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Seven Seas Splendor

Debuted in September 2021, the 746-passenger, 548-crew member Seven Seas Splendor is the newest ship within the Regent fleet. Seven Seas Splendor – along with most of the line's other ships – takes opulence to the next level by equipping each suite with its own private balcony. Other standard in-room amenities include interactive flat-screen TVs, luxurious bath products, bathrobes and slippers, signature queen-size beds and dining tables for two. There are 10 suite categories available, ranging from the smallest Veranda (307 square feet) and Deluxe Veranda suites (308 to 361 square feet) to the largest Regent (4,443 square feet) and Master suites (1,895 to 2,108 square feet). 

Guests have a wide array of things to do while on board. Spend your days relaxing at the spa, playing paddle tennis or bocce ball, working up a sweat on the jogging track or taking a dip in the ship's two whirlpools and two pools, one of which is an infinity-edge pool that stretches along the edge of the ship, providing swimmers with exceptional views of the ocean. At night, enjoy one of five shows at the onboard theater. 

When it comes to food, Seven Seas Splendor offers eight eateries ranging from casual to fine dining. Enjoy your breakfast alfresco at La Veranda and grub down for lunch at the Pool Grill buffet. For something more formal, opt for a French-inspired meal at Chartreuse, Pan-Asian dishes at Pacific Rim or Compass Rose, the largest restaurant on the ship.

Seven Seas Splendor visits a variety of European and Mediterranean destinations, as well as ports across Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and South America.

Celebrity Apex

The Celebrity Apex – which made its inaugural sailing in June 2021 – can hold up to 2,910 passengers and 1,320 crew members. Guests can wine and dine at 29 restaurants, bars and lounges, then spend the night testing their luck at the casino or enjoying live music at the Magic Carpet (which offers great ocean views). Specialty restaurants include a steakhouse and a raw bar, while main dining options feature Mediterranean, Italian and French cuisines. There are also meeting spaces and multipurpose areas on board, as well as upscale shops. 

Visit the spa or adults-only Solarium pool to stay relaxed throughout your stay at sea. For younger travelers, there are some kid-friendly areas of the ship – such as a Camp at Sea. However, the ship is geared more toward adult clientele (or families with older children) looking for a relaxing escape.

The ship's staterooms, which start at 181 square feet, offer smart TVs, customizable air conditioning and plenty of storage space. Many rooms also offer private verandas. If you're willing to splurge, consider booking a room in The Retreat. This exclusive section of the ship features luxury accommodations as well as access to a private restaurant, sun deck and lounge. Plus, rooms in The Retreat offer more space, measuring up to 1,892 square feet.

The Celebrity Apex sails to European destinations like Greece, Italy, Croatia and Portugal, as well as to Caribbean hot spots like St. Thomas , Puerto Rico , Belize and Grand Cayman . 

Debuted in May 2023, Oceania Cruises' first new ship in more than a decade can hold up to 1,200 passengers and 800 crew members. Vista is the inaugural ship in Oceania's Allura Class, featuring top-of-the-line amenities like a culinary center, an artist loft and an extensive library, along with facilities like a pool, a casino, a spa and a fitness center. Additionally, Vista offers enrichment opportunities like destination-focused seminars led by guest speakers and dynamic musical performances.

One of the highlights of Oceania Vista is its wide array of dining venues, from specialty restaurants like Ember (American fare) and Toscana (Italian cuisine) to the poolside Waves Grill and daily afternoon tea service. In the evening, guests can grab a drink at their choice of several bars and lounges; Vista's immersive mixology program utilizes innovative techniques and trends to create an elevated cocktail experience.

Vista's well-appointed staterooms – which range from 240 to 2,400 square feet – boast balconies, queen-size beds, rainforest showers, flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service, among other amenities. If you splurge for a suite, you'll enjoy added benefits like iPads, cashmere blankets, complimentary laundry and shoeshine services, access to the Executive Lounge and butler service.

Oceania Vista explores an array of popular destinations in the U.S., the Caribbean, Mexico, the Mediterranean and more.

U.S. News Insider Tip:  The design of the Vista creates more expansive and contemporary public areas than other ships in Oceania's fleet, so even when the ship is at full capacity, it never feels crowded. Also, since it is an all-veranda ship, all guests have the same great ocean view. – Julie L. Kessler, Contributor

Disney Fantasy

Disney Fantasy launched in 2012 and underwent a dry dock in 2017. The ship features activities such as Pixar Day at Sea, Disney's Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular and the 765-foot AquaDuck water ride.

Staterooms are designed with families in mind. Inside cabins can accommodate up to four guests, and over 85% of the ship's cabins have an ocean view or a veranda. All cabins are outfitted with flat-screen TVs, minifridges and iPod docking stations.

Onboard entertainment is just as family-oriented, with Goofy’s Sports Deck activity center, a virtual sports simulator (for an extra fee), nightly live performances and 3D movies. While younger guests play in age-appropriate youth clubs, adults can relax at the Quiet Cove Pool or enjoy an evening at an adults-only bar or lounge.

When it comes to dining, the ship offers 10 themed dining venues, including two adults-only specialty venues, three main dining rooms and an ice cream shop: Sweet on You.

Fantasy sails from  Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida , to the Bahamas , Bermuda and a variety of ports in the Caribbean.

U.S. News Insider Tip : Between Palo and Remy is a secluded adults-only bar called Meridian. The bar is known for its martini program, where the bartenders will ask you a few questions and then whip up something off-menu for you to enjoy inside or outside on the exclusive patio. (Meridian can also be found on the Disney Dream ). – Megan duBois, Contributor

Disney Dream

Last renovated in 2015 (after being introduced in 2011), the 4,000-passenger Disney Dream is one of Disney's largest ships. Highlights include the 765-foot AquaDuck water coaster, a virtual sports simulator (for an extra fee) and theatrical performances that bring Disney animated favorites – like "Beauty and the Beast" – to life.

While the ship emphasizes family-focused entertainment with five specialized kids clubs, parents can enjoy the adults-only Quiet Cove pool and the Senses Spa & Salon. At night, a section of the ship called The District transforms into an adult oasis with host of bars and lounges. In terms of dining, the ship offers nine themed venues including two specialty adults-only restaurants.

Staterooms also cater to cruising clans, offering perks like sofa beds. Over 85 percent of cabins have ocean views or verandas. Those looking for extra space can opt for Concierge Suites, which range from 622 to 1,781 square feet.

While some recent cruisers commented that the ship is more expensive than other mainstream competitors, most said it was well worth the price due to the personalized attention they received from the staff.

Disney Dream departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida ;  New York ; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Southampton, England; and more for sailings in the Bahamas , Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Europe. The cruise line also offers some transatlantic voyages.

U.S. News Insider Tip : Don't skip dinner at Animator's Palate and its Undersea Magic dinner show. During the meal, you'll be immersed in the world of Finding Nemo, as Crush the turtle from the movie swims by virtually to chat with families between courses. (This dinner show is also available on the Disney Fantasy ). – Megan duBois, Contributor

Sky Princess

Debuted in October 2019, Sky Princess can accommodate 3,660 passengers and 1,346 crew members. With so much space, you'll find plenty of things to do on board. Spend your days playing ball at the sports court or swimming in one of three pools, or shop until you drop at the onboard boutiques. Nightfall brings deck parties, movie screenings under the stars and live performances at the theater by musicians, comedians and magicians. Kids won't be bored, either, as there are clubs designed specifically for three different age groups.

Sky Princess features traditional Interior, Oceanview and Balcony staterooms, as well as a number of Suite-category cabins – some of which are equipped with the largest balconies at sea. Every room comes fitted with a queen-sized bed or two twin beds, a refrigerator, a flat-screen TV and complimentary 24-hour room service.  The biggest accommodation on board are the Sky Suites. They are approximately 1,873 square feet and provide guests with 270-degree panorama views while cruising. The suite also comes with additional amenities such as complimentary balcony breakfast and dinner, luxury balcony furniture and a deluxe telescope for stargazing at night. 

When it's time to chow down, cruisers will have their choice of nine inclusive dining venues and five specialty options. In the main dining room, passengers can choose between a set dinner time every evening or the line's Anytime Dining option, which will allow them to dine whenever – and with whomever – they want. You'll also find a complimentary buffet, a pizzeria, a seafood bar, a gelateria and afternoon tea. For a specialty dining experience, consider the intimate Chef's Table Lumiere or Bistro Sur La Mer by Emmanuel Renaut, a three-starred Michelin chef.

Sky Princess sails throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and the Mediterranean. The ship also completes some transatlantic sailings.

Seven Seas Navigator

Carrying only 496 passengers, Seven Seas Navigator offers guests an intimate setting, with all-suite accommodations outfitted with marble bathrooms, private balconies and free Wi-Fi throughout the voyage.

Thanks to a major refurbishment in 2019 (the ship originally launched in 1999), the ship features updated staterooms and refreshed public spaces and restaurants. Passengers can choose from six dining venues, including a specialty steakhouse and the causal Pool Grill.

During days at sea, guests can unwind at the expansive pool deck, play card games or mingle with fellow shipmates at the Pool Bar. In the evenings, cruisers can sip cocktails at one of three onboard lounges or take in a live show.

Like other ships in the fleet, Seven Seas Navigator prides itself on providing a high-caliber service and maintains a nearly 1-to-1 passenger-to-crew ratio, with 365 crew members. Guests praise the "Regent Experience," which includes specialty dining and shore excursions in the cruise fare.

Seven Seas Navigator offers a variety of sailings throughout Miami , the Caribbean, South America, Australia, Europe and more.

Seven Seas Mariner

Similar to its sister ships,  Seven Seas Navigator  and  Seven Seas Voyager , the 696-passenger Seven Seas Mariner makes service a top priority with 459 crew members on board.

Refurbished in 2018 (and debuted in 2001), the Mariner features neutral decor and finishings throughout, a remodeled library in a new location and a revamped pool deck with an open layout and new tile and teak surfaces. The Serene Spa & Wellness center received a new design with light wood accents and pebble-stone tiles, while the fitness and aerobics center offers modern equipment. Onboard activities include theatrical productions, casino games and sipping cocktails in one of five lounge areas.

Across the ship, there are seven eateries in total. All are stylishly designed, including the Prime 7 steakhouse and the flagship Compass Rose restaurant. Chartreuse, a guest favorite, highlights modern French cuisine. During the day, guests can enjoy the expanded lunch offerings at the outdoor Pool Grill or snack at the informal Coffee Connection. As with all Regent Seven Seas ships, specialty dining and shore excursions are included in the cruise fare.

Best of all, the all-suite accommodations offer beds with plush leather headboards, cozy sitting areas and artwork. All cabins are outfitted with welcome bottles of Champagne, private balconies, walk-in closets and marble bathrooms.

Seven Seas Mariner sails through much of the world, including ports in the Caribbean, Canada, Africa, Asia, Australia and more.

Oceania's Marina accommodates up to 1,250 passengers and employs 800 crew members, maintaining the personalized service that the line is known for.  Marina offers signature amenities like the Aquamar Spa, a casino and a 2,000-book library. Onboard entertainment includes nightly live shows, painting and sketching lessons at the Artist Loft and cooking demos at The Culinary Center. While Marina went through a refurbishment in 2016, the ship will have an updated renovation in late 2023.  

Cruisers can choose from seven dining venues, including specialty restaurants like Jacques (with menus crafted by chef Jacques Pépin) and the Asian-inspired eatery Red Ginger, which recent passengers highly recommend.

Similar to its sister ship,  Riviera , cabins range from 174-square-foot Inside staterooms to 2,000-square-foot Suites. Higher category Veranda cabins and Suites come with perks like balconies, access to a Concierge Lounge, in-room iPads and more. All staterooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, full-size bathtubs, and minibars stocked with soda and bottled water.

Oceania Marina sails to destinations in Europe, South America and more.

Silver Dawn

One of the newest ships within the Silversea Cruises fleet, Silver Dawn debuted in April 2022. Similar in size to its sister ships, Silver Muse and Silver Moon , Silver Dawn can accommodate 596 guests and has the capacity for up to 411 crew members.

Dawn is the first ship within the fleet to offer Otium, a new wellness concept that will eventually be implemented across all of Silversea's ships. The program aims to incorporate luxurious elements of the spa experience throughout the entire voyage, starting with guests' suites. Each cabin features the line's new Otium Soft Touch mattress, a redesigned pillow menu, pillow mists, and special touches like cozy blankets, in-room bath salts or hot chocolate. Suites range in size from 334 square feet to 1,970 square feet and feature ocean views, butler service and full baths with separate showers, among other amenities.

Outside of the accommodations, cruisers will find eight restaurants, including La Terrazza, an Italian eatery, Kaiseki, a Japanese outpost, and S.A.L.T. Kitchen, which features a menu that highlights the local cuisine of the ship's destination. Other onboard facilities include a casino, a pool deck, a boutique, a live entertainment lounge, a fitness center and the S.A.L.T. Lab, where passengers can enjoy workshops, lectures and cooking demonstrations.

Silver Dawn departs from ports like Fort Lauderdale, Florida , and Lisbon, Portugal , to destinations like Barcelona, Spain , and Lima, Peru . 

U.S. News Insider Tip : Consider booking a session with Silversea's newest spa concept, Otium, which debuted on Silver Dawn. Beyond the ancient Rome-inspired treatments available in Otium, the experience continues in-suite, with butler-drawn candlelit baths including a glass of Champagne and a house-made macaron waiting on a tub tray. Classical music plays soothingly in the background. – Janice Wald Henderson, Contributor

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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The best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler

Whether you're in it for the sightseeing, wildlife spotting or relaxing among glaciers, there's an Alaska cruise for you

Alaska is among the most popular summer vacation destinations since it’s (pretty much) the only time of year the state offers warm, sunny weather and hours of extra daylight (on my summer 2022 trip here, I remember looking at my iPhone and being surprised that the sun still hadn’t set by 9pm!). In my opinion, cruising is, by far, the best way to experience the massive state and all the beauty it has to offer since you won’t need to drive or hop on a handful of flights; plus, you’ll only need to unpack once! (The views, of course, are just the icing on the proverbial cake.)

As you scroll through our top picks for the best Alaska cruises, it’s worth noting that most options include scenic cruising through Alaska’s Inside Passage, a 500-mile-long coastal route world-renowned for its wildlife, glaciers and postcard-worthy scenery. (I’ll never forget the awe I felt when watching a whale breach from the 11th deck of my cruise ship or the glacier-studded views I ogled from the comfort of my private balcony.)

Below, I’ve broken down the best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler, including budget-conscious cruisers, adventure-seekers and luxury lovers alike.

RECOMMENDED: The best cruises from the U.S.

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Best Alaska cruises

1.  Holland America Line’s Alaskan Explorer

Best overall experience.

Cruises from: Seattle (roundtrip) Sailing dates: May through September 2024

I was fortunate enough to cruise Alaska with Holland America back in August 2022 aboard the line’s uber-popular, aptly named Alaskan Explorer itinerary. Cruising roundtrip from Seattle, the seven-day journey features scenic cruising through Stephens Passage before arriving in Juneau, where my sister and I embarked on my favorite shore excursion of the trip: A dog sledding adventure! The following day, we cruised through Glacier Bay before arriving at Icy Strait Point for a few hours, which we spent whale-watching—to this day, it is one of my most cherished travel memories. Afterward, we headed to Sitka, where we went rafting and spotted wildlife like puffins and adorable sea otters before wrapping up the adventure in the final two ports of call, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia.

The onboard offerings were equally impressive, with nightly live music and some of the best fish and chips I’ve ever eaten (Holland America is the first cruise line to serve 100 percent fresh and certified sustainable Alaska seafood on board). Just this year, the line unveiled its Glacier Guarantee : Guests are guaranteed to visit a glacier during their sailing; otherwise, they’re entitled to a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15 percent of their cruise fare.

2.  Celebrity Cruises’ Alaska Dawes Glacier

Best upscale option.

Cruises from: Seattle (roundtrip)

Sailing dates: May through August 2024

Celebrity Cruises offers an upscale onboard experience with plenty of chic hangout spaces, stylish restaurants and contemporary staterooms. For the first time, the spectacular 2019-era Celebrity Edge—known for its 29 restaurants bars and lounges plus innovative spaces like the Magic Carpet , which the line has deemed “the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform that reaches heights of 13 stories above sea level”—will homeport in Seattle. She’ll cruise to Alaska via the seven-night Alaska Dawes Glacier itinerary, including scenic sailing through Endicott Arms and the Inside Passage. As you can likely tell by its name, guests aboard this itinerary will cruise alongside the striking Dawes Glacier, which stands over 600 feet tall and can be further inspected via a thrilling shore excursion. Ports of call include Juneau, Skagway and Victoria (British Columbia).

3.  Crystal’s Vancouver to Vancouver

Best luxury cruise.

Cruises from: Vancouver (roundtrip) Sailing dates: July 2024

For a truly memorable Alaska sailing, splurge on Crystal’s seven-night Vancouver to Vancouver itinerary—and thank me later. As you can guess by its name, the 740-passenger Crystal Serenity will sail roundtrip from Vancouver, cruising through Canada’s glacier-studded Seymour Narrows before calling on Sitka and Skagway, respectively. Afterward, you’ll enjoy scenic cruising through the Endicott Arm fjord before one last port stop in Ketchikan. While in port, cruisers can embark on bucket-list-worthy excursions such as wildlife spotting tours, kayaking adventures and fishing. The on-board programming is equally impressive: All passengers, regardless of their room category, enjoy private butler service; Wi-Fi; a selection of wines, champagne, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages like water, soft drinks and specialty coffees; free gratuities; and one complimentary reservation to each of the two specialty dining restaurants, including the first and only Nobu at sea (yes, that Nobu).

4.  Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic’s Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness

Best for wildlife spotting.

Cruises from: Juneau to Sitka and vice-versa Sailing dates: May through September 2024

Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic have teamed up to offer a handful of one-of-a-kind Alaska sailings specially suited for true adventure-seekers. The Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness itinerary, which sails from Juneau to Sitka and vice-versa (depending on your desired sail date), invites cruisers to experience Alaska’s natural landscapes and wildlife up close and personal with guidance and unique insight from an onboard expedition team . Along the way, partake in adventures like hiking through forests, cruising around icebergs via Zodiac, or searching for puffins and mountain goats in Glacier Bay National Park. Little ones can also partake in the fun: Children and teens can learn more about Alaska’s landscapes and wildlife with the National Geographic Global Explorers family program. Cruisers will sail on one of two 100-person vessels, National Geographic Quest or National Geographic Venture, both offer a shallow draft that, per the website, allows the ships’ captains to “navigate the inner reaches and provide more intimate experiences.”

5.  Alaskan Dream Cruises’ 2024 Ice of the Inside Passage

Best small-ship option.

Cruises from: Sitka to Ketchikan

Sailing dates: May through August 2024 This brand-new itinerary from Indigenous-owned Alaskan Dreams Cruises is ideal for cruisers craving an authentic small-ship experience. The eight-day voyage departs from Sitka aboard the 49-passenger Baranof Dream. From there, you'll enjoy scenic cruising through Glacier Bay National Park. It’s also worth noting that, because of the ship’s small size, guests can gain an up-close view of seven different glaciers, including Margerie, Grand Pacific, Mendenhall, Sawyer, South Sawyer and Dawes glaciers, plus a high-speed jet-boat excursion to LeConte Glacier.

After cruising Glacier Bay National Park, it’s off to Juneau, followed by more scenic sailing through the Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm fjords (the latter can be explored via kayak or skiff expedition). This itinerary is also unique since it includes a Kasaan stop where guests can immerse themselves in Alaska's native culture by visiting the Haida community. The final port of call, Ketchikan, is known as “The Salmon Capital of the World.”

6.  Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Flavors of Alaska

Cruises from: Vancouver to Seward

Sailing dates: June 2024

Cruise the Last Frontier in style with Regent Seven Seas aboard the Seven Seas Explorer, which offers all-suite accommodations equipped with private balconies for soaking in the glacial views. While there are several Alaska itineraries to choose from, Flavors of Alaska , which sails from Vancouver to Seward, is among our favorites since it includes (pretty much) all of Alaska’s most popular ports of call, including Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Icy Strait Point, with Hubbard Glacier scenic cruising. As such, it’s an excellent choice for first-time visitors to Alaska. It’s also worth noting that this particular voyage offers up to 50 free excursions, including rainforest and glacier hikes, whale-watching adventures, kayaking and fishing. While this luxury cruise line isn’t cheap, it offers excellent value with numerous amenities already included in the price, such as specialty dining, transfers between the airport and ship, an open bar package, roundtrip air on domestic flights, gratuities and two-for-one fares.

7.  Norwegian Cruise Line’s Alaska: Dawes Glacier, Juneau & Ketchikan

Best for families.

Cruises from: Seattle (roundtrip) Sailing dates:  May through September 2024

Norwegian Cruise Line is renowned for its casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere—for example, there are no set dining times—and breadth of activities and amenities. As such, it’s safe to say this mega-ship line is ideal for families of all ages. This summer, gather the family for an epic Alaska sailing aboard the aptly named Norwegian Bliss, which offers thrilling activities like go-kart racing and laser tag. The itinerary is equally impressive as the vessel itself: After setting sail from Seattle, it’s off to scenic Sitka. The following day, you’ll explore Juneau before scenic cruising through Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. Passengers will then visit Icy Strait Point (home to the state’s largest native Tlingit village, as well as awe-inspiring wildlife, including orcas and humpback whales, which, if you’re lucky, can be spotted straight from the ship). The final Alaskan port of call, Ketchikan, is renowned for its colorful Creek Street, a former red light district turned tourist attraction, where you can also spot salmon swimming upstream (and even the occasional otter or two). Before heading back to Seattle, you’ll visit Victoria, British Columbia, which just so happens to be one of my favorite ports of call thanks to its charming shops and restaurants coupled with its bustling food scene (fun fact: It’s home to the highest number of restaurants per capita in Canada).

8.  Viking Cruises’ Alaska & The Inside Passage

Best adults-only.

Sailing dates: May through September 2024

Viking is renowned for its adults-only, all-inclusive cruises (think free spa access; Wi-Fi; one shore excursion per port; wine and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner; all-balcony accommodations). Cruisers aboard the line’s 11-day Alaska & The Inside Passage itinerary—where nobody is below the age of 18—enjoy visits to popular ports of call like Juneau, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Skagway and Ketchikan, along with a stop in Valdez, a small fishing town known for its glaciers, waterfalls and scenic hiking trails, before disembarking in Seward, aka the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. The line is also known for its immersive shore excursions, including a visit to Saxman Native Village and animal encounters at the Alaska Sealife Center.

9.  Royal Caribbean’s Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier

Best budget option.

Cruises from: Seward to Vancouver

Royal Caribbean is known for its laid-back ambiance and bucket-list sailings aboard its mega-ship fleet, which offer something for everyone, be it water slides, skydiving simulators or escape rooms. With fares ranging from $299 to $625 depending on the date, the seven-night Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier aboard Radiance of the Seas—which offers completely complimentary activities like a rock climbing wall and Broadway-caliber entertainment, not to mention 11 dining options and several bars and lounges—is a great way to experience The Last Frontier without breaking the bank. After embarking in Seward, passengers will enjoy scenic cruising around Hubbard Glacier, followed by port stops in Juneau, Skagway, Haines (famous for its majestic wildlife, including bears and eagles), Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan. Before disembarking in Vancouver, travelers are in for one final treat: Scenic cruising through the Inside Passage.

10.  Princess Cruises’ Seven-Day Inside Passage (with Glacier Bay National Park)

Best for foodies.

Culinary connoisseurs can sail to Alaska aboard Discovery Princess, which is among the newest Princess ships to cruise Alaska this season, and the Seven-Day Inside Passage (with Glacier Bay National Park) is one for the books since it calls on Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria (British Columbia), along with scenic cruising through Glacier Bay National Park. Also, as part of the line’s “North to Alaska” programming, passengers can partake in unique culinary experiences, including Cook My Catch at the new specialty seafood restaurant, The Cach by Rudi. This unique offering allows cruisers to consume their very own fresh catch caught on a fishing excursion. Foodies can also partake in an onboard salmon cooking demonstration led by expert chefs, along with a four-course seafood feast at the Crab Shack, a lunch pop-up found in the World Fresh Marketplace.

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Where you can cruise to from Southampton

By Oliver Morley-Norris | 1 Mar 2011

From Southampton you can cruise to a multitude of destinations

Southampton to Alaska

For the first time in 40 years P&O Cruises is offering a round-trip voyage from Southampton to Alaska, on its adults-only ship Arcadia. The complete voyage will take 72 days – although of course you can opt to do just a part of the trip.

Arcadia will cross the Atlantic via Madeira, spend a few days in the Caribbean before traversing the Panama Canal to the Pacific, then make its way up the west coast of America, arriving in Alaska in mid-May and spending nine days there, before retracing its route.

Details: From £7,099 pp for 72 days including full-board accommodation and £250 onboard spending money. Departs 12 April. Tel: 0845 678 001 ; pocruises.com.

Southampton to Scandinavia and Russia

Celebrity Cruises’ 14-night Scandinavia and Russia Cruise on board Celebrity Eclipse also departs from Southampton, calling at Bruges and Berlin before moving on to St Petersburg, Tallinn and the Scandinavian capitals.

The itinerary promises some exciting and unusual excursions, including an Archipelago Speed Boat Adventure in Helsinki and a Historic Rooftop Tour (buckled into a safety harness!) in Stockholm.

Details: From £1,799 pp for 14 nights including full-board accommodation, onboard entertainment and cruise taxes/ fees. Departs 21 May and 18 June. Tel: 0845 456 0523 ; celebritycruises.co.uk.

Southampton to Spain (Via France)

If fine food and architecture make you happy, then MSC Cruises’ first foray to Northern Spain from Britain is the cruise for you. The classy Italian cruise line (Sophia Loren is godmother to eight of the ships) has an eight-night cruise to Bilbao, where you can visit the Guggenheim Museum and La Coruna.

This part of Northern Spain is famous for its Michelin-starred restaurants and tiny tapas bars. The Opera is one of the line’s mid-sized vessels, holding 2,055 passengers.

Details: From £709 pp for 8 nights including free parking in Southampton Departs July, August & September Tel: 0844 561 1955 ; msccruises.co.uk

Southampton and around the British Isles

Dressing up The Queen Elizabeth is a throwback to the glory days of cruising — all art deco lines, sumptuous dining and designated restaurants and decks depending on which grade of cabin you’re in.

Launched by the Queen, its maiden voyage around Britain takes place in September, calling in at a number of UK ports including what is historically Cunard’s home city of Liverpool. There are plans to commemorate the visit with a concert in Liverpool Cathedral that will feature the and of the Welsh Guards, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Lesley Garrett.

Details: From £1,549pp for the Round Britain Cruise on Queen Elizabeth Departs September 2 Tel: 0845 678 0013 , cunard.co.uk.

Southampton to Copenhagen

Best for: Well-heeled couples Many cruise l ines go to the Baltic (in fact it’s one of the biggest cruise destinations in the world), but few do it in such style as Seabourn.

The ultra-luxury cruise line departs Southampton on its newest vessel, the 450-passenger Sojourn, on May 15, for a 19-day Grand V oyage to the Baltic and Norwegian Fjords. It stops at unusual ports such as Warnemunde in Germany, St Petersburg and Tallin. It gets up close and personal among the Norwegian fjords — something larger vessels just cannot do. This includes stops in Flaam, Aalesund, Olden, Bergen, Stavanger and Oslo.

Details: From £6,499pp for 19 days Departs May 15 Tel: 0845 070 0500 , seabourn.com .

Southampton to the Canary Islands

Best for: Gardeners and sun seekers. Join Chris Beardshaw of BBC Gardeners’ World on a 14-night Saga cruise to the Canary Islands. Chris will be on hand to answer questions about the endemic flora of both the Canaries, Madeira and Morocco.

The recently-refurbished Saga Pearl 2 (which now has more of a contemporary feel to it) will be island-hopping between the lush volcanic islands of La Palma, Tenerife, La Gomera and Gran Canaria.

Details: From £1,569pp for 14 nights Departs November 23 Tel: 0800 50 50 30 , saga.co.uk/cruises.

Southampton to Continental Europe

Best for: Wine lovers. This Princess Cruises trip visits many of Europe’s great wine regions and passengers are actively encouraged to create their own wine-tasting cruise.

Many of the shore excursions feature vineyard tours and wine tasting, and the ship’s cellar has a wide range of wines local to the regions – which you can match up as you sail round. Passengers can also taste some of the more exclusive wines at two special events on board., Grapevines and The Maitre d’ Wine Club.

Details: From £1,399pp for 14 nights Departs July 23, August 20, September 3 Tel: 0845 3555 800, princess.com

More Southampton

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Celebrity Apex: First look on board as she debuts in Southampton

City guide to Southampton 

Jason Manford, Beverley Knight and Paul McKenna to star on British Isles cruise

Celebrity Cruises to homeport Apex in UK

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Home » Alaska Cruises from Southampton

Alaska Cruises from Southampton

The Best Time To Go On An Alaskan Cruise, Depending On What You Want Most From The Trip

Wondering when to book your Alaskan cruise? A trip to the northernmost state is delightful at any time of year, but deciding on what you most want out of the vacation can help determine when the best time to book your sailing will be. To start, the seasonal nature of cruises will help you out: The bulk of cruises to Alaska operate from May to September from the West Coast ports of Seattle and Vancouver. So while there are fantastic Alaskan cruises to choose , maybe don't count on ringing in the New Year on one.  

As a travel writer, one of my most treasured trips is the Inner Passage cruise to Alaska I took with my kids on the Discovery Princess. Much of what we enjoyed onboard, including the ritzy dining experiences, getting bundled up to watch outdoor movies under a vast canopy of stars, and snapping roughly one billion pictures from our balcony, would be part of the experience no matter when we traveled. On the other hand, some of the most delightful aspects of the trip, like the temperate weather, the drama of calving glaciers and resulting baby icebergs, and the spawning salmon we watched launch themselves upstream, were down to the fact that we traveled as July turned to August.

Wildlife Spotting

One of the top draws of an Alaskan cruise is the opportunity for wildlife spotting, which hits its stride in the late spring and continues through the summer, before the animals tuck in to hibernate or head south for the winter. Bears, caribou, and eagles are just some of the animals that make their homes in the wildlands of Alaska, with seals, porpoises, and several species of whales splashing offshore. While orcas spend the year in Alaska, grey and humpback whales winter in warmer climates, returning north in the spring (late April/early May, according to the Travel Alaska site.) 

During our summer adventure, we spotted countless bald and golden eagles swooping through the sky and perched on tree branches and telephone poles. On a whale watching expedition, we were treated to views of the giant creatures breeching the surface and diving back into the depths while sea lions sunned themselves on the shore. Near the Mendenhall Glacier, we even spotted a bear. Wildlife safaris, nature walks, and whale-watching tours are often options for excursions. Make sure to book well in advance if creature-spotting is high on the list for your trip. 

Battling fewer crowds

Traveling when school is in session in the spring and fall is your best bet for avoiding crowds, particularly if you are sailing with a family-focused cruise line. Many people don't have a lot of flexibility on when they can travel, so if you do, take advantage! Cruise companies work hard to have ships sail at full capacity for every sailing, so the amount of people onboard might not be noticeably different no matter when you go. When you go ashore, however, the sparse shoulder season crowds will be a bonus. Fewer ships sail on fewer itineraries outside of peak season, so you won't have as many people to contend with. People dream of being alone in the wilds of Alaska . Part of the allure is the wide-open, untamed space ... seeing it without several hundred other people, give or take, seems like a good idea.

Of course, there are drawbacks to traveling to Alaska in the shoulder season. Tripadvisor user Maple_Marshmallows calls the end of April "the worst time to visit," citing spring break. It's also important to remember that some of the seasonal attractions and businesses might not be open if you travel too early or late during the cruise season.

Basking in warmer weather

Alaska is warmest in July. However, if you are booking your trip with visions of endless hours of sun-baked fun poolside, you may need to do some revision to your fantasy. Particularly along the popular Inside Passage cruise route, Alaska has a temperate climate that doesn't feel very different from the Pacific Northwest. In the region of Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and Ketchikan, July averages a high of 64 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of 48, with 17 rainy days, according to Alaska.org . August is similar, only a few degrees cooler.

If you are doing an inland excursion or tour into places like Denali National Park, Anchorage, Seward, or Fairbanks, know that things aren't radically different, though it is slightly warmer. This region, known as the Interior or Southcentral area, averages July temperature highs of 65 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of 51.

A wardrobe that would feel comfortable for Oregon weather won't be very out of place for a summer sailing in Alaska. That said, in the height of summer, you may get some unexpectedly warm days, so make sure you leave a bit of room in your suitcase for shorts and a tank top! 

Getting dazzled by the Northern Lights

The aurora borealis are more active and easier to spot during long winter nights. Travel Alaska pegs the season as August 21-April 21, so if you want a better chance to see the sweeping light show during the summer, booking your trip for as late in the sailing season as possible is your best bet.

The dancing greens and blues (and purple and red if you are really lucky) are caused by solar wind interacting with the Earth's magnetic field. Space.com explains: "As Earth's magnetic field redirects the particles toward the poles ... the dramatic process transforms into a cinematic atmospheric phenomenon that dazzles and fascinates scientists and skywatchers alike."

Alaska is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights . The bad news is that in the rainforest atmosphere of the Inside Passage, where most cruises go, it tends to be cloudy and rainy during the months when the aurora is most active. That doesn't mean they are impossible to spot, but if you have an itinerary that takes you farther north, or are part of a land tour that takes you farther inland, your chances of catching a glimpse of the dazzling phenomenon increase substantially.

Keeping more money in your wallet

A trip to Alaska isn't a cheap prospect. Most visitors to the state come for the experience rather than to save money on a bargain vacation. That said, you can save quite a bit by choosing your trip dates wisely. According to Cruise Critic , the lowest average prices are in September and October, followed by prices in May. It goes to reason that the end of season months are cheaper: The weather is starting to turn, kids are back in school, and demand is less. You might be surprised that April is more expensive than May, despite the fact May is arguably a better month to travel to Alaska. Cruise Critic gives the reason for this seemingly illogical quirk — not surprisingly, it's economics. April is a transitory month in the cruise industry, with ships repositioning from their winter ports in the south to their summer ports. Not as many cruise lines run Alaska cruises in April as they do in May, meaning there are fewer cabins available, which keeps prices higher than you might expect.

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What’s the Earliest You Should Schedule a Flight After a Cruise?

What time should you book your flight home after a cruise? Our rule of thumb is to schedule your flight home no earlier than five hours after your ship docks at its homeport . But there are cases where you can make a flight that departs much earlier.

Why so much time? Truth is, there’s a dramatic difference between the day you get on the ship and the day you get off.

On cruise day, everyone is excited to board. Lots of passengers arrive early, standing in line for the opportunity to board early and be among the first on the ship. Show up early and it might take some time to get aboard. But show up later in the day and the boarding process can take just minutes and you’ll hardly see another person in the terminal.

Debarkation day is completely different.

At that point, people can’t wait to get off the ship. They wake up early and stand in line for hours to get off the ship first and head back home. The result can be long lines and waits in some cases, meaning if you are in a rush to catch a flight, the stress can be high.

The Process of Getting Off a Cruise Ship 

In our experience, getting off the ship once a cruise has ended is much more time-consuming than boarding.

That’s because before the ship can let passengers off, it has to be cleared by authorities to start debarking. And even then, once you depart the ship you now have to go through customs and immigration to declare anything you bought while you were abroad and be checked back into the country. Combine this delay with thousands of people trying to leave at once and you’ve got a recipe for long waits.

The good news is that many ports are speeding up the debarkation process .

First, ships have “self-assist” debarkation. This allows passengers who can carry all their luggage with them to depart first. So if you have an early flight and can carry all your bags, then you can be among the first to get off the ship.

The major issue is that most people seem to opt for this method, instead of waiting to leave later in the morning and not carry their luggage. We’ve seen lines around the ship first thing in the morning that took 1.5 hours to get off the ship and out of the terminal.

Other passengers wait for their selected debarkation time (the ship will assign a time to all passengers the day before the ship arrives home). While this means you won’t get off the ship first, the process of actually leaving is usually faster since the lines are shorter by that time.

Second, most ports have switched to a facial recognition technology that dramatically speeds up getting through the terminal. It used to be you had to wait in line to meet with a border agent who would check your citizenship documents. 

These days, you can often just take a photo that documents you leaving the ship and then walk right off. Note that if you are traveling with a birth certificate instead of a passport, this option isn’t always available.

When to Schedule Your Flight Home

What this all means is that getting off the ship can sometimes take literally minutes. Other times, if can take hours. The good news is that debarking these days tends to be relatively quick.

In any case, given that it can take a considerable amount of time to get off the ship, what time should you book your departing flight?

We recommend scheduling a flight no earlier than five hours after your ship arrives back at home for most cruise ports . However, the absolute bare minimum should be no more than three hours before the ship returns (though we definitely suggest more time).

So if your ship is scheduled to get back home at 7:00 a.m., your flight shouldn’t leave any earlier than 12:00 p.m. to give you plenty of time. There will be times that this five hours gives you a ton of extra time at the airport. However, it’s important that you leave yourself a cushion should anything go wrong.

If your ship returns at 7:00 a.m., the absolute earliest we think you can make your flight is 10:00 a.m., but that will be tight. 

For some ports, we think you need to allow more time given the distance from the cruise port to the closest major airport.

Things That Could Delay You Getting To Your Flight

Unfortunately, getting off the ship isn’t just as simple of having it dock and then rolling your suitcase off. There are a number of factors that can delay things, which is why we recommend an ample cushion before your flight.

Weather Delays One of the biggest headaches for a cruise ship is fog. Early morning arrivals in humid port cities are a perfect recipe for delays due to fog. It’s not unheard of for a ship to have to wait off the coast for several hours while the fog lifts before making it to port — especially spots like Galveston, which is notorious for fog in the winter months.

Debarkation Delays We mentioned earlier how there can be huge lines to get off the ship first. With such a rush of people trying to debark at once, it can take up to two hours to make your way off the ship and collect your luggage. Thankfully, that’s a rare occurrence. 

If you don’t want to physically wait in line, you can debark later in the day. While that saves you the hassle of just standing around, it doesn’t get you off the ship any earlier.

Customs & Immigration Anything to declare? Even if you don’t, you’ll have to go through customs and immigration. This is another reason why it can take so long to get off the ship.

We’ve seen ports where it’s a breeze to go through, taking almost no time at all. In fact, you literally take a picture as you leave the ship and walk right out. We’ve also seen ports where it’s a major delay that forces you to stand in line for an eternity. Sometimes it seems there are too few agents working, leading to longer delays to get off the ship.

One tip: Many ports have now implemented facial recognition technology for passengers. You simply take a photo, and you are on your way within seconds. Meanwhile, we’ve noticed those with birth certificates sometimes (not always) still have to stand in line and meet with an officer, which takes much longer. Having your passport could save you considerable time .

Getting to the Airport Getting to the airport after your cruise can take 15 minutes or more than an hour. It really depends on the cruise port you are sailing from and traffic.

Cruise ports such as Port Canaveral and Galveston are far away (about an hour drive) from the closest airports. Others like Miami are right near the airport.

If you are flying out of a distant port, remember to add drive time to your schedule. You should also factor in time to get picked up if you are taking a shuttle or other transportation to the airport. This can add an extra 10-15 minutes to your trip.

Airport Security We don’t have to remind you of the potential for long security lines in airports these days. You’ll want to be sure to add in plenty of buffer time to your trip to account for potential delays getting through security and to your flight. This is where services like TSA Pre-Check can save you a lot of time .

You Might Have Plenty of Time at the Airport, But Why Stress?

Ultimately, we think the best thing you can do is pick a flight time that you are comfortable with making. You don’t want to be stressed as you try to make it to the airport. The five-hour cushion should be good if you plan to get off the ship right when it arrives.

If you’d like to plan to have lunch before your flight or take your time arriving at the airport, then plan a little more time.

Passengers sailing from ports with airports close by (meaning a short commute) could likely catch a flight that’s earlier, but keep in mind that adds more risk to catching your plane.

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11/10 NCL Ship docking at 0700 at New York Flying out of La Guardia. Cruised several times but usually stay night of disembarkation but unable to do so this time. Our very first cruise(at least 20 years ago) disembarkation was delayed almost 3 hours (don’t remember what port) We are trying to decide if a 1245 flight is possible if I purchase priority access or if we should just plan to carry our bags off ourselves.

12:45 should be doable in my opinion.

Great info! I’m wondering if there is any other reason to book a later flight – in terms of how you feel physically. I’ve never been on a cruise before but I imagine I might feel happy to be on land for a beat before flying. Does that make sense? I’m trying to determine if I should stay overnight in my disembarkation city or if that’s overkill 🙂

Definite overkill. Most cruises you don’t even feel the ocean. If you do feel it, then it’s only occasional.

I actually find I feel the motion of an airplane much more than a cruise ship afterward.

Thank you for the quick reply! I failed to mention I’m going on an Antarctic cruise lol! So there is a good chance of feeling it. But even so, the more I think about it, I’d prefer to just get home rather than wait around that long.

Thanks for the info, Tanner. We are arriving back in Orlando at 6am on the Wonder of the Seas and have an 11am flight scheduled out of MCO. Do you think this will be enough time? Thanks!

If you have TSA Pre-check, I’d think you’re alright. If not, do your best to be the first off, be first on the shuttle, and first off. I think you should be able to do it, but hopefully there are no delays. MCO is actually the airport that convinced me to get pre-check because the regular lines there always seemed long.

If everything goes smoothly, you’ll likely be off the ship and out of security by 8/8:30 a.m., and to the airport by 9:30/10, assuming no delays. That would be plenty of time to get through security and to the plane.

Perfect. Thank you for the quick reply and info!

The cruise ll end its journey on Saturday 6am at Miami and the flight back to Europe is at 11.35am. Do you think it is doable without stress? And what is the best way to go to Miami airport form Miami port?

Thanks in advance Keith

Flying international should be doable at that time, but obviously it will take a touch longer. You’ll likely be off the ship at 8-9 a.m. and then can catch a taxi or Uber/Lyft to the airport and be there by 9:30.

Our HAL cruise docks at 7:00 am in Fort Lauderdale on a Sunday. Do you think an 11:35 am flight from MIA doable?

I think that should be possible.

I think you have already covered this, but to be sure. We get in to Fort Lauderdale Port at 7am and we have a 10:50am flight. Do you think that gives us enough time? The next flight isn’t until 6:20pm and I don’t really want to wait around that long

If flying from Fort Lauderdale, that’s plenty of time. If flying from Miami, it’s tighter, but I think still doable.

Awesome, thank you. We have quite a few in our group and I planned the flight schedule, I don’t want to have a mob on my hands if I chose poorly 🙂

We are going on a closed loop cruise from FLL to the Bahamas. Will we go through customs upon arrival back in Fort Lauderdale?

Well, it’s customs but it’s not like you might find in an airport. Typically you just walk off the ship, take a photo at the kiosk and you are on your way.

Does this apply for Barcelona cruises, where all ports of calls (Spain, France & Italy) are Schengen countries and EU members as well?

Honestly, we’re not familiar with ports in that region. However, if anything getting to the airport should be easier there where public transportation is more widely available.

Getting a lot of information from your comments. Question: We are returning from an Alaskan Cruise into Seattle on July 22nd (6:00 AM) We are thinking of taking an 11:50 AM flight. Doable? Thanks for the info!

I think that should be plenty of time.

Our airline has changed our flights 3 times. We are currently booked for an 11:35 out of Miami on Saturday of Labor Day Weekend. Carnival has us arriving back at 8 am. We will be taking our luggage off ourselves. Is this doable?

I think so. I’d be sure to be up early on the morning of disembarkation and start making your way down. Still, should be enough time.

Thanks for the information. I read this yesterday and booked our flights for 6:15 pm on the day we disembark. (Which is at 7 am). The latest flights besides this was 10:50 am and it is Port Canaveral so I was worried we wouldn’t make our flight. Anyway, now I’ve realize that we have another problem. What are we going to do with all of our luggage for 8 plus hours? We could explore the area but with luggage for 8 people and Ubering, I can’t see how that will work. Any ideas? Thanks so much!!

You mighhhht be able to make a 10:50 a.m. flight, but that’s cutting it very close in my opinion. Do you have a plan for what you want to do on the day you get back? Many large attractions (theme parks, etc.) should have a spot where you can keep your bags.

So this will be an “odd” one – we plan on taking the TRAIN down from Richmond Virginia (or Newport News – haven’t 100% decided yet) to Miami, the departure from Miami will be 11:40am – we are sailing on Virgin their arrival is at 6:30. We are sailing as Mega Rockstars so transportation to/from train station isn’t an issue. Do you think the 11:40 departure is cutting it too close on our arrival back to port day? Also WHERE is the train station IRT the port? I’ve already looked into the hotel for the day before sailing, I’m just curious how far it will be from the hotel (near the port – NOT booked yet) we don’t sail until October this year (2023).

This is our FIRST time cruising – so yeah nerves gaLORE

Thank you for your help

Yep, never heard that one! Google shows the Miami Amtrak station about 10 miles northwest from the cruise port in Hialeah. As for the departure time, I think that would be no issue whatsoever since trains don’t have the same security process & long boarding as planes do. If you already have tickets, I assume it would be as long as you’re there at 11:39, you’re good to go, right?

Yeah, I think you are right – hubs and I did the train from Newport News to NYC (and back) and it was a “hurry and and wait” at the train station (unlike European trains that tend to run “on time”) – I’ll just ensure we are in once of the first groups to depart the ship when we pull in.

Thanks for the map help too.

Hi Tanner. Thanks for all of the great information. Our cruise iteniary states arriving in Miami at 6AM on a Sunday morning (Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas). We will be flying out of Fort Lauderdale. We will self disembark and also have “my key”, not sure if that allows us to get off faster or not.

Do you think a 10:30AM flight is doable? They have a 12PM, but it’s a lot more expensive for my family. I definitely don’t want to miss a flight.

10:30 a.m. from Fort Lauderdale would be doable IF everything goes right, but it’s cutting it extremely close in my opinion. Even with a 6 a.m. arrival, disembarkation beginning at 7:30 is more realistic (it takes time to clear the ship before people can get off). Say you get through quickly, that means you are out the terminal by 8 a.m. Then you’ll need a ride (45-60 minutes), plus adding in time to wait for the ride.

So I would think the earliest you could be at FLL would be 9 a.m. That’s plenty of time to catch the flight, but if there are delays anywhere in that process then it could cause trouble.

Honestly, I’d likely keep the 10:30 flight simply because you say there is a 12 p.m. flight after it that you could maybe be re-booked onto if you miss the earlier time. Most times things go off without a hitch. It’s when there’s an issue that having a little extra time is nice.

We come back to New Orleans on a Sunday and right now NCL has us on 6pm flight is it worth time to see if NCL would move us to a 3pm flight ?

Yes, unless you plan to go explore New Orleans. That’s a pretty late flight.

HI, WE WILL BE ARRIVING TO MIAMI PORT AT 6AM AND MY PLANE DEPARTURES TIME IS 10AM IN FORT LAUDERDALE. SHOULD I CHANGE MY FLIGHT?

Yes, I would suggest a flight time of 11 a.m. at the absolute earliest. Noon would be better.

If I am traveling from Port Canaveral, Fl to the Orlando airport, would it be too early to schedule a flight at 10:25? Carnival stated on the itinerary that we would be arriving at port at 8 AM.

Yes, I think that would be too early. Even if you got off the ship at 8:30, it’s about an hour to the airport and then you still have to get through security.

Hello: I plan on booking a flight out of Tampa that leaves at 10:20. The RCCL ship docks at 7:00. Do you think I can make it? This would happen in April.

Oh, that is borderline. I would lean yes, but it would be very tight.

We are cruising Royal Caribbean out of Fort Lauradel , we come back on 11/11 and says boat will arrrive at 6am to FLL, our flight leaves at 11:10 a.m. are we cutting ourselves too close to make our flight?

If sailing out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and flying out of Fort Lauderdale, that should be plenty of time.

We are cruising Carnival out of New Orleans, we come back on the 16 our flight leaves out of MSY at 11:45 a.m. are we cutting ourselves too close to make our flight?

That should be perfectly fine.

NCL has scheduled flight from seattle at 11:35 am (Aug 24) going to Toronto via Vancouver. Do you think this is feasible given today’s airport issues.

So you are flying from Seattle at 11:35 a.m. after a cruise? I think that should be fine. If you got off the ship at 9 a.m. and it took 45 minutes to get to the airport (usually shorter), then you’d still have more than 1.5 hours.

Our flight from Miami to Toronto, canada has been changed to 11:10am. Do I have enough time.

Should be plenty, although dealing with international travel can sometimes take a little longer. I think you should be fine, however

Our flight home from Seattle got pushed back an hour, from 2pm to 3pm PDT, so now with the time change coming home, we’ll be arriving at 10pm EDT. There is an earlier flight that leaves at noon PDT in Seattle. Is that cutting it too close?

You should be able to do noon. I think you’re good.

We are getting off our Alaskan cruise in Vancouver at 7:00AM . Our flight from Vancouver is at 4: 15 PM. That is a lot of time. Any suggestions what we can do?

Are you sure that you’re getting off at 7 AM or the ship returns then? Normally ships return around 7 AM and then it’s a couple of hours to get off the ship. With the port right downtown, you can explore that area if you like. Near the airport is River Rock Casino. Stanley Park is beautiful and right near the cruise ship.

Our MSC cruise arrives in Miami at 7:00am on a Saturday morning and we fly out of Ft. Lauderdale. The airline just changed my flights and we’re now scheduled to fly out at 12:50pm. Is that enough time, or should I try to reschedule our flights? Thanks for the help!

I think that should be fine. Definitely use the option to carry your bags off unassisted to be among the first off the ship.

What airport should we fly home from on Disney Cruise NY (Manhattan cruise terminal)? With a 7:30 arrival, what is the earliest flight?

The Newark and LaGuardia airports are both about half an hour away. JFK is about an hour. We’d suggest making your flight no earlier than noon.

Thanks, I also didn’t tell you it is also a Monday (probably more commuters too).

how do you get from southampton england to gatwick airport. we do not have time problems because we fly out the next day. we are staying at the gatwick hilton close to tbe south terminal.

Unfortunately, we are focused on North American ports. Not sure about sailing in Europe.

You can get the train from the airport,and it takes about 2 hours to S/hampton,then a cheap taxi/uber to your terminal..its A LOT cheaper to book in advance..www.thetrainline.com

We will only fly out the next day. Our ship was fogged in at Galveston and instead of arriving at the port at 8:00 a.m. we arrived at 4:00 p.m. Hence, we were unable to make our 5:00 p.m. flight. It cost us $370 a person to rebook our flight. Lesson learned.

I want to fly from Houston to Seattle for an Alaskan cruise. Should I book a hotel room so I won’t be stressed when returning?

Flying back from Seattle after your cruise? We think that any flight after noon on the day you get back home would be fine. We do suggest coming in a day early for departure.

Our cruise is schedule to port at 5am. I want to book a flight that departs at 2:50pm. I don’t want the stress, but I don’t want another hotel stay either. I know we want to get home. I’m nervous though.

What port are you sailing from and what airport? A flight at 3 p.m. should be plenty of time to make your plane.

We’ll be taking a Europe river cruise in May. At the end of the cruise we arrive in Mainz Germany by 8:30am and fly out of Frankfurt, about 15 minutes by train to reach the airport. What time should we book a flight out on the same day?

We’d suggest nothing earlier than noon.

I am in total agreement that flights should not be scheduled soon after cruises. In fact, I actually prefer scheduling the flight for the day after I debark from the cruise ship. This way I have some time to relax and don’t have to worry about the lines on the cruise ship. It also means that I don’t often have to worry about the ship being delayed. All of this translates to less stress and an easier time arranging transportation to the airport.

That what a friend and I are doing. We are flying into Miami so that we have one full day in miami beach to sitesee and stay until the next day after our cruise. Just less stress.

That’s a great idea. We’ve done the same — a day/night at South Beach and then head to the cruise port the next day. It’s a fun way to start the trip!

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ADVENTURE ON THE WILD SIDE

Alaska cruises.

Adventure comes first on the last frontier.

No holiday in the world delivers once-in-a-lifetime adventure like Alaska. Mark this as your year to cross this bucket-busting destination off your list once and for all. Take off by dog-sled across thousand-year-old ice as you soak in otherworldly sights. Trek across the majestic Mendenhall Glacier for breathtaking views of the wildest country. Get to know wildlife, big and small, that call this wilderness home, like otters, eagles, bears and whales. And do it all from onboard one of four thrill-filled ships. This is Last Frontier pioneering with the cruise line voted Best Overall by Travel Weekly readers for 20 years running.

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OF ICE AND MOUNTAINS

Adventuring in Alaska is all about getting to know this state's stunning landscape. It might seem cold and unforgiving at first glance, but the best Alaska cruises allow you to explore the quiet lakes,  imposing glaciers  and breathtaking mountain views, you'll have only warm impressions of this wilderness. 

JOURNEY INWARD

Exploring the interior of Alaska will give you an entirely different perspective on this vast and rugged state. Take an Inside Passage cruise and gaze upward at the sky that is as blue as the lakes below. Hop on the Alaskan Railroad near Anchorage and see the spruce-lined, mountainous landscape whir by from a new perspective.

GLACIERS WILL MOVE YOU

In Alaska, ancient rivers of ice wind between mountains and grind out of valleys. Towering walls of ice like the Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm Dawes and the twin Sawyer Glaciers thunder as they calve  massive icebergs . Some shore excursions allow up close interaction with these natural wonders.

JOURNEY TO 'THE GREAT ONE'

In the centre of the state,  Denali National Park  is blanketed in wildflowers punctuated with mountains, raging rivers and serene lakes. Denali, 'The Great One', formerly known as Mt McKinley, rises to the tallest peak in North America and can be seen from as far away as Anchorage on a clear day. An up-close view is more than worth the expedition during your holiday.

FEEL THE RUSH

Alaska is tailor-made for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether you sail its icy bays trying to spot huge cold-water whales or fly high above this rough-and-tumble landscape from the vantage of a helicopter, you're sure to come away with memories you couldn't have made anywhere else during your cruise to Alaska. 

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?

In some parts of the state, dog sledding is still the primary mode of transportation through the winter months. Visit Alaska and get the experience for yourself at the  Skagway Yukon Discovery and Dog Sled Tour . The Siberian Huskies are sweet and energetic, and the ride is a thrill.

WHERE ARE THE WHALES AT?

Head to Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward for a  whale-watching tour . There's nothing like seeing these behemoths hurl themselves out of the water, to splash back into the sea. Don't pass up an opportunity to watch these giants feed and play in the water.

Planes are plentiful in Alaska, where they're a common form of transportation across the state. Charter a helicopter or fixed-wing flightseeing tour at Juneau and get an unforgettable perspective of the mountains and glaciers of this vast landscape.

RELEASE YOUR WILD SIDE ON THE BEST ALASKA CRUISE

Embark on an unforgettable Alaska adventure cruise and experience the ultimate holiday. Immerse yourself in the thrilling destinations that Alaska has to offer, each brimming with its own unique style and vibe. Discover the wonders of Alaska with the Best Cruise Line for 20 years running.

QUANTUM OF THE SEAS

Quantum of the Seas® heads to the Last Frontier from Seattle . This adventure packed ship offers glacier gazing from the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship and activities you can enjoy in any weather. Edge of your seat entertainment, all weather activities like the fan-favorite Flowrider®* and unparalleled views from every room.

EXPLORE MORE

OVATION OF THE SEAS

Pioneer America’s Last Frontier onboard Ovation of the Seas®, one of the world's most groundbreaking ships and among the boldest ships to ever sail Alaska. Gaze at giant glaciers from the pool deck while you sail through Endicott Arm . Scan the surrounding waters on your way to Juneau for glimpses of wildlife from the North Star®, the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. 

BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS

Brilliance of the Seas® gets you up close to the glacial giants of The Last Frontier – from the expansive Hubbard to the calving Dawes. You can add once-in-a-lifetime to the itinerary for your wildest week ever. Go wildlife spotting in Juneau, peak-seeking in Sitka and take-on rugged adventure in Haines. Getting to your coolest getaway yet is easy for the whole family with sails roundtrip from Vancouver

RADIANCE OF THE SEAS

Sail into the Last Frontier from Seward or Vancouver onboard Radiance of the Seas®. With over three acres of windows and glass exterior viewing lifts, you can watch for whales along Alaska’s Inside Passage when you aren’t wandering wilderness paths from Ketchikan to Juneau. And for the ultimate outdoor adventure, take a CruiseTour into Alaska’s interior where you can hang with huskies in Denali, and scale glaciers in Alyeska.

Alaska is not a formal place; people even wear jeans to the opera. Focus more on comfort when deciding what clothing to pack.

Cameras, binoculars, rain ponchos and jackets are useful, but add these to the souvenirs you'll be picking up and soon your bag will be too heavy to tote around. Bring along a quality day pack to make it easier to hold your necessities.

Learn a few words in Alaska's local lingo: the 'Alcan' is the Alaska-Canada Highway, for example, and 'fish stories' are the local version of tall stories – unreliable tales of mythological proportions, often told by fisherman.

ALASKAN CUISINE WILD IS THE WAY 

Alaskan food focuses on locally sourced ingredients that reflect the state's rugged terrain and the vast oceans surrounding it. These nutrient-rich waters serve up some gorgeous fish and shellfish, from super-fresh salmon to huge Alaskan King Crabs that can feed a crowd, while game meats and berries from the wilderness form a perfect marriage of flavour.

SALMON IS CENTRAL

Freshly caught wild salmon is served up at backyard BBQs and the finest restaurants. For something different, try the sweet and savoury treat Indian Candy, salmon that is sweetened and smoked till hard.

SOURDOUGH WON'T LET YOU GO

Sourdough is such an important part of Alaskan culture that long-time Alaskans are actually called sourdoughs in local parlance. Try a sourdough bread bowl filled with salmon chowder for a hearty lunch.

GO WILD FOR BERRIES

Alaskan wild berries are sweet and pack a powerful punch of flavour. Whether served up in jams, sweets, pies or cobblers, Alaskan blueberries, high-bush cranberries and other local wild berries are a staple when it comes to Alaskan summer eats.

RELATED PORTS

Whether you're interested in hiking through a forest, trekking to glaciers or a shopping spree downtown, the towns along Alaska's inside passage provide a variety of adventurous activities. Alaska cruise ports such as Juneau and Ketchikan are small cities with their own personalities. Anchorage is the state's largest city and a gateway to the rest of the state. Denali National Park takes you out of the city altogether, into a wilderness full of spruce forests and snow-capped mountain peaks.

Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Juneau, Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska

Seward, Alaska

Sitka, Alaska

Skagway, Alaska

Alaska Inside Passage, Alaska

Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

Inside Passage, Canada

Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska

Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, Alaska

Glacier Bay (Cruising), Alaska

Haines, Alaska

Ketchikan (Ward Cove), Alaska

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Expert Tips for Pre-Cruise Bookings: Flights, Hotels, & More

By Sue Bryant

Last updated: May 31st, 2024

• Find a Cruise

Setting sail on a cruise is a real adventure, with an exciting new destination to discover every day and all the comforts of your ship to enjoy, from fine dining to glittering entertainment.

So make the most of your dream vacation with a little advance planning. If your flights, hotels, ground transportation, and activities on board are all in place, you’ll be able to enjoy smooth sailing all the way.

With everything in place before you depart, you’ll have the space to unwind completely, whether you want to soak up the sunshine by the pool, indulge yourself in the spa, or enjoy the spectacular range of dining options on your Celebrity ship. You may even choose to arrive a day in advance, or stay on after your voyage to immerse yourself deeper into the local culture. Follow these expert tips and you’ll soon be embarking on the vacation of a lifetime.

Book through Celebrity for peace of mind

There are several compelling reasons to choose Flights by Celebrity . You’ll enjoy 24/7 backup should anything go wrong. Our Flights by Celebrity℠ Specialists are constantly monitoring your flights and will jump in to help should you experience delays or cancellations.

What’s more, there are savings to be had. Our Lowest Airfare Guarantee* means you’ll get the best value in air travel. If you book with us and find a lower fare within 24 hours of booking, we’ll credit you 110% of the difference to spend onboard your cruise.

What’s more, you won’t have to pay for your flights until you pay the final balance for your cruise. And you can still collect airline miles and points.

Give Yourself Enough Time For Transportation Delays

Celebrity Apex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

If you’re booking your flights independently, factor in the time it will take you to get through the airport, onto transportation, and to the port to join your ship. You will have been given an embarkation time, so work back from that. Cutting it too close will only cause you stress, particularly if the flight is late.

The same applies if you’re driving to the port. You’ll be able to pre-book parking, of course, but factor in plenty of time for traffic delays.

Plan flights carefully for disembarkation day at the end of your cruise, too. Your ship will dock early as departure day, also called turnaround day, is busy for the crew.

Normally, disembarkation will start around 8 am. But remember you have to get off the ship, through the terminal to collect your luggage, to the airport, and then check in two hours before your flight. So it makes sense to book an early afternoon or evening flight.

Break up your journey

Sometimes, it can be fun to break up your journey if you’re traveling a very long distance. This means you arrive fresh to board your cruise—and you get an extra vacation in one.

For example, if you’re flying to Australia for a cruise, consider a stopover in either Dubai or Singapore. If you are joining your cruise in Tokyo and are flying from the East Coast, you could stop over in Doha, Qatar, or even Istanbul for a day or two.

Flights to Europe often go through the big gateway airports: Madrid for cruises from Barcelona , or London, Amsterdam, or Paris for onward flights to Athens. These, too, make a great city break before joining your onward flight for the coast.

Extend your stay

Colosseum in Rome, Italy

There are many reasons to arrive a day early for your cruise. You reduce the risk of getting tangled in flight delays on the day your cruise departs. You’ll have a chance to get over jet lag. Best of all, you can have a night out and discover the city, and then enjoy a relaxed start the following day.

Staying another night after your cruise is also a great idea. It’s always good to feel that your vacation hasn’t ended when you walk down the gangway for the last time. And you’ll have time to enjoy a city or destination and get to know it in depth.

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

Celebrity can arrange all of this, booking City Stays for you in four- or five-star hotels, including transfers between the ship and hotel and then on to the airport, as well as sightseeing. Packages from one to three nights are available in cities including Rome, Barcelona, London, Athens, and Venice.

Alaska, too, lends itself beautifully to extending your stay. Take a look at Celebrity’s CruiseTours , which enable you to combine the magnificent Denali National Park with your Alaskan cruise. The two experiences complement one another, as you’ll see different scenery and even different wildlife inside the vast expanse of the park.

Select a hotel close to the port

Celebrity Edge in Sydney, Australia

If you’re going it alone for your pre-cruise stay, make sure you know where the port is in relation to your city stay. Sometimes, ports are some distance from the city. Cruises from Tokyo , for example, depart from Yokohama, a 50-minute drive from the city. Cruises from Venice sail from Ravenna, two hours’ journey down the coast.

Check with Celebrity where the ship is going to be docked; some cruise ports are enormous, with multiple terminals in different locations.

Ground Transportation

Book a transfer through celebrity.

Celebrity offers shared transfers by coach and private transfers from airport to ship on embarkation and departure days. This is by far the most convenient and reliable option. Just ask your travel advisor to add transfers at the time of booking your cruise.

Of course, if you’re arriving before the cruise or staying on afterward, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the port, unless you’ve booked a City Stay by Celebrity.

Make the most of your last day

Acropolis in Athens, Greece

Often, intercontinental flights won’t depart till the evening, which will leave a whole day to fill. Why spend this at the airport when you could be out enjoying yourself?

In most ports, Celebrity offers a tour of some kind with a drop-off at the airport for evening flights. This means you don’t have the hassle of dragging your luggage around all day, or storing it—and you know you will be dropped off in time for check-in.

These tours are available in all kinds of ports. In Athens , for example, you could join a tour to the Acropolis before being dropped off at the airport. If your cruise ends in Rome, you could book an excursion through Celebrity that takes you to a country wine estate for a tasting before heading to the airport.

You can enjoy your last day in San Juan, Puerto Rico , too, with a guided tour of colorful Old San Juan that ends at the international airport.

Or you could stay on board and enjoy the facilities of the ship. In several European ports, Celebrity offers an “Extend Your Stay” program, which means you can store your luggage on board and relax by the pool. You’ll be able to use the WiFi, perhaps book a spa treatment, and enjoy a final, unhurried lunch on board. Extend Your Stay is included for guests in Royal Suites or above, and otherwise available to purchase.

Don’t always rely on taxis

Rome, Italy

Of course, airports are transportation hubs and there will always be taxi drivers willing to take you into the city, or to the port. Just bear in mind that you may need local currency to pay the driver—and ride-hailing isn’t always easy.

Sometimes, the port is a long way from the airport. In Rome , for example, ships sail from Civitavecchia, which is around an hour’s drive from Fiumicino, the main airport, a long way from the city (which is inland).

In Britain, the journey from London’s Heathrow Airport to the port of Southampton will take around 90 minutes. By all means prearrange a private transfer, but in London, in particular, a journey to Southampton in one of the traditional black cabs that wait at the airport will cost an eye-watering amount.

Planning Tips

Check visa requirements.

Make sure that your passport has at least six months left before it expires (a legal requirement for many countries) and that you have any necessary visas. Visit travel.state.gov to check the requirements for the countries you will be visiting.

Carry local currency

Take some local currency with you for taxis, tips, and incidental expenses. Of course, most airports will have an ATM, but you should have an idea of what exchange rate to expect, especially if you’re flying to a country with an unfamiliar currency. Taxi drivers in Europe or Asia are unlikely to accept U.S. dollars.

Remember your driver’s license

If there’s a likelihood that you will be renting a car during your trip (and remember, this could include an ATV, quad bike, or volunteering to be the designated driver in a jeep during a shore excursion), then bring your driver’s license with you.

Some countries, particularly in Europe, require an International Driver’s Permit if you want to rent a car. So if you’re intent on doing a self-drive excursion somewhere, check and get your permit arranged before you embark on your cruise.

Some Caribbean islands , like Antigua and the British Virgin Islands, will ask you to buy a temporary driving permit if you want to rent a car. This can be organized through the car rental agency on the spot.

Pack your hand luggage carefully

On embarkation day , pack essentials in your carry-on; you will part with your larger suitcases at check-in and they may not be delivered to your stateroom for a few hours.

Carry on medication and paperwork, of course, but also swimwear and sunblock. That way, you can head straight for the pool when you embark.

Read: Essential Cruise Packing Tips

Plan Your Time Onboard

Choose shore excursions.

Mykonos Town, Greece

Pre-booking shore excursions is highly recommended as the most popular tours often sell out. Book ahead and you can plan your days around your time ashore.

A Celebrity shore excursion allows you to make the most of your time in port, with an expert guide to show you all the best places. You can relax, too, in the knowledge that if you’re on one of Celebrity’s excursions and there’s an unforeseen delay, the ship won’t leave without you.

Think a little about how your cruise will unfold. For example, if you’re flying east, you could be jet lagged for the first day or so, in which case, an afternoon activity might be preferable as getting up in the morning is more difficult.

Valletta, Malta

Remember, too, not to overschedule. In Europe especially, it’s all too easy to feel you have to check off a bucket list item every day and end up exhausted. Pace yourself with a mix of full and half-day tours and some time to explore independently.

Beach in Grenada

In the Caribbean , you’ll almost certainly want to build in some beach days, some of which you might want to book as a tour and others that are easy to plan yourself.

This is even more important if you’re traveling with teens, who are famously difficult to get moving in the mornings. Opt for tours with a later start if you’re going ashore as a family, or in the afternoon.

Of course, you can also book tours on board, but planning ahead is the best way to get your first choice.

Hiking in the Galapagos

The Galapagos is an exception as all the activities are included when you sail with Celebrity. Days take on a different rhythm here, with snorkeling, hiking, and Zodiac safaris taking place usually twice a day. You don’t need to do any planning as our expedition leaders arrange everything for you.

Read: Expert Cruise Planning Tips

Pre-book specialty dining

Rooftop Garden, Celebrity Ascent

Once you’ve decided how your days will be spent, think about the evenings. Celebrity’s ships have a wonderful range of specialty dining, which can be pre-booked.

Set the stage; if, for example, you have an evening sailaway from dramatic Santorini, this is the night to plan dinner in the al-fresco Rooftop Garden Grill if you’re on an Edge-series ship, or The Lawn Club Grill on Celebrity Silhouette or Reflection. You’ll get spectacular views of one of those famous fiery sunsets.

If you’ve been exploring some beautiful Italian town all day, you might be in the mood for the Italian classics at the Tuscan Grille. Cruising the Norwegian fjords on an Edge-series ship? Dinner at Eden, with sweeping views of the surrounding scenery, would be perfect, especially in midsummer when the sun barely sets.

You can book all your specialty dining via the Celebrity website, or through the app once you’re onboard.

Plan your spa treatments

Celebrity Cruises Spa

Spa treatments can also be booked in advance of your cruise. Again, a little planning can make for a much better experience. For example, if you want to look extra-special for the Evening Chic night on board, it’s a good idea to book a hair or nail appointment ahead, as the salon will be busy on a day with a more formal dress code for the evening.

If your idea of bliss is an aromatherapy massage or a luxurious facial, build in time for relaxing afterward in your ship’s thermal suite. For example, you wouldn’t want to rush straight from a heavenly massage to a full-on tour of an archaeological site on a hot day.

Think ahead for overnight port stays

Florence, Italy

Many of Celebrity’s itineraries overnight in port, which means you’ll have a chance to explore after dark. In Europe, La Spezia is often an overnight stay, as it’s the gateway to both Florence and Pisa. So if you take a tour to Florence that day, you could stay in the city for dinner.

Vietnam and Thailand cruises overnight in Hanoi, a chance to jump ship and join an overnight mini-cruise on a small ship in spectacular Ha Long Bay, with dinner on board and tai chi on deck at sunrise.

A second overnight in Laemchabang, the port for Bangkok, presents another opportunity to pack an overnight bag and leave your ship for a night for a luxury hotel stay in the city center, close to all the nightlife. It’s a vacation within a vacation, as it were.

Read: Invaluable Cruise Tips

Celebrity Edge in Auckland, New Zealand

Feeling inspired to book your first cruise? Browse itineraries and plan your great escape at sea.

Sue has been writing about cruising for 20 years and is lucky enough to have sailed all seven continents. She lives in London, where she is cruise editor of The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as well as a freelance contributor to magazines and websites worldwide.

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Where Can I Cruise To From Southampton?

Which destinations can I cruise to from Southampton?

You may think you know where you can sail away to from Southampton; with our World Cruises you can go wherever your heart desires.

Whether you’re wanting to sail along the Channel Islands and explore more about British heritage, a themed cruise to entertain the family or whether you want to escape the British weather and head on a cruise to sunny Australia , maybe, you’re thinking of everything in between? Southampton serves as your gateway to a truly global cruising experience.

USA/ Canada:

Your cruise from Southampton kicks off with a transatlantic journey towards the USA From the bustling cities of the USA to the picturesque landscapes of Canada , you’ll witness the diverse beauty of this continent. Here you will be able to stand in awe at the iconic skylines of New York City, explore the historic streets of Boston, and embrace the natural wonders of Nova Scotia.

As you sail south, the turquoise waters of the Caribbean beckon. Here you take in the tropical beauty of The Virgin Islands, a paradise of sun-soaked beaches, vibrant cultures and enticing local cuisines. Immerse yourself in the laid-back atmosphere of Jamaica and discover the rich background and colourful landscapes.

Central America:

Setting sail from Southampton toward Central America, travelling through the World’s Idyllic Islands, discovering the beautiful wildlife of Antigua and Barbuda. Arriving in Central America where Belize and Panama await. Dive into the pristine waters of Belize’s barrier reef, home to a kaleidoscope of marine life, and explore the engineering marvels of Panama Canal .

South America:

The vibrant continent of South America unfolds with a stop in Brazil, where the rhythm of samba fills the air, visit one of the seven new wonders of the world and go on a hike to Christ the Redeemer, or dance the night away on Copacabana beach.

Cruises from the South of England can take you to the heart of Europe. Chase the Northern Lights in Norway, savour Belgian chocolates in Bruges, cruise through the picturesque Dutch waterways and visit the picturesque canals of Amsterdam, different cruise lines can help you explore the illustrious sites of Germany, Spain, Croatia, Iceland, Scotland, and Morocco. Uncover the charm of Ireland, the elegance of Sweden, the romance of France and the beauty of Italy.

Australia and New Zealand:

New Zealand awaits as you set sail to Australasia. Discovering the art, the culture and spending time spotting the rare marine life on a Whale and Dolphin Safari, Auckland is also described as one of the most beautiful places on earth to skydive. All before arriving in Australia, where you can explore the vibrant cities this country has to offer, take a tour of Sydney Opera house, embark on a brief excursion to the Australia Zoo in Brisbane, and visit the wildlife habitat in Cairns.

Cruise through the luxurious Dubai , discover the combination of a modern metropolis with a timeless sensibility and Arabian flair. Before heading to Sri Lanka to soak in the rich history and cultural treasures, lastly, sailing through Singapore and trying all the food The Lion City has to offer.

Create memories that will last a lifetime by sailing to Egypt from Southampton, experience the red sea, clear waters, coral reefs, and Naama Bay, with a palm tree-lined promenade.

A cruise from Southampton to these diverse locations offer you a chance to experience the world in a brand new light, with unforgettable landscapes, wildlife, art, culture, food and sport. Pack your bags, set sail from Southampton and let the adventures begin. Take a look at our past blog best places to cruise month by month to help decide where you should embark from Southampton to.

Begin planning your dream cruise with our experts by calling 02380 658 386 , or start your search today

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The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship

T hinking of booking a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line ? You have a lot of choices. The Miami-based line operates vessels in almost every corner of the world, with a wide range of itineraries in many destinations.

You'll find Norwegian ships everywhere from the Caribbean and the Bahamas to Europe, Asia and Australia. The line is also a big player in Hawaii.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter.

In addition, Norwegian is particularly known for cruises to Bermuda out of Boston and New York City, and it offers Canada and New England cruises regularly. It also operates some Panama Canal sailings and trips from the West Coast of the U.S. to the Mexican Riviera.

In North America, Norwegian ships sail from a relatively wide range of home ports, including Baltimore; Boston; New York City; Miami and Tampa; Galveston, Texas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; New Orleans; San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco; Seattle; Honolulu; Vancouver, British Columbia; Quebec City and Quebec in Canada; and Seward, Alaska.

Here is a look at the best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship.

Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line

Some of Norwegian's most exciting itineraries are in Europe, where the line is a significant player. It offers a wide range of itineraries in the Mediterranean and across northern Europe.

Norwegian will typically deploy around half of its 19 ships to the continent from spring to fall, making Europe its biggest focus for more than half the year. Norwegian also sometimes offers Europe cruises in the winter — albeit typically with just one ship.

Norwegian's Mediterranean sailings provide the chance to see such iconic destinations as Barcelona in Spain; and Florence, Rome and Naples in Italy in a single cruise. Or, you can sign up for a Mediterranean cruise that focuses on the Greek Islands.

In northern Europe, Norwegian will take you to such famed Baltic cities as Stockholm; Tallinn, Estonia; and Helsinki in a single sailing.

In past years, such Baltic trips have also included a multiday call at St. Petersburg, Russia — traditionally the highlight of any Baltic sailings. However, like all major cruise lines, Norwegian pulled St. Petersburg from Baltic itineraries in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

As of the publishing of this guide, Norwegian had opened bookings for all of its Baltic sailing through late 2025, and St. Petersburg remains off the schedule for all of them. The line hasn't said when it might return to St. Petersburg.

For those looking to explore northern Europe, Norwegian also offers itineraries that zero in on Iceland, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Norwegian's Europe voyages range widely in length from just four nights to a whopping 19 nights (for a repositioning cruise itinerary that begins in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and ends in the European city of Lisbon).

Among the longest sailings that Norwegian offers that focus solely on European stops is a one-way trips between Reykjavik, Iceland, and Oslo, Norway, that includes a wide range of stops in Greenland, Iceland, Denmark's Faroe Islands and Norway.

In Northern Europe, Norwegian ships mostly sail out of Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen, England's Southampton and Reykjavík in Iceland.

In the Mediterranean, the line's hubs are Barcelona; Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Trieste (near Venice) in Italy; Piraeus (the port for Athens) in Greece; and Istanbul.

Related: Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Norwegian ships

Norwegian isn't the biggest player in Alaska cruises. The giants of cruising to Alaska are Princess Cruises and Holland America , two brands that are sister lines to each other and control a large percentage of the market.

Still, Norwegian typically sends three to five vessels to Alaska every summer, and its big, activity-filled ships are a popular pick with families looking to visit the destination.

The Alaska cruise season is a short one, lasting roughly from April to late October.

For 2024, Norwegian plans to deploy four ships to the Alaska market for the full season:

• Norwegian Encore : Norwegian's biggest vessel will operate seven-night voyages to Alaska round trip out of Seattle. It will call at the Alaska towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, plus Victoria, British Columbia. It will also visit Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park for glacier viewing.
• Norwegian Sun: This ship will operate a mix of nine- to 10-night sailings to Alaska out of Seattle. The list of port calls varies based on the length of the trips.
• Norwegian Bliss : The 3,958-passenger vessel will operate seven-night voyages to Alaska round trip out of Seattle. On most sailings, it will call at Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point in Alaska, plus Victoria, British Columbia. It will also visit Alaska's Endicott Arm for glacier viewing. Some sailings at the start and end of the season substitute a visit to Skagway and Glacier Bay National Park for the stops in Sitka and Icy Strait Point, and drop the visit to Endicott Arm.
• Norwegian Jewel. The 2,330-passenger ship will operate one-way voyages to Alaska between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seward, Alaska. The trips typically include stops in Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, plus a visit to either Glacier Bay National Park or Icy Strait Point.

In recent years, the 1,972-passenger Norwegian Spirit also has spent its summers sailing in Alaska, but most of its Alaska voyages for 2024 were canceled as a result of the vessel being chartered to another company (Norwegian still is marketing two unusual one-way voyages to Alaska on Norwegian Spirit that will take place at the start of the 2024 season — the first a 16-night trip to Alaska that starts in Honolulu on April 22 and ends in Vancouver; the second an 18-night trip that starts May 8 in Vancouver and ends in Tokyo).

The appeal of the one-way sailings on Norwegian Jewel is that they can be combined with Norwegian-organized land tours of Alaska lasting from three to six days to create 10- to 13-night "cruisetours."

The land tour portion of such trips brings visits to such well-known interior Alaska locations as Denali National Park and the town of Fairbanks.

Related: The ultimate Alaska cruise guide

The Caribbean and the Bahamas

The Caribbean and the Bahamas have always been a big area of operations for Norwegian. In fact, for a long time, the regions were so much the focus that the line included "Caribbean" in its name. Up until 1987, Norwegian was known as Norwegian Caribbean Line.

These days, Norwegian usually keeps just two of its 19 vessels in the Caribbean and the Bahamas year-round (in recent years, the year-round ships have been Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Escape, both sailing to the Caribbean and the Bahamas from Florida ports). However, it really ramps things up in the region in the winter, when it deploys a large portion of its ships to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Norwegian currently has 15 of its 19 ships scheduled to sail to the Caribbean and the Bahamas for at least part of 2024 — including its newest and most advanced ship, the 3,195-passenger Norwegian Viva.

Related: I've sailed on nearly every Norwegian ship. Here are my first impressions of Norwegian Prima

Norwegian offers a broad range of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries from more than half a dozen home ports. If you're looking for something short, the line has you covered in the form of lots of quick, three- and four-night trips from Miami to the Bahamas.

It also offers an abundance of seven-night sailings to Caribbean and Bahamian ports, as well as a handful of longer trips in the region that range from nine to 14 nights.

At the core of the line's Caribbean and Bahamas program are its seven-night sailings, which break down into three broad categories:

• Eastern Caribbean voyages
• Western Caribbean voyages
• Southern Caribbean voyages

A typical seven-night Norwegian sailing to the Eastern Caribbean includes stops in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas.

Norwegian's seven Western Caribbean voyages will typically include a visit to Roatan, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico.

The line's Southern Caribbean itineraries will often bring visits to Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St. Lucia and St. Kitts. They typically begin and end in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

When sailing to the Caribbean, Norwegian ships generally sail out of Miami, Port Canaveral and Tampa in Florida; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The line also offers Caribbean sailings out of Baltimore, Galveston, New Orleans, New York City and, occasionally, Panama City, Panama, and La Romana, Dominican Republic.

Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian's Latitudes Reward loyalty program

Norwegian is the undisputed leader in Hawaii cruises. Most cruise lines that offer sailings to Hawaii only offer a limited number of such trips during a few months each year. Norwegian, by contrast, offers sailings around the Hawaiian Islands out of Honolulu every week of the year — the only cruise line in the world to do so.

Norwegian's Hawaii voyages are also more intensely focused on Hawaii than the Hawaii trips offered by most other lines. This is because Norwegian offers its Hawaii cruises on one of the only cruise ships in the world that meets the regulatory requirements allowing it to spend all its time in the destination.

Norwegian's Hawaii trips take place on Norwegian's 2,150-passenger Pride of America, which has the rare distinction of being both U.S.-flagged and U.S.-crewed. By law, only such a vessel can cruise full-time in Hawaii without regularly traveling long distances to foreign ports.

An iconic presence in Hawaii, Pride of America has been permanently dedicated to the archipelago since its debut in 2005. It offers a repeating seven-night itinerary that begins each Saturday in Honolulu and brings the chance to visit four different Hawaiian islands on a single seven-night trip.

Beginning and ending on the island of Oahu, the itinerary includes two days each on the islands of Maui, Kauai and Hawaii. The two-day visit to Maui involves an overnight stay at the port of Kahului.

The two-day visit to Kauai involves an overnight stay at the port of Nawiliwili. The two-day visit to Hawaii is split between a call at Hilo and a call at Kona.

Related: The 8 classes of Norwegian ships, explained

Norwegian usually deploys two ships on Bermuda runs every year — one out of New York City and one out of Boston.

In both cases, the sailings offered are mostly seven nights in length and include a two-night stay in Bermuda.

For 2024, Norwegian will devote one of its biggest ships, the 3,782-passenger Norwegian Joy, to Bermuda. It will run out of New York. The line's 2,344-passenger Norwegian Gem will sail to Bermuda out of Boston.

In addition, the line's 3,903-passenger Norwegian Getaway will operate a handful of sailings to Bermuda out of New York during the early part of 2024 that include stops in the Caribbean (something that is relatively rare), and the 3,903-passenger Norwegian Breakaway will operate a few sailings to Bermuda out of New York toward the end of 2024.

The line's relatively new Norwegian Prima will operate a single Bermuda sailing out of New York at the end of 2024.

While most of Norwegian's Bermuda sailings are seven nights in length, the line also sometimes offers a few shorter four- and five-night Bermuda sailings and, occasionally, a longer, nine-night Bermuda sailing.

Note that the shorter Bermuda sailings can offer very little time in the country, sometimes as few as nine hours.

Bottom line

Norwegian offers a wide range of itineraries in destinations around the world, from the Caribbean to Asia. However, you'll find the most choices among Norwegian itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe.

The line is also well-known for voyages around Hawaii and to Bermuda. Its Hawaii sailings, in particular, are something of a rarity in the industry.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Cruise Operators Offer Summer Discounts as Ships Crowd the Caribbean, Alaska

FILE PHOTO: Tourists leave the Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, after arriving at Costa Maya Cruise Port, in the village town of Mahahual, Quintana Roo state, Mexico, February 6, 2024. REUTERS/Paola Chiomante/File Photo

By Doyinsola Oladipo

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Cruise operators Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings are discounting summer itineraries as they look to fill empty cabins aboard older ships, according to travel agencies and company websites.

The companies are lowering summer prices in part because more vessels are headed for already popular Caribbean and Alaskan destinations - and as they reroute ships away from Red Sea destinations due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Cruise operators on earnings calls have recently boasted of record demand that has driven revenue sharply higher as cruise passenger volumes surpass pre-pandemic figures. However, prices for cruises departing domestically from the United States this summer will be cheaper than the same period last year, according to data from travel group AAA.

In the Caribbean and Bermuda, Royal Caribbean's seven-day itinerary prices for interior cabins in June are down 21% year-over-year as of May. Similar Norwegian and Carnival itineraries are down 12% and 11% respectively, according to TripAdvisor's Cruise Critic, a vacation planning website.

Royal Caribbean is cutting rates for Caribbean itineraries for the third and fourth quarters, said Todd Elliott, CEO of Orlando, Florida-based Cruise Vacation Outlet, a travel agency.

"It seems more strategic on sailings that need a little more help," said Elliott. He noted cruises sailing around Africa instead of through the Red Sea are also being discounted.

Royal Caribbean, Carnival Corp and Norwegian declined requests for comment.

Cruise operators have been offering discounts on older vessels with newer ships coming onto the market, said an AAA spokesperson. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Sea, which had its first voyage in January, demands at least $500 to $1,000 more per person than similar sailings in the region, Elliott said.

"Royal Caribbean has been able to keep the integrity of those prices thanks to the interest surrounding the ship," said Cruise Critic spokesperson, Aubrey Manzo Dunn.

Royal in April raised its 2024 profit forecast for a second time. Carnival said in March that its North American and European brands set booking records in the first quarter.

Some 202 vessels are sailing the Caribbean in 2024, an 8% increase year-over-year, according to Christian Savelli, cruise analytics director at Oxford Economics.

"There is an over-representation of new vessels in the region," said Savelli. "Rates seem to have reached a plateau."

Cruise fares are similarly falling this summer in Alaska due to increased capacity. Interior cabins aboard Carnival's Alaskan summer cruises are selling for about 20% less in July and August than they were in the same period in 2023, said Cruise Critic, while Royal Caribbean's Alaska trips are 6% and 12% cheaper in the same period for those months, respectively.

The number of vessels in the region are up 9.3% year-over-year according to Savelli.

(Reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Rod Nickel)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

Tags: Alaska , United States

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