Pick a Destination and Lets Cruise

If you're one of the shrinking number of Americans who hasn't tried cruising and you don't know what all the fuss is about, picture this: You arrive at the ship, where you are shown to your nicely appointed stateroom. Your bags are delivered and you unpack -- once for the entire vacation!

Then you wander down to the dining room for dinner, where you produce no cash and sign no tab because meals are included in the price of your cruise. After dinner, you take in a Broadway revue in the ship's showroom -- free of charge, of course. That kind of inclusive packaging, so appealing to people, has been copied by resorts around the globe.

Keep reading down for some fantastic destinations.

It's easy to find reasons why more people take cruises to the Caribbean than anywhere else in the world. A warm climate; an astounding array of ports of call, each with its own distinctive character and appeal; thousands of beaches, including some of the world's best; great shopping at duty free prices; and incredibly clear seas teeming with marine life make this part of the world a perfect cruise vacation destination.

There's much more to this region stretching from South Florida to South America than sun, sand and surf. No other destination presents so many choices of cruise itineraries and lengths, with anything from a two-night getaway to an extended voyage sailing from ports from New York to Central America. In fact, it is so vast and diverse that it really constitutes three separate areas, traditionally defined as Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean and Southern Caribbean.

Last Minute Cruises

Europe is relatively small as continents go. And since it's surrounded by water, it only makes sense to explore it by sea, where the grandeur of Europe is never out of sight.

Step ashore in Istanbul where the brilliance of golden domes is matched only by the dazzling Mediterranean sun. Gaze upon the awesome fjords of Norway. Stand before the inscrutable Sphinx and ponder awhile. Tour the grand palaces filled with the works of Michelangelo, Donatello and da Vinci. Wander through the medieval castles and Gothic cathedrals; the gilded concert halls where the operas of Puccini and Verdi, and the symphonies of Mozart and Beethoven and Chopin were first performed.

But there are also other sides of Europe. The glitzy, glamorous Europe in the famous resorts of the French Riviera. And there's the everyday Europe, too. The busy thoroughfares of London with their two-decker buses and cozily crowded pubs. The sprawling cafes of Paris where office workers munch baguettes and sip espressos. It's more than a way of discovering the Old World - these wonderful places are a way of discovering the fabric that makes up the very core of our own culture.

Search for some great rates to Europe

They say it all happened when volcanoes rose from the sea. Soon, trade winds scattered the seeds that grew into incredible flowers, bamboo and fragrant papaya. Today, come to Hawaii for the unexplainable, the utterly magical, and find bright anthuriums growing wild, volcanic peaks soaring to 14,000 feet and vibrant poinsettias when it isn't even the holidays.

For all their similarity, each island has its own distinct personality. Like Hawaii, the big island, with Kilauea's crater where some say Pele, the fire goddess, lives. Maui, with remote swimming spots so beautiful, they were once reserved solely for Hawaiian royalty. And Honolulu, where the cliffs and waterfalls are often visited by spectacular rainbows.

Yet there is one thing that all of these islands hold in common. It's called 'aloha,' the spirit of welcoming.

Interested in Hawaii? Check out the rates

Stunning white-sand beaches, lively art, exciting nightlife, exuberant energy, and wondrous architecture and archaeological structures such as the many Mayan ruins all contribute to Mexico's popularity with cruise vacationers.

Open-air markets with hand-made crafts, jewelry and straw items abound in Mexico, as do excellent restaurants and festive bars.

A day visit to a Mexican port can be an opportunity to sunbathe and sip margaritas on one of Mexico's 440 beaches, explore some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling spots in the Pacific Ocean or Caribbean Sea, climb the steps of Chichen Itza; or go shopping for outstanding values on silver, gemstones and souvenir items.

Ready to party in Mexico? Check out the rates

What is it about islands? Are we lured to them by a mystique set adrift on a tropical breeze? (Or is it for a really good tan?) Are our deepest senses aroused by the gentle sifting of sand between our toes? (Or by a mango daiquiri?) Is there something in the song of a steel drum that sweetens the rhythm of our own hearts? (Or do we just want to know what it's like to come face-to-face with a parrotfish?) We still don't know. Check out a Bahamas cruise


In the Bahamas, the air and land are filled with hundreds of unique species of birds, animals and plant life. Shipwrecks lay patiently, waiting for you to plumb their depths. European influences greet you in the homes, language and culture of the people. And exotic native dishes, handed down through the centuries, enticing townspeople and travelers alike. Some things have changed over the last five hundred years. But standing on the deck of your ship, approaching this place, you'll have no idea what they are.

Breathtaking scenery, gleaming glaciers, abundant wildlife, and Native American culture are only a few of the spectacular attractions that draw cruise vacationers to Alaska. With so much to see and do in Alaska, it's no wonder the state's official flower is the alpine forget-me-not!

Ships that visit Alaska on a seven-day itinerary typically sail along the Inside Passage and visit Glacier Bay National Park or Hubbard Glacier, stopping at four ports along the way. Most cruise lines also offer a variety of extended cruise-tour package options which take passengers deeper into Alaska via train and include land stays at lodges and sightseeing in Denali National Park - making their trip to Alaska even more comprehensive.

For climate and sunlight purposes, cruises to Alaska sail strictly during the summer months, from early May to mid-September. June, July and August can be classified as peak season when average daily high temperatures can reach 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so those looking for the best value should check sailing dates in May and September when temperatures hover around 50 degrees.

A variety of cruise ships sail to Alaska, including luxury vessels and midsize ships - most of which offer expanded kids programs for family vacationers. While the majority of ships sail from Vancouver, BC, Seattle is increasingly becoming a popular summer homeport for many lines. Both embarkation/disembarkation points allow ships to visit the most popular ports on an Alaska cruise, including Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.