Best Cruise Destinations

Patagonia
Head for Cape Horn and the most southerly point of South America with a Patagonia cruise. This area of Argentina and Chile is famous for its majestic glaciers and serene lakes, as well as the forests and volcanoes.  Los Glaciares National Park is usually on the cruise route where you will be able to get some stunning photos. Other stops along the way include the archipelago of islands whose Spanish name, Tierra del Fuego, translates as the Land of Fire.

Caribbean
The Caribbean is possibly the most laid-back cruise destination, and the itinerary can vary greatly. The North Atlantic gem of Barbados is almost always on the route thanks to the safe atmosphere of the island and ample docking space. Further south towards Venezuela the island of Aruba is also very popular with tourists as it has lots of casinos. Alternatively head to more adventurous islands like Jamaica where it is rewarding to leave the confines of the cruise and explore.

Alaska
Alaska is another place which is far enough north for you to catch a sight of the Aurora Borealis during your cruise. Icy Strait Point and The Glacier Bay are on the way and offer wide open spaces where you can see glaciers and large animals such as moose and grizzly bears. The cruise often starts in San Francisco and may pass the beautiful city of Vancouver on the way. Alaska is the
main American cruise destination as it is considered safer than Mexico, although considerably colder.

Norway Fjords
Explore the Viking seas of Norway and the world’s most famous system of fjords on a cruise ship. Indeed Norway is such an expensive country to visit that going by cruise is one of the most cost-effective ways to travel. You can stop initially in the Western Fjords near the city of Bergen and gradually make your way up to the Great Northern Fjords. As you head north you will come ever closer to the Arctic Circle with increasing chances of seeing the captivating Northern Lights.

New Zealand
New Zealand cruises are usually part of an Australasia package that may take in Sydney Harbour and the Australian island of Tasmania.  Once you get to the traditional homeland of the Maori there is much to see on this geographically diverse land including the Thermal Valley, where you can see exploding geysers, and the Waitakere Ranges. The year round temperate climate of New Zealand makes beach stops at places like Piha divine.  You can also see glimmering fjords amidst the Milford and Doubtful Sounds.

Mexico
Mexico has thousands of miles of coastline and so there are many cruise routes. A typical itinerary may take in the Mexican Riviera,  Baja and Cozumel. In Baja you can combine cultural excursions to old Mexican mission towns with some of the most dramatic coastal scenery imaginable including volcanic landscape and powerful surf. The Caribbean island of Cozumel off the Yucatan Peninsula has many underwater national parks and Mayan archaeological sites.

Hawaii
Soak up sun and enjoy the feeling of the sand and sea on these American islands which are a world away from the mainland.  Hawaiian islanders are extremely welcoming and there is much to do across big islands like Oahu and Maui as well as the smaller members of the archipelago. The islands are known for their accommodating climate, volcanic nature and big waves. Cruisers may
even get the chance to indulge in whale -watching during the journey. A Hawaii cruise usually departs from Los Angeles.

Hong Kong
The incredible skyscrapers of Hong Kong beckon visitors into this bustling harbour of one of the most modern and multi-cultural cities in south east Asia. Hong Kong is the ideal starting
point for a cruise to Vietnam and Thailand, Singapore and China while you can even head in the other direction towards the Middle East and the United Arab Emirates.

Black Sea
The Black Sea has been the cauldron of many different civilisations with ancient Roman shipwrecks found within its usually peaceful waters. Today a Black Sea cruise is an interesting way to connect with lesser visited parts of Europe including coastal areas of Bulgaria, the Ukraine and Turkey.  Among the fascinating cultural stops are the Yalta port where Stalin met with Churchill
and Roosevelt to discuss the outcome of the Second World War. The White Palace of Livadia still stands as a memory of this momentous occasion. The Black Sea is one of cruising’s best-kept secrets.

Transatlantic
This cruise has long attracted visitors who want to marvel at the Statue of Liberty as they enter New York. Though the cruise has bad connotations given the outcome of the Titanic, the QE2 is also a formidable ship and you are unlikely to run into any problems. If you prefer a sunnier destination on your transatlantic cruise then the harbor at Fort Lauderdale in Florida gives a contrast between your starting point in Southampton which could not be more pronounced.

the Mediterranean
Info Barrel said it best: “One of the safer cruise destinations of 2013 to go on, because no matter what section of the Mediterranean you see, it is overflowing with history.” According to Vacation
Homes, most of the towns that have a Mediterranean coast are historic cities with a remarkable history. Sailing will be anywhere from seven to 21 days long, and visitors will stop in a port almost every day, giving them plenty of time to experience each destination. However, Cruise Source said that it would be smart for travelers not to wait six months before the cruise to book a room, as more than half the ships will likely be full.

The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are one of the most popular cruise destinations. As a result, it’s wise to book this cruise far in advance — years perhaps — if you seek a balcony view or higher. Info Barrel reported that larger ships are not allowed to go to the islands since they give off too much waste and could damage the rare diverse ecosystem.  Only a handful of cruise lines are even
allowed to visit this unique destination.  Many destinations promise visitors the chance to “step back into history.” The Galapagos Islands perhaps best exemplifies that promise, as we take you to a destination that helped shape one of the world’s leading scientific doctrines. Known as the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, this cluster of islands is so isolated that many of its
creatures cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. From the giant tortoises to the marine iguanas and finches, the Galapagos islands afford you the chance to observe a living laboratory of adaptation.