![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/carnival-triumph-cozumel-cruise-2.jpg\")
<\/div>\nTop 5 North American And Caribbean Cruises<\/h2>\n
North America and the Caribbean are some of the most popular cruises in the world, with extensive Caribbean islands to enjoy, Mexican hideaways and a new country to enjoy every day.<\/p>\n
Cruises to the Caribbean or around North America usually depart from American coastal cities, including Miami, New Orleans, Vancouver, Galveston, Port Canaveral, Tampa and Boston, or further afield Seattle and Vancouver.<\/p>\n
Here are five of the best cruises to take in the Caribbean and North America.<\/p>\n
1) Alaska, United States Cruise<\/h3>\n
Unlike other cruises on the list, Alaskan cruises are unique in the fact that many of the destinations or ports they visit are only accessible by boat or via a long train or car journey. Departing usually from either Vancouver, Seattle, or Anchorage an Alaskan cruise will sail past glaciers, anchor in National Parks and dock in small towns with lots of things to do and explore.<\/p>\n
Depending on what you and your family or friends want to see will depend on which cruise route to take. Smaller cruise ships can visit the internal passages and national parks to see the Hubbard Glacier and other natural wonders.<\/p>\n
Popular routes include stops in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka and Whittier.<\/p>\n
When To Travel:<\/strong> May to October<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> 7-night Alaska Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n Read More:<\/strong> Becky’s Alaska Cruise<\/a> and What To Pack For An Aalska Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n Usually departing from Long Beach, California, Mexican cruises are a great cruise for first-timers or a weekend trip, with either three or four-night options if you are pressed for time.<\/p>\n Mexican cruises tend to stop in Ensenada in Mexico and\/or Catalina in the United States, depending on the number of nights you decide to do.<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> October to April<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> 4-night Mexico Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n Read More:<\/strong> Vanessa’s Cozumel Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n Another tremendous and once-in-a-lifetime cruise option for first-timers is to the Bahamas. With the possibility of three nights or four, these cruises are a great way to explore the Caribbean if you are short on time or just looking for a long weekend getaway.<\/p>\n Popular routes start in Miami or Port Canaveral and can stop in Key West, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve (Private Island), Nassau, Bimini, or Princess Cays.<\/p>\n Often, the shorter routes end in the Bahamas, making it a great way to get to the islands and explore with the option to stay for a few days after the cruise.<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> November to February or May<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> 3-night Bahamas Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n With unlimited possibilities of destinations, the Caribbean has something for everyone. With a new country every day with week-long, ten-day, five nights, four nights, or six nights, the options for a Caribbean cruise are unlimited, with each cruise company offering slightly different options – there is something for everyone and every time frame.<\/p>\n In 2022, I went on a four-day Caribbean cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. I was pleasantly surprised by how charming and well-maintained the Puerta Maya was and how many activities it had to offer. We decided to go snorkeling at Sunset Beach, conveniently located within walking distance from the port. However, many other activities were available, such as swimming with dolphins, catamaran sailing and snorkeling, scuba diving, and exploring the ancient city of Tulum. These activities were all provided as add-ons to our Carnival cruise.<\/p>\n Popular Caribbean routes include stops in the Bahamas, Philipsburg (Sint Maarten), Cozumel (Mexico), Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), Labadee (Haiti), Grand Cayman, Bay Islands (Honduras), Belize City, Turks and Caicos, San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Aruba.<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> November to April or June & July<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> 5-night Caribbean Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n Read More:<\/strong> Vanessa’s Cozumel Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n Many companies offer four-seven, or twelve-night cruises around New England and Canada for a more unique cruise.<\/p>\n Cruises around New England and Canada tend to begin in Quebec City, New York, Boston, or Baltimore.<\/p>\n Popular route stops include Sydney (Canada), Halifax, Saint John, Portland, Newport, Boston, Gloucester and Charlotte Town.<\/p>\n A New England or Canadian cruise offers an opportunity to see nature’s spectacles and visit award-winning restaurants, UNESCO Heritage Sites and incredible food.<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> September or October<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> 7-night Canada\/New England Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n A cruise might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you consider visiting Asia, but it’s not to be missed.<\/p>\n There are lots of countries to discover, and taking a cruise in Asia is a unique and wonderful experience with plenty of countries and cultures to experience.<\/p>\n Here are our top five recommendations for an Asian cruise:<\/p>\n Vietnam and Thailand are popular travel destinations in their own right, but combined on a cruise makes for a great vacation without having to stay in one place or visit them one at a time. You can see both destinations in one trip onboard an all-inclusive moving hotel.<\/p>\n Cruises around Vietnam and Thailand usually depart from Singapore, Port Klang (Malaysia), or Laem Chabang (Thailand).<\/p>\n Popular route stops include Phu My, Koh Samui, Laem Chabang, Chan May, Bangkok, Phuket, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh.<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> November to March<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> 10-night Vietnam and Thailand Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n Japan offers a unique cruising destination with natural beauty, rich culture, local Japanese traditions, historical sites, tranquil gardens and incredible local cuisine.<\/p>\n Cruises around Japan and further afield often begin in Yokohama or Tokyo.<\/p>\n Popular route stops include Kobe, Kyoto, Naha, Ishigaki, Taipei (Taiwan) and Okinawa.<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> November to March<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> 9-night Japan and Taiwan Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n Chances are, you have wanted or thought about visiting Bali at some point in your life, but did you know Bali, along with some Indonesian neighbors, makes a great cruising destination?<\/p>\n This cruise offers the opportunity to discover Indonesia, relax on a beach, snorkel, dive and enjoy local cultures.<\/p>\n Popular routes include Bewang, Lembar, Bali (Indonesia) and Phu My, Nha Trang (Vietnam) stops.<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> November to March<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> 14-night Indonesia and Vietnam Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n Another great cruise is a cruise that visits a large combination of countries; these can include itineraries such as departing from Dubai, with stops in Mumbai (India), Cochin (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Phuket (Thailand) and finishing in Singapore.<\/p>\n Cruise routes visiting multiple countries are a great way to see many different countries, experience unique cultures and try many different activities.<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> November to March<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise<\/strong>: 12-night Asian Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n For a shorter cruise, a tremendous three-night trip is an itinerary that starts and ends in Singapore with a stop in Penang, Malaysia along the way. Other popular stops in Malaysia include Port Klang and Langkawi.<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> November to March<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> 3-night Singapore and Malaysia Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n Every year, many people head to Europe during the summer for their vacation, visiting multiple countries at a time. A European cruise allows you to see multiple countries in one trip.<\/p>\n European cruise season typically runs between May and November, with ships being used in both the European and Caribbean seasons. This is also when the weather is warmer and more things are open in tourist towns and villages.<\/p>\n From the Mediterranean to Spain, Belgium, Italy, Greece and everything in between. Here are our recommendations for the top five European cruises.<\/p>\n Spain and Portugal are top-rated summer vacation destinations, with plenty of great historic cities to enjoy, hiking and relaxing on beautiful beaches and everything in between.<\/p>\n Many Spanish cruises begin in the great coastal city of Barcelona, with popular stops including Cadiz, Funchal, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Lisbon.<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> April to September<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> 5-night Spanish and Portuguese Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n With no shortage of incredible coastal towns and cities, Italy is an excellent destination for a cruise. The country also has incredible food, wine, shopping and unique places to visit and walk around.<\/p>\n Popular routes include stops in Genoa, Civitavecchia, Messina, Florence, Naples, Olbia and Venice.<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> April to September<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> 6-night Italian Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n Northern Europe often gets overshadowed by the Mediterranean when it comes to cruises, but there are lots of great countries to explore. Not as warm as the Mediterranean but still equally as many things to do and see on a cruise.<\/p>\n Popular routes include Hamburg, Zeebrugge, Rotterdam, Le Havre, Southampton and Bilbao stops.<\/p>\n Many Northern European cruises begin in Southampton, Le Havre and Rotterdam.<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> May to September<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> 7-night Northern Europe Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n The Mediterranean offers incredible coastal destinations, islands, beautiful beaches and historic locations to explore.<\/p>\n Popular stops on Mediterranean cruises include Split (Croatia), Venice (Italy), Montenegro, Valletta (Malta), Santorini (Greece), Palma De Mallorca (Spain), Zadar (Croatia), Kos (Greece) and Mykonos (Greece).<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> April to September<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise<\/strong>: 5-night Mediterranean Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n Greece is a very popular summer holiday destination with ancient history around every corner, a rich culture, picturesque white-washed towns, incredible sunsets and beautiful beaches.<\/p>\n A cruise around Greece and beyond allows you to explore the different things each island has to offer while also enjoying the amenities and activities available on the ships.<\/p>\n Greece also has over 6,000 islands to explore and enjoy. A popular way to explore these islands is on a cruise or a yacht charter to see different areas all in one trip. Greece has plenty to offer on a cruise and can be combined with stops in neighboring countries such as Israel, Spain and Italy.<\/p>\n When to Travel:<\/strong> April to September<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> 6-night Israel, Greece and Spain Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n While there are typical cruising destinations, there are also plenty of once-in-a-lifetime cruises that are different from the norm.<\/p>\n There are many other countries and destinations worldwide to explore on a cruise. There are also unique once or twice-a-year cruises, such as crossing the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, where they move boats to and from different continents.<\/p>\n Here are five more unique bucket list cruises if you are looking for something a little different from the norm:<\/p>\n The South Pacific is famous for its picturesque white sandy beaches and breathtaking scenery. Exploring the different islands and countries during a cruise around the South Pacific is an extraordinary experience.<\/p>\n Many South Pacific cruises start from Australia, which is a great place to explore before or after a cruise for an extended stay.<\/p>\n Some popular itinerary stops include Mare (New Caledonia), Mystery Island (Vanuatu), Lifou Isle (New Caledonia), Isle Of Pines (New Caledonia), Noumea (New Caledonia) and Port Vila (Vanuatu).<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> South Pacific Cruises<\/a><\/p>\n One of the more unusual cruises on this list, an Antarctic cruise offers a unique opportunity to visit the southernmost edge of the South Pole, witness breathtaking icebergs, see penguins and a large variety of wildlife, including blue whales, seals and more.<\/p>\n These cruises usually start and end in Buenos Aires. Popular route stops include Ushuaia (Argentina), Paradise Bay, Gerclache Straight, Elephant Island (Antarctica), Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) and Montevideo (Uruguay).<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> Arctic\/Antarctic Cruises<\/a><\/p>\n Situated 1,000 km from the South American continent, these 19 islands and the surrounding marine reserve in the Pacific Ocean have been described as a unique ‘living museum and showcase of evolution.’<\/p>\n Popular stops on Galapagos cruises include Baltra Galapagos (Ecuador), North Seymour, South Plaza, Sullivan Bay, Dragon Hill Santa Cruz, Black Turtle Cove, Elizabeth Bay, Darwin Bay and many more.<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> Galapagos Cruises<\/a><\/p>\n The Middle East is filled with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, white sandy beaches, heritage villages, deserts and some of the best shopping and restaurants in the world.<\/p>\n Popular routes include stops in Safaga (Egypt), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Aqaba (Jordan), Dubai (UAE), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Muscat (Oman), Khasab (Oman), Al Fujairah (UAE) and Al Manamah (Bahrain).<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise:<\/strong> Middle East Cruises<\/a><\/p>\n Cruise ships typically have two seasons: a summer European season and a Caribbean winter season. The same boats usually do both seasons and have to move and venture across the Atlantic.<\/p>\n These Atlantic crossings make for great cruises, which are often significantly cheaper than other cruises. The ships have plenty of facilities onboard, including swimming pools, theatres, evening entertainment, multiple restaurants and many activities.<\/p>\n These cruises often feature stops at destinations in the United States, Tenerife, Portugal, Spain, the UK, the Caribbean, and the Netherlands. Typically, such cruises begin at a port in the United States or Europe and conclude at the other, making stops at various islands along the way. However, these cruises also include long, multiple-day periods at sea.<\/p>\n Book Your Cruise<\/strong>: Transatlantic Cruises<\/a><\/p>\n Cruises in the Caribbean region typically occur from November to April, with some ships operating year-round.<\/p>\n The Alaskan cruise season usually occurs between May and October when the weather is warmer. The European summer season typically takes place between May and September, when the weather in Europe is warmer than in the winter months.<\/p>\n Ultimately, the best time to go on a cruise depends on where you want to go.<\/p>\n I hope you’ve found this best cruises guide helpful. If you have questions about any of the cruises or tips for our readers, please let us know in the comments below.<\/p>\n And if you’re interested in visiting other cruises, you can check out all our cruise articles<\/a> for inspiration and our where to stay guides<\/a>.<\/p>\n We hope that this article has inspired you to go on a cruise. If you have questions or advice to share with our readers, please leave these in the comments below. <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Want to write for We Are Travel Girls? Visit our<\/i><\/b> Contribute Page<\/i><\/b><\/a> to submit your article.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n2) Mexico<\/h3>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/carnival-triumph-cozumel-cruise-14.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3) Bahamas<\/h3>\n
4) Caribbean<\/h3>\n
5) New England and Canada<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/carnival-cruise-alaska-set-2_29-Medium-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTop 5 Asian Cruises<\/h2>\n
1) Vietnam and Thailand<\/h3>\n
2) Japan Cruise<\/h3>\n
![\"Japan](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/japan-cruise.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3) Indonesia and Vietnam Cruise<\/h3>\n
4) Asia Cruise<\/h3>\n
5) Singapore and Malaysia Cruise<\/h3>\n
![\"https:\/\/www.carnival.com\/onboard\/dive-in-movies\"](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/carnival-triumph-cozumel-cruise-20.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTop 5 European Cruises<\/h2>\n
1) Spain and Portugal<\/h3>\n
2) Italy<\/h3>\n
![\"Italy](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/italy-cruise.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3) Northern Europe<\/h3>\n
4) Mediterranean <\/h3>\n
5) Greece<\/h3>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/carnival-triumph-cozumel-cruise-6.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOther Cruise Destinations<\/h2>\n
1) South Pacific<\/h3>\n
2) Antarctic<\/h3>\n
3) Galapagos Islands<\/h3>\n
4) Middle East<\/h3>\n
5) Transatlantic<\/h3>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/carnival-triumph-cozumel-cruise-5.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBest Time Of Year To Go On A Cruise<\/h2>\n
20 Cruises To Take Before You Die Wrap-Up<\/h2>\n
![\"Carnival](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/carnival-triumph-cozumel-cruise-18.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n
\n