As 2024 draws to a close, it’s time to start making plans for 2025. Have you ever taken a cruise to one of your favorite destinations? It’s a wonderful way to travel. You only have to unpack once before settling in to savor any number of onboard experiences while your captain safely takes you to the ports of call you’ve been dreaming of.
What do you say we start making some plans? There are a few hotspots worth exploring in the new year. Some are classics that will never go out of style, like Alaska and the Caribbean. But, after we discuss those, we hope you will light up at the notion of different destinations like Istanbul and Dubrovnik.
Alaska, USA
In a busy world, a cruise to the Last Frontier has everything to offer – and more. There’s something about standing under the cool, crisp sun as it beams off a bright, white glacier. You can really sense that you’re a world away. Many cruises travel up the Inside Passage – some venturing further north. But, along the way, you’ll visit sweet little cities like Ketchikan, Sitka, and Juneau. When you’re there, there’s a lot of local art to adore, as well as some of the freshest catches in the world.
The Hawaiian Islands, USA
Famous cruise lines like Royal Caribbean are happy to sail you from Vancouver all the way down to the Hawaiian islands. Sounds magical, right? Some popular spots include the Napali Coast and Oahu. You’ll also find itineraries that will help you explore the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. While you’re there, you’ll marvel over ancient volcanoes, soft sandy beaches, lush green forests, and sprawling beaches pristine enough to wash all your cares away.
Tokyo, Japan
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to tack on an additional cruise to Asia since you’ve already made it all the way over to Hawaii? How epic would that be? Cruise lines like MSC are happy to help you plan a trip where you circumnavigate Japan, traveling from Hokkaido, the northernmost island, to Kanazawa. If you’d like to continue your explorations beyond the enchantments of Japan, you can also review itineraries that continue on to Korea or China.
Sydney, Australia
If you set your sights on a cruise that includes Sydney, you’ll quickly see your options abound. Many cruise ships depart from Sydney, so it’s the perfect place to fly to a few days ahead of time to explore the city. Tour the famous landmarks like the Opera House before strolling on along world-class beaches like Bondi and Manly Beach. Then, you can go in any number of directions as you island hop through the South Pacific and see glorious sites like the Great Barrier Reef.
The Netherlands
Cruising far north into places like Norway or the Netherlands is the kind of adventure that will stay with you forever. You’ll have a chance to culturally immerse yourself in many ways. The Holland America Line, for example, is happy to escort you to this clean and safe corner of the world so you can take a canal tour of Amsterdam or see the 18th-century windmills in Rotterdam.
The Caribbean Islands
One thing that will never go out of style is a cruise to the Caribbean. Just take a look at 15 of the most beautiful islands in this incredible corner of the world. If your heart settles on one island in particular, you’re almost guaranteed to find an itinerary to take you there. The more popular spots like Cozumel are always an option. But, don’t forget about the quieter beaches like St. Kitts that are more likely to make you feel like you’re a world away. When it comes to the Caribbean, the world is your oyster, and you won’t have to search for a friendly and affordable itinerary for long.
Bermuda
We singled out Bermuda because it sometimes gets confused for the Caribbean, but it’s actually up in the North Atlantic. This makes it a hop, skip, and jump for a quick cruise out of Boston, New York, or even Florida. If you’re looking for a simple itinerary to whisk you away for a weekend, you can put yourself on island time in a jiffy. With pink sandy beaches and plenty of underwater activities in clear, blue waters, Bermuda is the perfect place to make a three- or four-day escape.
The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
It’s lovely to know you can sail all around South America with ease. Nowhere else will you find an array of cultures filled with so much bright, brilliant energy. But, along with all the major ports in the major cities, have you ever considered going to the Galápagos Islands? Even the most seasoned traveler can’t deny the astonishing landscapes and unique wildlife. The weather is also incomparable, with 12 hours of sunshine each day, 365 days a year. Pretty remarkable, right?
The Norwegian Fjords
In a perfect world, you could combine a trip to the Netherlands with a stay in Norway. Celebrity Cruises, for example, is happy to make that happen for you. Imagine a world where you could sail through the glassy fjords of Norway, letting those snow-capped mountains stagger you while savoring some of the freshest salmon this side of paradise. Stops at major ports like Bergen will give you the finest taste of their magnificent culture. From there, you can take a trip to world-famous museums in the Netherlands that feature Van Gogh’s likes. An itinerary like this creates the perfect blend of natural and urban wonders.
The Scottish Highlands
Sticking with the notion of natural wonders, few places on earth roar with natural beauty the way the Scottish Highlands do. It is no surprise that heavy-hitters like Royal Caribbean are happy to escort you to Inverness and Loch Ness. Princess Cruises also has a nice itinerary that will take you to the broader British Isles, making you feel like you’ve cracked open the pages of a fairy tale as you explore ancient castles and enchanting countryside.
Santorini, Greece
Back to those endless days and nights along the sea. With whitewashed buildings, cobalt-blue domes, and sunsets that will remind you of something from those Van Gogh paintings in the Netherlands, you’ll wish you had more than just a day trip to Santorini, but it’s a good place to start. MSC is another great option again. They’ll make sure you have plenty of time to explore Oia Village, the archeological site of Akrotiri, and the long black stretches of volcanic sands.
Istanbul, Turkey
As we know, cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska will never go out of style. But one that is growing in style is Turkey. If you’ve been saving for this type of trip for quite a while, this is a nice opportunity to splurge on a luxury liner through Cunard. They have some lovely itineraries that will open up the doors to the colorful Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, and the Basilica Cistern. In between all that, you’ll also have time to savor the healing that comes from a Turkish bath and the strong jolt that only a Turkish coffee can provide.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Another unique twist for 2025 could be a cruise to Croatia. Princess Cruise Lines has a few options that will allow you to savor the sights of this picture-perfect medieval city. They especially want to help you visit Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with that, they have a long list of local destinations they’ll be happy to help you see, such as the Franciscan and Dominican Monasteries, the City Walls, and Dalmatian Coastal Villages. There’s no better way to see these wonderful parts of the world than onboard a cruise ship that caters to your every need, making the travel seem seamless and stress-free.
Venice, Italy
If Italy’s always been on your list, cruising to it is a lovely way to make it happen. Again, it offers a stress-free mode of transportation where you just have to board the ship and unpack once while the captain and crew take care of the rest. Depending on how you play your cards, Rome isn’t that far away, either, once you’ve made it this far. It’s a nice opportunity to tack on a few days before or after your cruise. Still, imagine a world where you can walk along those famous canals, dip into Doge’s Palace, and view Venentia masterpieces in Gallerie dell’Accademia. Venice is the crown jewel in a treasure trove of ancient European cities – and one that everyone should see once in their life.
Barcelona, Spain
There are countless cruise lines to help you marvel at the Mediterranean. In a sea of options, see if you can tack on a stopover in Barcelona. If you love the idea of all the museums we’ve been mentioning, you’ll cherish some time spent in The Gaudí House Museum. Norwegian Cruise Line has a nice itinerary, in particular, offering ample opportunity to treat yourself to some tapas at a streetside cafe before continuing your Mediterranean explorations in other ports of call throughout Spain, France, and Italy.
Cruise Your Way to Paradise
What does paradise look like to you? Are they the charming streets of Croatia or the sunny shorelines of Santorini? Or, how does a trip from Vancouver to Hawaii sound? Whatever you have your heart set on, there’s an endless array of ships and itineraries to make that happen for you.
We hope you’ll find time to incorporate one or two into your free time in 2025. Being able to travel this way is such a luxurious treat. It’s less arduous than muscling your way through planes, trains, and automobiles. To help you make some tough decisions, be sure to check out our travel guides. With our finger on the pulse of the cruise community, we’re happy to help you choose the best ship to make all your dreams come true.