Table Of Content
You can learn about their history and culture at the Sitka National Historical Park and Sheldon Jackson Museum of Native Alaskan art. Wildlife enthusiasts might want to visit the Alaska Raptor Center, or go bird- and bear-watching. If you want a more active trip in less touristed areas, a great choice would be a small-ship expedition line, including Alaska specialists such as Alaskan Dream Cruises and UnCruise Adventures. Many people trek to Alaska to commune with nature, but there's also history here that you shouldn't overlook.
Related Itineraries
When travelers dusted off their bucket list post-pandemic one of the places they most wanted to visit was Antarctica. The seventh continent, a place that belongs to no single nation but hosts research stations from almost 30, has fascinated adventurers for decades. But the swift expansion of luxury expedition cruising over the past five to seven years has made this frozen polar frontier the "It" destination of the 2020s. On a round-trip cruise, you'll call on Juneau, Alaska's remote capital that's reachable solely by sea or air and offers access to Mendenhall Glacier.
Best Cruise Destination for Partying Runner-Up: Greek Islands
Gulf of Alaska sailings — especially those in late August and September — can encounter rough seas in the gulf portion of the voyage. For these itineraries, you'll need to fly into or out of Anchorage and take a train or bus to/from the cruise departure ports, which can take an hour or two. If you book a weeklong Gulf of Alaska voyage, you'll also enjoy exploring parts of the Inside Passage and its ports that could include a mix of Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, Haines and Icy Strait Point. You'll find magnificent mountains (often snowcapped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers.
Seeing Europe’s Gems by Small Ship
Don’t miss out on your chance to sail to one of the top cruise destinations in 2024. Much further south, marvel at towering glaciers and ice-strewn bays of the Antarctic Peninsula, on the lookout for seals, more penguins, and humpback whales that cruise slowly through the nutrient-rich water. In 2024, you’ll find thrilling voyages between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Valparaiso, Chile in South America. Explore the scattered jigsaw of remote islands that forms untamed Patagonia at the curled southern tip of the continent.
Carrying around 4,000 cruise guests, Freedom of the Seas is big enough to impress without being overwhelming. As one of the most iconic Caribbean islands, Cuba is the perfect destination for your next cruise. From the historic streets of Havana to the stunning beaches of Varadero, you'll never be short of things to do in Cuba.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
One of the top things to do is to take a day trip to the neighboring islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Grenada is the perfect destination for cruisers looking for a mix of adventure and relaxation. The two-night cruise itinerary includes one day in Freeport, where you can shop, hit the casino, enjoy water sports or chill on the beach. Margaritaville at Sea also offers cruise-and-stay itineraries of either four or six nights (including the two nights onboard the ship). These packages let you choose between two partner hotels in Freeport, where you'll stay two or four nights on land, then hop back on the ship for your return night at sea. Many cruises on Princess tend to have longer itineraries, but you can escape to a private port in the Bahamas on a short, four-night jaunt aboard 3,140-passenger, Caribbean Princess.
Alaska cruises provide plentiful opportunities to learn about Native Alaskan culture. You can get a taste of the gold rush life by trying your hand at panning for gold, attending a salmon bake or visiting a dog-sled camp. A hike on the Chilkoot Trail or ride on the White Pass Railway lets you follow in the footsteps of the miners who came to seek their fortunes. Ships in all price ranges sail a variety of itineraries, so don't let budget stop you from visiting.
Best Caribbean itineraries
You’ll find a sophisticated bar and restaurant scene in the pretty port, which spills over a natural amphitheater around a busy harbor. Explore the diverse coral reefs underwater during a snorkeling or scuba session. Discover ancient Mayan ruins in nearby archeological sites, or allow a Mayan shaman to perform a healing ritual and soothe your worries away. New Zealand is known for producing some of the world’s finest wine, so needless to say, there will be plenty of opportunities to sample it at the many cellar doors. Kobe is your access point for Kyoto, with its temples and gardens, while Shimizu is your gateway to scenic Mt. Fuji.
The line's "freestyle cruising" mantra — cruising without rigid dining schedules, dress codes and formal nights — is perfectly suited for short sailings. With a wide range of eateries and no assigned seating times, passengers have lots of flexibility for their limited time at sea. When Royal Caribbean's giant Utopia of the Seas debuts in July 2024, it will offer a bevy of short sailings, including three- and four-night sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida. The 236,860-ton, 5,669-passenger vessel will be the second-largest cruise ship in the world and offer more exciting amenities than any other cruise ship sailing short itineraries in North America.
42 IDEAL Things to Do in Cozumel, Mexico - Cruise Hive
42 IDEAL Things to Do in Cozumel, Mexico.
Posted: Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
If you're interested in Alaska's gold rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss. In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s. The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era. This port can get crowded in summer when several ships can call on the same day. Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean all have extensive kids clubs aboard their ships that cater to all ages, from babies to teens.
Volos, one of the more off-the-beaten-track Greek ports, is located at the foot of Mount Pelion and offers plenty of authentic restaurants and tavernas. Here, you can explore the Centaur’s Path, built around the legend of the Centaur, and the archaeological site of Dimini. If you’re looking for an island packed with character, Hydra is one of the most unique places to visit in Greece. Discover the highlights of Western Europe on a cruise along the Mediterranean’s northern coastline and Portugal’s Atlantic ports. Choose an itinerary length to suit your needs; there’s a vast choice for 2024.
Learn more about all the different regions we visit, each brimming with one-of-a-kind ports of call that cater to all kinds of travelers. Whether you’re beach-hopping in the South Pacific, exploring ancient monasteries in Asia, scouting castles in Europe or cruising through glacier-dotted bays in Alaska — there’s no bolder way to see the world. Combine the pink-sand beaches of Bermuda with a trip to the Bahamas onboard Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas for a longer, sun-soaked getaway. The cruise sails from Baltimore and overnights in Port Canaveral, for even more time exploring. Then, it continues to Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas for private cabanas, gigantic water slides, and swim-up bars.
Tripadvisor Cruise, which launched in April 2019, is among the best websites for cruise deals—it lets you nab the lowest price by comparing more than 70,000 ocean and river cruises from some 60 of the best cruise websites. It’s got an attractive, inspiring landing page, and its newest function, “Explore Ship-tinerary pages,” lets you browse full ship profiles, details, photos, and itineraries. This 2,104-passenger Holland America ship is for music lovers, foodies, and beachgoers alike.
