10 of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world

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016paddleboard cruise french polynesia

Photograph courtesy of Paul Gauguin Cruises

A cruise ship in the The French Polynesia islands.

Traveling aboard a luxury cruise ship is often the best way to explore new places, but some cruise lines offer experiences that are just a notch above the rest.

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In its most recent issue, National Geographic Traveler put together a list of the 21 best cruises in the world, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Nile River.

Below, we've selected our favorites from the list, highlighting ships that include perks like "snow rooms" and spa services, and others that offer travelers unparalleled experiences like tours of tropical gardens in the Marquesas Islands. All captions are by National Geographic Traveler.