By Virginia López Valiente
Managing Director of Cruises News Media Group and Editor of CruisesNews magazine
Editorial from CruisesNews magazine no. 74 – September 2025
The world of cruises has evolved remarkably in recent decades. Today, large ships are veritable floating cities, designed so that every traveler can find their place. Families, couples, groups of friends—they all boast impressive theaters, restaurants of every kind, water parks, wellness experiences, and endless activities. They are the perfect setting for those who want a complete and diverse vacation, with the assurance that each day offers something new to suit all tastes.
There is no doubt that these large cruise ships have democratized the experience of sailing, opening the doors of the sea to millions of people worldwide. They have succeeded in transforming travel into a space for community, joy, and collective discovery. And that, without a doubt, is an achievement that deserves to be celebrated.
But beyond this exuberance and the modernity that characterizes them, there is another way to travel that connects with the very roots of what cruises were in their beginnings: the classic cruise. A different experience, where the premise is not an abundance of options, but the charm of the essential.
The classic cruise reminds us that before becoming cities on the sea, ships were luxurious havens for those seeking tranquility, elegance, and exclusivity. It was on these smaller vessels that royalty, aristocrats, and high-society travelers discovered the pleasure of exploring the world at a leisurely pace, allowing the journey to be as important as the destination. It was on these ships that the concept of "travel for pleasure" at sea was born, distinct from mere transportation.
Today, choosing a smaller boat again is a return to that tradition. It's rediscovering the experience of sailing at a leisurely pace, without rushing, without the constant need for entertainment. The sea once again takes center stage: the sound of the waves on deck, the endless horizon, the arrival at ports that larger ships cannot reach. These are ports of call that still hold an exclusive, almost secret, atmosphere, accessible only on these more intimate voyages.
Luxury, in this case, lies not in the quantity of options, but in the quality of the moments. A drink at sunset, a leisurely dinner, a conversation with strangers who soon become travel companions. The classic cruise is, above all, an invitation to contemplation and serenity.
In times where everything seems to be moving at breakneck speed, where stimuli are constant, rediscovering this type of cruise is almost a poetic act. Choosing silence over noise, calm over haste, essence over artifice. It's not about nostalgia, but about reconnecting with the origin. With that initial impulse that led travelers of yesteryear to embark. The desire to feel free on the sea.
Large cruise ships will continue to shine brightly, offering unique experiences to millions of passengers. But the classic cruise, in its simplicity, remains a treasure for those seeking something more intimate and profound. Because sailing, in its purest form, is an art that never goes out of style.
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