1) Crystal Symphony

class="normal1">It is not the biggest, not the most expensive and perhaps not the most luxurious cruise ship on the seas. But the Crystal Symphony bids fair to be the classiest cruiser in the world. Ladies and gentlemen planning your silver wedding anniversary treat, book yourself onto the 50,000 tonne, 940-guest ship—it’s all older people, culture, fine dining and excellent service. Once the quietest cruise ship around, recent refurbishments have wrought changes—including a greater degree of liveliness—in the atmosphere onboard. This is a black-tie cruise—dinner is a sophisticated affair with assigned table times and tablemates. It’s also a cultured one, with guest lecturers from the line’s Creative Learning Institute enhancing your knowledge of art, music, wine or food. The ship does itineraries around the world; a 13-day ‘Epicurean Odyssey’ in the Mediterranean costs from $4,995 per person. www.crystalcruises.com

2) Queen Mary 2

Till a few months ago, this was the world’s biggest and best. It’s been upstaged for size but not for super-duper-cruisedom. The 14-deck-high ship has such exclusive features as the first Veuve Clicquot bar as well as the only planetarium at sea. Primarily a transatlantic vessel, it tucks in runs in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Transatlantic passages from $1,195 per person. www.cunard.com

3) Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Intimidated by the size of the new big ships but still want the grand cruise experience? Consider a Regent Seven Seas cruise—they operate classic cruises around the world, in medium-sized ships marked by a high degree of personal attention. Some ships are all-suite, all-balcony. Fares start from $350 per day. www.rssc.com

 4) Avalon Waterways

On a river cruise, land is never out of sight and the sights are always moving. This is cruise luxury on a small scale, with a human perspective. Avalon Waterways runs cruises on some of Europe’s most famous and picturesque rivers: choose from compact, seven- to 16-night passages on the Rhine, Danube, Main and Moselle. There are also cruises on the Yangtze and Nile, and around the Galapagos Islands. The line’s fleet of ships are characterised by ‘all outside’ cabins, ensuring everyone gets a ringside view of the action—some have balconies, all have large picture windows. The bonus on Avalon—included sightseeing tours on land, courtesy the expertise they’ve garnered from family brands Globus and Cosmos coach tours. (This is unlike land tours on most other lines, where you pay extra for each excursion.) From $1,699 for a seven-night Danube cruise, to and from Budapest; www.avalonwaterways.in

5) Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda

There’s a world-class boat in our own waters—the Oberoi Group of Hotels’ M.V. Vrinda has been sailing Kerala’s backwaters quietly for a few years now. The elegant little cruiser has only eight cabins, and that means there’s lots of space for king-size beds and comfortable seating by picture windows. There’s excellent food in the subtly decorated restaurant. The Vrinda is to be found making her stately way up and down Vembanad Lake between November and April. Fare: 3N for Rs 77,000 per couple (all-inclusive); 1800-11-2030, www.oberoihotels.com

6) Silversea Cruises

The smallest and most exclusive of the big sea cruise liners. Light and small, the ships negotiate narrow waterways with as much ease as the wide ocean. This summer, the Silver Wind and Silver Shadow take in Northern Europe over 19 itineraries. Their August 11 seven-day sailing (Copenhagen-Stockholm) will have a Relais & Chateaux chef enlightening you on Burgundian cuisine. From $6,648 per person. www.silversea.com