6 Classic Cruise Itineraries to Book Right Now

On sail-away day, cruise passengers are invited aboard a floating vacation retreat, and just like that, their world is ignited with anticipation. They are taken to a world where meals are culinary masterpieces, the staff is always smiling and courteous, activities are limitless, and best of all, the sun rises in someplace new every day. Need inspiration? Each season, these tried-and-true itineraries draw avid cruisers who can’t get enough of a good thing, as well as first-timers ready to launch a new adventure.

With so many interesting ports throughout the region—from Italy and Croatia to the Greek Islands and coastal cities of Egypt and Israel—choosing an itinerary is the first challenge. They all share an easy-to-love climate, turquoise water that laps onto golden beaches, and well-preserved remnants of ancient Greek and Roman empires. But the Mediterranean is so much more than that; it’s a social culture that celebrates the good life, in local cafés where fresh seafood and good wine is enjoyed over loud conversation, in the marketplace where the common language is laughter, and in the streets, where dancing to live folk music at mid-day is just what people do.

Mediterranean cruises typically run May through September, when seas are calm, and the weather is warm and sunny. It’s the time of year to enjoy Greece’s legendary sunsets or the frenzy of Istanbul, Turkey, where restaurants, mosques, museums and the famous Grand Bazaar—one of the largest and oldest markets in the world—is a cultural fusion of east and west. But the current hot spot is Croatia, a ruggedly beautiful country with 1,100 miles of mainland coastline, 1,246 islands and islets and eight national parks. Its main cruise port is the seafront city of Dubrovnik, famous for its historic Old Town—a patchwork of gothic, baroque and renaissance buildings connected by limestone-paved pedestrian streets.

Sun-kissed sandy beaches, shimmering turquoise water and a steady rhythm of Calypso and Reggae music have long been associated with a Caribbean vacation, where everything is right with the world. That’s the vibe on a Caribbean cruise, where the pace of island life transcends the day’s busy agenda (announced with unbridled enthusiasm by a cruise director). There are no rules here—do some, all, or none of it. No one cares, no one’s keeping track. Yet, few can resist the lure of adventure as the ship docks each morning at a new island brimming with possibilities.

The string-of-pearls archipelago stretching from the Bahamas to the coast of South America offers vibrant cultural contrast from one island to the next. History has a role in that: For centuries, European colonists used the hard work of Indigenous people—and later, traders of enslaved people—to build wealth exporting sugarcane and other commodities. After this period ended, island culture thrived with this rich blend of influence, and its allure as a tropical destination began to flourish. Today, day-trippers can sample Creole dishes, tour arum distillery and go zip-lining in volcanic rainforests. They’ll find English porcelain in Barbados, wood carvings in St. Lucia, Dutch cheese in St. Maarten and hand-weaved baskets in Dominica. All this—and those amazing beaches—is what makes the islands a terrific year-round vacation destination and the reason why Caribbean cruises are as popular as ever.

Packing essentials for this trip? Binoculars and lots of layers. A destination for your inner explorer, SouthAmerica’s coastline has such spectacular scenery, you’ll be tempted to plant yourself in a deck chair and never leave. The classic route—a one-way journey around the southern tip of the continent—is anchored by two stunning capitals worthy of extra days if you have time. In Buenos Aires, wander colorful barrios sizzling with music and street art, and window shop on opulent boulevards bearing the remnants of an Italian and French colonial past. The classic evening lineup includes steak (locally raised and grilled to perfection), a fine glass of Malbec and a tango performance. Chile’s sophisticated capital, Santiago (near the port of Valparaiso), is enjoying a surge of international popularity with fine museums, plentiful urban green space and top-notch dining spots.

Once the ship sets sail, set the viewfinder for a barrage of dramatic landscapes and natural wonders. Whales, penguins, sea elephants and other marine wildlife are plentiful in sheltered regions of the Patagonian coast, especially in Puerto Madryn, Argentina and around Punta Arenas, Chile. The ship comes around Cape Horn near the continent’s southern tip, navigating around islands that make up the ever-changing landscape of Tierra del Fuego, where wind-swept trees on the eastern coastal planes eventually give way to Chile’s snow-capped mountains, glaciers and fjords. And for the main event: The 350-mile cruise through the Strait of Magellan, considered the most important natural passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. CruiseSouth America in its warmest months, between November and early April.

America’s last frontier is raw natural beauty on a grand scale. Alaska is blessed with a vast wilderness of untamed wildlife, majestic mountain ranges and its famous coastline, carved out by towering fjords and massive glaciers that creak and crack as ancient chunks of ice tumble into the sea. These spectacles are best enjoyed from the best seats in the house: Offshore, binoculars in hand, on your private balcony or along the railings of a promenade deck.

Large cruise ships making the popular voyage on Alaska’s southeastern coast offer a wide variety of accommodations, from no-view inside staterooms to balcony staterooms and lavish ocean view suites. These ships also offer entertainment, multiple dining venues, on-board naturalists on glacier-viewing days and activities for all ages. Smaller vessels operate closer to the shore along narrow waterways, providing more up-close encounters with marine wildlife and large animals like bears, moose and Dall sheep. Both offer a wide variety of shore excursions for the complete Alaska experience—such as glacier hikes in Juneau, Skagway’sfamous Yukon Railway and the ever-popular sled-dog encounters (puppy cuddling included). Land package add-ons are a popular option. Most cruise lines offer rail service beyond the capital, Anchorage, to DenaliNational Park (with stunning views of Denali, aka. Mt. McKinley), Fairbanks and even the Yukon, where upscale hotels provide wilderness day trips. Alaska cruises and land-sea vacations operate May through mid-September.

For hundreds of years, sailing between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans meant navigating the perilous waters of Cape Horn at South America’s southern tip. So, European colonists came up with a solution: Build a canal connecting the two oceans at the Isthmus of Panama, a small strip of land between Central and SouthAmerica. Constructing it proved difficult, however, and after failed attempts by the French in the 19th century, the Americans took on the project. Over the span of 33 years, 25,000 workers built locks at each end of the isthmus, lifting ships 85 feet up to the man-made Gatun Lake, allowing them to move from one end to the other. In 1914, an American cargo and passenger ship, the SS Arcon, was the first to transit the canal. The Panama Canal’s history as one of the most impressive engineering achievements of all time is the highlight of these voyages, for sure, but fascinating ports and an easy pace add to their appeal. On a 15-day cruise (east or west bound) between November and April, guests sample South America’s Caribbean coast, Costa Rica and Panama's rainforests, and colonial cities of Mexico, with relaxing sea days in between. Most itineraries include the historic old town of Cartagena, Colombia, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a collage of color and charm, enhanced by light sea breezes and tropical aromas, and Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, offering easy access to multiple national parks for active adventure. And Panama is more than just the canal—it is home to rainforests, mangrove wetlands and mountain cloud forests, with as many as 500 species of birds and 100species of mammals.

From May through September, Great Britain and Ireland enjoy a comfortable climate and calm seas that sparkle in the mid-summer sunlight. It’s an ideal setting for cruisers who need every waking moment to explore the nooks and crannies of coastline, country villages and proud capitals of this exceptionally scenic corner of Europe. Two words of advice: Book early. That way, the only thing left to manage is your must-see list.

The classic 12-day voyage starts and ends in Southampton, 80 miles southwest of London, charting a course that reveals dramatic contrasts in landscape—from the laid-back charm of the Channel Islands to the mist-shrouded mountains and windswept beaches of the Scottish Highlands. Medieval castles that once fended off Norman conquests and remnants of ancient Viking settlements are highlights that seize the imagination of history and literature buffs, and everyday travelers who love a good story in a faraway place. This is a cruise destination for travelers who savor the experience of rich cultural traditions, too—such as the history of Kiltsin Scotland, bread-baking techniques in an Irish Farmhouse and the art of taking tea with the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, England, to name a few.

Indeed, there is something for everyone on a cruise vacation. Learn more about these and other voyages from AAA's Travel Advisors who are eager to help you explore the world! Check out our offered cruises and connect with a Travel Advisor today.