Embark on an adventure of a lifetime this year on a luxury cruise ship, stopping at a variety of iconic destinations filled with rich culture, vibrant city life, stunning coastlines and breath-taking landscapes. Choose from our impressive line-up of the best cruise holidays and itineraries for 2021, providing excellent value and a variety of activities to keep you and the family entertained!
Greece
What better way to start your summer holiday than escaping for seven days to island-hop in the beautiful country of Greece. Starting in Athens (Piraeus), discover the capital city’s fascinating archaeological history at the Acropolis Museum and explore the incredible Acropolis of Athens. Capture panoramic views from the hill of Kastella which dominates the skyline and spot the Saronic Gulf, before cruising to your second destination: Monemvasia.
Monemvasia offers exquisite culture such as the Monemvasia Fortress, the Christos Elkomenos Church and the archaeological site of Epidavros Limera! Visit the Hagia Sophia which gifts you with spectacular views of the town and the Myrtoan Sea.
Athens
Absorb the sunshine from the cruise as you travel to Agios Nikolaos in Crete, where you will find flawless beaches including Kitroplatiea and Amnos. Uncover the hidden treasure of Spinalonga Peninsula, an almost uninhabited island lined with pristine seafronts.
Head to the popular tourist destination of Santorini, voted one of the world’s most beautiful islands. Relax under clear blue skies in front of glittering waters, explore ancient ruins including Akrotiri and indulge in the local cuisine and exquisite winery tours.
Once labelled Europe’s most idyllic place to live by Forbes, Patmos offers beautiful sights such as the Monastery of St. John, Chora, the Cave of Apocalypse and Psili Ammos Beach. This will contribute to a perfect ending to your luxury cruise, along with the final destination of Mykonos, one of the most visited Greek islands. Experience the marvellous beaches, historical treasures and classic nightlife of the island, before heading back to Athens to end your trip.
Add yachting land and adventure activities to your trip to enhance your experience on the different islands, such as Tastes and Vineyards in Mykonos and hands-on Greek cooking in Santorini!
https://seadream.com/voyages/22121
The Caribbean
Experience the gorgeous sights of the tropical Caribbean with a splash magic and fun in the vibrant Disney Cruise. Begin your enchanting journey from the home of the Kennedy Space Centre: Port Canaveral in Florida, just an hour away from Walt Disney World Resort.
Start your trip on a high by exploring the resort or book an incredible tour of the Kennedy Space Centre, before relaxing on the warm sand of Cocoa Beach. Spend two days aboard the thrilling cruise at sea, where you will be entertained by Broadway-style musicals, fine dining at restaurants and unique club experiences for every age group.
Upon your arrival at the first destination of Tortola, part of the British Virgin Islands, stroll around the beautiful Mount Healthy National Park, swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery and unwind on the popular beach of Cane Garden Bay. Hop back on the cruise as it whisks you off to spend the following day at St. Thomas, a paradise island filled with white-sand beaches and fun activities. Scuba dive at a marine sanctuary with the fish and turtles, take in the island’s beauty by bike ride or through a more extravagant experience of a zipline across the vibrant rainforest!
Spend a day at sea before being treated like royalty at Disney Castaway Cay, a luxurious private island reserved for Disney Cruise Line Guests only. Have an unforgettable end to your family adventure by swimming, snorkelling and kayaking together, followed by a treat for the parents who can enjoy cocktails and massages at a private beach. Take in the extraordinary magic of the Disney Cruise one last time, as your holiday comes to an end on your journey back to Port Canaveral in Florida.
Norwegian fjords
Capture the phenomenal sights of the famous glaciers of Norway, along with breath-taking waterfalls, towering mountains and friendly locals in the old cobbled street towns. Your adventure will commence in Southampton in England, a city filled with a variety of restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres to explore before you board the cruise.
Spend a day at sea and spend some time exploring the cruise, including the brilliant American-style cuisine and top-class wine options, before arriving in Norway at your first stop: Stavanger. With an extensive range of museums, galleries and events, there is plenty of culture in this city as well as naturally beautiful landscapes at the entrance to Norway’s scenic fjorland.
Norwegian Fjords
Be transported to your second destination of Norway, Olden, which features a peaceful village with a view of the beautiful Oldedalen Valley and the Briksdal Glacier. Visit the glacier museums, go skiing and Hornindalsvatnet, northern Europe’s deepest lake. Treat yourself to a Helicopter Flightseeing experience or Briksdal Glacier by Troll Car.
Continue your journey through the Norwegian fjords where you can spot Geirangerfjord, Sunnylvsfjorden and Storfjorden, before entering Haugesund. Hop off the cruise to travel back in time at the Nordvegen History Centre, St Olav’s Church and Virgin Mary’s Sewing Needle.
End your travels in the country’s sunniest southern city, Kristiansand, where you can unwind after an adventure of sightseeing and culture on the fantastic beaches. Get your last dose of culture in the city before you journey back to Southampton at the 960-year-old Oddernes Church and Kristiansand Cannon Museum which features the world’s second largest gun.
https://www.pocruises.com/find-a-cruise/
South America
Immerse yourself in the exotic destinations within South America, where you will spend nine nights exploring all of the beauty and exciting activities on offer. There is no better city to start off your round-trip than the iconic Rio De Janeiro. Don’t miss the Christ the Redeemer monument and the Sugarloaf Mountain experience, as well as the variety of tours available which gift you with panoramic views of Guanabara Bay. Relax with a Caipirinha cocktail on the famous Copacabana Beach before heading off to your next destination.
Buzios in Brazil is home to over 20 beaches, where you can participate in thrilling water activities including scuba diving and surfing. Indulge in the delicious freshness of the seafood cuisine and experience the vibrant nightlife in the evening.
The next stop, Ilhabela, lives up to the meaning of its name which is ‘beautiful island’. Featuring ancient volcanoes, pristine beaches and a tropical atmosphere, this is the perfect place for divers, hikers and surfers. Keep your eyes peeled for the toucans and capuchin monkeys, as well as shipwrecks and stunning mountains.
Next, you will visit one of the largest cities in the world, Sao Paulo, where you can explore Avenida Paulista, the Museum of Art of Sao Paulo and some of the finest restaurants in the country, before spending two days at sea on your way to Punta Del Este in Uruguay. Here, you can enjoy a coffee at the seafront followed by shopping at the stylish boutiques and visit the galleries of Calle Gorlero.
Visit the modern city of Montevideo afterwards, which is flooding with vibrant creativity of local artists, then stop at your final location of Buenos Aires in Argentina where you will have the pleasure of staying overnight! Featuring 300 theatres and 160 museums, you will certainly be kept entertained during your stay. Known for its leading fashion design, take a shopping trip round the superior boutiques and enjoy the liveliness of the street performers in the evenings.
Asia
From the dazzling neon lights of Tokyo to the exceptional architecture in Singapore, a 13-night cruise across the South China Sea is the best way to experience all of the beautiful sights of Asia in one trip.
Stroll through Tokyo’s contrasting old and new features, with the ancient gardens and cobbled streets of Japan’s capital city to the modern skyscrapers and stunning sea of lights. Dine in the vibrant restaurants, shop in the lush boutiques and explore the rich culture of the city before cruising to Mount Fuji – Japan’s tallest mountain and most sacred attraction.
Enjoy a blend of culture and adventure in the next stop of Japan’s best cities, Kyoto, where you will find the first Universal Studios theme park to be situated outside of America. The city is bursting with culture for you to explore, with it being home to 17 different World Heritage Sites including the amazing Kiyomizudera Temple and Heian Jingu Shrine.
Escape from the bustle of the major cities to the calm, friendly atmosphere of a small town in Japan: Kochi. Despite the tranquil atmosphere, the city features several attractions, allowing you to still enjoy a rich cultural experience and try the city’s most famous dish for dinner, Katsuo no tataki. Visit the temple and the beautiful botanical garden at Mount Godaisan, followed by a day at sea where you can lay by the pool on the cruise and treat yourself to luxurious spa treatments.
Upon your arrival at Okinawa, you will be welcomed by glittering water, a tropical climate and exotic creatures including the rare Yambaru-kuina bird. Stroll down Kokusai Street, spot Shuri Castle, the Tombs of Kings of Ryukyu and the Gyokusen-do Cave, then leave for Ishigaki, the final destination in Japan.
Known as the most beautiful place in the country, Ishigaki is a dreamy paradise filled with spotless beaches, palm forests, coral reefs and warm weather, fulfilling the perfect ending to your Japanese tour. Trek to the ancient Tōrin-ji temple which survived a tsunami in 1771 and unwinding on the glorious beaches before you leave!
Spend a day at sea travelling to the incredible capital of China. Hong Kong is a vibrant city filled with life through the people and the lights which illuminate the sky from the towering skyscrapers. Visit the astonishing temples as well as Victoria Peak, an Aberdeen Fishing Village and the Man Mo Temple in particular!
And just like that, you will be boarding the luxurious cruise again, relaxing by the pool on your way to Nha Trang in Vietnam. With a fresh mix of busy city life and beach life in one, this destination offers unique experiences including island-hopping boat trips, scuba diving, mud baths and historic monuments. Absorb the beauty of the mountain landscape and head down to the beautiful beach to unwind, before sitting down to a delicious dinner at one of the variety of restaurants.
Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam will mark the second last destination of your trip, where you can stroll down the iconic boulevards, learn about the culture at the History Museum and visit the Cu Chi Tunnel from the war. After your final day spent at sea, you will finally reach the incredible city of Singapore. Appreciate the astounding architecture of buildings like the Marina Bay Sands hotel, the famous Gardens by the Bay and throw yourself into the adventures at Sentosa which is home to Palawan Beach & Tiger Sky Tower!
By Layla Maguire
KeiKei is a London-based award-winning journalist and videographer with a degree in Broadcast Media and Journalism from the University of the West of Scotland and an extensive reporting background in news, entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
KeiKei has travelled the globe interviewing, reporting and reviewing. Her work has been published in worldwide media outlets including, The New York Post, The Guardian, The Mirror, The Daily Mail, National Geographic and Conde Nast publications.
