Four of the Most Beautiful Ways to Cruise the World
I’m not the biggest fan of cruises. I know that’s a weird way to start an article about awesome places to go on a cruise, but it’s the truth. I should clarify though that it just depends on the type of cruise. There are no shortages in options when it comes to cruises. In fact, Dealchecker have just released the Cruise Plotter, which has close to 40,000 different cruises listed. What I don’t like are cruises that are crowded and only visit places built for cruise tourists. I like cruises where you go to places of pure beauty, or places only accessible by boat, or where the wildlife outnumbers the humans.
I haven’t had the budget to begin checking any of these off yet, but below is my current shortlist of cruises on my travel bucket list:
1. Viewing the Northern Lights from a Spa Boat
I missed out on seeing the Northern Lights on my recent dogsledding trip up to Northern Minnesota’s Boundary Waters. Part of me was kind of glad I didn’t see them so that I can instead see them for the first time while aboard the Valkana. This cruise is only a couple of hours, so it needs to be paired with a longer stay while in Norway. UNLESS, you have at least 8 people. Then you can charter the boat and stay overnight for as many nights as you can afford. There are many places to see the Aurora Borealis, but I would consider this cruise to be one of the most relaxing (and warmest) ways to see them. Amenities on this boat include a saltwater hot tub on deck, a wood fired sauna with panoramic window, and a zen lounge with fireplace and glass roof. Read more and book here.
2. Pure Luxury in the Amazon
Are you sensing a theme here? For one, my bucket list of cruises isn’t going to feature the budget options, and two, I like hot tubs! As for cruising the Amazon, it doesn’t get any more luxurious than the Delfin I riverboat. The cruise centers around Peru’s Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the largest protected wetland reserve anywhere in the world. The rooms are the definition of luxury, with beds large enough to sleep a family of six. I really am not a huge fan of over-the-top luxury for a variety of reasons, but this boat is one of my few exceptions where it is just too nice not to try at least once. Of course, it isn’t cheap, but a 5-day cruise aboard this ship would be an absolute dream!
3. Antarctica Adventure
I mentioned that I like the idea of taking a cruise to places that are really only accessible by boat. There isn’t a better example of that than cruising to Antarctica. I said the Amazon river cruise isn’t cheap, but compared to the $10,000+ price tag on Antarctica cruises, the Amazon suddenly seems like a bargain. The wildlife and scenery that is experienced on cruises to the white continent are unlike anywhere else on Earth, and is one of the few places where saying the word “locals” refers solely to animals and not humans. Oh, and if you’re wondering if there is a hot tub on this luxury boat, the answer is a most-definite YES.
4. All the way around and through the Panama Canal
This is probably the cruise that most people dream of when they think of the ‘cruise of a lifetime’. The Cruise Around the World. I am no different, and if I ever find myself with more money than I know what to do with, this will be one of the first things I do. When you really think about it though, is it THAT expensive. $30,000 per person? Would you rather have a $30,000 car or take a 114 day cruise around the world? I’d take the cruise! It’s the time off that is the tricky part.
The highlight of this cruise for me would be passing through the Panama Canal; another bucket list item for me. I’ve always been fascinated by the history of the canal. I mean, more than 25,000 workers died during its construction! A stat that just makes my head hurt thinking about.
Besides the canal, the number of amazing destinations on a cruise like this would be enough to keep my travel bug satisfied for at least a couple of years. Maybe I’ll just get a job on that boat…
.
Which cruise is on your bucket list that I missed?
Featured photo source: Yngve Olsen Sæbbe
Like this Article? Share it!
