You ain’t seen nothing yet, kid! Roughly 60% of cruises take place in the Caribbean, and I’m certain that the Mexican Riviera is a close second. But once they’ve taken their first seagoing vacation in these two popular areas, cruisers often ask their agents for recommendations on which destinations to explore next. My favorite places are best visited via a cruise ship, because you’ll always see much more than you would by taking a land tour.
1. Alaska. Imagine the world’s most spectacular scenery, combined with wondrous wildlife not found anywhere else on Earth, and you’ll get a good idea of what awaits you on an Alaska cruise. From calving glaciers, soaring eagles, and whales breaking the ocean’s surface to grizzly bears fishing for salmon and moose grazing along shore, an Alaskan experience will remain with you always. You’ll fly to either Seattle or Vancouver to begin what is, for many, the voyage of a lifetime.
2. Hawaii. What I discovered on my first Hawaiian cruise was a tropical paradise with more natural beauty and diversity than I’d ever dreamt possible. Each port of call was distinctive. And my shoreside activities ranged from a trip to the top of the world’s largest volcano to a high-speed zodiac ride along Kauai’s Napali coast (hundreds of dolphins leapt around us as we navigated into caves and marveled at the sheer cliffs that line this part of the island). Norwegian Cruise Line offers seven-night Hawaii cruises that sail roundtrip from Honolulu year-round.
3. The Panama Canal. Panama’s “path between the seas” is considered to be one of the greatest engineering projects ever undertaken. It’s awesome to stand on deck as your cruise ship is raised and lowered in “locks” on the nine-hour journey between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via the Panamanian jungle. The 48-mile canal, which opened in 1914, accommodates 40 ships per day ranging from private yachts to large container vessels. While a full canal voyage between the Caribbean and Mexico lasts for 14 days, you can also opt for 10-night or 11-night itineraries that sail roundtrip from Florida aboard Princess and Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
4. The Greek Islands/Turkey. Spectacular beauty and famous antiquities abound on any weeklong cruise to Greece and Turkey. From Kusadasi, it’s just a short ride to the city of Ephesus, where a venerable, two-story library stands at the end of a main thoroughfare that’s still marked with chariot tracks. In Delos (not far from Mykonos), you’ll walk among the 7th-century ruins of what was once the capital of the ancient world. Santorini is my pick for the most gorgeous of Greek Islands – you’ll sail into the bay (a huge volcanic crater), then ascend 900 feet through the winding streets of Thira (a tiny, terraced town that overlooks the Mediterranean’s brilliant blue waters).
5. The Baltic. Every port of call in this varied region is loaded with history, tradition, and old-world charm. From the opulent palaces of St. Petersburg’s tsars to Copenhagen’s breathtaking Tivoli Gardens, there are few areas that offer cruisers so many diverse treasures. Best of all? Most cruise ships will dock right in the center of town, allowing you to quickly begin exploring each beautiful destination on your own. One such beloved port of call is Stockholm, built on 14 islands and filled with meandering streets lined with shops selling hand-blown glass and other unique goods.
6. Western Mediterranean. Dozens of cruise ships depart from either Barcelona or Venice to visit some of the world’s most treasured landmarks. The masterpieces of the Renaissance await cruisers in Florence, while Rome is home to must-see marvels such as the Coliseum and the Pantheon. A stop in Naples, featuring the historic ruins of Pompeii and scenic locations like Sorrento and the Isle of Capri, makes for an unforgettable experience. And many ships spend an extra day in Venice, my pick for the most beautiful city on Earth. Some itineraries also feature stops at some of the planet’s most stylish destinations including Cannes, Monte Carlo, and St. Tropez.
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by Anne Campbell
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