You’ve taken a Caribbean cruise and want to see more of the world by ship. What’s next?
You ain’t seen nothing yet, kid! Some 60% of cruises are in the Caribbean and I’m certain the Mexican Riviera is a close second. But after they take their first seagoing vacation in one of these two areas cruisers ask their agent for recommendation of new areas of the world to explore by ship. My favorite cruising regions are best visited by ship or boat because you’ll see much more than you would by taking a land tour.
1. Alaska. Combine the most spectacular scenery on earth with wondrous sights not found anywhere else and you’ll get a glimpse of what awaits on an Alaska cruise. From calving glaciers to soaring eagles, whales breaking the surface, bears fishing for salmon and moose grazing on shore the experience of Alaska 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 a one-week cruise, sailing round-trip from Honolulu, was a tropical paradise with more natural beauty and diversity than I’d ever dreamed. Each port was distinctive, and my shore-side activities ranged from going to the top of the world’s largest volcano to a high-speed zodiac ride along Kauai’s Napali coast, with hundreds of dolphins leaping around us as we navigated into caves and marveled at the sheer cliffs that line this part of the island. Norwegian Cruise Line sails year-round on seven-night Hawaii cruises from Honolulu.
2. The Panama Canal. The “path between the seas” is considered to be one of the greatest engineering projects ever undertaken. It is 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 as you inch through the Panamanian jungle. The 48-mile canal, which opened in 1914, accommodates 40 ships per day ranging from private yachts to large container ships. While the full canal voyage between the Caribbean and Mexico is 14 days, you can also opt for a ten- or 11-night cruise sailing round-trip from Florida on Princess and Royal Caribbean.
4. The Greek Islands/Turkey. Spectacular beauty and world-famous antiquities abound on a one-week cruise to Greece and Turkey. From Kusadasi, Turkey, it’s a short ride to the 2,000-year old city of Ephesus, where a two-story ancient library lies at the end of the main thoroughfare, still marked with chariot tracks. In Delos, a short hop from Mykonos, you’ll walk among the 7th century BC ruins of what was once the capital of the ancient world. Santorini is my pick for the most spectacular Greek island. You’ll sail into the bay — a huge volcanic crater — then ascend 900 feet to the winding streets of Thira, a tiny terraced town overlooking the Capri-blue Mediterranean.
5. The Baltic. Every port in this varied region called the Baltic is loaded with history, pride and tradition. From the opulent palaces of the tsars in St. Petersburg to Stockholm’s breathtaking harbor and historic walking area and Copenhagen’s spectacular Tivoli Gardens, few cruising regions offer such diverse treasures. Best of all, most ships dock right in the center of town, allowing you to hop off and explore on your own. A beloved port is Stockholm, built on 14 islands with charming meandering streets lined with stores selling glass.
6. Western Mediterranean. From Barcelona and Venice are dozens of ships visiting some of the world’s most treasured sites. If you opt to explore Italy, the treasures of Renaissance await in Florence while Rome holds ruins of one of the greatest civilizations on earth such as the Coliseum and Pantheon. During a port stop in Naples the historic ruins of Pompeii and scenic towns like Sorrento and the Isle of Capri will make the day unforgettable. Many ships spend an extra day in Venice, my pick for the most beautiful city on earth. Some itineraries feature visits to some of the chicest spots on earth such as Monte Carlo, Cannes and St. Tropez.
Be sure to email me when you’ve completed these fantastic cruising regions and I’ll recommend a few more.
