The Top 12 Most Beautiful Cruise Routes in the World

You are new to cruising and looking for the right destination, or you're overwhelmed by the vast selection of cruises and don't know which cruise itinerary suits you best? This article is just what you need! Here we present the most beautiful cruise routes in the world and explain why you should take each of them.

You're considering booking a cruise, but you still have many questions swirling in your mind. 'What is the best cruise?' 'When is the best time to book a cruise, and when is it cheapest?' You will find the answers to these questions in this article. We show you the 12 most stunning cruise itineraries in the world and explain why you should choose each one.

1. Caribbean

2. Eastern Mediterranean

3. Northern Europe (Northern Lights)

4. Western Europe

5. Western Mediterranean

6. Orient

7. Baltic Sea

8. Canary Islands

9. Africa

10. Southeast Asia

11. South America

12. World Cruise

➡ <a href="#faq">FAQs</a>

Before we dive into the most beautiful cruise routes, let's take a look at the selection. When you check out our cruise search, you'll find around 1,700 routes. These are divided into various themes/destinations: Africa, Alaska, Amazon, Antarctica, Arctic, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Bahamas, Danube, Indian Ocean, Canary Islands, Caribbean, Central America, Mediterranean, Moselle, Nile, North America, Northern Europe, Orient, Baltic Sea, South Pacific, South America, Southeast Asia, World Cruise, and many more. It can be quite overwhelming, and it's understandable that you might need some help and pre-selection while searching for the right cruise route. That's exactly what we've set out to do, and we have selected the 12 most beautiful cruise routes for you. We consider which route is suitable for which type of vacationer and for what time of year. Additionally, we will tell you what costs you can expect for your cruise. These are the results - enjoy reading, exploring, booking, and experiencing!

Honestly, who doesn't dream of snow-white sandy beaches combined with turquoise-blue seas? The scenario is accompanied by tropical rainforests, coconut palms, and exotic animals. If you have always wanted to visit the Caribbean but couldn't decide on a dream island, then this cruise is perfect for you. You can look forward to dream destinations such as Mexico, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Curacao, Dominican Republic, and many more. A Caribbean cruise can also be wonderfully combined with a city trip to Miami or New York.

✓ Highlights & Benefits: pure sunshine, many dream beaches, escape from the European winter

✓ Disadvantages: more expensive than other cruises, you need to take a longer flight before arriving at the harbor

✓ Possible departure ports: New York City, Miami, Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe), La Romana (Dominican Republic), Fort Lauderdale, and more.

✓ Best travel time: December to April

✓ Duration: 7-16 nights

✓ Perfect for: beach vacation, luxury

✓ Costs: between $700 and $6,000 per person depending on season, cabin, and meals

➡ browse our Caribbean cruises now

Day 1: La Romana, Dominican Republic

Day 2: Day at sea

Day 3: Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Day 4: Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda

Day 5: Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe

Day 6: Roseau, Dominica

Day 7: Castries, St. Lucia

Day 8: Bridgetown, Barbados

Day 9: Fort-de-France, Martinique

Day 10: Saint George, Grenada

Day 11: Day at sea

Day 12: Oranjestad, Aruba

Day 13: Oranjestad, Aruba

Day 14: Day at sea

Day 15: La Romana, Dominican Republic

If you are big fans of Italy, Croatia, and Greece, then the Eastern Mediterranean is the perfect route for you. On your Mediterranean cruise you can expect ancient sites, picturesque towns, and impressive volcanic landscapes. If you are particularly interested in sightseeing, then an Eastern Mediterranean cruise will definitely appeal to you. You will visit fascinating cities such as Athens, Dubrovnik, Bari, Valletta, and Olympia, as well as beautiful islands like Santorini and Mykonos.

Furthermore, this cruise route is very suitable for beginners, as you will be staying in Europe and will be able to reach the harbor quickly. 3-8 days is also an excellent time to get acquainted with cruising and learn everything.

By the way, our editor Jasmina started her first cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean in June 2023. You can find out how it went in our experience report.

✓ Highlights & Benefits: colorful mix of cities and islands, great excursions

✓ Disadvantages: too cool in winter

✓ Possible departure ports: Venice, Bari, Trieste, Rhodes, Athens, Corfu, Istanbul, and more.

✓ Best travel time: March to the end of May (pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists); otherwise, also into October

✓ Duration: 3-9 nights

✓ Perfect for: sightseeing, cruising beginners

✓ Costs: between $300 and $3,000 per person depending on season, cabin, and meals

➡ browse our Eastern Mediterranean cruises now

Day 1: Venice, Marghera

Day 2: Day at sea

Day 3: Kefalonia, Greece

Day 4: Mykonos, Greece

Day 5: Santorini, Greece

Day 6: Day at sea

Day 7: Bari, Italy

Day 8: Disembark in Marghera, Venice

Did you know that you can witness the Northern Lights on cruises? That is certainly one of the greatest highlights of a Northern Europe cruise. Fascinating natural phenomena like waterfalls, geysers, volcanoes, glaciers, stunning fjords, and spectacular views await you. The destinations in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland are simply magically beautiful, and here you have the opportunity to see several of them at a glance. Another advantage is that you can start the trip from Germany, either from Hamburg or Kiel.

✓ Highlights & Benefits: Northern Lights, also possible from Germany

✓ Disadvantages: not a classic beach vacation

✓ Possible departure ports: Hamburg, Kiel, Copenhagen, Paris (Le Havre), Reykjavik, Rotterdam, Oslo, Stockholm, and more.

✓ Best travel time: May to September (pleasant temperatures), September to March (Northern Lights)

✓ Duration: 7-14 nights

✓ Perfect for: nature lovers, sightseeing

✓ Costs: between $300 and $3,000 per person depending on season, cabin, and meals

➡ browse our Northern Europe cruises now

Day 1: Reykjavik, Iceland

Day 2: Ísafjörður, Iceland

Day 3: Akureyri, Iceland

Day 4: Day at sea

Day 5: Ålesund, Norway

Day 6: Hellesylt, Norway

Day 7: Bergen, Norway

Day 8: Day at sea

Day 9: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Day 10: Zeebrugge, Belgium

Day 11: Southampton, United Kingdom

If you are fascinated by countries like France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, or if you have always wanted to see them, then a Western Europe cruise is your best bet. Your journey will take you through fascinating natural landscapes, historic cultural regions, and bustling metropolises like Rotterdam, Paris, Lisbon, Rome, and Amsterdam. Royal fans can also enjoy royal days in the UK in Sussex or at Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire.

Vacation Guru Tip: If you want to experience the tulip bloom in Holland, it's best to book your Western Europe cruise between March and mid-May. If your route passes through Amsterdam, you will see the flowers in their full glory!

✓ Highlights & Benefits: also possible from Germany

✓ Disadvantages: not a classic beach vacation

✓ Possible departure ports: Hamburg, Kiel, Rotterdam, Palma de Mallorca, Lisbon, Dublin

✓ Best travel time: May to September, December (Advent cruises with Christmas markets)

✓ Duration: 6-14 nights

✓ Perfect for: city lovers

✓ Costs: between $250 and $5,500 per person depending on season, cabin, and meals

➡ browse our Western Europe cruises now

Day 1: Bremerhaven, Germany

Day 2: Day at sea

Day 3: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Day 4: Rotterdam, Netherlands

Day 5: Zeebrugge, Belgium

Day 6: Le Havre (Paris), France

Day 7: Day at sea

Day 8: Bremerhaven, Germany

While the eastern Mediterranean route focuses more on Greece, the western route showcases more regions of France and Spain. The beautiful Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia are also part of your cruise trip. On the Western Mediterranean cruise, you'll experience the Mediterranean flair while enjoying delicious tapas in Barcelona, visiting the Colosseum in Rome, or swimming in the turquoise waters of Sardinia, Sicily, Nice, or Saint-Tropez. Some routes even extend to North Africa, specifically to Morocco. So if you enjoy wandering through luxury cities while swimming in the most beautiful waters of Europe, then this cruise route is made for you!

✓ Highlights & Benefits: a combination of dream beaches & metropolises, few days at sea

✓ Disadvantages: high prices in the luxury cities where you dock

✓ Possible departure ports: Barcelona, Savona, Marseille, Rome, Valencia, Palermo, and more.

✓ Best travel time: April to October, June to September (for swimming)

✓ Duration: 3-14 nights

✓ Perfect for: a mix of beach and city, party vacation, wine lovers

✓ Costs: between $450 and $4,500 per person depending on season, cabin, and meals

➡ browse our Mediterranean cruises now

Day 1: Barcelona, Spain

Day 2: Marseille, France

Day 3: Genoa, Italy

Day 4: Naples, Italy

Day 5: Palermo, Italy

Day 6: La Goulette, Tunisia

Day 7: Day at sea

Day 8: Barcelona, Spain

On the Orient cruise, you set sail into the Arabian Sea and explore ultramodern skyscrapers, luxury palaces, desert landscapes, beautiful beaches, and enjoy sunshine every day. Your itinerary includes destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, Egypt, and Oman. The best part about a cruise in the Orient is that you always enjoy good weather and are not restricted to a specific travel period. If you want to travel in summer, be prepared for scorching temperatures between 41-45°C. On the other hand, prices are lower, and the water temperature is pleasantly warm like a bathtub.

✓ Highlights & Benefits: possible year-round, guaranteed good weather, good value for money

✓ Disadvantages: too hot in summer

✓ Possible departure ports: Crete, Dubai, Doha (Qatar), Abu Dhabi, Muscat (Oman), and more.

✓ Best travel time: January-April & October-December

✓ Duration: 7-16 nights

✓ Perfect for: sightseeing, beach vacations, luxury lovers

✓ Costs: between $595 and $6,400 per person depending on season, cabin, and meals

➡ browse our Orient cruises now

You want to discover the highlights of the Orient but away from the usual tourist paths? Celestyal Cruises offers you a relaxed and authentic cruise with a special focus on culture, history, and hospitality. Instead of large ships, you'll experience a personal atmosphere, warmth, and a comprehensive package with many inclusives.

Our highlight: The Dream Desert Cruise starts from Dubai or Doha and takes you to fascinating destinations like Oman, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi - a perfect mix of tradition and modernity.

Discover here the cruises from Celestyal Cruises.

Day 1 - Day 3: Dubai, UAE

Day 4: Muscat, Oman

Day 5: Day at sea

Day 6: Doha, Qatar,

Day 7: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Day 8: Dubai, UAE

A Baltic Sea cruise often begins in Germany and stretches to Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. The itinerary includes capitals like Riga and Tallinn, as well as Helsinki or Stockholm - the perfect mix of Scandinavian and Baltic flair. You will also be enchanted by smaller charming towns like Gdansk in Poland or Klaipeda in Lithuania. On the Baltic Sea cruise, you also have the fantastic opportunity to experience 'Midsummer.' After the dark winter, in many parts of Scandinavia from June to July, the sun doesn't set even at night. This phenomenon is celebrated throughout the summer in the far north.

✓ Highlights & Benefits: also possible from Germany and without flying, Midsummer festival

✓ Disadvantages: too cool outside of summer

✓ Possible departure ports: Kiel, Warnemünde, Helsinki, Tallinn, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and more.

✓ Best travel time: June-September

✓ Duration: 7-10 nights

✓ Perfect for: nature lovers, sightseeing

✓ Costs: between $499 and $3,630 per person depending on season, cabin, and meals

➡ browse our Baltic Sea cruises now

Day 1: Warnemünde, Germany

Day 2: Day at sea

Day 3 - 4: Stockholm, Sweden

Day 5: Visby, Sweden

Day 6: Gdansk/Gdynia, Poland

Day 7: Copenhagen, Denmark

Day 8: Warnemünde, Germany

Have you always had the Canary Islands on your bucket list but couldn't decide on an island? Then the best way is to take a Canary Islands cruise and find out which one suits you best: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, or El Hierro! On your route, you will discover beautiful beaches ranging from gold to black, fascinating volcanic landscapes, historic towns as well as colorful underwater worlds. During your dives, you may encounter seahorses, parrotfish, rays, and, with luck, even whales. Surfers and water sports enthusiasts will also find their pleasures. A Canary Islands cruise is very suitable for families with children due to its diversity.

✓ Highlights & Benefits: multiple Canary Islands at once, possible year-round

✓ Disadvantages: you will see only one country or only two countries (if Portugal is included in the route)

✓ Possible departure ports: Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lisbon, and more.

✓ Best travel time: May-October, June-September (for swimming)

✓ Duration: 7-14 nights

✓ Perfect for: beach vacations, active vacations, water sports, families

✓ Costs: between $329 and $3,500 per person depending on season, cabin, and meals

➡ browse our Canary Islands cruises now

Day 1: Gran Canaria

Day 2: La Gomera, Spain

Day 3: La Palma, Spain

Day 4: Day at sea

Day 5: Lanzarote, Spain

Day 6-7: Fuerteventura, Spain

Day 8: Tenerife, Spain

Day 9: Gran Canaria, Spain

If you are longing for an adventure, then the Africa cruise will capture your heart. On these routes, you will discover wildlife, desert landscapes, savannas, metropolises, and breathtaking beaches, for example in the stunning Seychelles. Destinations include Namibia, South Africa, the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar. Highlights such as the stunning view from Table Mountain, a safari, or a trip to the Cape of Good Hope make the Africa cruise unforgettable.

✓ Highlights & Benefits: mix of adventure, safari, and dream beaches

✓ Disadvantages: expensive, long flights to/from the port

✓ Possible departure ports: Cape Town, Port Louis (Mauritius), Mahé (Seychelles), Tenerife, Hamburg, and more.

✓ Best travel time: November to April

✓ Duration: 14-20 nights

✓ Perfect for: adventurers, beach vacations

✓ Costs: between $845 and $20,500 per person depending on season, cabin, and meals

➡ browse our Africa cruises now

Day 1: Cape Town, South Africa

Day 2: Day at sea

Day 3-4: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Day 5: East London, South Africa

Day 6-7: Durban, South Africa

Day 8-10: Days at sea

Day 11: Le Port La Reunion, France

Day 12: Port Louis, Mauritius

Day 13-14: Days at sea

Day 15: Mahé / Port Victoria, Seychelles

Day 16: La Digue, Seychelles

Day 17: Praslin Island, Seychelles

Day 18-21: Days at sea

Day 22: Muscat, Oman

Day 23-24: Dubai

Palm-lined beaches, delicious Asian cuisine, vibrant cities, and fascinating nature await you on a Southeast Asia cruise. If you have wanderlust and want to visit dream destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, you can do it all in one route. On your Southeast Asia journey, you will lounge on the most beautiful beaches in Koh Samui and Phuket, explore metropolises like Bangkok and Singapore, and visit fascinating temple complexes - there is something here for every type of vacationer!

✓ Highlights & Benefits: an all-round cruise that encompasses everything

✓ Disadvantages: not possible in summer, expensive

✓ Possible departure ports: Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and more.

✓ Best travel time: November-April

✓ Duration: 6-14 nights

✓ Perfect for: Asia fans, culture lovers, beach vacations

✓ Costs: between $912 and $6,000 per person depending on season, cabin, and meals

➡ browse our Asia cruises now

Day 1-2: Bangkok

Day 3-4: Days at sea

Day 5-6: Singapore

Day 7: Port Klang, Malaysia

Day 8: Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia

Day 9: Phuket, Thailand

Day 10: Penang, Malaysia

Day 11-12: Days at sea

Day 13: Koh Samui, Thailand

Day 14-15: Bangkok, Thailand

Bright colors, joyful dances, parties - everything that spreads good cheer is found in South America. Here, where tango and samba are at home, everyone gets infected with the cheerfulness of the locals. On your extraordinary South America cruise, you will celebrate at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, immerse yourself in the history of Uruguay, and admire the fascinating palaces in Buenos Aires. On top of that, you'll find endless white beaches with crystal-clear water inviting you to swim and relax. Enjoy your time in the continent of contrasts!

✓ Highlights & Benefits: colorful mix of cities, beaches, and culture

✓ Disadvantages: expensive

✓ Possible departure ports: Buenos Aires, Santos (Brazil), Rio de Janeiro, and more.

✓ Best travel time: November to April

✓ Duration: 6-15 nights

✓ Perfect for: parties, culture lovers, beach vacations

✓ Costs: between $600 and $5,800 per person depending on season, cabin, and meals

➡ browse our South America cruises now

Day 1: Buenos Aires

Day 2-3: Days at sea

Day 4: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Day 5: Ilhabela, Brazil

Day 6: Balneário Camboriú, Brazil

Day 7: Day at sea

Day 8: Montevideo, Uruguay

Day 9: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Want to explore the whole world by ship? That's exactly what a world cruise offers. If you have the time available, take this unique chance to fulfill your grand dream. You can choose between a short world cruise lasting one to three months and a long world cruise that can last up to six months. During this time, you will explore 4-6 continents, 20-40 destinations, and all kinds of dream beaches around the world! It's best to choose a world cruise after you have already been on a cruise a few times. Since it's a long time on board, it would be good to know that you can handle this type of travel well.

✓ Highlights & Benefits: fulfill a dream, see the whole world, your luggage stays on the ship & you have only one accommodation

✓ Disadvantages: takes at least 1 month, expensive

✓ Possible departure ports: Savona, Hamburg, Marseille, and more.

✓ Best travel time: none, as the travel period is fixed based on the route

✓ Duration: 28-150 nights

✓ Perfect for: flexible individuals, such as self-employed content creators, retirees, cruise experts

✓ Costs: between $6,500 and $30,000 per person depending on season, cabin, and meals

➡ browse our world cruise options now

France, Spain, Morocco, Canary Islands (Spain), Cape Verde, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Polynesia, Tonga, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia; 71 nights with Costa Deliziosa from Marseille

Spain, Cape Verde, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, New Zealand, Australia, Mauritius, France, South Africa, Portugal, England, and more; 117 nights with AIDAsol from Hamburg

If you still have any questions on your mind, here are two of the most frequently asked questions about cruise routes. If, despite the answers provided in this article, you still have uncertainties, take a look at our article on Tips for Cruise Beginners. Otherwise, don't hesitate to leave us a comment or reach out to us on our social media channels!

If you're still not sure if you want to go on a cruise, read our Top 10 Reasons for Cruises and get ready to book!

To get the best prices for a cruise, you should either book as early as possible (6-12 months in advance) or as last-minute as possible (about 1 month in advance). It can also help to choose cruise dates for Mediterranean cruises outside of school holidays. Northern Europe cruises are more popular in the winter months than in the summer, and accordingly, travel prices also change. Just check all possible departure dates and you will find both cheaper and more expensive prices.

If you are booking flights to the port yourself and not including them in a package, it's best to book them as early as possible. Because generally the price increases the closer the flight gets. This only applies if you know from which port you will be starting your cruise.

Most cruises take place at major ports around the world. You will find European port cities such as Hamburg, Warnemünde, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Genoa, Marseille, Venice, Mallorca, and Copenhagen very often in the routes. But also, metropolises on other continents like Dubai, Doha, Shanghai, and New York are ports that are often visited.

On a cruise, you want to pack only the essentials in your suitcase. Scroll through our Packing List for Cruises to find out what you absolutely need to take and what you can leave at home.