Bucket List Cruise Destinations
I haven’t had many opportunities to travel overseas, so choosing a destination can be challenging. I often experience decision fatigue! I enjoy cruising because it allows me to select an itinerary and book my trip in advance. Once on the ship, I can plan as little or as much as I want, all with an almost all-inclusive feel. By selecting an itinerary that includes bucket list destinations, I get a preview of multiple countries, which helps me decide if I want to return to any of them for a more focused single or multi-country trip.
So, my bucket list of cruise destinations is a Northern European Cruise, a Greek Isle Cruise, an Alaskan Cruise, and an Asian Cruise.
I haven’t had many opportunities to travel overseas, so deciding where to go is hard. The decision fatigue is real! I love cruising because you can select an itinerary and book your trip, and once you get on the ship, plan as little or as much as you want with an almost all-inclusive vibe. So, selecting an itinerary that includes bucket list destinations gives a preview of multiple countries to decide if there are any countries I want to go back to and plan a single or multi-country trip.
Northern European Cruise
Europe has so much history and culture, but my pick for a bucket list cruise itinerary is the northern routes. Destinations allow a different experience than a Mediterranean cruise itinerary with incredible natural scenery like fjords, striking coastlines, enchanting historic cities, unique cultural experiences, and the potential to see the northern lights or the Aura Borealis with the convenience of transportation/lodging on a cruise ship.
Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Germany, Finland, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, and England are common countries on Northern European cruise itineraries from 7-14 nights. However, some shorter itineraries, like the Norwegian Fjords, focus on specific areas.
Since cruise line itineraries differ, other cruise ports may include ports; the most common ports are in bold:
Hamburg, Germany
Warnemunde, Germany
Kiel, Germany
Oslo, Norway
Geiranger, Norway
Bergen, Norway
Bergen, Norway,
London, England
South Cornwall, England
Isafjordur, Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland
Gothenburg, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden
Helsinki, Finland
Ireland
Lerwick, Scotland
Copenhagen, Denmark
Transatlantic Northern Cruise
This is a repositioning itinerary from Florida to northern Europe. Click the image for examples of other Northern European Cruise Itineraries from Princess Cruise Line.
One way Northern European Cruise
another example of a northern European cruise
There are many options for European Cruises, let alone a Northern European Cruise. So, when it comes to booking my first European Cruise, it will be hard to decide! When writing this, I am leaning toward a British Isle or Norway/Iceland itinerary.
Alaskan Cruise
Alaskan cruises are a great way to experience the Gulf of Alaska with unique natural scenery such as glaciers, mountains, forests, waterfalls, and possibilities to see wildlife such as whales and bears while visiting coastal towns to explore Native Alaskan culture from the convenience of a cruise ship.
On an Alaskan cruise, you can choose from various activities, such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, train rides, and cultural tours.
Alaskan cruises often depart from Seattle or Vancouver. Various itineraries around the Gulf of Alaska and below are standard Alaskan Cruise ports, and in bold are the most common.
Juneau
Whittier
Ketchikan
Skagway
Sitka
Seward
Haines
Vancouver, BC
Valdez
Petersburg
Victoria, BC
Alaskan Cruises are different than tropical cruises because itineraries include a scenic cruise to popular glacier areas, such as
Glacier Bay
Hubbard Glacier
Tracy Arm
Most often, Alaskan cruises one-way sailings, starting in one place such as Seward or Whittier to Vancouver or Seattle - and vice versa. Some round-trip itineraries may depart from San Francisco
Common Itinerary out of San Francisco
A common 10-night round trip Alaska Inside Passage Sailing. Has more sea days than sailings out of Vancouver or Seattle.
Princess Cruise Line Alaska
A typical 7-night one-way Alaska sailing from Vancouver to Whittier (Anchorage.)
Inside passage cruise Itineraries
A common itinerary is an Inside Passage sailing from Seattle or Vancouver, BC, visiting ports such as Ketchikan, Petersburg, Juneau, and Haines. This image shows the most common routes taken by cruiselines
I have been to Alaska but visited Anchorage for a friend’s wedding. While I was there, I did some hiking. However, I would love to see more of Alaska; a cruise seems the best way to do it!
Greek Isle Cruise
I have been to Santorini, Greece, for a yoga retreat, which was so much fun. However, I would love to return to Greece. I have been to Santorini and many other islands, so going on a Greek Isles cruise would be a great way to determine where I would like to return.
On a Greek Isles cruise, you can visit iconic landmarks such as temples, amphitheaters, and villages. Many activities include viewing ancient ruins and archaeological sites, charming beaches, and coastal towns while experiencing local cuisine and culture.
Some common Greek ports include the following:
Cephalonia
Crete
Corfu
Mykonos
Rhodes
Santorini
Athens
Patmos
an example of a Greek Isle Cruise
Greek Islands are a lot closer together than ports for an Alaska or European cruise, so itineraries may be shorter, making land and sea trips possible for a 7-10 day trip.
Italy and Greek Cruise Itinerary
For a longer cruise, some cruise lines may include ports along the Mediterranean
Asian Cruise
Asia has so much history and culture, so it’s no surprise that an Asian cruise itinerary made my bucket list cruise destinations. There are so many iconic destinations that are easily accessible through a cruise while exploring unique historical sites such as the Great Wall of China, dining on local cuisine, and immersing yourself in local culture.
Some common Asia cruise ports include:
Singapore
Hong Kong
Bangkok
Tokyo
Shanghai
Busan
Osaka
Ho Chi Minh City
Chan May
Halong Bay
Inchon, South Korea
Manila, Phillippines
Bali, Indonesia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
an example of an Asia cruise itinerary
This one goes to so many ports.
Japan only itinerary
Disney Adventure
My list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Adventure, which sails out of Singapore. This unique ship has a sea-day-only itinerary, making it a destination. A land and sea trip is possible within a 7-—to 10-night trip.
Travel is one of my favorite things, and I haven’t had many opportunities to travel. I have decided to make that a priority in the upcoming years.
There are so many incredible places that I would love to go, but the decision fatigue is real. I want to go to all the places, so cruising makes it easier to decide where to travel.
I can pick an already-decided cruise itinerary, visit some beautiful places on one trip, and potentially decide where I want to return.
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