If you’re a fan of the sea, you’ll enjoy this guest contribution on 10 places you must visit by ship! Enjoy!
These days there’s no such thing as not being able to afford to travel. It’s a lifestyle that’s been opened up to people from all walks of life who want to be able to explore the world and experience its riches. With all kinds of offers and deals, the world is ours to venture into regardless of our budget.
One option is to experience the world from the sea on last minute cruises. Okay, so cruising has traditionally been more of an alternative for those with plenty of time (and money) on their hands. That’s not so much the case now. There are so many more choices.
So which locations are the best to see from a cruise liner? Here are 10 destinations that you should pass up on travelling to by plane and hit by ship instead:
1) Antarctica
From mid-November to early March, cruise ships can tour one of the most intriguing continents on Planet Earth. Rarely visited and just about untouched, you can see soaring glaciers and enormous icebergs, along with penguin colonies and huge, wide open sea. You’ll learn a lot about the planet we live on, while seeing sights only witnessed by few.
2) Alaska
If you’re hooked by the thought of glaciers, fjords and icebergs but Antarctica seems a little pricey, Alaska could be the perfect alternative. Not only do you have similarly striking scenery to look forward to, there’s also the opportunity to see schools of whales from the safety of the ship. Cruises tend to offer shore excursions too, giving you the chance to stretch your legs and explore on hiking trails.
3) Caribbean
Cruise through beautiful desert islands, beaches and azure seas. Each island has its own culture and character although they all provide an equally warm welcome. With exotic locations like Barbados and Aruba to choose from, you can only go right with this one.
4) Panama Canal
This has to be one of the world’s most spectacular engineering projects. It links both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans as well as the continents of North and South America. That’s worth the cruise alone.
5) Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are famous for their unspoiled beautiful landscapes and beaches. And then there’s the duty-free shopping. Hooray!
6) Hong Kong and China
Here’s where the influences of Britain and China converge in this fantastic cultural experience. With exquisite culinary delights and experiences waiting round every corner, Hong Kong is a wonder that has to be seen to be believed.
7) French Riviera
Closer to home but no less striking, the French Riviera offers gorgeously sweeping mountainous terrain and wonderfully sophisticated destinations such as Cannes and Monte Carlo.
8) The Baltic Sea
Cruise through the Baltic Sea to visit the Scandinavian countries, stopping at the refined cities of Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen. If you’re lucky, you might even see the Northern Lights in all their glory.
9) Australia and New Zealand
Visit bustling port cities such as Sydney and Auckland, while learning about Maori and Aboriginal culture. Enjoy the stark contrast of the lush greenery of New Zealand compared with the sprawling landscapes of Australia.
10) Cayman Islands
Desert islands with a distinctly British feel (Columbus landed here in 1503), the Cayman Islands are famous for scuba diving and snorkelling, with a plethora of wildlife and a thrilling pirate past.
Next time you’re wondering where your next holiday destination will be, consider a last-minute cruise and you’ll quickly find yourself whisked off to a new and enthralling set of exotic locales.
Images by deepakhere & Carol Munro, used under Creative Commons license.