On your next cruise, why not sail somewhere you’ve never been before? Consider an itinerary that visits one of these lesser-known but incredible destinations. If one (or more) of these catches your interest, Cruise Specialists will help you get there!
Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø is the world’s largest city north of the Arctic Circle; surprisingly, cruise ships call on the port for most of the year. It’s the cultural hub of the Arctic, with lots of delightful events, galleries and pubs to enjoy. Most people visit from June to August, when temperatures can warm to 70 and the midnight sun provides long hours of daylight.
The Cook Islands
Not as well-known as Tahiti or Fiji, the Cook Islands offer just as much South Pacific beauty. On the main island of Rarotonga, a reef shelters a lovely lagoon and sandy beaches line the shore, backed by dramatic green mountains. To fully take in the island’s natural beauty, take a guided safari.
Halong Bay, Vietnam
Halong Bay is enchanting, like a place in a dream. Thousands of limestone islands and rock formations rise like monoliths above the water, crowned with rare plants found nowhere else on earth. Some cruise ships stay for two days so that guests can watch an unforgettable sunrise over the misty bay.
Suez Canal
This historic waterway links the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and is a highlight of some world cruise or repositioning cruise itineraries. Ships that traverse the Suez often stop in Safaga, Egypt, where you can take an excursion to the monuments, temples and tombs at Luxor; and Aqaba, Jordan, where you can visit the rock-cut architecture of Petra.
Ushuaia, Argentina
The world’s southernmost city has a spectacular setting at the tip of South America, backed by the peaks of the Andes and fronted by the Beagle Channel. Ride the Tren del Fin del Mundo (Train to the End of the World) to Tierra del Fuego National Park to see stunning glaciers, waterfalls and forests.
Peruvian Amazon
The Amazon River is most often associated with Brazil, but Peru has a sizable share of the river and surrounding rainforest. This is one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth: the jungle is alive with squirrel monkeys, yellow-spotted turtles, three-toed sloths, toucans, and the endangered pink dolphin. Very occasionally, cruise guests spot the reclusive black jaguar.
West African Coast
A cruise is a great way to begin to discover this exciting continent. Africa’s Atlantic coast can be explored on itineraries that depart from Durban or Cape Town, South Africa. Ports of call often include Walvis Bay, Namibia; Takoradi and Tema (for Accra), Ghana; and Dakar, Senegal, plus the Cape Verde and Canary Islands
Thorshavn, Faroe Islands
Thorshavn is the capital of the remote and rugged Faroe Islands, which belong to Denmark. A feature of many cruises that venture to Iceland, Thorshavn was founded by Vikings in 850 and has a charming historic center of old wooden houses with turf roofs. Visit the museums and galleries in town, or venture to other parts of Streymoy Island to see historic sites, scenic fjords and deep green valleys.
Borneo
Borneo, part of Southeast Asia’s Malay Archipelago, is a huge and extraordinary island. Most cruise ships dock in Kota Kinabalu, capital of the Sabah region. The area teems with biodiversity, from the coral reefs to the jungles that cloak Mt. Kinabalu. Journey through the ancient rainforest, or visit the orangutans, pygmy elephants, sun bears and other wonderful residents of the zoological park.
