Popular Destinations

So you have decided to take a cruise! But there are many new places you have never traveled before and they all seem wonderful and exciting. How can you decide? You might choose your destination based on suggestions from friends and family. Or maybe you have read about the most popular spots to take your first cruise. Or perhaps you're more adventurous and are willing to try something all on your own.

Cruise vacations offer an endless array of options -- from Alaskan cruises with their amazing scenery and temperature variations, to Southern trips with warmer climates to Transatlantic trips with minimal port stops. Read on to learn more about some of the most popular cruise destinations -- we hope that these pages help you choose the perfect destination!

Caribbean
Considered by most to be the standard entry point for first-time cruising, the prime season for visiting the Caribbean is between October and April. It provides warm turquoise waters, duty-free shopping, Dutch, Spanish, British, and French architecture.

Water activities, warm-weather frolicking abound, but there is also a hearty crowd looking to do nothing more than relaxing with a good book one carefree day after another. These voyages range from 3 to 14 days and are perfect for individual travelers, honeymoon couples, and entire families.

Accessible sailing in the Caribbean includes ports in the Western, Southern, and Eastern Caribbean along with destinations in the Bahamas.

Alaska
Alaska is a land of superlatives; where the mountains are bigger, the wilderness wilder, and the rivers mightier. Glide past glacier after glacier and watch for cresting whales and soaring eagles as you sail on an unforgettable voyage into this great land.

The traditional times for cruising are between May and September. You can sail round trip from Vancouver through the Inside Passage or add an additional 1000 miles of Alaskan coastline with voyages along the "Glacier Route" between Vancouver and Seward.

Convenient, well planned land packages can be combined for passengers wanting an extended cruise adventure. A 7 to 14 day Alaskan voyage is the most popular destination for multi-generational families.

Panama Canal
A voyage through the Panama Canal is more than the scenery of locks and lakes -- it's the sailing experience of a lifetime. These voyages explore Mayan ruins, allow you to shop for gold in Columbia, river raft though the jungle in Costa Rica and even visit tropical rain forests.

Most impressive of all is the Emerald-green water of Gatun Lake and the experience of transiting the canal from the Gatun Locks on the Caribbean side to the Miraflores Locks on the Pacific. Trans-canal passages (through the entire length) and round trip passages to and from Florida are available from May through early October.

Mediterranean (Europe)
The Mediterranean is a destination that serves up a different culture, history, cuisine, architecture and scenery at every port of call. Here you'll experience noticeable contrasts between quiet country villages, where English is seldom heard, to modern cosmopolitan centers like Paris and Rome, synonymous with international fashion and cultural trends.

When you find yourself rolling down a narrow street, pausing to look the walls of a 17th century building in the shadows of a nearby Medieval castle you'll know you are in Europe.

New England and Canada
There is no better way to discover the history of North America than to trace the path of the early explorers along the Eastern Seaboard of North America and the Canadian Maritime Provinces.

You'll encounter solitary lighthouses, rugged scenery and the majestic beauty of Acadia National Park in Maine. You can visit historic attractions in Boston and explore cosmopolitan cities like Montreal and New York. Experience centuries of seafaring traditions in Halifax and St. John and tour places where gas lit lamps still flicker. You can even visit waterfronts that are still centers of commerce complete with modern retail stores and sidewalk cafes.

Scandinavia and Baltics
When you sail into the area of massive glaciers, panoramic fjords, green lowlands and high plateaus, you have sailed to explore the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.

Included with many Scandinavian itineraries are ample opportunities to visit the marvels of the Baltics and Czarist Russia. These include visits to legendary St. Petersburg, Estonia and Poland.

Other Exotic Destinations
In any conversation, discussing the following destinations cast an almost magical spell over your listeners...Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, South America, Japan, China, and India.

Sailing throughout the Earth's great oceans of the South Pacific, the South Atlantic, Indian Ocean and parts of North Pacific, these voyages tend to be the realm of the savvy traveler who enjoys longer duration cruises and unique destinations.

Mexico
The playground for those on the West Coast of North America, Mexico is home to some of North America's most stunning beaches, spectacular sunsets, and turquoise waters.

The Conquistadors came for the gold but it is the glittery resorts of the "Mexican Riviera," world-class sport fishing and Indian craftwork that draws cruise passengers to the birthplace of the humpback and gray whales.

3 to 10 day voyages from California are perfect for individual travelers, honeymoon couples, and entire families.

Hawaii
Experience picture-perfect islands, intoxicating beauty, lush green volcanic peaks in the home of waving palm trees, coconuts and black sand beaches. Hawaii is known for one of the friendliest cultures on the planet.

Many of these cruises take passengers into several islands during one voyage. The main ports are located on the islands of Oahu (the Capitol City and the location of Pearl Harbor), Kauai (the garden island and home of "Fern Grotto"), Hawaii (the "Big Island" and Volcano National Park) and Maui (the home of Haleakala, the largest dormant volcano on earth).

7 to 10 day voyages around the Hawaiian Islands are the dreams of honeymoon couples and perfect for individual travelers and entire families.

You Decide...

These are just a few of the cruise destinations available to you. Take a chance and have the adventure of a lifetime as you explore a wonderful new land on your cruise vacation.

Portions of this article courtesy of Accessible Journeys Inc.