One of the joys of cruising is waking up somewhere new without packing another suitcase. But with ships sailing almost everywhere, choosing where to go can be just as important as choosing the ship itself.
Start with the experience, not the map
It is tempting to begin with a list of places you want to visit, but first think about what you want the vacation to feel like. Do you picture warm weather and easy beach days, dramatic scenery, historic cities, wildlife, food and culture, or simply switching off? The answer immediately starts narrowing the world down.
For sunshine and easy-going days, consider the Caribbean
The Caribbean is a natural introduction to cruising for many travelers. Warm weather, beautiful water and a choice of islands make it particularly appealing when relaxation is high on the list. But not every Caribbean itinerary is the same. Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean sailings can offer quite different ports, distances and experiences.
For culture, history and variety, look towards the Mediterranean
A Mediterranean cruise can put several remarkable destinations into one vacation. One day might be about ancient history, another food and wine, and another a beautiful coastal town. These cruises can be port-intensive, though. If you want to explore properly, expect some early mornings and busy days ashore rather than a week spent beside the pool.
For scenery and wildlife, Alaska is hard to ignore
Alaska is a cruise where the journey itself can be part of the destination. Glaciers, mountains and wildlife make the view from the ship unusually important. It is also a destination where itinerary details matter enormously. Ports, glacier-viewing opportunities, time in port and the option to add a land stay can all influence which sailing makes the most sense.
Northern Europe is about much more than one type of cruise
Norwegian fjords offer extraordinary scenery, while Baltic and Northern European itineraries can combine fascinating cities and cultures. Iceland and the British Isles create yet another style of trip. This is a good example of why a broad destination label never tells the whole story.
If the destination is the priority, pay attention to time in port
Two cruises can visit the same places but offer very different experiences. One may arrive early and stay all day, while another gives you only a few hours. Overnight stays can completely change what is possible. We look at the actual port schedule, not simply the list of destination names.
Think about where the ship actually docks
Some cruise ports place you close to the destination you came to see. Others may involve a significant transfer. A port described as being for a famous city does not necessarily mean the ship docks in the center of that city. Knowing this in advance helps you plan realistic days ashore.
Season matters
The best time to cruise somewhere is not always simply the hottest or driest month. Weather, crowds, wildlife, daylight hours and price can all change through a destination's cruise season. Shoulder-season sailings can offer excellent value, but the trade-offs should be understood before you book.
Don't forget the sea days
Look at the spaces between the ports as well as the ports themselves. A destination-rich Mediterranean sailing might have very few sea days, while another itinerary could involve several. Whether that sounds wonderful or frustrating depends on how much you enjoy the ship itself.
Consider how you will get to and from the cruise
A wonderful itinerary can become less appealing if reaching the embarkation port requires awkward connections, an expensive flight or a schedule that adds several days to the trip. We like to consider the cruise and the journey around it as one vacation rather than two separate bookings.
Sometimes the less obvious itinerary is the better one
Famous ports naturally attract attention, but smaller or less familiar destinations can become the places you remember most. Equally, repeating a region on a different itinerary can reveal an entirely different side of it. The right cruise destination does not need to be the one everybody else is talking about.
Start with the vacation you want to have.
Tell us whether you're dreaming about sunshine, scenery, culture, wildlife, food, relaxation or a little of everything. Then we can look at season, itinerary, ports, ship and travel logistics together.
The destination on the brochure is only the beginning. The details determine how much of it you actually get to experience.
Find Your CruiseWe love an exciting itinerary, but we wouldn't choose one from the port list alone.
We look at how long the ship stays, where it docks, the balance of port and sea days, the season and how the whole journey fits together. Sometimes those details are what turn a good itinerary into a great vacation.