Whether you’re planning your first cruise or you’ve sailed before, there are so many wonderful places to discover or rediscover.
Here’s a list of some of the top cruise destinations around the world. Each has something special to offer, from famous landmarks to unique experiences that will get you excited about your trip.
Don’t forget you’ll need special travel insurance for a cruise when you go. We’ll explain why later.
The Mediterranean is a great place to start your cruise experience if you’ve never been on one before. And it’s so popular with seasoned cruisers, and so varied in its potential destinations, that it draws people back time and again.
Cruises here are full of history, great food, sunny weather and good times. You might stop at vibrant cities like Barcelona, Rome or Athens, each with lots to explore. Or maybe you’ll stop off at some of the many beautiful islands around the Med, perhaps taking in historic sites like Pompeii near Naples.
Taste delicious gelato in Venice. Shop at vibrant markets in Istanbul. Relax on sunny beaches in the French Riviera. Just choose the itinerary that offers most of what you love.
The Caribbean is one of the most popular places to go on a cruise. It often tops the list when people ask: “where is the best cruise destination?” Perhaps because cruising lets you see lots of the region’s island nations in one trip.
Beautiful beaches, bright blue seas, colourful towns and friendly people make this place special. Popular stops include Antigua, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados and St Lucia. There are many more islands too. Cruise companies offer different routes around them.
You could swim with stingrays in Antigua or Grand Cayman. Explore Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica. Or relax on Aruba’s famous Eagle Beach. You might visit historic San Juan in Puerto Rico or snorkel among coral reefs. And taste delicious local food wherever you go. This is true relaxation, Caribbean style.
Alaska is wild and wonderful. Cruises here pass towering glaciers, vast ice sheets and snowy mountains. You might even spot whales or bears. And sailing through places like the Inside Passage is something you’ll never forget.
Visit Glacier Bay National Park, watch whales in Juneau and take a ride on Skagway’s historic White Pass Railway. You’ll explore small towns like Ketchikan, known for its native culture and totem poles, and fish for fresh salmon in pristine Alaskan waters.
The Greek Islands offer pretty white houses, clear waters and sunny days. The best time of year to go is May to October.
Popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos are full of life, while smaller islands like Patmos are quieter and more peaceful. Fancy watching the sunset in Santorini’s Oia? Wandering through Mykonos’ winding streets? Or exploring the Palace of Knossos in Crete, famous from the minotaur myth? These islands offer all this and more.
Lots of trips include walking tours and hikes. You can also relax on golden beaches, enjoy fresh seafood at seaside tavernas and swim in hidden coves. Just make sure your travel insurance covers the activities you’ll be doing.
Warm weather, clear blue water, bright lagoons, coral reefs and amazing sunsets make French Polynesia a perfect place to stop on a cruise.
You can snorkel with colourful fish in Tahiti, take boat tours around beautiful Bora Bora or relax on Moorea’s lovely beaches. There are local markets full of handmade crafts and chances to watch exciting Polynesian dance shows.
Many cruises here also offer trips to small islands where you can swim in quiet bays or learn about island life. It feels peaceful and far away from the busy world. With so much to explore, it’s easy to see why people love cruising in French Polynesia.
Norway’s fjords are vast and stunning. You’ll see tall cliffs, breathtaking waterfalls and quaint Norwegian villages. And, in summer, the sun stays up for most of the night, giving you lots of time to explore.
Highlights include cruising through Geirangerfjord, exploring Bergen’s colourful harbour and riding the scenic Flam Railway. Amble through local towns and villages. Hike scenic trails. Or kayak in calm fjord waters.
Many Nordic cruises leave from the UK. But as the weather can change fast, make sure you have insurance that covers delays or changes to your cruise itinerary.
The South Pacific has some of the most beautiful cruise destinations in the world. You can visit places like Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia, where the water is warm and clear. It’s a true tropical paradise.
Swim in Fiji’s Blue Lagoon. Experience traditional ceremonies in Vanuatu. Or relax on the stunning beaches of New Caledonia’s Isle of Pines. Cruises here often include snorkelling trips, cultural shows and chances to meet local people.
You can also hike through lush rainforests, see bright coral reefs full of sea life and taste fresh tropical fruit at local markets. Every island has its own unique culture and scenery, making this a wonderful place to explore by ship.
New Zealand has lovely coastal towns, lofty mountains, green fjords and exciting cities to visit. Many cruises stop at famous places like Milford Sound, Auckland and Wellington. Each place has something special to see.
You can hike on beautiful trails, spot penguins and seals, and learn about Māori culture and stories. You could visit the Hobbiton movie set from The Lord of the Rings. Or watch dolphins and other sea animals in Akaroa.
You can taste fresh local food and wine in Marlborough, relax on sunny beaches or see bubbling mud pools and hot geysers in Rotorua. Every day feels like a new adventure.
The weather can change fast, so it’s smart to have cruise insurance in case your plans need to change.
Sailing through the Panama Canal is something you’ll never forget. This busy waterway joins two big oceans: the Atlantic and the Pacific. You can watch huge ships moving glacially, flanked by beautiful views.
On a cruise in this part of the world, you might walk among Costa Rica’s lush rainforests. Or visit the old town in Cartagena, Colombia. Then take some time out to relax on sunny beaches in Mexico. There are colourful markets where you can shop, exotic animals, ancient ruins and lots more to keep you occupied.
Cruises here stop in many countries. Make sure your cruise insurance covers every place you visit and any medical help you might need.
Antarctica is the ultimate adventure. Cruises here let you see penguins, seals and giant icebergs. It’s like visiting another planet.
Some of the best parts include going to Deception Island, watching huge penguin colonies on South Georgi, and sailing through the Lemaire Channel. You can learn about polar history from experts or take guided hikes on remote islands.
Cruises to Antarctica are usually more expensive and plans can change due to the weather. So look for cruise cover that reimburses you for unexpected costs due to disruptions and itinerary changes.
River cruises often use smaller ships, so you can get closer to the sights and dock in the heart of each destination you’re visiting.
You can sail along famous rivers like the Danube, which passes through cities like Vienna and Budapest, or the Nile in Egypt, where you can see ancient temples like Abu Simbel and the famous Valley of the Kings.
Just like ocean cruises, you’ll need cruise cover to protect you if your plans change or you need medical help.
An around the world cruise is the biggest adventure you can take by ship. It’s truly the trip of a lifetime.
You’ll visit lots of cruise holiday destinations, from big cities to tiny islands. Every day will bring something new to see and do.
These long cruises need careful planning. You’ll be away for many weeks or months and visit lots of countries. Make sure your insurance covers every place you’ll stop, any medical care you might need and getting you home in an emergency.
An around the world cruise is a real bucket list dream, so you’ll want to protect it properly.
This isn’t a comprehensive cruise destinations list or a top 10 based on any particular research. But it does include several popular parts of the world for this type of trip, and hopefully gives a flavour of the range you can choose from.
Remember, wherever you’re going on your cruise, make sure you go with the right protection. And that’s why taking out cruise travel insurance is so important.
Cruise cover isn’t just a nice extra you can skip. Many cruise companies will ask to see proof you’ve got it before you’re allowed to board. And, if you’ve taken out a Post Office Travel Insurance policy, you must pay extra to add our cruise cover option if you’re going on a cruise. Otherwise, your cover won’t be valid.
Normal travel insurance won’t cover everything that can happen on a cruise. But adding cruise cover makes it easy to get protection for cruise specific risks, up to the limits in your policy. This can include help if you:
Having this cover means you can relax and enjoy your cruise and cruise destinations without worrying about what might go wrong.
The Mediterranean is a popular choice for a first cruise. It has calm seas, short trips and famous places to see. The Caribbean is also good if you want warm beaches and lots to do. Cruising is a good way to get around the area’s many island nations.
Most cruises leave from a few big ports. Southampton is the busiest, with trips to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe and more.
Liverpool, Dover, Tilbury and Newcastle have cruises to places like Norway, Iceland and the British Isles. In Scotland, ships often sail from Edinburgh and Greenock, going to Ireland, the North Atlantic and other spots.
Some cruises also stop at UK ports during longer journeys, so you can join or leave the ship here.
Bring smart clothes for dinner, comfortable shoes for trips, any medicine you take, and all your documents. Keep your cruise travel insurance details and emergency numbers with you.
Our holiday packing checklist includes a list of what to take on a cruise.
Standard travel insurance doesn’t cover everything on a cruise. Cruise cover adds extra protection for medical help, missed ports, cabin confinement and other travel risks specific to cruises.
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