Ok hear me out. Cruising has never sat high on my “Preferred Travel Method” list. In all honesty, it probably sits just above buses and trains. That said, there are some destinations that are just ripe for cruising. The perfect combination of too small for more than 2 nights and just close enough to each other as to not require long days at sea is where the magic happens. If cruising hasn’t made it to the top of your vacation list, let me introduce you to the 5 best cruise worthy destinations that just might kick off your obsession with cruising.
If your vision of cruising is buffet lines and crowded decks, let me give you the insight that might just change your mind. These five destinations are perfect for land-lovers, culture-seekers and adventurers alike. With the right cruise line, you will be adding cruising to your list of must do vacation itineraries.
3 Things to Know Before you Decide on a Cruise
Sometimes it’s about the destination and sometimes it is about the journey. If you don’t get this part right, it can make for a less than desirable experience. There are a few things that you want to check before you head off on that cruise.
1. Selecting the Right Ship/Cruise Line
Some ships are billed as a “city on the water” and it can feel that way. With thousands of guests all vying for the same off ship excursions, it’s easy to be less than enchanted with the idea of cruising.
The modern ships of today feel more like boutique resorts than ocean liners. You’ll have some of the best amenities from fine dining restaurants to award winning spas. Not to mention a crew to guests ratio that makes you feel like you are the only one onboard.
And if you like the idea of adult only cruises, Virgin Voyages has the option you definitely want to explore. And if you are looking for luxury, take a peek at the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection. Both are relatively new players to the cruise game but the reviews are excellent.
2. Selecting the Right Itinerary
The next thing you want to get right is the itinerary. Not all destinations are great for cruising but some are better than others. Consider time at sea, time in port and the number of ports that you will see on your trip.
A 3-4 day itinerary will have very limited stops. In fact, you may only get one stop before hanging out at sea for a day then heading back to your departure port. Not the best use of a cruise holiday.
Also, having a lot of stops but too little time to enjoy the destination is also not ideal. By the time you get off the ship and walk around the curated port shops, it’s time to return. Less than 6 hours in a port is not enough to do anything. Unless it’s one of those private island stops that are completely owned by the cruise line. The activities on those islands are so curated that it’s hard to call it a cultural experience.
Instead, look for cruise lines that prioritize immersive experiences in port. This might include an overnight stay which gives you plenty of time to really enjoy the destination or a evening jazz performance inside a local palace. Azamara does an excellent job of this with their itineraries.
3. The Right Room Type and Location
Where you choose to spend those days at sea matters. As much as you like to spend time with strangers, there is nothing like having a quiet place to return to that doesn’t feel like a shoebox.
Look for the rooms with outside access or at least an outside view. And before you say it, I know this room type might cost more. But it will be well worth it when you are viewing the glaciers from the comfort of your room and not jockeying for the perfect vantage point to take that instagram worthy photo.
The location of the room is also important. Just like you would for a hotel room, you don’t want to be close to elevators or other high traffic areas. Check the room location along with cruise amenities to make sure you are close to things that mean the most (like the spa) and far away from things that are noisy like the atrium.
5 Cruise Destinations to Convert Non-Cruisers
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s get down to destinations. Even if you are not a fan of shipboard life, these destinations shine so brightly onshore that you’ll barely notice the time at sea. In fact if you’ve gotten the above items right, the ship simply becomes a floating hotel.
Alaska
It would be incredibly hard to see some of the remote destinations of Alaska any way other than by ship. The weather and terrain in Alaska make it a challenging destination to visit. On a cruise, you’ll have the opportuntiy to witness glaciers and the “Alaskan Big 5” on small-ship itineraries.
Places like Glacier Bay National Park is a major draw for Alaska. If you are lucky you can view the calving of glaciers while sipping some hot chocolate on deck. Along with some serious wildlife. May to September is prime viewing time for humpback whales.
The cities in Alaska are pretty small. This means you can cover a lot of ground in a few hours during a port stop. And since the towns are pretty sleepy an overnight stay might be overkill. The best cruises do inside passage which generally will take you to Ketchikan, Skagway, Seward and Juneau with at least one stop in Canada. Sailing through the protected waters of Alaska, surrounded by islands and fjords means the waters are fairly smooth and you are less likely to get sea sick.
There are fewer cruise lines offering outside passage itineraries. While you can get a more expansive experience, be prepared to have dramamine on hand. For any itinerary, pack binoculars and waterproof layers; shore excursions can be wet but unforgettable.
The Greek Islands
If you read my blog on Island Hopping in Greece, then you know there is just so much ground to cover. With multi-stop itineraries you can enjoy Santorini’s vistas, Mykonos nightlife, and Crete’s ruins—without worry about hotels.
In all honesty, most of the islands deserve more than a few hours. The lines to get up to Santorini via the packed cable cars will take a bit of time from a cruise ship. Not to mention there are so many UNESCO sites to explore in Greece that you’ll be planning a trip back before the ship pushes back from the dock.
My advice, only do Greece if you can do it on a smaller ship. The big cruise liners have limited access to some of the smaller boutique ports like Milos. It will also help when you arrive in port to have less people to contend with during your stay. On popular stops like Santorini, pre-book cool experiences like a wine-tasting in volcanic vineyards to skip the crowds. Otherwise you might only be able to wander around the port missing all of the incredible experiences found here.
The Mediterranean
Greece is not the only place to explore in the Mediterranean. There are ports of call from Malta to Cyprus and everything in between. My cruise went as far as Israel with an unexpected stop in Bodrum, Turkey. With so much variety, the Mediterranean is one of the best cruise destinations you can choose.
For the best experience, try small-ship lines (e.g., Explora Journeys) that dock closer to city centers, saving transfer time to the action. They also tend to stay in port longer and visit places where larger cruise lines simply can’t reach.
From the art-filled streets of Barcelona to the ancient ruins of Rome, Mediterranean cruises combine blockbuster cities with secluded coves. The downside is the ports of call can be bit far away from main cities like Florence. That means you will need to book shore excursions in advance and you need plenty of time to get there enjoy and get back.
Some of the smaller lines include overnight stays in cultural hubs like Venice allowing you the opportunity to explore after the crowds disperse. This is the perfect scenario to really experience life in port.
Norwegian Fjords
Endless summer daylight and narrow fjords make for epic sightseeing through the Norwegian Fjords. This is the type of cruise for nature lovers. And if you want the best experience opt for Hurtigruten’s eco-ships to get closer to the action. They offer shore hikes, kayak tours and so much more.
This is the type of cruise for nature lovers. Cruises typically sail between Bergen and smaller, scenic ports like Stavanger, Geirangerfjord, Eidfjord, and Flam, passing through the famous Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord.
The best time to cruise is generally during the summer months (May-September) for milder weather and potentially the Midnight Sun. But even in summer, layer up. The fjord winds can dip to 50 °F which isn’t ideal for sunning on deck.
Antartica
This one is a bit indulgent and still on my bucket list. But the only way you will touch this continent is by cruising close and doing an expedition. You also have to deal with the Drake Passage which could be a deterrent itself. I’m told it can be quite intense. That said, Antartica is one of the best cruise destinations around.
Very few cruise lines offer the opportunity to step foot on the continent so pay close attention to the itinerary before you book. You might just be hanging out in the arctic circle and taking a polar plunge. While that may be cool, you don’t want to endure the Drake Passage only to see the glaciers of Antartica from a distance.
I would recommend an expedition cruise lines like Lindblad or Seabourn to have the full experience. You can even take part in cruises hosted by National Geographic and participate in conservation activities. But prepare your wallets, this one will cost you time and money.
Honorable Mention
Before you get all out of pocket about the Caribbean you should know why I didn’t list these amazing islands here. Simply put, I think they deserve longer stays. A cruise through the Caribbean is great but the islands are large and many of the ports are far from the action. With a few exceptions, you don’t have enough time to have a truly immersive experience. Not to mention, all of the cruise lines will have the Caribbean saturated.
If you’re going to do a cruise here, choose one with a Southern Caribbean route (Aruba, Bonaire) to experience ports that are less crowded. It will likely depart from South Florida or Puerto Rico and takes you along a string of countries that aren’t incredibly far apart. Most of the cruise lines will have a private island in the Caribbean and make cultural stops in places like St Lucia to explore the rainforests.
The Caribbean is probably the least expensive option of all the cruises I’ve mentioned. It’s fairly easy to get to and there are multiple ports of call which gives you plenty of choices.
My Perspective
Cruising can be a cost effective way to explore further with limited planning. You get to visit multiple destinations without ever having to switch a hotel and you only have to unpack once. The best cruises have amazing facilities onboard and some pretty cool restaurants. Forget waiting in line at a buffet or sharing tongs with a rogue kid running around. That’s not my idea of a vacation.
Alaska brings the adventure while the Greek Islands and the Mediterranean pack in the culture. Wherever you go, make sure you choose the destination with shore excursions aligned with your passions—archaeology, wildlife, architecture, or beaches—and book a small-ship cruise to access off-beat ports.
FAQs About 5 Best Cruise Destinations Even If You Don’t Like Cruising
What’s the easiest cruise region for first-timers who dislike sea travel?
The Greek Islands and Norwegian Fjords offer calm seas and short port-to-shore excursions, minimizing motion discomfort and maximizing cultural immersion.
Do I need a passport for an Alaskan cruise?
Even though Alsaka is a part of the US, you might need a passport if your cruise has a stop in Canada. Most Alaskan itineraries allow U.S. citizens on “closed-loop” cruises (departing and returning to the same U.S. port) to travel with proof of citizenship, though a passport is recommended for flexibility and emergencies.
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