17 Bucket List Cruise Itineraries
Experience once-in-a-lifetime travel to destinations all over the world that are considered to be among the best in the world.
While on an adventurous journey, take in the breathtaking surroundings and unique experiences.
When you consider traveling across it on a ship, the world appears to have no boundaries. It is easy to fantasize about sailing to exotic ports of call and visiting far-off locations thanks to the vastness of the seven seas and the countless inner waterways around the globe. On the other hand, it is also easy to fantasize about staying close to home and exploring underrated gems in your own country. There is a ship that can take you wherever in the world that you may possibly imagine going. We’ve narrowed down some fantasy cruise itineraries with the assistance of cruise industry veterans and top executives, so you may check those off your list.
Sail from Paris to the French region of Normandy.
Paris is wonderful throughout the entire year because to its many world-class museums, shopping, and restaurants. After spending a few days in the City of Light, embark on a weeklong cruise down the Seine, with views of the Eiffel Tower as you cast off from the port of embarkation. Visit the charming village of Giverny to see the home and gardens of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet while they are in full bloom. After that, you should go and see the beaches in Normandy where Allied troops landed on D-Day, which was on June 6, 1944. Avalon Waterways provides cruises of this route lasting eight days, departing on a variety of dates, each of which features breathtaking vistas of the river, stops at historical ports, and an unending supply of French wine and cheese. There is also a similar itinerary available through Viking Cruises.
Get ready to embark on a trip across Africa.
After spending a few days in Cape Town, South Africa, you will want to fly inland to Kasane, Botswana, where you will board the Zambezi Queen for a cruise along the Chobe River. This will be an experience that you will never forget. Every window of this AmaWaterways vessel, which only has room for 28 passengers, provides unobstructed views of the river and the surrounding scenery. Chobe National Park is home to the greatest concentration of wild animals in all of Africa; visit there for an exciting safari. Your journey will come to a close at Victoria Falls, where you will get the opportunity to view elephants, lions, zebras, and gazelles. If you prefer to go on a larger ship, Norwegian Cruise Line offers itineraries that take passengers to six different ports in South Africa and Namibia over the course of a week.
In Holland and Belgium, you can gawk at the tulips and the windmills.
The yearly springtime display in this region takes place from the middle of March until the middle of May, with the tulips often reaching their full bloom around the middle of April. When this occurs, it is the perfect time to take a river cruise through the canals of Amsterdam and Bruges, two of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe, as well as the windmills that are so characteristic of the surrounding countryside. Visitors to the Netherlands can take in endless displays of the country’s most famous flower at the Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse. These gardens are especially beautiful. Sail from Amsterdam to Antwerp, Belgium, with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection on an all-inclusive 10-day Tulip and Windmill Cruise. This cruise departs from Amsterdam and ends in Antwerp. Or, you might embark on the Blooming Tulip excursion on a luxury river boat operated by Crystal Cruises for a weeklong journey that begins and ends in Amsterdam.
Explore Alsace, France.
The luxurious Belmond Lilas barge is exclusively available for private charters and has only room for eight passengers at a time. Make reservations in advance to experience the allure of the Alsace area, which offers breathtaking scenery both on and off the ship at every turn. Your cruise will be a luxurious and unforgettable experience if you choose to embark on the six-night tour that departs from St. Leger Sur Dheune and ends in Pontallier, France. In Chagny, you can indulge in gourmet cuisine and wine tastings, while in the charming village of Rully, you can take private tours of medieval fortresses that date back to the 12th century. Sip champagne on the terrace while watching the French countryside go by. Larger cruise lines such as Holland America Line also provide itineraries that take passengers to the lovely locations of France.
Make your way across the Atlantic Ocean.
Experience the splendor of a journey of the Atlantic Ocean in the opulent Queen Mary 2, and feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. This ship is the flagship of the sophisticated British Cunard Line. It can accommodate approximately 2,700 passengers and has a stringent dress requirement, with numerous formal nights spread throughout the voyage. While you are sailing to places in Europe, Asia, and Australia, you may indulge in luxurious drinks, enjoy nightly entertainment, listen to instructive lectures, and dine in great dining establishments on board. You are even allowed to bring your canine companion on board thanks to the cruise line‘s on-board kennel, which is the only facility of its kind available on a cruise ship.
Discover the most amazing parts of Northern Europe.
The Viking Homelands itinerary that is made available by Viking Ocean Cruises includes stops in eight countries, some of the most beautiful of which are Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. This is one of the highlights of the route. “The region of Scandinavia was once inhabited by the Vikings, and the itinerary known as the Viking Homelands takes travelers along the trading routes used by the Viking explorers. [W]hile sailing… guests have opportunities to see the great cities of the Baltic Sea, along with Norwegian fjords, rural historical sites, and ancient Viking settlements that provide a glimpse at how the original Vikings lived, [and] “According to Torstein Hagen, who is both the founder and chairman of Viking Cruises, “One of our signature itineraries, I’m thrilled to provide it for clients to discover my home nation of Norway and the homelands of the original Viking explorers,” he says, adding that he is happy to do so because it is “one of our most popular itineraries.”
Travel in style to the Principality of Monaco.
Cruisers, particularly those who are interested in racing, may find Monaco’s fascinating combination of culture and scenery to be quite enjoyable. You will get the opportunity to visit ports such as Rome and Portofino, in addition to receiving VIP access to unique Grand Prix events and Formula One races in Monte Carlo when you embark on an intimate cruise with Windstar Cruises over the course of seven days. Consider booking a Mediterranean cruise with Oceania Cruises, as many of their itineraries include a stop in this lovely location. If you would want to visit Monaco without the racing theme (or on a larger vessel), this is the option for you.
Explore the islands of the Cyclades on a cruise.
The Cyclades are a group of islands located in the Aegean Sea to the southeast of the Greek peninsula. Among these islands is Delos, which is widely recognized as being Apollo’s birthplace. The Cycladic islands of Santorini and Mykonos are well known to major cruise lines such as Silversea Cruises and Celebrity Cruises; however, chartering a private yacht may offer the opportunity for an even more unforgettable adventure. “The exquisite and traditional m/s Erato yacht is the ideal vessel to tour the Aegean Sea,” says Kathy Stewart, the regional director of Western Europe for the tour operator Butterfield & Robinson. “Between the geographical makeup of the Cyclades Islands and the mythic nature and narrative behind each stop, the m/s Erato yacht is the perfect vessel to tour the Aegean Sea,” she adds. “This private tour has it all: an incredible mix of biking and hiking excursions, authentic Greek food experiences both on ship and on land, and historical history woven throughout,” is how one traveler described the all-inclusive nature of this excursion.
Have an adventure in the South Pacific.
When questioned about the places that are at the top of his “bucket list,” Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, states the following: “The South Pacific is known for its breathtaking scenery. It’s easy to see why so many people have a strong desire to go there, and I can’t deny that I’m one of them. A ship operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises is without a doubt the best possible way to take in the sights and sounds of Tahiti and the rest of the South Pacific. The magnificent geography of the volcanic islands that make up French Polynesia can be better appreciated from the vantage point of a ship.” Spend more than ten nights onboard the Seven Seas Navigator sailing through the gorgeous waters that surround Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, and other islands.
Explore the countries of Southeast Asia.
Take a sail around this amazing region of the planet and learn all there is to know about it. A cruise through Southeast Asia offers travelers the chance to experience the region’s culture, sights, and cuisine all within the confines of a single vacation. This includes stops in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, which has a history dating back one thousand years, as well as Cambodia’s Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, and AmaWaterways are just few of the river cruise lines that offer itineraries that include visits to these illustrious places along the Mekong River. Larger cruise lines such as Princess Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line both offer itineraries that include Southeast Asian ports of call such as Singapore and Bangkok on their itineraries.
Discover the beauty of Sri Lanka, the Seychelles, and the Maldives.
The CEO of Ponant Yacht Cruises and Expeditions for the Americas, Navin Sawhney, describes a trip to any of these three destinations in the Indian Ocean as something that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Get ready for an exciting journey aboard one of the Ponant Explorers ships, which are each named after a different French explorer. These vessels offer cruises through breathtaking tropical waterways as well as excursions for scuba diving, water sports, and animal viewing. Each of the vessels has just 92 guest cabins, giving passengers the feeling of being on their own private yacht. Look into cruise lines such as Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises if you want to sail on a larger ship. All three of these companies go to the same exotic locations as Royal Caribbean International.
It is highly recommended that you travel to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands.
Sujith Mohan, a seasoned veteran of the cruise industry and the general manager of Viking Cruises, has circumnavigated the globe and visited a great number of fascinating locations through ship. His most noteworthy travel experience was spent in Antarctica. There are a variety of expedition lines, such as Quark Expeditions and National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, that provide itineraries to this remote corner of the world that can last anywhere from eight days to four weeks. This location is visited by a number of major cruise companies, including Viking Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, among others. Be prepared to get up up and personal with seals, whales, and a variety of types of penguins by kayak or Zodiac boat, and to marvel at the snowcapped icebergs on a trip you will never forget, regardless of whatever cruise company you select.
Start your adventure with a cruise around the world.
One of the most exciting ways to see the world in a single journey is by setting sail around the world. With Viking Ocean Cruises, passengers get the opportunity to explore more than two dozen countries across six continents on a trip that lasts approximately four months and includes calls at approximately 50 ports of call. In addition, this package includes all of your meals, beverages, travel, and excursions. This particular journey will make stops in a variety of locations, including the Caribbean and South America, as well as in such cities as Sydney, Singapore, Rome, and Barcelona. Silversea Cruises, Cunard Line, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Princess Cruises are just few of the other cruise lines that provide itineraries that take passengers all over the world. Bear in mind, though, that cruises that go around the world don’t come cheap. Depending on the cruise operator, prices can range anywhere from $15,000 to approximately $200,000 for each individual passenger.
Pass through the Panama Canal on your ship.
Many tourists consider a visit to the Panama Canal to be an absolute need. There are a few different lines that provide service for the 40-mile voyage that connects the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. Take into consideration the Costa Rica and Panama itineraries offered by UnCruise Adventures, which are normally offered during the winter months. According to Tim Jacox, the line’s president and chief operating officer, this voyage involves a complete passage through the Panama Canal. “Panama is not simply the canal by any stretch of the imagination. We are the only company to offer a unique combination of daring exploration on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of the canal with immersion in the local culture. Activities such as kayaking, trekking, snorkeling, and paddleboarding lead to enlightening interactions with native Embera and Guna Yala villagers in the Darien jungle and in the islands that were formerly known as the San Blas “Then he adds. There are a number of larger cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and others, that travel via the Panama Canal.
The fall voyage will depart from New York and end in Montreal.
This itinerary should be bookmarked because of the breathtaking scenery along the St. Lawrence River and the panoramic vistas of eastern Canada’s craggy shoreline that are contrasted against the shifting colors of autumn. Those who are interested in trying some of the best seafood in the world can go to Prince Edward Island, or they can explore other places that are rich in culture and cuisine, such as Montreal, Quebec City, Boston, or New York City. However, because there is only a small window of opportunity in the month of October to see the peak of the fall foliage, you should make sure to secure your plans at least a few months in advance. This itinerary is provided by a number of different cruise lines, including Oceania Cruises and Silversea Cruises.
Accept the challenge of the final region.
Chris Owen, a travel journalist who specialized in cruising, has had the opportunity to view a variety of famous ports of call from the balcony of a stateroom on a cruise ship. Alaska is one of his top choices for the cruise of a lifetime, particularly for parties that include people of multiple generations. According to him, it would be to the benefit of each and every American to travel to this unique location in the northern territories. Even while Holland America Line and Princess Cruises account for the majority of the market share, a number of other major cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises, offer itineraries that visit Alaska. In addition, specials and discounts on Alaska cruises are readily available throughout the entire sailing season, which runs from May through September.
Discover the heart of the United States.
Consider traveling down the mighty Mississippi aboard the American Queen, the largest river steamer in the world, if you are interested in seeing both the Midwest and the Deep South of the United States. Itineraries visit to quaint villages that are straight out of a children’s book since they are steeped in American history and evoke feelings of simpler times. Stop in major towns such as St. Louis and Memphis, Tennessee, for some barbecue and blues before continuing your journey into the Mississippi Delta and the rest of the South to gain an understanding of the region’s complex and eventful past. Before disembarking at the always exciting city of New Orleans, passengers will have the opportunity to get a taste of the best that America has to offer on a relaxing cruise down this historic river in the United States.
Bucket List Cruise Itineraries
• Paris to Normandy, France
• Africa
• Tulip season: Holland and Belgium
• Alsace, France
• Trans-Atlantic crossing
• Northern Europe
• Monaco
• Cyclades islands, Greece
• South Pacific
• Southeast Asia
• Seychelles, Maldives, Sri Lanka
• Antarctica, South Georgia, Falkland Islands
• Around-the-world cruise
• Panama Canal
• Autumn: New York to Montreal
• Alaska
• America’s heartland
