Cruise Specialists Blog

Luxury Cruise News & Reviews

Blog Home / Cruise Destinations / Antarctica Cruise Reviews

Six Cruises You Simply Must Experience

Ralph Grizzle

So many spectacular places to visit, so little time. Here are six of our favorites.

We’re not suggesting by the title of this article that it’s time to begin disembarking from that great journey known as life. Far from it. Cast your eye farther down the page, and you’ll see what we consider to be life’s greatest cruise itineraries.

These six ‘must do’ cruises represent possibly the most satisfying journeys that any avid cruiser could ever take. Those who manage only one of the six proclaim it to be the cruise of a lifetime. But those who check off all six put themselves in a different league altogether. They become world travelers who have sailed the sea to earth’s most wondrous places.

Beginning the transit of the Panama Canal

Panama Canal

Completed in 1914, the Panama Canal took 34 years to build — at a cost of 30,000 lives. Along this ‘path between the seas,’ cruise ships move at a crawl, waiting in line to enter the enormous locks that flood with water. After water fills the concrete locks, ships move forward to the next set of locks. There may be a cargo ship in front of you, a sailboat behind.

This engineering marvel is best savored in the comfort of a cruise ship. Itineraries typically run for full 14-day transits between San Juan and Acapulco, but several cruise lines offer 10-day partial transits to Gatun Lake sailing roundtrip from Florida.

Tip: Head for an air-conditioned lounge early and grab a seat for viewing the ship’s transit — Central America’s heat and humidity are too fierce to stand comfortably on deck.
(See featured Panama Canal sailings)

Santorini, in the Greek Isles

 Greek Islands

Experience spectacular beauty and world-famous antiquities during a one-week cruise between Greece and Turkey. From Kusadasi, Turkey, it’s a short ride to the classical city of Ephesus, where the facade of the two-story library, two millennia old, still stands at the end of the marble thoroughfare marked with chariot tracks.

Mykonos, Greece, once a sleepy village, is now ‘tres chic’ with Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Chanel among the shops, but there are still a few artisans worth visiting on the winding streets. A short hop from Mykonos, Delos, once the capital of the ancient world, is famed for its ruins.

Santorini is our pick for the most spectacular of the Greek Islands. Sail into the bay, a huge volcanic crater, then ascend 900 feet to the winding streets of Thira, a tiny terraced town overlooking the Capri-blue Mediterranean.

Tip: The best time to visit Greece and Turkey is May and June or the fall. If you do go in July and August, the dry heat may be intense. Wear sandals and drink bottled water constantly.
(See featured Mediterranean sailings)

Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg

Baltic

From the opulent palaces of the Tsars in St. Petersburg to Stockholm’s breathtaking harbor and Copenhagen’s spectacular Tivoli Gardens, few cruising regions offer such diverse treasures as the Baltic. Best of all, most ships dock in the center of the cities and towns, allowing you to hop off and explore on your own.

Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, St. Petersburg is among the most beautiful cities on earth. The baroque Winter Palace known as the Hermitage boasts more than 1,000 rooms and 8,000 paintings.

The ‘City That Floats On Water,’ Stockholm sits on 14 islands, with meandering shop-lined streets, palaces and parks. Don’t miss the Vasa Museum, housing a royal flagship raised from the harbor more than 300 years after she sank in 1628.

Copenhagen is chock full of attractions, including Stroget, Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street and the dazzling display of the Danish crown jewels at Rosenborg Castle.

Helsinki’s marketplace, next to the ship terminal, is a colorful introduction to this city. Attractions are a short ferry ride away, including the ‘Gibraltar of the North,’ Suomenlinna Fortress, which has guarded the entrance to the city for 200 years.

Tip: Unless you are fluent in Russian and have a tourist visa, shore excursions are necessary in St. Petersburg. But with pre-departure research, the remaining ports can be enjoyed on your own. Many Scandinavians speak English.

(Book early: Baltic itineraries sell out fast, here are our current featured Baltic sailings)

Western Mediterranean

From Spain to Italy, this region is a historic treasure trove and the height of sophistication. For the first-time visitor, pick an itinerary that focuses on Italy for its diverse attractions. Arrive in Venice or Rome (both deserve several pre-cruise hotel nights) then sail to Naples where you must choose between a day at Pompeii or touring the scenic Amalfi drive.

Livorno is the port of entry to Florence where some of mankind’s most magnificent masterpieces were made. Sicilian ports include Taormina, a beautiful resort overlooking the sea and facing Mt. Etna. Spain, on the other hand, is one of Europe’s fastest-growing cruise destinations, with Barcelona on most itineraries.

Tip: As shore excursions can be pricey in Europe, you may be better off arranging your own sightseeing. A guide with a private car is frequently less expensive than a tour when there’s four or more traveling.

I cruised the Mekong with my daughter. Yes, next time she should wear sunglasses at Angkor Wat.

Asia

Few places are as exotic as Asia — with such bustling modern cities as Hong Kong and Singapore, colorful markets, ancient temples and stunning landscapes.

The most popular cruises visit Vietnam, Thailand, Burma and Malaysia, all with diverse ports ranging from busy cities to bucolic rural settings. We prefer to walk around Asian cities to savor their uniqueness, although many passengers, especially those who do not speak the local languages, opt for tours.

Tip: Ask your physician for antibiotics, and take medication for stomach problems. Also recommended is cruise insurance just in case you need an emergency flight home or hospitalization.

(See our featured Asia sailings)

Antarctica is still on my bucket list. The closest I got was the tip of South America, where I photographed these penguins.

Antarctica

A cruise to Antarctica ranks for many as the best cruise of their lives, a voyage to a place unlike any other on earth. Sailing through perilous Drake’s Passage, arrive in a magical place of icebergs a mile across, whales, elephant seals, albatross and penguins upon penguins. Excursions on Zodiacs take you ashore to penguin rookeries of 300,000 birds.

Tip: If you want a real Antarctic experience, choose a ship carrying 150 or fewer passengers. Larger vessels don’t always have zodiac excursions and can’t reach the continent.
(View our featured Antarctica sailings)

Of course there are plenty of others we’d like to add to the list, but if forced to narrow it down, these would be our top six!

Sparked your wanderlust?

Let a Cruise Specialists expert with over 15 years of travel and coordination help you make it happen. (888) 993-1318

 

More from my site

  • A Day in the Grand Voyage Life: Chilean Fjords & Cape HornA Day in the Grand Voyage Life: Chilean Fjords & Cape Horn
  • Shore Excursions From Le Havre, In PhotosShore Excursions From Le Havre, In Photos
  • Holland America Tour: Costa Rica Zip Line AdventureHolland America Tour: Costa Rica Zip Line Adventure
  • Two South American Jewels: Rio de Janeiro and Buenos AiresTwo South American Jewels: Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires

Antarctica Cruise Reviews, Asia Cruise Reviews, Baltic Cruise Reviews, Europe Cruise Reviews, South America Cruise Reviews, South Pacific Cruise Reviews Europe Cruise Reviews, Roundup, South America Cruise Reviews

Comments

  1. Elsie says

    July 12, 2011 at 8:44 pm

    Great suggestions. A few of my favorites are on there as well. The Antartica cruise sounds fun too, I can only imagine how expensive it is though.

  2. Cruise Chat Online says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    I have sailed on the Star Princess, with stops in Kusadasi, Athens, Myconos and Santorini. This was a 12 day Mediterranean cruise from Venice to Barcelona. One cruise down, just five more to go from your list! Thanks for sharing! Enjoyed reading your entry.

  3. Chad H says

    July 29, 2011 at 9:59 pm

    Nailed it! I have been fortunate enough to do one of these so far (Western Med) and the other 4 are sitting at the top of the ol’ bucket list.

  4. Cambodia Tours says

    August 2, 2011 at 11:29 am

    Travel the country, tell me your experience, and I tell what kind of person you are….;)

SEARCH ARTICLES

Article Categories

  • Cruise Destinations
    • Africa Cruise Reviews
    • Alaska Cruise Reviews
    • Amazon Cruise Reviews
    • Antarctica Cruise Reviews
    • Arctic Cruise Reviews
    • Asia Cruise Reviews
    • Australia/New Zealand
    • Baltic Cruise Reviews
    • Canada/New England Cruise Reviews
    • Caribbean Cruise Reviews
    • Cuba Cruise Reviews
    • Europe Cruise Reviews
    • Galapagos Cruise Reviews
    • Grand Voyages
    • Hawaii Cruise Reviews
    • Iceland/Greenland
    • Mediterranean Cruise Reviews
    • Mexico Cruise Reviews
    • Panama Canal Cruise Reviews
    • Scandinavia and Northern Europe Cruise Reviews
    • South America Cruise Reviews
    • South Pacific Cruise Reviews
    • Transatlantic Cruise Reviews
    • World Cruise Reviews
  • Cruise FAQs
  • Cruise Lines
    • Abercrombie & Kent Reviews
    • AmaWaterways Cruise Reviews
    • American Cruise Line Reviews
    • American Queen Voyages Reviews
    • Aqua Expeditions Reviews
    • Atlas Ocean Voyages Reviews
    • Avalon Cruise Reviews
    • Azamara Cruise Reviews
    • Celebrity Cruise Reviews
    • Celebrity Galapagos Cruise Reviews
    • Cunard Cruise Reviews
    • Cunard World Cruise Reviews
    • Disney Cruise Reviews
    • Explora Journeys Cruise Reviews
    • Holland America Line Cruise Reviews
    • Holland America World Cruise Reviews
    • Hurtigruten Reviews
    • Lindblad/National Geographic Reviews
    • Norwegian Cruise Line Reviews
    • Oceania Cruise Reviews
    • Oceania World Cruise Reviews
    • Paul Gauguin Cruise Reviews
    • Ponant Cruise Reviews
    • Princess Cruise Reviews
    • Quark Expeditions Reviews
    • Regent Cruise Reviews
    • Regent Seven Seas Cruise
    • Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
    • Royal Caribbean Cruise Reviews
    • Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yacht Reviews
    • Scenic River Cruise Reviews
    • Seabourn Cruise Reviews
    • Seabourn Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea World Cruise Reviews
    • Star Clippers Cruise Reviews
    • Tauck Cruise and Tauck Land Tour Reviews
    • UnCruise Adventures Reviews
    • Uniworld River Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Ocean Cruise Reviews
    • Virgin Voyages
    • Windstar Cruise Reviews
    • Zegrahm Expeditions
  • Cruise News
  • Cruise Ports
  • Cruise Specialists Benefits
  • Expedition Cruises
  • Hosted Cruises
  • Ralph Grizzle
  • River Cruises
  • Ship Reviews
  • Solo Cruising
  • Tom Mullen
  • Tours, Trains & Resorts
    • Palace Resorts Reviews
    • Safari Reviews
    • Shore Excursions
    • Trains

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Maggie Blehert

Her ideal travel day: venturing to a new place, learning something interesting and sharing a smile.
View My Blog Posts

Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer
Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts reporting on their round the world journeys.
View My Blog Posts

Ralph Grizzle

The Avid Cruiser. Well-traveled and insightful. Helping you make informed cruise decisions.
View My Blog Posts

FOLLOW US ON

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter