Picture yourself sipping world-renowned wines in the very vineyards where they’re grown, all while floating from one breathtaking locale to another. From the storied wineries of Europe to the sun-drenched vineyards of South America and Australia, here are some of the best wine cruises to savour every sip on the high seas...

Discover Bordeaux by river 

For fans of French wine, AmaWaterways  Bordeaux River Cruise takes travellers into the heart of one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions. This cruise winds through the stunning Garonne and Dordogne rivers, offering guests exclusive access to iconic Bordeaux wineries, including Saint-Émilion, Pauillac, and Médoc.

Onboard, wine tastings led by sommeliers pair with regional French cuisine to bring out the best of Bordeaux’s terroir. Excursions allow guests to explore wine estates that have been crafting fine vintages for centuries, and there’s ample time to wander through picturesque villages, sample Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and learn about Bordeaux’s winemaking history.

Don’t miss: The optional wine-blending workshop, where guests can try their hand at blending their own Bordeaux wine—a truly unforgettable keepsake.

Douro Delights

With a winemaking heritage that dates back over 2,000 years, Portugal’s Douro Valley is a paradise for wine lovers. AmaWaterways’ scenic journey along this storied waterway takes in terraced vineyards, ancient quintas (wine estates), and stunning river views.

Port wine is the star here, and guests have the chance to visit family-owned port wine cellars and taste their way through a variety of vintages. Evening dinners onboard feature Portuguese pairings with wines sourced directly from the vineyards you’ll see during the day. For a twist, the cruise also introduces travellers to some of Portugal’s lesser-known wines, including aromatic whites from the Vinho Verde region.

Don’t miss: A private tasting and lunch at a family-owned quinta, where you’ll enjoy a traditional meal paired with wines in an intimate setting overlooking the lush Douro Valley.

Sip & Savour on the Pacific

For wine lovers who dream of exploring California’s famed Napa and Sonoma regions, Celebrity's California Wine Country Cruise brings the West Coast’s most beloved vineyards to life. Starting in San Francisco, this cruise stops in Santa Barbara and Monterey, combining coastal beauty with some of the best wineries California has to offer.

Onboard, guests can participate in tastings and wine-pairing dinners led by Napa Valley winemakers, while shore excursions take guests into lush vineyards in Sonoma and Santa Barbara wine country. California’s wine regions offer a variety of vintages, from rich reds to crisp whites, and you’ll have the opportunity to sample local specialties while surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards.

Don’t miss: A day in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, where boutique wineries and tasting rooms offer small-batch, experimental wines that showcase California’s innovative spirit.

South America’s Wine Coasts

Wine aficionados will revel in Celebrity’s South America Wine Cruise, which sails along the Pacific Coast and stops in some of Chile and Argentina’s top wine regions. This cruise begins in Santiago, Chile, where guests are invited to the Maipo Valley, home to exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère.

The cruise’s highlight is a stop in Mendoza, Argentina’s celebrated wine capital, known for its full-bodied Malbecs. Guided vineyard tours give guests a deeper understanding of South America’s terroir, while onboard tastings feature wines hand-picked by sommeliers with expertise in South American varietals. The scenery is spectacular, with vineyards framed by the dramatic Andes mountains.

Don’t miss: A private asado (barbecue) in Mendoza, where you’ll enjoy a meal with local Malbec and savour Argentina’s famed culinary and wine-making heritage.

A Toast to Tuscany

Italy’s vineyards are some of the world’s most photographed and celebrated, and Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line's Gems of Northern Italy Cruise takes guests to the heart of Tuscany. This journey along the mediterranean coast allows guests to experience Italy’s wine and culinary scene from Venice to Verona, with excursions to sample Italian varietals like Sangiovese, Barbera, and Barolo.

In Verona, guests are treated to vineyard tours in the Valpolicella region, known for its velvety Amarone. Wine tastings are paired with Italian fare, including fresh pasta, olive oil, and local cheeses, giving travellers a full immersion into Italian wine culture. Evening gatherings onboard feature wine pairing classes, where guests can practice pairing Italy’s diverse wines with regional flavours.

Don’t miss: A visit to a historic wine estate in Verona, where guests will learn the art of making Amarone, Italy’s “big wine,” prized for its intensity and richness.

Australian Vintages

Australia’s Barossa Valley is known for its bold Shiraz and distinctive varietals, and Fred. Olsen Cruise Line's Australian Wine Cruise brings guests to the best of South Australian wine country. Departing from Sydney and sailing down to Adelaide, this cruise combines the beauty of the Southern Ocean with the wine-lovers’ paradise of Barossa.

Guests will tour both well-established wineries and boutique vineyards, tasting everything from spicy Shiraz to refreshing Riesling. The onboard experience is enhanced with wine pairings at every dinner, featuring wines from each region visited. Shore excursions include guided tastings with local winemakers who share their craft and family winemaking histories.

Don’t miss: A wine and wildlife experience, where guests can sip wines while spotting kangaroos grazing among the vines—a truly Australian experience.

Cape Winelands & Coastal Views

For wine lovers who seek a blend of wine and adventure, Ambassador Cruise Line's Cape Winelands Cruise offers a voyage like no other. Beginning in Cape Town, this cruise explores the famous wine regions of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, where the vineyards are set against dramatic mountain backdrops and the wines are bold and flavourful.

In Cape Town’s surrounding wine country, guests are invited to exclusive tastings at wineries known for Chenin Blanc and Pinotage. The cruise also includes a stop for a private safari experience, pairing the thrill of wildlife viewing with evenings filled with wine from South Africa’s top wineries. The experience offers a memorable contrast of landscapes, from vineyards to savannahs.

Don’t miss: A sunset tasting in Franschhoek, where you’ll sip wines in the glow of Cape Winelands’ breathtaking mountains and hear the stories of local winemakers who draw inspiration from the land itself.

Sip and Sail Away

Whether it’s the noble châteaux of Bordeaux or the rolling hills of the Napa Valley, these wine cruises offer more than just a journey; they’re an immersion into the culture, flavours, and landscapes that define the world’s top wine regions. So raise your glass and let these cruises whisk you away, one vineyard at a time.