You Probably Never Thought Of Cruising Here (But You Really Should)!

You can’t visit the Alps, the Grand Canyon, or Yellowstone Park aboard a cruise ship. But many of the world’s most intriguing destinations are best explored that way, and the beauty of a cruise vacation is that when you travel by ship you can stay as active and enriched as you desire or pursue each day at a snail’s pace.

The next time you’re planning a cruise vacation, let your imagination wander and consider visiting an intriguing destination that you’ve probably never thought of cruising to before. Here are the destinations that are at the top of my list...

The Galapagos. A cluster of islands so isolated that many of its creatures are found nowhere else on Earth, this is where Charles Darwin’s “Theory of Evolution” was conceived. From the giant tortoises that bear the Galapagos’ name to the family of finches that bear Darwin’s, the Galapagos Islands afford visitors a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore a veritable “living laboratory” of adaptation. The small (but stylish) Celebrity Xpedition® sails these remarkable islands year-round.

The Panama Canal (partial transit). The full Panama Canal transit takes place between Florida and Mexico, but I prefer the partial transit sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale which allows more time for exploring Panama’s jungles as well as Costa Rica, Cartagena, Columbia, Grand Cayman, and ports of call in the Caribbean. Both Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International offer frequent sailings.

The Arabian Peninsula & Bahrain. Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas® sails roundtrip from Dubai and calls upon ports in Fujairah, U.A.E.; Muscat, Oman; and Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

Germany (on the Danube). Uniworld’s collection of boutique river cruises help make the voyage along Europe’s second-longest river a very elegant experience. Passengers sail from Nuremberg and transit the Danube en route to Regensburg, Deggendorf, and Passau (Germany) plus Melk and Vienna (Austria).

Rio de Janeiro ; Buenos Aires. Visit two of South America’s greatest cities aboard Holland America Line’s ms Veendam. This itinerary includes stops in the Brazilian ports of Buzios, Ilha Grande, and Santos (Sao Paulo) as well as Montevideo, Uruguay.

Greenland, Iceland  Scotland. Cruise between New York and Dover, U.K. and see some of the world’s lesser-known (but no-less-scenic) ports of call along the way. Greenland is highlighted by its beautiful fjords and charming towns, while Iceland’s rugged coastline, waterfalls, and small villages make for a memorable visit. Select itineraries aboard Princess Cruises’ Ocean Princess® will include stops in Newfoundland (Nova Scotia), Edinburgh, and the Shelter Islands en route to Dover.

The South of France (via riverboat). Journey along France’s Saône and Rhône Rivers with Viking River Cruises and you’ll sail past some of the most gorgeous vistas the French countryside has to offer. You’ll also explore Burgundy and the lavender fields of Provence, visit Gallo-Roman ruins in Venice, walk the cobbled streets of Arles, and tour the historic Papal Palace in Avignon.

The Caribbean (aboard an almost-private yacht). SeaDream Yacht Club’s 112-passenger cruise ships sail to the Caribbean’s most exclusive ports of call including Saba, St. Barts, and Jost Van Dyke. While onboard, you’ll savor extraordinary cuisine, state-of-the-art amenities, and the kind of voyage that’s normally only available to the owners of luxury yachts.

The South Pacific ; Tahiti. Sure, you can cruise through the Hawaiian Islands. But why not aim for the ultimate instead – a Paul Gauguin cruise in Tahiti or the South Pacific. Over the course of a weeklong voyage, you’ll visit Raiatea, French Polynesia; Taha’a, Society Islands; Bora Bora, French Polynesia; and Moorea, French Polynesia.

by Anne Campbell