Cruise destinations
Where you want to go narrows the choice fast: only some lines sail each region, seasons are short in places like Alaska and Northern Europe, and departure ports decide whether you need a flight. Each guide covers the best months, the lines compared for that region, typical trip length and price, departure ports and the ports of call. Destinations are grouped by how far they are from the US.
Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda and Mexico
- BahamasPlan a cruise to the Bahamas: which line and private island suit you, 3-night trips against a week from New York or Baltimore, best months and what to check.
- BermudaBermuda cruises from New York, Boston and Baltimore: which lines sail, how many days you're docked at King's Wharf, the best month to go and what to do ashore.
- CaribbeanWestern, Eastern or Southern Caribbean cruise? What each route visits, the lines that sail it, hurricane season, and which ports you can leave from.
- MexicoHow to cruise to Mexico: 3- to 5-night Baja trips to Ensenada, 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta, and Cozumel on the Caribbean side.
- Panama CanalPanama Canal cruises for 2026 and 2027: full transits vs partial transits, the best months, which lines go, trip lengths and when repositioning cruises sail.
Alaska, Hawaii and North America
- AlaskaThe best time to cruise Alaska month by month, Inside Passage vs Gulf of Alaska routes, which lines go to Glacier Bay, and what drives the cost.
- Canada and New EnglandCanada and New England cruises: round trips from Boston and New York vs one-way sailings to Quebec City or Montreal, fall foliage timing, lines and passports.
- HawaiiHawaii cruises for 2026 and 2027 compared: Pride of America's 7-day inter-island trip from Honolulu vs 14- to 16-day round trips from Los Angeles and Vancouver.
- Pacific CoastWest Coast cruises explained: Pacific coast sailings between California and Vancouver, when they run, which lines sail them, the ports and what ID you need.
Europe
- EuropeEuropean cruises for 2026 and 2027: which lines sail the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, where they depart, the best months, and getting there from the USA.
- GreeceHow to pick a Greece cruise: Greek island cruises by line, sailings from Athens, Santorini and Mykonos crowds and fees, and the best months for 2026 and 2027.
- ItalyPlan an Italy cruise: sailings from Rome and the Venice-area ports, the lines and ships there in 2027, the Amalfi Coast and Sicily by ship, and the best months.
- MediterraneanPlan a Mediterranean cruise for 2027: western or eastern routes, the lines and ships sailing from Barcelona, Rome and Athens, the best months and 2028 plans.
- Northern Europe and IcelandIceland cruises, Norwegian fjords, British Isles and Baltic cruises for 2026 and 2027: which lines go, where they start, the best months and what's changed.
Farther away
- Africa and Middle EastCruises to Africa and the Middle East in 2026–2027: South Africa seasons, Morocco and West Africa routes, Nile river cruises, and why Dubai cruises are off.
- Antarctica, Arctic and GalápagosAntarctica, Arctic and Galápagos cruises compared: expedition ships vs big-ship scenic cruising, landing rules, seasons, costs and the lines that sail each.
- Asia and JapanPlan a Japan cruise or an Asia cruise: sailings from Tokyo and Singapore, the lines and ships there in 2026–2028, the best months and how to cruise from the US.
- Australia and New ZealandPlan a New Zealand cruise, an Australia cruise or a South Pacific trip to Tahiti, Bora Bora and Fiji: the lines and ships, the season, entry rules and tipping.
- South and Central AmericaSouth America cruises explained: Cape Horn and Chilean fjords crossings, Brazil, the Amazon and Costa Rica, the lines there in 2026–2028 and when to go.