6 cruise destinations you don’t want to miss
If the economy has you rethinking that road trip across the United States, then turn your thoughts to the high seas. With food and accommodation included in the ticket price, sailing the high seas has never been a better deal.
western caribbean
Consider a five-night cruise to the Western Caribbean. Starting at $379 per person, it departs from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and heads to George Town in the Cayman Islands and on to Cozumel, Mexico. This trip offers the best of the Caribbean world. Residents of the Cayman Islands enjoy the highest standard of living in the Caribbean. With lenient tax laws, it has more registered businesses than residents. As for Cozumel, they say that this area has a Mexican heart and a Caribbean soul, the best of all worlds.
Eastern Caribbean
Start with a visit to the Big Apple: New York City, New York. After seeing a Broadway show and spending the night in the city that never sleeps, you can choose to depart for the Eastern Caribbean from two cruise terminals: Brooklyn or Manhattan. Ships departing from both terminals head to the Eastern Caribbean, one of the most popular destinations for North American vacationers. Cruise ships typically make stops in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands during the summer. There you will find some of the best beaches in the world, each place with its own special flavor.
Alaska
For places you’ve never seen, consider a seven-night cruise to Alaska. Starting at $529 per person, you’ll board in Seattle, Washington, then head to Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria. Remember that all prices are based on double occupancy and airfare is not included. Once in Alaska, take in as much as you can. Try to do Juneau in one day, seeing glaciers, wildlife, having outdoor adventures and shopping.
In Ketchikan, you have the option of hiking the Deer Mountain Trail or taking an inter-island ferry to Prince of Wales. In Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, you’ll find something you might not expect in Alaska: lush green bushes, beautiful flower gardens, and trees of all kinds. This garden city is surrounded by the ocean and mountains. The city itself is full of historical sites as well as entertainment and seafood restaurants.
Mexico City
There is probably no place as exotic as the Mexican Riviera. A seven-day cruise, starting in San Diego, California, can start at $499 per person. From Southern California, you will sail to the following ports of call: Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas. In Mazatlan you can tour the Sierra Madre mountains where they begin on a peninsula that extends into the Pacific Ocean. You can also walk along its miles of beaches or break out your fishing rod and join anglers from all over the world. In Puerto Vallarta, called the “soul of Mexico”, you can visit some prestigious art galleries or dine in fabulous restaurants. In Cabo San Lucas, “the jewel of the Baja California peninsula”, you will find fabulous sports opportunities such as world-class golf courses designed by Tom Weiskopf and Robert Trent Jones II.
Europe
Even Europe is within easy reach these days. Consider a seven-day cruise with stops in Venice, Dubrovnik, Athens/Piraeus, Izmir, Nafplion and Venice. Prices are as low as $699 for an inside cabin or as high as $1,349 for a suite. Venice is one of those world-class cities that you must see before high tides destroy it. Before you start your cruise, spend a day on its canals and enjoy the sites you’ve read about. Four days later, you will find yourself in Athens and Piraeus, Greece. Take in the sights of the world’s largest seaport against the backdrop of the Aegean Sea. The last day will find you visiting Izmir, Turkey, home of the famous International Fair.
Australia
If Europe isn’t exotic enough, consider a cruise to Australia, the land of Australia. For as little as $485 per person, you can leave Sydney, Australia and spend three days at sea, visiting Burnie and Melbourne. Burnie is a large port with spectacular scenery including beautiful waterfalls, natural areas, art galleries, and even the Lactos Cheese Factory, which offers a fascinating tour of the facility.
In Melbourne, you’ll find more than you can take in. It has everything you’d expect from a world-class city, including beautiful buildings, art galleries, wonderful shopping districts, and special events like the country’s biggest horse racing, rugby, and cricket. Because the city is home to people from over 100 countries, you’ll find restaurants from Italy, Greece, the Middle East, Africa, and of course Australia.
Whether you’ve been on cruise ships before or this is your first excursion, you’re sure to enjoy one of the most relaxing ways to see the world.
Leave a Reply