Top 10 Cruise Destinations for 2025
Where to Cruise in 2025
Where to Cruise 2025
The Most Popular Itineraries
Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or planning your first voyage, 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable year for cruising. From cultural capitals to sun-drenched islands, the best cruise destinations in 2025 offer something for every type of traveller. I’ve rounded up the top 10 cruise destinations for 2025 — packed with expert insights, must-see ports, and trending itineraries to help you plan the ultimate cruise holiday.
1️⃣ Greek Islands, Greece
Mykonos, Greece
Why 2025? New routes and smaller ships are offering more immersive, off-the-beaten-path island experiences.
Highlights: Santorini’s whitewashed villages, Mykonos’ lively beach clubs, Crete’s ancient ruins, and Rhodes’ medieval Old Town.
Best for: Sun-seekers, history buffs, and foodies.
Cruise Tip: Look for itineraries that include lesser-known gems like Milos or Naxos for a more authentic Greek experience.
Who’s Going there?
Celestyal Cruises: Famous for immersive voyages around the Greek Islands, including 7-night Iconic Aegean.
MSC Cruises: Offers 7-day Eastern Mediterranean cruises stopping in Mykonos, Santorini, and Athens.
Special Events: Athens Epidaurus Festival: A renowned cultural event celebrating Greek theatre, music, and dance (June–August).
2️⃣ Alaska, USA
Alaska, USA
Why 2025? Extended seasons and new expedition-style sailings are putting Alaska in the spotlight again.
Highlights: Glacier Bay National Park, whale watching in Juneau, dog sledding in Skagway, and native heritage in Ketchikan.
Best for: Nature lovers, photographers, and adventure travellers.
Cruise Tip: Opt for a small-ship cruise to access remote inlets and get closer to the action.
Who’s Going there?
Holland America Line: Known for their Alaska Discovery cruises, offering 7-day roundtrip voyages from Seattle.
Princess Cruises: The Alaska Inside Passage is a classic, with voyages up to 14 days, including scenic Glacier Bay and Denali National Park excursions.
Special Event: Anchorage Fur Rendezvous (Fur Rondy): A famous winter festival in February, featuring ice sculptures, dog sled races, and more.
3️⃣ Japan
Mount Fuji and Cherry Blossom - Japan
Why 2025? Japan continues to trend, and cruising offers a unique, hassle-free way to explore its diverse regions.
Highlights: Tokyo’s neon buzz, Kyoto’s temples, cherry blossoms in spring, and hot springs in Beppu.
Best for: Culture vultures, food lovers, and fans of seamless travel.
Cruise Tip: Book during sakura season (March–April) or autumn foliage (October–November) for spectacular scenery.
Who’s Going There:
Celebrity Cruises: The Japan and South Korea itinerary is a 10-night cruise departing from Tokyo, including stops in Kyoto and Okinawa.
Viking Ocean Cruises: Their Japan and the Autumn Leaves cruise takes you through the most scenic parts of Japan during autumn foliage season.
Special Event: Cherry Blossom Festival (Sakura Matsuri): Celebrate the arrival of spring with Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms in full bloom (March–April).
4️⃣ Norwegian Fjords, Norway
Why 2025? Cruise lines are launching more eco-friendly itineraries to align with Norway’s sustainable tourism goals.
Highlights: Geirangerfjord’s waterfalls, Flam’s scenic railway, and Bergen’s colourful harbour.
Best for: Scenic cruising, slow travel, and hiking enthusiasts.
Cruise Tip: Choose a summer sailing (June–August) for long daylight hours and milder temperatures.
Who’s Going There:
Hurtigruten Expeditions — offering the Classic Round Voyage from Bergen, sailing deep into the fjords including Geirangerfjord and Hjørundfjord.
P&O Cruises — their Norwegian Fjords roundtrip sailings from Southampton include stops at Stavanger, Olden, and Ålesund.
Viking Ocean Cruises — the Into the Midnight Sun itinerary visits Bergen, Geiranger, and Tromsø, perfectly timed for the summer solstice and midnight sun.
Special Events: Bergen International Festival (22 May – 5 June 2025) — Scandinavia’s largest arts and culture festival, featuring music, dance, and theatre across Bergen, often timed perfectly with early summer fjord cruises.
5️⃣ Caribbean
Why 2025? New private island experiences and mega-ship launches are adding excitement to the region.
Highlights: Snorkelling in Cozumel, beach days in the Bahamas, rainforest hikes in St Lucia, and culture in San Juan.
Best for: Families, couples, and winter sun holidays.
Cruise Tip: Consider a Southern Caribbean itinerary for fewer crowds and more unique ports. Another great option is a back-to-back itinerary featuring East/West Caribbean.
Who’s Going There:
Royal Caribbean — their Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day itinerary sails from Miami to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and CocoCay.
Carnival Cruise Line — offers Western Caribbean sailings from Galveston, visiting Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica.
Virgin Voyages — the Dominican Daze cruise focuses on adult-only escapes to Puerto Plata and Virgin’s private beach club at Bimini.
Special Events: Trinidad and Tobago Carnival (3–4 March 2025) — the most vibrant and colourful street festival in the Caribbean, with many Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries aligning for port days in Trinidad.
6️⃣ Iceland
Why 2025? This remote island continues to attract cruisers with its dramatic landscapes and volcanic wonders.
Highlights: Reykjavik’s cool culture, whale watching in Akureyri, thermal baths, and the Northern Lights.
Best for: Adventure travellers, photographers, and nature lovers.
Cruise Tip: Book in late summer for better weather or try a Northern Lights cruise in autumn.
Who’s Going There:
Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX) — their Iceland Circumnavigation sails roundtrip from Reykjavik, exploring ports like Akureyri, Ísafjörður, and Heimaey in the Westman Islands.
Viking Ocean Cruises — the Iceland’s Majestic Landscapes cruise offers in-depth, small-ship itineraries focused on the island’s natural beauty and UNESCO-listed sites.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) — offers a 10- or 11-night Iceland & Norway itinerary from Southampton or Amsterdam, combining Reykjavik, Akureyri, and Icelandic fjords with other Northern Europe gems.
Special Events: Reykjavik Culture Night (Menningarnótt) — 23 August 2025 — an annual city-wide festival celebrating Icelandic art, music, literature and food, with performances, street parties and fireworks. Many late-summer cruises time Reykjavik calls to coincide.
7️⃣ The Mediterranean
Why 2025? With new homeports and updated itineraries, the Med remains a perennial favourite.
Highlights: Barcelona’s architecture, Rome’s ancient wonders, Greek Island hopping, and Croatia’s coastline.
Best for: First-time cruisers, food and wine lovers, and history enthusiasts.
Cruise Tip: Opt for longer itineraries or repositioning cruises to cover more ground.
Who’s Going There:
MSC Cruises — offering their 7-night Western Mediterranean itinerary visiting Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Marseille, and Naples.
Virgin Voyages — the Irresistible Med voyage from Barcelona includes Ibiza, Cannes, and Corsica, with overnight port stays for more immersive exploration.
Celebrity Cruises — their Best of Greece and Italy route combines Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Rome on a luxury boutique-style ship.
Special Events: Monaco Grand Prix (22–25 May 2025) — many cruise lines (including MSC and Seabourn) time itineraries for this iconic F1 race weekend, offering shore excursions with grandstand or VIP access.
8️⃣Australia & New Zealand
Why 2025? With relaxed travel protocols, the South Pacific is back on cruise maps in a big way.
Highlights: Sydney’s iconic harbour, New Zealand’s Fiordland, wine country in Napier, and Māori culture in Rotorua.
Best for: Nature, culture, and long-haul adventure.
Cruise Tip: Many cruises are seasonal (Oct–April), so book early for peak dates.
Who’s Going There:
Princess Cruises — their Australia & New Zealand Grand Adventure includes Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, and New Zealand ports such as Fiordland National Park, Dunedin, and Auckland.
Holland America Line — the Australia & New Zealand Discovery voyage focuses on scenic cruising through New Zealand’s fjords and cultural stops in Wellington and Napier.
P&O Australia — runs shorter and affordable coastal cruises around Australia as well as dedicated New Zealand exploration from Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
Special Events:
Vivid Sydney (23 May – 14 June 2025) — Sydney’s world-famous light, music and ideas festival transforms the harbour, Opera House and city skyline into a glowing art display. Many cruise lines offer sailings that include overnight or extended stays in Sydney during the festival.
Auckland Lantern Festival (28 February – 3 March 2025) — New Zealand’s largest celebration of Chinese New Year, featuring light sculptures, food, and performances. Cruises visiting Auckland around this time catch the city at its liveliest.
9️⃣ British Isles
Why 2025? Cruising the British Isles offers a blend of historic sites, charming villages, and scenic landscapes.
Highlights: Visit cities like Edinburgh and Dublin, explore ancient castles, and enjoy the rugged coastlines of Scotland and Ireland.
Best for: History buffs, literature fans, and those interested in Celtic culture. 
Cruise Tip: Choose cruises that offer excursions to iconic landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Who’s Going There:
Cunard Line: The Queen Elizabeth offers 7-day itineraries to British Isles highlights, including Edinburgh and Dublin.
Viking Ocean Cruises: Offers immersive British Isles Discovery cruises with stops in London, Edinburgh, and Dublin.
Special Events:
Edinburgh Festival Fringe (August): The world’s largest arts festival, featuring thousands of performances across Edinburgh.
🔟 Antarctica
Why 2025? With growing demand for expedition travel, more ships now offer access to the White Continent.
Highlights: Icebergs, penguins, remote research stations, and once-in-a-lifetime photo ops.
Best for: Bucket list travellers, wildlife enthusiasts, and seasoned cruisers.
Cruise Tip: Look for itineraries departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, with experienced expedition leaders onboard.
Who’s Going There:
Ponant Cruises: Known for luxury expedition cruises, Ponant offers voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia Island.
Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX): Specialises in eco-conscious, immersive Antarctic expeditions, offering cruises starting from Ushuaia.
Special Event: Antarctic Summer -The summer months (November–March) are ideal for cruising as wildlife, including penguins, are most active, offering great photographic opportunities.