By Donna Heiderstadt | Published on June 5, 2024
One reason cruising has enjoyed phenomenal growth in recent years is that a single cruise vacation lets you experience multiple islands, cities or remote locales. The choice is yours, because many of the best places to go on a cruise — including the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Alaska and Asia — align perfectly with the best places to visit for vacation. Cruising's added bonus? You unpack once.
Quiz
What Vacation Should You Take In 2025?
Wondering where to go on your next vacation? Take our quiz to discover where to set sail in 2025!
Results
Caribbean West Coast
Tropic like it's hot
Choose from sun-kissed shores from East to West. The Caribbean is home to beautiful beaches, bold cuisine and colorful colonial towns. Or head to the West Coast and discover the Mexican Riviera — explore deserts, go wine- or tequila-tasting and kayak through epic rock formations.
Excited to embrace sun and fun?
Check out unforgettable
Alaska
Discover the last frontier
A land of rugged mountains, coastal forests and diverse wildlife, Alaska is the ultimate cruise destination for intrepid explorers. Whether you're watching whales splash in the Pacific Ocean or gazing up at Hubbard Glacier, Alaska cruises are all about natural wonder.
Is adventure your thing?
These
Alaska cruisesdeliver it on board and on land.
Europe
Old World wonders await
On a European cruise, discover captivating architecture, coastal beauty and rich history and culture — such as Rome's ancient ruins, Barcelona's famed churches and Norway's majestic fjords. With so many unique ports to explore, the opportunities to make memories are endless.
Ready to explore Europe?
Check out these
Asia
Go all out in the Far East
From its neon-lit cities to its secluded shrines, this region offers plenty of vibrant culture and natural beauty. Set sail on an Asia cruise for an adventure-packed trip filled with incredible landscapes, beautiful beaches, flavorful food and fascinating history.
Is a journey to Asia on your horizon?
Check out these
C
ruise vacations also bring plenty of onboard entertainment and thrills like twisting slides, simulated surfing and skydiving, ice rinks and zip lines — and ample opportunities to kick back and enjoy the amenities of your unparalleled resort at sea. So, how do you choose the best cruise itinerary for you? To find a cruise that offers the kind of adventure that stirs your wanderlust, take the quiz in our infographic, then learn about 2025 voyages — the best places to go on a cruise — that will deliver just what you have in mind.
Caribbean/Mexico Cruises Offer Fun and Relaxation
If your answers to our quiz reveal that you're a sun-seeker, you can choose from an astounding 220-plus 2025 sailings in the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera on 26 different vessels, including two new ships, Icon of the Seas℠ and Star of the Seas. Simply decide how many days you prefer — anywhere from three to 12.
Even better, your bon voyage will begin at a U.S. port: Cape Liberty, NJ; Baltimore; Port Canaveral (Orlando); Miami; Fort Lauderdale; Tampa; San Juan; New Orleans; or Los Angeles.
You'll find sailings to the eastern Caribbean (get to know Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Maarten), the western Caribbean (call on Cozumel, Costa Maya, Grand Cayman and Jamaica) and the southern Caribbean (hello Aruba, Curaçao, St. Lucia and Barbados). Also look for cruises that visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, a private island experience in the Bahamas that features adrenaline rushes (Thrill Waterpark®) and lazy hideaways (overwater cabanas at Coco Beach Club®).
Romance on your mind? If so, the Mexican Riviera's ports seduce with bougainvillea, mariachi music and tequila. Sail round trip from Los Angeles and visit Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan on seven-night voyages offering a carefree ambience amid vibrant Mexican culture.
Alaska Awes You With Natural Wonders
If you're looking to hike rugged terrain and experience untouched natural landscapes, that means you're up for an Alaska adventure! Enjoy hiking, kayaking, ziplining and wildlife spotting — including humpback whales, orcas, black bears and grizzlies.
Alaska ranks high among the best places to visit for vacation in summer, since its cruise season runs May to September. In 2025, you can choose from more than 50 sailings on board two larger, activity-packed ships, Quantum of the Seas® and Anthem of the Seas®, and two smaller ships, Serenade of the Seas® and Radiance of the Seas®. Quantum and Anthem sail seven-night itineraries round trip from Seattle; Radiance offers seven-night one-way voyages between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seward, Alaska; and Serenade sails seven-night round trips from Vancouver.
The best cruise port in Alaska? They're all spectacular; it just depends on what you're looking for. In Juneau, the star is Mendenhall Glacier (you can even view it on a flightseeing tour), while Skagway charms with Gold Rush-era buildings and a historic railway. Sitka is the spot to hike or kayak and Ketchikan boasts magnificent totem poles and abundant wildlife. Skagway and Ketchikan also offer excellent portside shopping. And you can't visit Alaska without staring in wonder at calving glaciers, so be sure to stop by Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm Fjord or Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.
European Sailings Emphasize History and Culture
Cruising and Europe go together like tomato and mozzarella, café au lait and croissants and pilsner and pretzels — there's no better region to sample a variety of cultures during a single cruise than in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean or Baltic.
In summer 2025, you can sail from five ports — Rome, Barcelona, Athens, Southampton (England) and Ravenna (Italy) — on board four large ships (Independence of the Seas®, Explorer of the Seas®, Voyager of the Seas®, Brilliance of the Seas®) and two megaships (Allure of the Seas® and Odyssey of the Seas℠).
Where can you sail to in Europe, and when? From April to October, there are 50-plus cruises lasting three to 12 nights. Short on time? Check out three- to five-night mini cruises to Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, France or Italy. Romantic seven-night sailings island hop in Greece (explore Santorini, Rhodes and Mykonos) or the Mediterranean (visit Capri, Sicily and Mallorca). Skirt the dazzling Adriatic coast and call on Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia. To the west, explore Portugal and Spain (Lisbon, Cadiz and Bilbao) or venture north to Baltic ports such as Copenhagen, Oslo and Hamburg. Culture lovers will adore Europe's chic cities and cobblestoned old towns.
Asia Immerses You in Lush Landscapes and Vibrant Cities
Three megaships — Anthem of the Seas®, Ovation of the Seas® and Spectrum of the Seas® — are cruising Asia in 2025 on three- to 12-night itineraries to Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China. These sailings visit bucket-list places like Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bali, Bangkok and Shanghai and offer access to the ancient treasures of Kyoto, Japan, and Beijing, China.
Board a Quantum or Quantum Ultra Class ship — all featuring the North Star® sightseeing capsule — in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore or Tokyo. Sights include Beijing's Imperial City and Great Wall, Bangkok's soaring Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Bali's artisan enclaves, the solar-powered "supertrees" of Singapore and the serene temples of Kyoto. Cruising Asia offers access to incredible landscapes, iconic architecture and celebrated cultural traditions.
