World’s Best Cruising Destinations

We get it – you don’t want to go on a “typical” vacation, and you want something different. Well, a cruise is probably your best bet, because not only does it allow you to visit some truly stunning places, but it also gets you a lot of activities you can partake in on the way.

But when you start looking into cruising, you’ll realize that there are far too many stunning places to visit. Choosing one isn’t as simple as you thought, is it? We’re here to help, and below we’ve rounded up some of the best cruising destinations that you should definitely visit.

Indonesia

A destination that should definitely be your first choice, Indonesia has a lot to offer. The country is home to over 18,000 islands, over half of which are populated, and each gives you something different and unique. Here’s a pro tip – Indonesia is perfect for small ship cruises which allow you to get deep into the country’s territory and experience everything it has to offer. We’re talking about a country that’s home to over 1,300 ethnic groups, a fact that’s impressive in and of itself.

The first place you’ll want to visit is definitely Bali. Bali is the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia, but that’s in no way a bad thing – it just gets you everything Indonesia has to offer in one place. On the other hand, if you want to go for a calmer, more intimate environment, Lombok is a good alternative. Of course, one must mention the Spice Islands, a place that carries incredible historical significance – it was, at one point, the only source of nutmeg in the entire world. This made it a strongly contested point, and a lot of nations fought over it.

While we’re talking about Indonesia, we should mention the stunning paradise that is Raja Ampat. The water is crystal blue, and if you took our advice on a small ship cruise, you can explore one of the 600 islands that are part of Raja Ampat. Oh, and here’s an attractive proposition – you can live with some of the locals for a while and experience their way of life, which is a rather unique experience.

Greece

While you do have a bit of distance to cover before embarking on a cruise throughout Greece if you’re from the US, trust us, the trip will be more than worth it. You don’t even have to fly out to Greece because plenty of lines depart from cities like Barcelona and Venice.

The best thing about Greece is that not only is it a paradise for the eyes, but it’s also a very important location in terms of history. It has monuments such as the Parthenon at the Acropolis, which is a sight to behold. There’s also the fact that Athens itself is the oldest city in Europe, so you have plenty of historical sites to go over.

If you’d rather enjoy the sea, though, you’ll be happy to know that Greece has a massive variety of islands. People who prefer small, calm villages and exotic blue waters, for example, will absolutely love Corfu and its secluded beaches. On the other hand, Santorini is another option that’s slightly more popular and is one of the world’s most photographed places with its whitewashed houses that are just stunning from every point of view. The island of Rhodes is another great pick, and of course, we mustn’t forget Mykonos. This is a party paradise during the crowded summer nights, but during the day, it’s just a stunning place you can walk around for hours. Blue-domed churches and whitewashed houses (like in Santorini) adorn the place, and it’s a pleasure to explore it.  

Hawaii

Here’s one that’s really close if you’re in the US – Hawaii! This is a destination that gets you a great variety of things you can be doing, from the volcanoes that include Kilauea and Mauna Loa, to sipping a cocktail on one of those long, sandy beaches. It’s also a surfer’s paradise, so if you have a day off from your cruise, that’s a great way to enjoy Hawaii.

You might be noticing a bit of a theme, but Hawaii, or more specifically, Oahu, will also allow you to visit the USS Arizona Memorial, a place that gives you the opportunity to pay your respects to the Pearl Harbor victims. This is a place that carries a lot of significance to US history.

Last but not least, it’s worth mentioning that, while people still prefer cocktails on beaches, Hawaii is actually the US’s only permanent coffee producer. If you’re a fan of coffee, not only can you try some of the best coffee in the world, but you can also go on an excursion that lets you tour some of its most popular plantations. This is an opportunity you probably won’t get elsewhere, and it’s brilliant.