Hassle-free holidays: 10 of the world’s best cruises
Want adventure and inspiring destinations without sacrificing ease and comfort? Then board a cruise ship, relax and set sail.
You can’t beat cruising for a no-hassles holiday that frees you from travel’s nitty-gritty, introduces new destinations daily, and leaves you time to tinkle your cocktail ice as salty breezes blow your stress away.
Here are 10 top itineraries that highlight the varied best of life at sea.
FRENCH POLYNESIA WITH OCEANIA
Oceania Marina in Bora Bora.Credit: Oceania
The South Pacific is our most popular cruise destination and nowhere better showcases its scintillating beauty than French Polynesia, where jagged green mountains rear from impossibly blue lagoons.
On a 10-day round-trip from Papeete you get great variety, from the bedazzlement of Bora Bora and Moorea to low-lying atoll Fakarava, where the scuba-diving and snorkelling is outstanding. Outlying Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands is wilder, with black-sand beaches and a forest-dense interior.
The luxury, 656-guest Nautica was refurbished in 2022 and offers guest speakers, evening entertainment and cooking demonstrations. Oceania is notable for top-notch cuisine. “Papeete to Papeete” cruise from $4940pp, regular departures January-February 2024. See oceaniacruises.com
ALASKA WITH NORWEGIAN
Norwegian Jewel in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.Credit: Norwegian
Alaska should be on everyone’s travel list, and a cruise is the only easy way to reach its outsized glaciers, mountains and magnificent coastal scenery.
Sailing into destinations such as Glacier Bay National Park, with its various glaciers and snow-capped peaks, is magnificent. A seven-day round-trip from Seattle also takes you to historic gold-rush Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, as well as Victoria, the pretty capital of British Columbia.
The 3998-guest Norwegian Encore has numerous dining options, a wide range of entertainment, expansive spa and family thrills such as laser tag and a speedway. “Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau” cruise from $1657pp, regular departures May-October 2023. See ncl.com
MEDITERRANEAN WITH AZAMARA
Kotor, Montenegro.Credit: iStock
The Mediterranean was made for cruising: plunging coastlines, sunny islands, close-together ports, ancient ruins, Crusader castles and much more for those who want to be immersed in local culture.
On this 12-night cruise from Barcelona to Venice you’ll never have a dull moment. One day, you’re in glamorous Monaco; the next, you’re checking out the sights of Florence or Pisa. The Amalfi Coast is stunning, but so, too, the sail into Kotor in Montenegro.
The 702-guest Azamara Pursuit is a great choice: an unfussy mid-sized ship at a mid-sized price but with a luxury feel and solid destination focus. “Best of the Med” cruise from $4201pp, departs September 25, 2023. See azamara.com
THE KIMBERLEY WITH PONANT
Cruising the King George River, Kimberley.Credit: Ponant
This 10-day journey along the Kimberley coast from Kununurra takes you to our most fabulous but difficult-to-access landscapes in luxury. Waterfalls gush down terraces at Kings Cascades. Careening Bay has remnants of an 1820 British expedition, and crocodiles lurk among Drysdale River mangroves.
The craggy sandstone and changing colours of rust-red King George Gorge culminate at 80-metre-high Twin Falls. Rock art at Jar Island and Swift Bay provide superb examples of Gwion Gwion and Wandjina art styles.
The 32-passenger Le Ponant sailing ship has luxurious interiors, a wellness centre, saltwater pool, sundeck, bar and high-quality, French-influenced restaurant. “Northern Kimberley Sailing Expedition” from $18,650pp, regular departures May-August 2023. See ponant.com
ANTARCTICA WITH SCENIC
Scenic Eclipse in Antarctica.Credit: Scenic
The White Continent is the ultimate cruise adventure. Volcanic craters, snow-draped mountains and old whaling stations are Antarctic Peninsula marvels – providing you aren’t distracted by vast penguin rookeries and hordes of seals.
In Stanley, a walking tour brings you to Falklands War battlefields. The frosted scenery of rugged mountains, glaciers and volcanic beaches in South Georgia, coupled with spectacular wildlife, is thrilling on this 20-day journey return from Buenos Aires.
The 228-passenger Scenic Eclipse has butler-serviced suites, eight lounges and bars, six dining venues and a full-service spa. Two helicopters and a mini-submarine add a James Bond feel. “Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands” cruise from $32,260pp, departs February 3, 2024, scenic.com.au
GRAND JOURNEY WITH CELEBRITY
Solarium on Celebrity Edge.Credit: Michel Verdure
Want to go big? This 52-night voyage from Rome to Sydney visits 25 ports in 11 countries and includes a transit of the Suez Canal. The clash of ancient and modern is a thrill, such as Mumbai’s jam-packed exuberance set against Singapore’s manicured organisation.
Variety is the spice of this cruise, which combines a bucketful of big-name destinations with unexpected delights such as Catania in Sicily and Cochin in India.
The 2900-passenger Celebrity Edge sits in the premium category and has four main restaurants, several speciality dining venues, and an expansive wellness retreat. “Grand Journey from Rome to Sydney” cruise from $24,800pp, departs October 30, 2023. See celebritycruises.com
THE BALTIC WITH SILVERSEA
Silver Dawn has a butler service.Credit: Silversea
The Baltic is a compact sea with great variety and rich in maritime heritage, with cities famous for chic design, Nordic cuisine and outdoor life. You can visit a different country every day.
On this seven-day cruise you expect beauty in Helsinki and Stockholm but also find it in Gdansk in Poland and Tallin in Estonia, which have wonderful old towns. Danish island Bornholm and Klaipeda in Lithuania are unexpected pleasures.
The elegant 596-guest Silver Dawn has butler service for all, outstanding dining choices for a small ship, and a comprehensive wellness program. “Copenhagen to Stockholm” cruise from $6100, departs July 8 and August 11, 2023. See silversea.com
ASIA WITH REGENT
The infinity pool aboard Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer.Credit: Regent
Asia is growing in popularity as a cruise destination, offering a spicy mix of neon-draped cities, tropical islands and regional towns, with cruises taking in several countries.
On Regent Seven Seas’ 14-nights Singapore to Hong Kong journey the ship spends two nights in both Bangkok (Laem Chabang) and Ho Chi Minh City while also exploring less-well-known Manila and Sihanoukville. Coron in the Philippines is a highlight of sumptuous karst scenery and colourful coral reefs.
The 746-guest Seven Seas Explorer offers all-inclusive luxury and all-balcony suites. It has numerous speciality restaurants, a wellness centre and a culinary arts kitchen for cooking classes. “Alluring Asian Isles” cruise from $17,330pp, departs February 7, 2024. See rssc.com
NORWAY WITH VIKING
Viking Sky in front of the Seven Sisters Waterfall in Geiranger Fjord, Norway.Credit: Viking
You haven’t cruised until you’ve seen Norway, legendary land of the seafaring Vikings and one of the world’s most scenic countries, whose landscapes combine fjords, mountains and islands to stunning effect.
On a 15-day journey between Bergen and London you’ll wiggle your way along the convoluted coastline well above the Arctic Circle, and also see Scotland’s invigorating, Viking-influenced Shetland and Orkney islands. The final sail up the Thames into Greenwich will have you pinned to the deck.
You sail on 930-passenger Viking Mars or Viking Venus, which have considerable Nordic style and perhaps the friendliest service at sea. “Into the Midnight Sun” cruise from $9995pp, regular departures between June-August 2023. See vikingcruises.com.au
PAPUA NEW GUINEA WITH CORAL EXPEDITIONS
Coral Expeditions visits Wayag Island in Papua New Guinea.Credit:
Travel is difficult in our nearest neighbour, but remote, rugged landscapes and flamboyant tribal culture are among the best on Earth, making this the perfect place to explore by expedition cruise.
A 12-night voyage return from Cairns or Madang takes you to seldom-visited islands and the Sepik River, lets you snorkel in the Fly Islands, and visits WWII battle sites. Cultural encounters are a constant in this land of festivals and dance.
The 120-passenger Coral Adventurer is nimble, bringing an intimate encounter with bays and reefs landscapes further explored by tenders and Zodiacs. “Frontier Lands of PNG” cruise from $9940pp, departs on December 17 and 29, 2023. See coralexpeditions.com
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