These are some of the best places to cruise to across the globe. All you have to do is choose your itinerary—and start counting down the days.
Whether you’re in the mood for immersive culture, adrenaline-boosting adventure, or well-deserved relaxation in the sun, the world awaits.
Galapagos
Blue-footed booby
A visit to the extraordinary Galapagos Islands is a life-changing experience for many. This dramatic, volcanic archipelago, 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador, is populated by an astonishing array of birds, mammals, reptiles, and marine creatures, many of them not found anywhere else on Earth.
What’s more, the wildlife on the Galapagos has no fear of humans, which makes a trip here a photographer’s dream. Capture the mating dance of a blue-footed booby, or snap big-eyed sea lion pups lying on the sand.
Galapagos tortoise
Swim among Galapagos penguins at Isla Bartolomé and spot graceful waved albatross on Española. Watch sea turtles glide beneath you on Floreana and admire craggy land iguanas on Fernandina, where you could also be joined in the water by playful juvenile sea lions.
You’ll learn about the work of Charles Darwin, too, at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity for release into the wild.
Celebrity Flora
A cruise around the islands is accompanied by expert wildlife guides who will escort you every day on hikes, Zodiac exploration, and snorkel trips, making for a truly enriching vacation.
Australia and New Zealand
Sydney, Australia
The graceful Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbor Bridge, and the surf scene on Bondi Beach are all top attractions for first-time visitors Down Under—but there’s far more to cruising Australia’s 22,000 miles of coastline.
In and around Melbourne, you’ll discover street art, edgy shopping, and the beauty of the Mornington Peninsula, as well as the Twelve Apostles, towering limestone stacks along the Great Ocean Road. Arty Adelaide is the jumping-off point for the glorious Barossa Valley and its world-class wines.
Great Barrier Reef
Port Douglas, Queensland is the gateway to dense rainforest; why not take a cruise on the Daintree River and see if you can spot lurking crocs? Or for the ultimate snorkel trip, join a Great Barrier Reef cruise and drift over the rainbow-colored corals, observing the intricacies of life on the reef.
For an even more immersive experience, choose a cruise that includes the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’, as early Polynesian settlers called New Zealand. You’ll find an intriguing blend of Maori and British culture set against a backdrop of saw-toothed mountains, spouting geysers, aquamarine lakes, and deep fjords.
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North Island highlights include the vibrant cities of Auckland and Wellington. The Bay of Islands comprises 150 rocky islands scattered across a turquoise sea, while Hawke’s Bay is famed for its art deco architecture and its outstanding food, from fresh berries to local honey, handmade chocolate and, this being New Zealand, world-class coffee.
Milford Sound, New Zealand
The South Island is all drama, from the snowy Southern Alps to the sublime scenery of Fiordland. Here, Milford, Dusky, and Doubtful Sounds offer jaw-dropping vistas of sheer-sided granite mountains plunging into the glassy water, foaming waterfalls tumbling from dizzying heights.
The Caribbean
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The alluring Caribbean is one of the best places to go on a cruise for so many reasons—the gentle rhythms of the tropics, a perfectly spiced rum punch, palm-shaded beaches, and swashbuckling history. Travel doesn’t come more laid back than this; all you have to do is relax on deck with a sundowner as your captain sets a course to the next gorgeous, sun-drenched island.
New adventures unfold every day. In St. Lucia, take a cruise past the spiky Piton mountains to capture the perfect Instagram shot. If your ship calls at Virgin Gorda, head for The Baths, a mass of giant, tumbled granite boulders among azure lagoons. In St. Maarten, enthusiasts gather for the admittedly bizarre rush of standing in the warm sea under an Airbus on its final approach.
Stingray City, Grand Cayman
From Grand Cayman, stingrays, not airplanes, will attract your attention at Stingray City as they tickle your feet, waiting to be fed. The wildlife in Puerto Rico may be more elusive; you’ll be the envy of birdwatchers worldwide if you spot the Puerto Rican parrot in the El Yunque rainforest, as it’s one of the rarest birds in the world.
Willemstad, Curaçao
The southern Caribbean’s ABC Islands, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, are characterized by their dazzlingly white sand and impossibly turquoise seas, as well as distinctive Dutch influences. The best architecture is along the waterfront in Willemstad, the atmospheric capital of Curacao, lined with gabled houses in bright gelato shades.
Alaska
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As one of the best places to cruise to, Alaska’s pristine beauty inspires adventure, from kayaking and hiking to zip-lining, dog-sledding, sizzling salmon cook-outs, and flightseeing over creaking glaciers and ice-cloaked peaks.
Whales, dolphins, seals, sea otters, bears, and bald eagles are all likely sightings—a good reason to pack binoculars, as the ship itself is the perfect viewing platform.
Each day on an Alaska cruise reveals more extraordinary beauty as your ship glides through the glassy waters of the Inside Passage or Endicott Arm. The power of nature here is simply awe-inspiring. The blue-white Hubbard Glacier is more than six miles wide where it meets the ocean.
White Pass & Yukon Railroad in Skagway, Alaska
Juneau, the tiny state capital, is hemmed in by mountains and water, a short journey from the Mendenhall Glacier, where chunks of ice wash up on the rocky lakeshore. Pretty Ketchikan, on the edge of the Tongass National Forest, is famed for its salmon and for the world’s largest collection of totem poles. Skagway was once the gateway to the gold of the Yukon, and it’s from here that you can ride the historic White Pass and Yukon Railroad for a glimpse back to those heady days of the Gold Rush.
Denali National Park, Alaska
Cruises to Alaska present a great opportunity to extend your stay with an Alaska cruisetour into the vast Denali National Park. Here, you’ll have jaw-dropping views of North America’s tallest peak, as well as a chance to spot moose, grizzly bear, caribou, and even wolves.
The Mediterranean
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There’s so much to explore on a cruise to the Mediterranean, from ancient history to gourmet food and gorgeous beaches. It’s this great diversity that makes the region one of the world’s best places to cruise to.
On Santorini’s precipitous crater rim, wander the narrow alleys of Oia, the starkly whitewashed cube houses and brilliant blue domes contrasting with the cobalt Aegean Sea hundreds of feet below.
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
From Livorno, you won’t want to miss Pisa’s curious Leaning Tower, but don’t overlook the lovely old town of Lucca, encircled by medieval walls.
Rome, of course, is always a busy sightseeing day, taking in 2,000-year-old Colosseum, Vatican City, and the breathtakingly vast and ornate St Peter’s Basilica. You’ll need those cooling refreshment stops for decadent scoops of homemade gelato in flavors of pistachio, lemon, and peach.
Dubrovnik is enchanting, the historic city hemmed in by impressive ramparts, around which you can walk for the best views. Stroll along the Stradun, the main, pedestrianized boulevard.
Old Town Dubrovnik, Croatia
Climb to the top of Fort Lawrence, next to the old city, for even more dramatic vistas from the battlements of the terracotta rooftops and the sparkling Adriatic beyond.
There’s a lot more to do here, from kayaking around the outside of the walls to visiting the Franciscan Monastery, where the pharmacy has been in operation since 1317.
Barcelona is one of the Mediterranean’s most popular cruise ports, with everything from toes-in-the-sand tapas at Barceloneta to superb contemporary art and, of course, that famous architecture.
You can admire the late Antoni Gaudi’s eccentrically curvy buildings along the ritzy Passeig de Gracia, but if you do one tour, make it the Sagrada Familia, his jaw-droppingly intricate, and as yet unfinished cathedral.
Northern Europe
Amsterdam, Netherlands
A cruise around northern Europe offers everything from mist-shrouded mountain ranges and glassy fjords to iconic capital cities. You could find yourself drifting along the canals of Amsterdam one day and gazing down on the elegant sprawl of Paris from the top platform of the Eiffel Tower the next.
From Southampton, the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge is an easy day trip, its vast monoliths guarding secrets dating back 5,000 years. The drive from the port passes through the bucolic English countryside and the New Forest, famed for its wild horses.
Cawdor Castle in Inverness, Scotland
Britain’s landscape becomes wild and brooding as your itinerary takes you north to Scotland. Here, Inverness is the jumping-off point for the 15th-century Cawdor Castle, inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and the gleaming sliver of Loch Ness, framed by mountains and concealing, some believe, the elusive monster, ‘Nessie’.
The Norwegian fjords, too, have a serene beauty, ribbons of waterfalls cascading hundreds of feet over sheer cliff faces. Paddle a kayak here, soaking in the silence and watching out for seals bobbing in the water and eagles wheeling overhead.
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Iceland, meanwhile, is like nowhere else on earth, a land of ice and fire, stark, lunar landscapes, steaming geysers, and blue-white glaciers. Learn about the aurora borealis at Reykjavik’s Northern Lights Centre and after dark, scan the skies for the rippling lights of this celestial marvel.
Asia
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Asia is a mesmerizing combination of intricate temples and centuries-old tradition overlaid with futuristic skylines, designer shopping malls, and ultra-modern restaurants. After sensation-packed days ashore, you’ll love relaxing on your ship.
Every port of call is packed with sights. In Thailand, for example, you could visit the temples and monasteries of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of Siam. In Bali, a lush, mountainous island dotted with Hindu temples, head inland to Ubud for art galleries, boutique spas, and emerald-green rice paddies that snake around the contours of the hills.
Halong Bay, Vietnam
Vietnam’s Halong Bay is a breathtaking spectacle, where hundreds of jungle-topped limestone pillars tower over the aquamarine water. There’s more of nature’s art at Jeju Island, South Korea, all dormant volcanoes, misty waterfalls, and wave-sculpted cliffs, not to mention exquisite seafood dishes to try.
Tokyo Tower, Japan
From the top of Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak, you can gaze across the entire metropolis before riding the iconic green-and-white Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour to explore incense-scented temples and bustling seafood markets. You’ll need a head for heights in Tokyo, too, as you zoom up the Tokyo Tower to the viewing platform 492 feet above the neon lights of the Japanese capital.
Singapore, in contrast, is known as the Garden City. A stroll through the magnificent Gardens by the Bay takes you on a journey through a cloud forest to tropical blooms and across narrow walkways suspended between the futuristic, 150-foot-tall Supertrees.
South America and Antarctica
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
From its tropical north coasts to the icy extremities of the curled southern tip, where vast glaciers flow into narrow fjords and winds whip across the expanse of the Beagle Channel, South America assaults the senses. In a single voyage, you could sail through several climate zones and numerous dynamic, exciting cultures, making this intriguing continent one of the best places to go on a cruise.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina
If your voyage departs from Buenos Aires, take in the sultry spectacle of a tango show and build in a day trip to Iguazu Falls, where the broad Iguazu River forces its way through a narrow channel to thunder 640 feet over a ridge in more than 300 separate cascades.
During a visit to Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, you’ll find a slice of England in the South Atlantic, with cozy pubs and fish and chips. The military history is fascinating here. For nature lovers, there’s a dazzling array of birds including five species of penguin, from the regal King to the charismatic, punk-like Rockhopper.
Ushuaia, Argentina
Much further south, with the next stop Antarctica, Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, has a thrilling, frontier feel about it. A day sailing the Beagle Channel is a chance to spot sea lions, cormorants, and Magellanic penguins, as well as learn about the great adventurers who explored this very tip of the Americas.
New England and Canada
Portland Head Light, Maine
Late summer onwards is the best time to cruise from patrician Boston along the coast of New England as leaves begin to take on the brilliant golds, scarlets, and ochres of fall.
Drive the rugged coast of Maine to admire the Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park and the grand homes, art galleries, and designer boutiques of Kennebunkport. Don’t miss the chance to lunch on succulent lobster rolls.
Chateau Frontenac, Old Quebec City
Across the border in Canada, drive from Halifax along the coast to rugged Peggy’s Cove, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country. From Saint John, you could join a tour along the glorious Fundy Trail Parkway and admire its sweeping beaches and red sandstone cliffs. In historic Vieux-Québec, you’ll stroll past cobbled lanes, 17th-century stone houses, and chic cafes.
Hawaii
Molokini Crater in Maui, Hawaii
Hawaii is perfectly suited to exploring by cruise ship, as your voyage between each island is seamless.
The archipelago offers an alluring mix of a unique culture, a near-perfect climate, and extraordinary natural beauty, from endless beaches with rolling surf to towering volcanoes.
Explore the history of Pearl Harbor on a visit to Honolulu. Fly by helicopter or zipline over landscapes shaped by fire and cloud-draped forests. From Hilo, take in the Rainbow Falls, where shimmering rainbows form over the mist of the cascade.
On a cruise to Hawaii, remember to try the local produce, like sweet and juicy pineapples, world-class coffee from Kona, and local chocolate packed with crunchy macadamia nuts.
Bermuda
Royal Naval Dockyard in Hamilton, Bermuda
Fish hook-shaped Bermuda is an enchanting slice of Britain in the cobalt Sargasso Sea, fringed by teeming reefs and guarded by imposing forts. On this characterful island, the policemen wear shorts, villages are named after rural English parishes, and the sand is pink.
You’ll discover the island’s history at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Hamilton, the swish little capital, and see first-hand the solid defenses at Fort St. Catherine, Fort Scaur, and Alexandra Battery.
Explore the underwater world with a mask and snorkel, or stay dry and join a sunset cruise over a 19th-century wreck by glass-bottomed boat—which is a chance to sample a Dark ‘n’ Stormy, a fearsome concoction of rum and ginger ale.
Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda
Admire the verdant countryside on a hike along the historic Railway Trail, or stroll the pathways of Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve, looking out for the turquoise flash of a diving kingfisher. Or simply relax, basking on the half-moon sweep of Horseshoe Bay Beach, running your fingers through that famous pink sand.
Bermuda
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