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises · Classic five-star-plus luxury · since 1999 · approx. 400 passengers
Ideal for: Classic German-speaking luxury with high standards
Traditional flagship with fully German language and classic luxury format – one of the best-known German-speaking luxury ships.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises · Casual luxury · since 2013 · approx. 500 passengers
Ideal for: Modern lifestyle luxury feel, often DE/EN
Casual-luxury sister to EUROPA: more relaxed, design-led, often bilingual – for many the most modern German-speaking luxury option.
View ship →International top tier: very high inclusion (drinks, gratuities, often Wi‑Fi and excursions). Onboard culture is international – ideal when the overall package matters.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises · Ultra-luxury · Explorer class · since 2023 · approx. 750 passengers
Ideal for: Maximum inclusion without constant add-ons
Regent is among the most inclusive luxury cruise lines: suite fleet, high space ratios and a fare model that already prices in excursions and much more.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises · Ultra-luxury · newbuild · since 2026 · approx. 850 passengers
Ideal for: Newest Regent generation from late 2026
Planned Regent newbuild (debut late 2026) – evolution of the Explorer line with even more opulent suites and more restaurants.
Silversea Cruises · Nova class · modern ultra-luxury · since 2023 · approx. 728 passengers
Ideal for: Design, dining and horizon views
Silversea’s modern Nova class emphasises asymmetric architecture, large horizon spaces and a strong food concept – one of the most sought-after luxury newbuilds today.
Silversea Cruises · Nova class · since 2024 · approx. 728 passengers
Ideal for: Nova experience as a sister ship
Second Nova-class ship – practically identical to Silver Nova and thus one of the most current ultra-luxury options at sea.
Small ships, very personal service and a relaxed club atmosphere – luxury without megaship hustle.
Seabourn · Encore class · yacht luxury · since 2016 · approx. 600 passengers
Ideal for: Personal service on a small ship
Seabourn stands for intimate yacht luxury: guests are quickly recognised, onboard life stays calm and service-rich – without megaship animation.
Seabourn · Encore class · since 2018 · approx. 600 passengers
Ideal for: Like Encore – sister ship with the same DNA
Sister ship to Encore – the same small ultra-luxury format for travellers who put individuality ahead of size.
Relatively new MSC luxury brand with contemporary design, suite focus and an all-inclusive base – often the most accessible entry into this league.
Explora Journeys · Boutique luxury · MSC luxury brand · since 2023 · approx. 922 passengers
Ideal for: A contemporary entry into all-suite luxury
Explora positions itself as a modern boutique hotel at sea: contemporary design, suite focus and often a more accessible entry than classic ultra-luxury brands.
Explora Journeys · Boutique luxury · since 2024 · approx. 922 passengers
Ideal for: Like EXPLORA I – newer sister ship
Second Explora ship – same boutique concept; further newbuilds follow through the late 2020s.
Editorial selection without claim to completeness. Inclusions, dress codes and language emphasis depend on cruise line, fare and itinerary.
