The cruise industry is growing and the options for where to cruise are expanding. So where can you head on your next cruise holiday? Here’s some inspiration for next year…
Cruise holidays are becoming increasingly popular as they offer a hassle-free way to explore multiple destinations without the need to constantly pack and unpack.
According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), 2.3 million people embarked on a cruise in 2023, a significant increase from the 1.7 million the previous year. The Mediterranean and Caribbean remain popular choices, but with ongoing investment in infrastructure, new ports of call are popping up worldwide. Feeling spoilt for choice?
Here are some of the latest hotspots…
The Arabian Gulf
The area is attracting more travellers with its intricate architecture, ancient cultures and vibrant souks. Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing heavily in Western tourism, building new cruise terminals, ports and private islands. Saudi Arabia alone aims to attract 1.3 million cruise travellers by 2035. Despite issues in the Suez Canal, political stability in other areas is improving.
Celestyal Cruises is branching out with their newest vessel, Celestyal Discovery, which starting from winter 2025 will whisk passengers away on short and sweet escapes around the Arabian Gulf, visiting hotspots like Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Sir Bani Yas Island, with tempting prices from £249pp. Sibling ship Celestyal Journey offers seven-nighters through the same stunning region from a cheerful £429pp.
Lee Haslett, the big cheese in sales at Celestyal, was chuffed to bits, announcing, “We are now confident in becoming the go-to cruise specialists of the Arabian Gulf.”
The northern Nordics
The region is proving to be the new cool kid on the cruise block, enticing sun-scorched travellers with their more temperate summers compared to the sizzling Mediterranean. Norway’s fjords have long been crowd-pleasers but the summer cruises towards Honningsvåg’s midnight sun and the tip-top northern point of Europe, the North Cape, are the new darlings.
Plus, city-hopping by ship across Helsinki, Stockholm and Tallin has never been easier or more budget-friendly when it includes all your grub and accommodation in one neat price tag – a five-day Baltic beauty starting from £925pp, with flights included, courtesy of Best Served Scandinavia.
Even winter has its waterborne wonder – the aurora borealis. As our nearest star inches towards a solar maximum, those sensational Northern Lights are set to put on an even mightier show, something best witnessed from the deck of a cosy cruise liner gliding through frosty waters.
Ambassador Cruise Line is tempting travellers with a 17-night voyage from just £1,099 per person, departing London Tilbury on March 20 and cruising through Norway’s dramatic coastline into the Arctic Circle. For stargazing enthusiasts, Hurtigruten offers 12-day Astronomy Voyages priced from £2,648 per person, which include expert-led celestial sessions and aurora workshops, plus a neat promise – if the Northern Lights don’t make an appearance, passengers get another chance with a complimentary six or seven-day Coastal Express journey.
Africa
Africa’s stunning wilderness is not all that’s drawing eyes – its coasts are now becoming cruise hotspots. Operators are setting sail for the east and the less-travelled west shores, offering guests a comfortable way to see spots that were once tough to access.
“As ports develop and interest in sustainable tourism grows, this untapped market could become a global favourite,” comments Emma Sanger-Horwell, the cruise chief at Kenwood Travel. Leveraging its African heritage, Crystal, as part of the A&K Travel Group, has conjured up unique expeditions. Fancy a 14-night adventure starting from Cape Town covering Namibia to Benin? It’s available from £5,200 per person.
Or perhaps a 13-night sojourn that takes you from South Africa’s scenic Garden Route to Mozambique and Zanzibar, starting from £6,300 per person?
Japan
The Land of the Rising Sun, a world steeped in ancient traditions, breathtaking landscapes and cutting-edge technology, continues to surge in popularity. It’s easy to overlook that this destination is actually a vast archipelago, boasting over 14,000 islands ripe for exploration by boat.
One of the most spectacular ways to witness sakura – the renowned cherry blossom season – is by boat, visiting various locations to make the most of the fleeting displays that bloom at different times. Abercrombie & Kent offers a luxurious 14-day Wonders of Japan cruise (from £20,240pp) covering four major islands, perfectly timed to coincide with the sakura season.
Alternatively, Audley combines a land and sea stay in a 24-day trip, which includes a 14-night Azamara cruise stopping at 10 ports of call (from £12,100pp).
