There are many things to consider when choosing a holiday destination. Most of the time we want to escape from winter to summer or from summer to winter. We always have a desire for the opposite season. In the summer I love to spend my time in the mountains. The weather is just perfect, not that hot at all.
We can travel the world by bus, train, car or even boat. I have spent nearly 8 years at sea so I decided to collect the best cruise ship destinations in the world. If you want to know how to travel the world on a cruise ship you need to read my guide for some information and more beautiful photos.
Best cruise destinations around the world
Caribbean islands
I think everybody knows the Caribbean. Just imagine fifty shades of blue-coloured sea, palm trees and white sand beaches. The islands are similar, yet different. Everyone can find the perfect holiday destination, depending on what you want to do. Relax on the beach, go scuba diving, sightseeing or even walk through the historical sites.
There are more than 5,000 islands in the area full of attractions. Due to the weather, it can be visited at any time of the year. The area is ‘made’ for ocean liners. 26 million tourists visit the islands every year, of which more than 11 million arrive by cruise ship. The most visited island is the Dominican Republic. (2018 data)
⭒ Georgetown, Grand Cayman
⭒ Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Honduras
⭒ St Thomas, US Virgin Islands
⭒ Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands
⭒ St Kitts
⭒ St Lucia
⭒ St Marteen
⭒ Aruba
⭒ Bonaire
⭒ Curacao
⭒ Ocho Rios, Jamaica
⭒ Montego Bay, Jamaica
⭒ La Romana, Dominican Republic
⭒ Amber Cove, Dominican Republic
⭒ Santa Marta, Colombia
⭒ Tortola, British Virgin Islands
⭒ Antigua
⭒ Dominica
⭒ Grenada
⭒ Belize
Bermuda
Bermuda is the magical land of pink sand and turquoise water. Paradise does exist. Although this is true for all the islands I have visited. Here you will experience the unique nature, the green hills, the pastel-coloured houses and the pink sandy beaches. On the island, you can swim with dolphins, admire the underwater wildlife on a glass-bottomed boat, ride a bike or even shop.
⭒ Kings Wharf, Bermuda
The Bahamas
If you want to go far away from everyday life and you don’t want to think about your job, the islands of the Bahamas will provide the perfect location. The Bahamas is famous for its crystal clear waters, sparkling white and sometimes pink sandy beaches. The Atlantis Paradise Island Hotel is located in Nassau and it has plenty of activities. It can be a good idea where you can spend your day with your friends or family. And it also looks like the Atlantis The Palm Hotel in Dubai.
Like most tropical islands, summer can be hot and rainy. The hurricane season runs from July to October, the main season from November to April. Most shops and restaurants accept the US dollar and the official language of the island is English.
⭒ Princess Cays
⭒ Half Moon Cay
⭒ Freeport
⭒ Nassau
Mexico
Mexico is a huge and stunning country that attracts many people to its sandy beaches, Mayan ruins and party resorts. On the Yucatan Peninsula, Chichén Itzá is one of the world’s seven new wonders. The most visited island in Cozumel, visited by more than 3 million tourists a year by cruise ships. There are approx. 7,000 cenote caves in Mexico with stalactites and stalagmites where you can go scuba diving and swim as well.
⭒ Cozumel
⭒ Costa Maya
⭒ Yucatan (Progreso)
⭒ Ensenada
⭒ Cabo San Lucas
⭒ Catalina-sziget
⭒ Mazatlán
⭒ Puerto Vallarta
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal cruise is a special one where the ship passes through the canal. In Central America, there is a 77 km-long man-made canal that connects the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. During the entire voyage, which takes nearly 20 hours, the ship goes through 3 lock systems: Miraflores, Pedro Miguel and Gatún. Out of the 17 artificial lakes in the Panama Canal, Lake Gatún is the largest with 33 km.
The cruise takes approx. two weeks and the ports are very varied. You will visit the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The places listed below are not just only for a cruise, these places I have visited during my two Panama Canal journeys. However, if you wander through the websites of cruise companies, you will find even more ports.
⭒ Panama Canal
⭒ Aruba
⭒ Bonaire
⭒ Cozumel, Mexico
⭒ Georgetown, Grand Cayman
⭒ Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
⭒ Montego Bay, Jamaica
⭒ Cartagena, Colombia
⭒ Puntarenas, Costa Rica
⭒ Limón, Costa Rica
Alaska
I’ve been asked several times what my favourite place I’ve been to so far is. As incredible as it sounds, Alaska comes in first (followed by Australia and Oceania). What’s so special about Alaska? You really have to experience this with your own eyes. Fabulous mountain views and plants, unique wildlife, cute little towns. There is a program opportunity every day. Walking in the city, kayaking or cruising through the glaciers, whale watching, mountain hiking, helicopter rides and many more.
⭒ Juneau
⭒ Ketchikan
⭒ Skagway
⭒ Icy Strait Point
⭒ Tracy Arm Fjord
⭒ Glacier Bay
⭒ Victoria
Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the most popular destinations in the states. You will find everything here from sandy beaches to waterfalls to mouth-watering food. Cruises to Hawaii are specials. Especially when the ship is on its way from America to Australia or back. Out of the five ports, Honolulu is the homeport. Kona is the only port where the ship anchors and does not dock right next to the shore. In case of bad weather, the cruise ship will be on the water all day that day and continue on its way to the next port.
⭒ Maui (Kahului)
⭒ Hilo
⭒ Kona
⭒ Kauai (Nawiliwili)
⭒ Honolulu
Asia
I have stayed to travel a little for two weeks after my contract. This was my first time in Asia. I’ve been here several times since then. We spent two weeks in Singapore when the ship was in dry dock’. The best decision was to return. We departed from Sydney and docked/anchored in several Asian countries. In Bali, the port was approx. half an hour by water taxi (tender). In Komodo, we could only get off with pre-booked tour tickets. And in Vietnam, we had overnight in the port, but we had to be back by half-past nine in the evening because no one was allowed to leave the ship at night.
⭒ Benoa (Bali), Indonesia
⭒ Lembar (Lombok), Indonesia
⭒ Komodo, Indonesia
⭒ Phuket, Thailand
⭒ Koh Samui, Thailand
⭒ Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam
⭒ Singapore
Europe
There are lots of ports in Europe (this is not a full list). Everyone can find the best opportunity for them if you want to discover Europe. You can choose from Mediterranean, Mediterranean, Norwegian fjords or northern cruises. Magical places for adventurous travelers.
When I started to work on a cruise ship, my biggest big dream was to see America. Two days before joining the ship, I received a message that my ship is changed. The new cruise ship’s itinerary was Europe. So before I got to know America and the other places, actually I started my journey in Europe, almost at home. We are surrounded by really beautiful places!
⭒ Marseille (Provence), France
⭒ Le Havre, France
⭒ Belfast, Northern Ireland
⭒ Dublin, Ireland
⭒ Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
⭒ Lisbon, Portugal
⭒ Naples (Capri and Pompeii), Italy
⭒ Livorno (Florence and Pisa), Italy
⭒ Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
⭒ Catania, Sicily, Italy
⭒ Palermo, Sicily, Italy
⭒ Messina, Sicily, Italy
⭒ Kotor, Montenegro
⭒ Izmir (Ephesus), Turkey
⭒ Athens, Greece
⭒ Corfu, Greece
⭒ Mykonos, Greece
⭒ Santorini, Greece
⭒ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
⭒ Palma de Mallorca, Spain
⭒ Málaga, Spain
⭒ Valencia, Spain
⭒ Barcelona, Spain
⭒ Reykjavik, Iceland
⭒ Qaqortoq, Greenland
⭒ Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland
⭒ Edinburgh, Scotland
⭒ Invergordon, Scotland
⭒ St Petersburg, Russia
⭒ Dubrovnik, Croatia
⭒ Tallinn, Estonia
⭒ Berlin (Warnemünde), Germany
⭒ Malta
⭒ Bergen, Norway
⭒ Helsinki, Finland
⭒ Liverpool, England
⭒ London (Dover), England
⭒ Stavanger, Norway
⭒ Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium
⭒ Copenhagen, Denmark
Australia
Australia and the Pacific Islands are my favourites. It’s like you are in a completely different world. Cruise ships have so many homeports here but for me the best one in Sydney. With its diversity, sights and beautiful beaches, it easily steals the hearts of visitors.
The northeastern part of Australia is home to the world’s largest coral reef. You can visit the Great Barrier Reef from Airlie Beach, this is one of the cruise ship ports. Willis Island is the most interesting, which is the only inhabited island and meteorological station in the Coral Sea Islands, with only four people.
Tasmania is the largest island in Australia. In the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, we have the opportunity to get to know some koalas and kangaroos. They are really so cute! The Hobart Botanical Garden also features the unique flora of Macquarie Island in Sub-Antarctica, along with a panoramic photo of the area.
⭒ Sydney
⭒ Melbourne
⭒ Airlie Beach
⭒ Darwin
⭒ Port Douglas
⭒ Willis Island
⭒ Tangalooma, Moreton Island
⭒ Hobart
⭒ Port Arthur
New Zealand
Fjords, fabulous waterfalls, mountains, valleys. Do you like the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit Trilogy? If your answer is yes, then this place is for you. Here you will find one of the most famous movie locations, the ‘Hobbiton Movie Set’ in Matamata. If you want to see the popular Hobbit Village, you need to buy the tickets in advance. Thanks to the area’s owner, you can add this movie location to your bucket list. Don’t miss out!
There are few cities in the south part of New Zealand, but you will see more parks, mountains, the untouched nature. Eye-catching and soul-caressing views everywhere.
⭒ Auckland
⭒ Bay of Islands
⭒ Christchurch (Lyttelton)
⭒ Napier
⭒ Dunedin (Port Chalmers)
⭒ Tauranga
⭒ Wellington
⭒ Fiordland Park
Pacific Ocean
The amazing depth of the Pacific Ocean is over 10,000 meters. The ocean is home to more than 20,000 islands. The southern part offers a wonderful underwater world for diver lovers. You can choose from lots of exotic islands in Australia, Hawaii or even in Tahiti if you want to travel by cruise ship. The experience is guaranteed because of the friendly welcome of the islanders. And of course because of the many attractions. The view of the ocean is captivating even from the ship, and not to mention the colours. Those are just magnificent!
⭒ Isle of Pines, New Caledonia
⭒ Mare, New Caledonia
⭒ Lifou Isle, New Caledonia
⭒ Noumea, New Caledonia
⭒ Mystery Island, Vanuatu
⭒ Santo, Vanuatu
⭒ Port Vila, Vanuatu
⭒ Port Denarau, Fiji Islands
⭒ Suva, Fiji Islands
⭒ Papeete, French Polynesia
⭒ Moorea, French Polynesia
⭒ Bora Bora, French Polynesia
⭒ Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Best cruise destinations around the world – Overall
Whatever destination you choose, each will provide a lifelong experience. Sometimes you will return to the same place, but then you will see that place from a different angle. I hope I could mention new places that you can add to your bucket list. I have visited most of these ports and I loved all of them. There are many beautiful places in the world that can be explored by cruise ship as well.
If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below. Have you ever traveled on a cruise ship? If yes, which was your favourite port. If not, would you try it? Let me know in the comments!
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Love, Andi
