Top 10 Best Cruise Destinations in the World

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Top 10 Best Cruise Destinations in the World: Places That Are Better Explored by Ship

I am relatively new to the world of cruising. For years, I mostly explored destinations by plane, car or train and stayed at luxury hotels and resorts, but over the past year I have taken several very different cruises: around Iceland with Seabourn, through Alaska aboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, among the remote islands of Palau aboard Four Seasons Explorer, and through the Galápagos Islands on Metropolitan Touring’s La Pinta. Those journeys have completely changed my perspective on cruising. While I still prefer exploring many destinations independently, I have discovered that some of the most remote and spectacular places on Earth are simply better experienced by ship. In these regions, a cruise is not just a convenient way of getting around: the ship becomes your floating base camp, allowing you to reach otherwise inaccessible coastlines, islands, glaciers and wildlife areas while waking up somewhere extraordinary every morning. From Antarctica and Svalbard to Raja Ampat and the Amazon, these are my picks for the 10 best cruise destinations in the world – including several incredible places that remain high on my bucket list.

What is your favorite destination for a cruise? Leave a comment.

10. The Kimberley, Australia

Australia’s Kimberley region is one of the strongest examples of a destination that can be dramatically easier to explore from the sea than from land. Stretching across the remote northwestern corner of Australia, the Kimberley is an immense wilderness of rust-colored cliffs, ancient gorges, waterfalls, tidal rivers and largely untouched coastline. Roads are scarce across much of the region, distances are enormous and many of its most impressive natural attractions are accessible primarily from the water. Small expedition ships solve that problem by acting as mobile luxury lodges, sailing between otherwise isolated locations while guests explore by Zodiac, helicopter or on foot. Highlights can include the spectacular Horizontal Falls, Montgomery Reef – which appears to rise from the ocean as the tide recedes – King George Falls and ancient Aboriginal rock-art sites hidden in the wilderness. The Kimberley is also known for some of the world’s most dramatic tidal movements, which constantly transform its coastline. Luxury expedition cruising has become increasingly sophisticated here, making it possible to combine genuine adventure with excellent accommodation and dining. Of all the destinations I have yet to visit, the Kimberley ranks particularly high on my bucket list.

9. Amazon River

Unlike most destinations on this list, the Amazon is not about dramatic coastlines or open oceans. Here, the river itself is the highway. The Amazon Basin stretches across several South American countries and contains an almost incomprehensibly vast network of rivers, tributaries and flooded forests, many of which are inaccessible by road. Small expedition vessels therefore provide one of the most comfortable and immersive ways to venture deep into the rainforest. Particularly appealing are luxury river cruises in the Peruvian Amazon, where vessels travel from Iquitos into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Excursions aboard small skiffs explore narrow waterways beneath dense jungle canopy, with opportunities to spot pink river dolphins, monkeys, sloths, caimans, colorful birds and countless other species. Guided walks and visits to riverside communities provide a different perspective on one of the world’s most important ecosystems. Returning each evening to an air-conditioned suite, restaurant and observation deck creates an intriguing contrast with the wilderness outside. The Amazon is therefore not a cruise destination in the traditional sense; rather, the ship becomes the most logical – and often most rewarding – means of penetrating one of Earth’s last great wildernesses.

8. Southeast Alaska & the Inside Passage

Alaska was one of the destinations that helped change my perception of cruising. I recently explored Southeast Alaska aboard Luminara, the newest superyacht from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and quickly discovered why this part of the world lends itself so naturally to travel by ship. The Inside Passage is a spectacular maze of forested islands, deep fjords, snowcapped mountains and glacier-carved waterways, while many communities along the route cannot be reached by road. A cruise therefore provides both transportation and a constantly changing front-row seat to the landscape. Depending on the itinerary, ships may visit destinations such as Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Wrangell, while smaller vessels and luxury yachts can incorporate more secluded anchorages and expedition-style activities. Wildlife is another major attraction, with opportunities to encounter humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, bald eagles and bears. Glacier viewing is particularly spectacular from the water, whether from the ship itself or during a smaller boat excursion. Alaska can certainly be explored by land as well, but for Southeast Alaska specifically, traveling by ship reveals a scale and perspective that would otherwise be extremely difficult to experience.

7. Raja Ampat & Eastern Indonesia

Indonesia contains more than 17,000 islands, so it is perhaps unsurprising that some of its most spectacular regions are best explored by boat. Raja Ampat, located off West Papua in eastern Indonesia, is the ultimate example. This remote archipelago consists of hundreds of jungle-covered limestone islands surrounded by turquoise lagoons and some of the richest coral reefs on Earth. Reaching individual islands independently can involve complicated combinations of flights, ferries and local boats, whereas a small expedition ship or traditional Indonesian phinisi allows travelers to move effortlessly between them. Days can be spent snorkeling or diving among extraordinarily diverse marine life, kayaking through hidden lagoons, climbing to panoramic viewpoints and visiting tiny communities far removed from Indonesia’s major tourist centers. Farther south, the Banda Sea and other parts of eastern Indonesia offer similarly compelling opportunities for expedition cruising, combining volcanic landscapes, historic spice islands, pristine reefs and fascinating local cultures. This is precisely the kind of destination where a smaller luxury vessel – like Amandira, managed by Aman – has a major advantage over a conventional cruise ship: the ability to reach secluded anchorages and places that remain genuinely remote.

6. Palau

My voyage through Palau aboard Four Seasons Explorer was another journey that convinced me of the advantages of exploring certain destinations by ship. This tiny Pacific nation consists of hundreds of islands scattered across impossibly clear turquoise water, with the famous mushroom-shaped Rock Islands creating one of the most beautiful tropical seascapes I have ever seen. While staying at a resort on land is perfectly possible, exploring aboard a small luxury expedition vessel transforms the experience. Instead of repeatedly traveling back to the same hotel, the ship can reposition between remote lagoons, beaches, dive sites and snorkeling locations, putting guests in the heart of the archipelago from sunrise to sunset. Palau is particularly famous for its underwater world, with spectacular coral reefs, manta rays, sharks and an extraordinary diversity of marine life making it one of the world’s premier diving destinations. Kayaking through hidden lagoons and between jungle-covered limestone islands reveals an entirely different side of the country. The intimate Four Seasons Explorer, with only a handful of cabins, felt more like a private yacht than a traditional cruise ship – exactly the kind of vessel that makes Palau such a compelling cruise destination.

5. Greenland

Greenland is the world’s largest island, yet its settlements are tiny and scattered along a coastline of extraordinary scale. There are no roads connecting its towns, so transportation traditionally relies on boats and aircraft – one reason why an expedition cruise makes so much sense here. Sailing along Greenland’s coastline allows travelers to move effortlessly between remote Inuit communities, enormous fjord systems and spectacular wilderness areas while enjoying constantly changing scenery from the ship. The island’s greatest natural attraction is undoubtedly its ice. Around Ilulissat, gigantic icebergs calve from one of the world’s most productive glaciers before drifting through Disko Bay, while East Greenland offers even more remote landscapes of jagged mountains, immense fjords and tiny settlements. Zodiac excursions, hiking and kayaking allow guests to leave the ship and explore at water level, while summer brings exceptionally long days beneath the Arctic sun. Depending on the season and itinerary, whales and other Arctic wildlife may also be encountered. Greenland can certainly be explored independently, but its enormous distances and limited infrastructure make expedition cruising one of the most seamless and spectacular ways to appreciate the true scale of this remarkable Arctic destination.

4. South Georgia

South Georgia is one of the most remote islands on Earth and arguably one of the greatest wildlife destinations anywhere on the planet. Located in the southern Atlantic Ocean, more than 1,000 miles east of South America, this mountainous island has no airport and no permanent civilian population, which means that virtually every leisure visitor arrives aboard an expedition ship. That isolation is precisely what makes South Georgia so extraordinary. Its rugged coastline hides vast colonies of wildlife on a scale that is difficult to comprehend from photographs alone. Hundreds of thousands of king penguins can gather on a single beach, while enormous numbers of elephant seals and fur seals occupy the shoreline beneath snow-covered mountains and glaciers. South Georgia is also closely associated with legendary Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose grave can be visited at Grytviken. Most travelers combine the island with Antarctica and sometimes the Falkland Islands, creating one of the world’s ultimate expedition itineraries. South Georgia requires a considerable commitment in terms of time and sailing distance, but that remoteness is part of its magic – and exactly why it ranks so highly among my bucket-list cruise destinations.

3. Svalbard, Norway

Few places capture the romance of polar exploration quite like Svalbard. Located deep inside the Arctic Circle, roughly halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, this remote archipelago is characterized by dramatic mountains, enormous glaciers, sea ice and starkly beautiful fjords. Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen is the main settlement and gateway to the islands, but once outside its immediate surroundings there are almost no roads or conventional tourist facilities. That makes a small expedition ship by far the most rewarding way to explore Svalbard. Cruises venture into remote fjords and along wild coastlines, with itineraries constantly adapting to sea ice, weather and wildlife sightings. Zodiac excursions and shore landings may reveal walruses, Arctic foxes, reindeer, seabirds and seals, while Svalbard is also one of the few destinations where travelers may have the extraordinary opportunity to observe polar bears in their natural environment – always from a safe distance. Summer brings the surreal phenomenon of the midnight sun, allowing exploration late into the evening. Svalbard combines everything that makes expedition cruising so appealing: genuine wilderness, unpredictable wildlife and landscapes almost untouched by humanity.

2. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Having recently explored the Galápagos aboard Metropolitan Touring’s La Pinta, I can understand why cruising is widely regarded as the best way to experience this extraordinary Ecuadorian archipelago. The Galápagos Islands are scattered across a vast area of the Pacific Ocean, and many of their most fascinating wildlife sites are remote and uninhabited. Staying aboard a small expedition vessel eliminates the need to return to the same island every evening: while guests sleep, the ship sails to the next destination, allowing each morning to begin somewhere completely different. Days typically combine guided nature walks, Zodiac rides, kayaking and snorkeling, with astonishingly close encounters with giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, blue-footed boobies and countless other species. What makes the Galápagos particularly special is how fearless much of the wildlife appears around humans. Although land-based trips are certainly possible, cruising allows travelers to explore a much wider variety of islands and ecosystems within a relatively short period. For wildlife enthusiasts, the Galápagos is unquestionably one of the best expedition cruise destinations in the world.

1. Antarctica

If there is one destination that seems almost purpose-built for expedition cruising, it is Antarctica. There are no conventional hotels, no road network connecting its highlights and virtually no way to explore the White Continent independently, making an expedition ship the obvious base for discovering this immense wilderness. Most Antarctic cruises depart from Ushuaia in Argentina and cross the legendary Drake Passage before reaching the Antarctic Peninsula, where days revolve around Zodiac excursions, wildlife encounters and shore landings. Depending on conditions, travelers may cruise past colossal icebergs, walk among enormous penguin colonies, watch humpback whales feeding in icy bays and approach spectacular glaciers tumbling into the Southern Ocean. Smaller expedition ships generally provide the most immersive experience, especially when they carry kayaks and other equipment for exploring away from the vessel. A growing number of ultra-luxury expedition ships now combine these adventures with beautiful suites, fine dining and spa facilities. An Antarctica cruise remains very high on my personal bucket list and, for me, represents the ultimate example of a destination where the journey by ship is inseparable from the destination itself.