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Sometimes the best cruise website is actually a cruise line’s own site—since technically, cruise booking websites aren’t allowed to undercut the prices that the cruise lines set. The Pacific Northwest port cities of Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia are the gateways for the majority of Alaska cruises. Inside Passage itineraries are the most popular and cruise lines offer these sailings from May through September. It's hard to beat a cruise to the Bahamas when it comes to family cruising.
Top tips for booking a Caribbean Cruise
From epic wilderness cruises in Antarctica to beach cruises in the tropics, from cultural voyages to adventure-focused sailings, everything is readily available nowadays. In this post, we’ll give you an overview of the best cruise destinations in the world right now. Dominican Republic cruises can include stops in Santo Domingo, the country's capital and oldest city, as well as Puerto Plata, a bustling resort town with stunning beaches. Whether you want to enjoy local culture and nightlife or just relax on the beach, Dominican Republic is a great destination for any type of cruise. The line's Dominican Haze five-night itinerary to Bimini, Bahamas and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, sails out of Miami on the 2,700-passenger Scarlet Lady. With two sea days, the sailing offers a good mix of onboard shenanigans and port-of-call exploration.
Best cruise destinations for every type of traveler
Windstar Cruises specializes in small ships carrying between 148 and 342 passengers each. The line calls them yachts, but the ships are structured more like tiny cruise ships with indoor lounges and communal dining rooms. The 3,963-passenger ship is chock-full of restaurants, bars, nightlife spots and fantastic entertainment, including Broadway shows. With Norwegian's laid-back dining plan, solo travelers aren't locked into set dining times and table mates, so they can invite newly made friends to dinner at a time convenient to everyone.
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17 Best Websites To Book Cruises at the Cheapest Prices [2024] - Upgraded Points
17 Best Websites To Book Cruises at the Cheapest Prices .
Posted: Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Lindblad Expeditions also hopes to have a cultural interpreter on board for the sailings to inform passengers about the stories and traditions of First Nations communities. Whether you’re looking for somewhere new to cruise or are new to cruising yourself, these unique sailings are likely to inspire your next adventure. A subsidiary of Tripadvisor, Cruise Critic has similar search results to that site, but it offers a bit more comprehensive information for seasoned cruisers who want more details before they book. Cruise Critic has tons of filters and sort options to help you find what you want, including everything from cruise line to cruise style (family cruises, luxury cruises, cruises for the disabled).
For cruise package deals: Costco Travel
Jamaica is one of the top Caribbean cruise destinations, boasting a vibrant culture and incredible natural beauty. From its stunning beaches to the spectacular Blue Mountains, Jamaica is a paradise for adventurers and beach bums alike. Cruise ships stop in Montego Bay, allowing travelers to explore the island's many attractions such as the Bob Marley Museum, Dunn's River Falls, or the iconic Nine Mile. The rich culinary scene offers a variety of seafood dishes and flavorful jerk chicken, while the nightlife brings energy and music to the streets. Jamaica is the perfect destination for an unforgettable Caribbean cruise. A single-country cruise itinerary gives you a chance to enjoy a deeper dive into local culture.
Pleasant under-the-radar ports of call are woven into this journey as well, like Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands; and even Chile's Amalia Glacier. Vibrant cities, several unique cultures, winery tours, stunning nature, and even penguins in their natural habitat -- this itinerary really has it all. There's a reason that nearly every single cruise line runs cruises to the sunny Eastern Caribbean Islands, including the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten/St. It's there you'll find that glorious turquoise-blue water and white-sand beaches -- like a postcard come to life.
You can eat your fill of local cuisine in places such as Barcelona and Valencia in Spain, Marseille and Saint-Tropez in France, and Livorno (for Florence and Pisa), Rome and Naples in Italy. Some ships will spend a day in Colon, Panama, which offers access to Chagres National Park and the Gamboa Rainforest Preserve. Both are home to indigenous species such as toucans, coatimundis and monkeys. From the bright lights and youthful energy of modern Tokyo, an itinerary will visit 10 or so Japanese cities. Your ship will also call on Busan, South Korea as required by maritime regulations. Equally captivating is Stockholm, where a stroll through Old Town (Gamla Stan) will take you back to medieval times.
Exuberant Brazil is all about beach life and music, from pristine stretches of white sand around Buzios, backed by emerald forest, to the glamorous beaches of Rio de Janeiro, not least the legendary Copacabana. If you take one tour in this wildly exotic city, ride the cogwheel train up Corcovado Mountain to the statue of Christ the Redeemer for sweeping vistas over the metropolis and beaches below. From its tropical north coasts to the icy extremities of the curled southern tip, where vast glaciers flow into narrow fjords and winds whip across the expanse of the Beagle Channel, South America assaults the senses. In a single voyage, you could sail through several climate zones and numerous dynamic, exciting cultures, making this intriguing continent one of the best places to go on a cruise. A cruise around northern Europe offers everything from mist-shrouded mountain ranges and glassy fjords to iconic capital cities.
The eight-night itinerary on the 264-passenger Le Soleal will feature naturalist-led Zodiac outings, snorkeling and diving opportunities, as well as time on pristine beaches on islands that include Ishigaki and Kume. Expedia is an obvious first mention in a list of the best cruise booking sites, in part because it’s an absolute juggernaut (Expedia also owns Travelocity and Orbitz). Its cruise-booking interface is simple and straightforward, only requiring you to enter your preferred sailing destination and date range, as well as how many passengers you’ll be bringing along. Then Expedia does the heavy lifting for you, with comprehensive results that make it one of the best cruise search engines.
It's known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because eagles know where the best fish can be found. Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions for the best adventure cruises. Alaska cruise weather can be chilly (in the 40s to 50s) first thing in the morning and at night.
In the Balearic islands, unwind on hipster Ibiza, famous for its glorious beaches, nightlife, and spiritual atmosphere. On a cruise to Spain, you’ll visit historic ports like Malaga or Alicante, where the influence of the Moors, who occupied southern Spain for centuries, blends seamlessly into local art, food, architecture, and music. Highlights of a Hawaii itinerary include a pre- or post-cruise visit to the historic sites of Pearl Harbor and perhaps even an overnight stay in Waikiki.
There's no shortage of adventure with zip lining, hiking, sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving available. A cruise here also provides an opportunity to visit the iconic Pitons, two towering volcanic spires that are a symbol of the island. With its natural beauty and welcoming people, St. Lucia is an unforgettable cruise destination. There are plenty of activities to enjoy here, from swimming with stingrays to snorkeling and fishing.
You could sail round-trip from Vancouver to the breathtaking Hubbard Glacier, a vast wall of ice that calves off chunks with a mighty rumble as you watch from the deck of your ship. Celebrity Cruises offers some imaginative itineraries in Asia, sailing from Bali, Indonesia and Mumbai, India, as well as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Yokohama, the port for Tokyo. The longest voyages take you to Grand Cayman as well as Panama, Costa Rica, Cozumel in Mexico, and the lovely Cartagena, Colombia.
Officials in Japan have announced that international cruise ships will be allowed to return to Japan starting in March 2023 for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Among the lines sailing in Japan this year will be big-ship companies such as Holland America Line and Celebrity Cruises, luxury brands Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea, and small-ship lines Windstar and Azamara. American Queen Voyages will offer the longest trips in the line’s history in 2023, with two 23-day river itineraries on the Mississippi and Ohio aboard the 123-stateroom American Countess. “The ship will sail more than 1,700 miles from Minnesota down the Ohio River and Upper Mississippi River, calling on more ports and offering more guided tours than ever before,” as T+L reported in August. Note that a Costco membership (starting at $60 per year) is required to book with Costco Travel, and that Costco doesn’t accept American Express.
Fans of the popular HBO TV show The White Lotus are filling hotels and villas in Sicily this year. From California’s star-studded streets and Hawaii’s idyllic islands, to the rugged coasts of Canada, New England and Nova Scotia, North America cruises unlock all kinds of unique ports across the continent and beyond. And immerse yourself in the diverse cultures and untamed fauna that make each island so unique.
Have your camera ready to capture the action as huge chunks of Windex-blue ice calve off of its 250-foot-high face with a thunderous crack and crash into the frigid waters below. From Bordeaux to Porto to Vienna, the list of potential destinations on European river cruises tend to encompass at least one wine region and a gastronomic capital or two. That makes a European river cruise a must for foodies and oenophiles alike. Consider itineraries such as a Rhone River cruise, cruising the Bordeaux wine region or a Douro River Cruise for spectacular food and wine. Many food and wine cruises have excursions centered on local specialties and vineyards. What's even better is that you can bring your finds back on the ship with you; feel free to uncap that Burgundy and drink it on your balcony.
