Top Cruise Destinations

Top Cruise Destinations: Where Can a Cruise Take You?

Tropical beaches might be the first thing that comes to mind when you picture a cruise, but cruise ships travel much farther than the Caribbean.

aerial photography of white and blue cruise ships during daytime

The Caribbean
The Bahamas
Alaska

The Mediterranean
Mexico
Northern Europe

IN THIS GUIDE

You can sail past glaciers, visit centuries-old European cities, hop between tropical islands, or spend your days exploring some of the world's most famous coastal destinations.

Here are some of the major cruise regions worth exploring.

The Caribbean

Warm weather, blue water, beaches, and a huge variety of islands make the Caribbean one of the most recognizable cruise destinations.

But the Caribbean isn't one single experience. Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean itineraries can visit very different islands and ports.

You might spend one day snorkeling, another exploring a historic town, and the next relaxing on a beach.

The Bahamas

Close to Florida and featured on many shorter itineraries, the Bahamas can be an easy introduction to cruising.

Nassau is one of the best-known ports, but itineraries may also visit Bimini and private island destinations operated by cruise lines.

Clear water and beaches are major attractions, making the Bahamas especially appealing if you're looking for a tropical getaway without a long sailing.

Alaska

Alaska offers a completely different cruise experience.

Instead of palm trees and tropical beaches, think mountains, glaciers, wildlife, waterfalls, and dramatic scenery visible right from the ship.

Popular itineraries can include ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, along with scenic cruising through areas where the landscape itself is part of the experience.

The Mediterranean

A Mediterranean cruise can let you experience several countries during a single trip.

Depending on the itinerary, you might visit destinations in Italy, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Turkey, and other parts of the region.

These cruises can be more port-focused than a typical Caribbean vacation, with plenty of opportunities for history, architecture, food, beaches, and exploring cities.

Mexico

Mexico appears on itineraries from both sides of the United States.

Caribbean sailings may visit ports such as Cozumel and Costa Maya, while cruises from the West Coast can head toward destinations along the Mexican Riviera.

Beaches, snorkeling, food, archaeological sites, and outdoor adventures give you plenty of ways to spend a port day.

Northern Europe

Northern European cruises can visit destinations across the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, the Baltic region, Iceland, and the Norwegian fjords.

Depending on the itinerary, the experience can be centered around historic cities, dramatic landscapes, small coastal towns, or natural scenery.

These cruises can feel very different from the classic warm-weather cruise.

Which Destination Should You Choose?

There isn't one best cruise destination.

If your ideal vacation involves beaches and warm water, start with the Caribbean or Bahamas. If scenery and wildlife are high on your list, Alaska may stand out. If you want to explore historic cities and several countries, Europe opens up a completely different kind of cruise.

The fun part is realizing just how many places cruising can take you.

Little Cruise Tip

When comparing cruises, look beyond the region name. Check the actual ports, number of sea days, and amount of time spent in each destination. Two seven-night Caribbean cruises, for example, can offer completely different experiences.