One of the best aspects of cruising is that the possibilities are endless. You can sail to nearby favourites such as Spain, or head on faraway adventures to the Caribbean – there are no limits to where you can go. And the best part is you could do it all in one sailing!
Get your bucket lists at the ready, because whether you’re spending seven or 137 nights at sea, you’ll tick off those wish-list destinations in no time. The sky’s limit – or should we say, the ocean!
The extra mile
To make things extra special, many cruise lines even have their own private islands. Royal Caribbean® and Princess Cruises both have secluded retreats in the Caribbean, so you can make footprints in the sand, sip cocktails out of coconuts and enjoy Caribbean traditions without the hustle and bustle of your usual city. There’s nothing like your very own island exclusive to you and your fellow cruisers.
One of the best things about cruising is it’s not just for summer – experience destinations 365 days of the year onboard the ship of your choice. Whether you fancy a spring-time sailing or a winter getaway, a city break or a beach delight – you can truly let your imagination run wild with cruising.
Just like beach holidays, there are better times of the year to cruise to certain destinations, ensuring you get the finest weather. However, don’t let that stop you. You can sail to anywhere at any time but we recommend sticking to seasonal favourites for the smoothest sailings.
Summer sizzlers
Who doesn’t love a summer holiday? The cruise summer season starts in May and ends in October, leaving you plenty of time to plan a family holiday to Greece or Morocco. And with the kids being off school, it’s the perfect time to spend quality time together. It also means that most locations around the world are soaking up the fine summer sun, making the possibilities never ending for your choice of destination.
Northern Europe
If you want to discover the wonders of Europe, sailing north will be perfect for you. Visiting major locations such as Scandinavia, Germany and Amsterdam, it’s a cultural feast. If you’re lucky, you may even experience an overnight stay or two meaning you can explore your favourite city for longer with no rush back to port. However, you’ll be on the go everyday – so we recommend packing comfortable shoes and prepare for an adventure.
Mediterranean
The wonders of the Mediterranean are something magical – bringing you all your favourite destinations in one sailing, how could you possibly refuse? Game of Thrones fans, rejoice as you visit the enchanting port of Dubrovnik or take a romantic gondola ride through the Italian delight of Venice. With everything from Greek islands to sandy Spanish beaches, it’s all your classics in one cruise.
Further afield
If something a little different is your kind of holiday, don’t worry, we have you covered. Alaska and the Norwegian Fjords are a cruise favourite in the summer time, and trust us when we say it’s simply breathtaking. You’ll climb some of the highest peaks and sail your way through places you didn’t even know existed. It’s the perfect destination to see some of the world’s natural wonders.
Winter warmers
Ditch the rainy British weather and head for something on the tropical side. The cruise winter season starts in November and ends in April, so you could spend Christmas or even New Year on the high seas. Most cruise lines make a big deal of special dates and some have impressive firework displays. Don’t unpack those sunglasses and swimming costumes just yet, because the sunshine is far from over.
Island hopping in the Caribbean
The Caribbean is a favourite for all cruisers – with so many different islands to explore as well as the softest grains of sand and glittering waters to snorkel through, we can certainly see why. You could spend your days rafting through Jamaica, ziplining through St. Maarten and swimming with pigs in the Bahamas.
Hopping from one island to another has never been so much fun. And with cruise lines offering innovative excursions, you can zip through the sugar cane fields on quad bikes and explore ancient shipwrecks on diving adventures.
Closer to home
If you want to stay a little closer to home but still want a toasty beach-filled holiday, we recommend the Canary Islands. With family favourite Tenerife and the volcanic craters of Lanzarote, you can do as little or as much as you want.
When December rolls around, spend your winter season making your way through the Christmas markets in Belgium or Amsterdam, it’s the perfect way to indulge in the festivities from all over the world. Plus, you may as well take advantage of your unlimited luggage allowance and get your Christmas gifts.
One-of-a-kind sailings
The likes of Dubai, Thailand and Singapore are winter cruise sensations too, with so many cultural wonders to explore and amazing sights to discover. They truly are once-in-a-lifetime escapes and with excellent shore excursions, you’ll see cities in a whole new light.
Cruise lines are always bringing out new and exciting itineraries to ensure you have the best experience possible. With everything from the Monaco Grand Prix to African safaris, there’s so much more than meets the eye to your sailing.
Whether you’re a thrill seeker or sun-worshipper, cruising has a destination out there just for you! Check out all our latest latest cruise deals here and don’t wait another minute to start your adventure.