Cruise vacations are revered the world over for being some of the most luxurious, fun filled and relaxation-centric vacations available. However, the notion that cruises are one size fits all excursions is simply not true. With more cruises than ever leaving ports around the world, your options are limited only by the amount of navigable water in the world.
Although a getaway to the Caribbean with its white sand beaches, warm ocean waters and perfect weather may sound ideal to some, it’s not for everyone. Before you cross the potential for cruising off your list of possible vacations, consider some of these more exotic, or at least less thought of, destinations.
The Nile
The world’s longest river and perhaps the most famous for the last 5000 years or so, the Nile offers adventure filled river cruises, providing a unique and quite historical vantage point for some of Egypt’s most ancient treasures. Nile cruises tend to follow the river’s northward flow, beginning at Aswan and the temples of Abu Simbel, and continuing on past some of the world’s largest and impressive dams.
Typical Nile cruises also feature a stop at Luxor and the Valley of Kings, where Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered, before culminating at Cairo where you’ll be able to tour the great pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. This amazing cruise is a dream come true for anyone interested in the ancient world.
The Danube
For another historically packed river cruise, nothing beats a trip along the blue Danube in Central Europe. Cruises along the Danube rarely miss beautiful Vienna, the city of music that inspired Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss where you can find world class performances from each composer on a nearly daily basis today.
Other common destinations where river cruises dock include Slovakia’s capital of Bratislava, situated at the foot of the majestic Carpathian Mountains. Be sure to book a trip that ends at exotic and historic Budapest, Hungary for a glimpse at one of the oldest and most culturally important cities in Central Europe.
Alaska
If adventure is your cup of tea, you certainly won’t regret a cruise getaway to North American’s final frontier—Alaska. Alaskan cruise give you a close up view of the wilderness from the comfort and safety of your cabin or deck and offer a few unique chances to explore it all first hand.
Popular Alaskan cruise excursion include learning to mush a dog sled, taking helicopter and plane tours of active glaciers or even trekking across one on foot with a guided tour. And if it gets a little too chilly for your taste, you can always take a break in the ship’s sauna!
Australia
Adventure seekers and partiers alike will have a tough time passing up a trip to Australia. The home of the wallaby and koala offers incredible night life at the port of Sydney where you can catch a performance at their world famous opera house.
Later, cruises may head north, giving you a chance to experience amazing scuba diving along the teeming colorful barrier reef. Cruises also commonly offer excursions on Tasmania, giving you a personal view of some truly unique flora and fauna, and perhaps a stop at Wellington, New Zealand for good measure.
The South Pacific
Few places in the world have a reputation for being a veritable paradise like the islands of the south Pacific. Cruises to this land of sunshine and tropical beauty typically offer stops in gorgeous Fiji, French Polynesia’s Bora Bora and the legendary Tahiti. The perfect spot for a honeymoon or other romantic getaway, you can spend time relaxing on private palm lined beaches, take a dip in waterfall fed lagoons or get a look at the scenery beneath the waves with some world class snorkeling.
South America
Even though the Caribbean Sea just to the north is one of the most heavily cruised bodies of water in the world, few people think of exploring the exotic cultures and landscapes of South America by ship. Cruises to South America let you experience the bustling nightlife and packed beaches of Rio De Janeiro in Brazil or dance the tango and sip yerba mate in Argentina.
Other cruise itineraries often include trips through the busy Panama Canal and stops at Lima in Peru, Manta in Ecuador, and Valparaiso in Chile, also known as the Jewel of the Pacific, where indigenous and European cultures meld to create one of the world’s most exciting and unique cities.
Cruising is one of the fastest growing vacation industries in the world, and growing fleets mean you’ll have tons of destination options for your big getaway. Although the classic Caribbean cruise is an experience not to be missed, more exotic destinations are just the ticket for some travelers. Book your unorthodox cruise today and have the time of your life!
Lauren O’Leary is a freelance writer who writes about travel and leisure topics and options such as cruise vacations.
