These four businesses are at the forefront of offering thrilling mystery cruises.
If the notion of boarding a vessel with an uncertain destination seems thrilling instead of anxiety-inducing, perhaps it’s time to look into one of this year’s rising fads: mystery cruises.
These trips substitute the routine nature of conventional cruise schedules with an element of mystery and plenty of impromptu excitement. Upon boarding the vessel, the upcoming location stays confidential until the very end.
A company providing mystery cruises is Variety Cruises. As stated by Filippos Venetopoulos, the CEO of Variety Cruises, their organization has been known for adaptable travel plans since the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s. “In those days, travelers frequently depended on our staff and ship commanders to modify every route considering factors such as preferable climate or perhaps an island festival,” he explained.
Travel + Leisure.
The interest in mystery cruises nowadays stems from an increasing appetite for engaging experiences, with vacationers leaning towards less conventional routes in pursuit of excitement and newness.
This increased enthusiasm for mystery cruises underscores a change in how people choose to travel, with the element of uncertainty during the trip becoming an essential part of the entire adventure.
If you’re interested in hearing what travelers have to say, their responses tend to be quite favorable. For instance, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises organized their inaugural mystery cruise back in 2022, and it was fully booked within just two days. As per Ellen Betridge, who serves as both the CEO and president at Uniworld, the company hasn’t faced much dissatisfaction because the unexpected nature of these mystery cruises acts as an appealing feature. “Many of our mystery cruisers are loyal returnees, proving how well-liked and thrilling these exclusive voyages can be,” she shared with T+L.
Regarding destination selection, these choices differ. According to Bettridge, Uniworld emphasizes choosing locations brimming with attractions. She explained: “Our aim is to select places where every traveler can find something appealing—be it cultural richness, historical significance, breathtaking landscapes, or delectable cuisine.” Additionally, she noted that their mystery cruises feature one-of-a-kind routes never encountered by past passengers, adding an extra layer of exclusivity.
Venetopoulos informed T+L about various elements affecting the secret locations for Variety Cruises: “Accessibility is key; we select spots where only our smaller vessels can venture. This opens up opportunities to discover concealed shores and quiet harbors that bigger ships usually miss out on. Besides boosting the adventurous aspect of these trips, it offers guests a chance to delve into lesser-known areas frequently bypassed by others. Since fewer travelers visit these places, each journey promises an exclusive and novel encounter.”
These four businesses are at the forefront with their thrilling mystery cruise options.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Departing from multiple UK cities, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is currently providing
three mystery cruises
In 2026, an adults-only Captain’s mystery cruise will take place over nine nights. During this voyage, travelers will explore four different countries and stop at ports that won’t be part of any other travel schedule that year.
Variety Cruises
Variety Cruises is extending its successful mystery cruise for June 2025.
setting sail from Valletta, Malta, to Naples, Italy
All earnings from this voyage will be directed toward Variety Cares, the firm’s charitable arm, which backs programs aimed at ensuring clean seas, equal rights for women, and quality education. “Beyond the aspect of unpredictability, these voyages offer comfort and reliability since travelers depend on our crew to craft perfect travel plans and ensure every cruise stands out uniquely,” explained Venetopoulos to T+L.
Windstar
Windstar is launching its very first
President’s Mystery Cruise
An eight-day return trip starting from Athens, Greece. These voyages usually last between seven days and nine nights and encompass all the elements typical of a standard cruise, including meals, entertainment, and onboard activities, except for being aware of the ship’s destination.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
In 2026, Uniworld plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary with the introduction of three enigmatic voyages. Spanning from Belgium to Jordan, these combined journeys will total 50 nights.
Rivers of the World
Sailing journeys spanning three continents from April to June 2026 form another key part of Uniworld’s 2026 lineup. The season will also mark the premiere of a new vessel, christened the S.S. Emilie.
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