10 Destinations to Cruise this 2024!
Cruising is an ideal way to go on a holiday and see as much of the world as you can. On a cruise, you can visit multiple bucket-list destinations in one go, while discovering new treasures along the way.
It lets you explore places which are difficult to reach by land, while offering world-class entertainment, international cuisines and a chance to make new friends while on board. And as an Elevate member, you have the benefit to book a cruise at a lower price than what you see on retail sites through your Buy One Get One Half Off (BOGOHO) cruise certificate where the second passenger gets 50% off, or by using your travel savings on the Discover365 website: www.discover365.co.uk; or by calling 0800 587 2684.
See below some of our top cruise destinations this year that we’re sure you’ll love to sail to any time soon!
1. The Netherlands
There’s no better time to visit this country than in the spring when its world-famous flower fields burst into kaleidoscopic colours. They make the already iconic Dutch countryside even more spectacular, with historic windmills lining canals and river banks surrounded by vibrant fields of tulips. Most, if not all, cruise lines sail to the Netherlands which can be part of their European itinerary. River cruises like AMA Waterways have special sailings during spring to take you near the best tulip fields.
2. Iceland
This is one of Europe’s top destinations for a holiday, that will wow you with its natural landscapes. Here you’ll witness otherworldly terrains with vast lava fields, bubbling mud pools and spouting geysers. There are also its colourful cosmopolitan cities like its capital Reykjavik. Most major cruise lines have this country as part of their Northern European itinerary, and some like MSC Cruises bundles it up as part of the Arctic Cruises that circumnavigate Iceland and Greenland to see frozen fjords and sight-see arctic wildlife (like puffins!)
Another wonderful European cruise destination for seeing the Northern Lights is Norway. It’s one of the region’s best destinations for aurora spotting, especially if you head north above the Arctic Circle, where sightings of the lights are an almost daily occurrence at certain times of the year.
Sailings to Norway and the Norwegian Fjords are present in many major cruise lines, with some like Celebrity Cruises offering sailings beyond the beaten path that specializes on the Fjords and its surrounding spectacular landscapes.
Anyone wanting to explore the Douro wine region should choose to cruise along the Douro river. This scenic waterway is central to the Portuguese wine trade and is flanked by rolling hills and vineyards, with storybook villages rising from the banks. The Alto Douro holds UNESCO status and is one of the oldest and most renowned wine-making regions in the world. This valley is a specialty of river cruises, with some offering wine-tasting pairings from Portuguese vineyards. Take it up a notch and sail with a luxury cruise line like Silversea that matches your wines with world-class cuisine.
The idyllic Cyclades, a collection of Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, are known and loved for their pretty white-walled houses draped in pink bougainvillea, sandy beaches and bright blue waters. Greek Isle cruises have become more popular with many Brits as it explores more islands than ever. If you’re up for a great adults-only cruise, Virgin Voyages have several sailings that travel through Greece and its many beautiful islands.
A Caribbean cruise offers the chance to kick back in sunny climates, enjoy cocktails on deck and make a pit-stop on powder-soft beach lapped by warm turquoise waters. If it’s your first time visiting the Caribbean, a cruise which stops off at several different locations is a great way to get a glimpse of the cultures and cuisines of various islands, giving you a fantastic introduction to the region. A popular itinerary for most cruise lines, some like NCL, Royal Caribbean, and MSC have their own islands in the region where you can have special experiences apart from the ones which are usually visited by most tourists in the region.
A cruise through these two countries is a fantastic way to discover rich cultures, fascinating histories and delicious cuisines of Southeast Asian gems. They’re connected by the mighty Mekong River which is a destination itself, providing a home for diverse ecosystems and fishing communities on the delta with ancient archeological wonders along its banks. A lot of cruise lines have stops in Vietnam and Cambodia as part of their Southeast Asian itinerary, but if you would like a special experience, we recommend doing a cruise with Scenic, that explores the Mekong river in an all-inclusive, ultra-luxury setting.
If you’re looking for a culture and history-filled cruise a little further afield, a river cruise through Egypt is a great option. Sailing along the Nile allows you to visit magnificent temples including and the Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty. Many cruise lines have Egypt as part of their Middle East itinerary or African itinerary. However, river cruises such as Uniworld have specialized Egyptian itineraries that fold in your land excursions to temples and ancient sites into your cruise fare.
As each new spring begins, millions of Japanese residents and tourists wait with anticipation for the first buds of the pink cherry blossom, known as sakura, to appear. These blossoms are a symbol of renewal, vitality and beauty, and they make Japan’s already spectacular cities and landscapes even more breathtaking than usual.
Japan has become a popular sailing for major cruise lines, with some cruise lines making it a part of an East Asian itinerary or bundling it up with a transatlantic cruise from Alaska. Holland America cruises from Seattle and makes several Japan city stops on their long-haul cruises.
10. Antarctica
Choosing the best Antarctic cruise can seem like a daunting task. It’s an investment of your time and money and likely something you may only do once and remember in exquisite detail. It’s a remote and thrilling part of the world to explore, where 12 million penguins live in the coldest, highest, and driest place on earth.
Great expedition and luxury cruises like Scenic, Hurtigruten, and Seabourn have specialized sailings in this region, with some offering one-of-a-kind excursions.
What are you waiting for? Sign up for a Discover365 membership today and sail into your next holiday!
