Classic Cruise Destinations
Despite the fact most cruise ships now resemble floating cities with high-speed wi-fi and virtual reality pods, there remains something pleasingly old-fashioned about travelling by sea, floating from one port to the next on a voyage of discovery.
The cruise industry, however, is forward-facing: itineraries are more varied than ever – from new takes on traditional destinations like the Mediterranean to trailblazing tours to Antarctica – and more operators are placing an emphasis on sustainable tourism.
Alaska
Cruising in Alaska offers a window into a vast, primordial wilderness once only accessible to intrepid, highly-supplied explorers. From the comfortable deck of the ship, you’ll be treated to a memorable feast of calving glaciers, daunting mountains, majestic wildlife, and the atmospheric ruins of mines from the Klondike Gold Rush.
What’s the highlight? Alaska guards an estimated 100,000 glaciers covering an area approximately the size of Maryland. Glaciation isn’t just an Ice Age legacy here; it’s a process that’s still occurring on the grandest of scales. Massive ice floes such as Hubbard Glacier gouge out U-shaped valleys while jettisoning huge icebergs into the ocean. To get the chilliest of close-ups, consider jumping on a jet-boat tour in Whittier or visiting the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center near Juneau to partake in a guided glacial hike.
- Departs from: Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, BC; Anchorage, Alaska.
- Season: Alaska cruise ships set sail early May and close in September.
The Mediterranean
From Istanbul and Rome to southern France and the Spanish coast, Mediterranean cruises cover it all. Part history tour, part beach vacation, and part culinary odyssey, this region offers a veritable feast whether at a world-class city or dipping into the Greek islands.
What’s the highlight? Food on the Mediterranean is king: pesto in Genoa, souvlaki and baklava in Athens, halvah in Haifa, and pasta everywhere in Italy. The Mediterranean diet is celebrated as one of the healthiest and most delicious in the world. Moreover, Mediterranean cruises are now offering more interactive culinary excursions onshore, such as making ravioli in Italy, tasting cheeses in France, and visiting wineries in Portugal. Just wander away from the port and into any restaurant that looks busy; it might be a meal to remember.
- Departs from: Barcelona, Spain; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Athens, Greece; Istanbul, Turkey.
- Season: Many Mediterranean cruises run year-round, or close to it.
Baltic and Norwegian Coast
Since the Viking Age, Scandinavians have been at sea. Baltic cruises explore this beautiful, culturally diverse region with stop-offs at big-name hotspots like Stockholm, Copenhagen, Riga, and Tallinn, while Norwegian cruises take you into some of the world’s grandest fjords, providing access to indigenous Sami culture.
What’s the highlight? Visitors almost always need a visa to visit Russia, which can be quite expensive and time-consuming. However, one way around this visa requirement is to take a Baltic cruise that stops in St Petersburg. Cruise lines cater to travellers who want to see Russia without the visa, often spending one, two, or even three full days in the city. The Hermitage Museum, with its three million artefacts and pieces of art, deserves an entire day of exploration.
- Departs from: Stockholm, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark; Oslo, Norway; St Petersburg, Russia.
- Season: Norwegian coastal cruises run year-round, but Baltic Sea cruising is typically from May to September.
Australia and New Zealand
Cruising “down under” offers an enjoyable and cost-effective way to experience the best of Australia and New Zealand. Notably, cruising Australia’s long travel distances is a pleasure rather than a chore, and the colourful variety of ports offers travellers of all ages an irresistible mix of culture, adventure, and outdoor fun.
What’s the highlight? Natural wonders abound when cruising in Australia and New Zealand. Snorkel among jewel-bright fish on the Great Barrier Reef or walk through Australia’s World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. The mighty waterfalls, misty fjords, lush rainforest, and towering granite peaks of New Zealand’s Fiordland are beautiful, rain or shine.
- Departs from: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand.
- Season: Cruises are available year-round, with the best choice of ships during the peak season from October to April.
Antarctica
The Antarctic is a naturalist’s dream. Untouched by humans, visitors can truly disconnect from civilization while experiencing an environment sculpted by nature’s powerful forces. Whales, penguins, and seals thrive in this majestic region.
What’s the highlight? Experience the joy of escaping into a pristine world of blue-white ice that glistens in the summer sun. Marvel at rocky peaks reflected in the glassy ocean and listen to the sounds of ice calving and whales surfacing—there’s nowhere else like this in the world.
- Departs from: Ushuaia, Argentina; Punta Arenas, Chile; Invercargill, New Zealand.
- Season: Travel is only possible during the Antarctic summer from November to March.
The Caribbean
The Caribbean is the world’s leading cruise destination, outpacing every other region in passenger numbers. Nestled in a warm climate with over 30 distinct ports, the region is rich in colonial plazas and stunning beaches.
What’s the highlight? Southern Caribbean cruises, especially those stopping in Bonaire, offer scuba divers one of the best reefs in the world. Bonaire National Marine Park has been protected since 1979, showcasing incredible biodiversity. Some cruise lines even offer PADI certification onboard.
- Departs from: Miami, Cape Canaveral, and Ft Lauderdale, Florida; Galveston, Texas; San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- Season: Best in the winter months, December to March, when temperatures are warm but pleasant.
Africa and Egypt
Africa presents a vibrant and diverse experience. From intimate wild animal encounters to stunning beaches and bustling urban centers, the continent offers a melting pot of cultures, cuisines, and history.
What’s the highlight? Cruises in Africa range from voyages along the Suez Canal to wildlife spotting on the Chobe River. For ancient-history enthusiasts, a cruise along Egypt’s Nile River is a bucket-list item. These cruises typically include visits to Cairo and significant ancient Egyptian sites like Luxor.
- Departs from: Alexandria and Luxor, Egypt; Tunis, Tunisia; Algiers, Algeria; Casablanca, Morocco; Cape Town, South Africa.
- Season: Avoid Northern Africa during the summer; South African seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere.
