People share the best cruises they've taken

When it comes to selecting the best cruise itinerary for your vacation, you’ll find there are an endless number of itineraries to choose from. With so many different cruise lines operating around the world, you can visit more destinations than you can imagine.

Cruising has evolved over the years to expand from simply offering laidback cruises to the sunny Caribbean. Most of the mainstream cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line, visit popular ports of call across Alaska, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

Some cruise lines even offer itineraries to off-the-beaten-path destinations like Antarctica, South America, India, South Pacific, and Africa. Although cruise ships have become destinations themselves, the ports of call are equally as exciting for destination-focused cruisers.

Regardless of whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, there is a cruise itinerary that will likely fit your travel needs. In fact, many itineraries offer a blend of these experiences! From weekend getaways to multi-month world voyages, there are an impressive variety of itineraries available.

So, what’s the best itinerary for your next cruise? If you’re looking for the answer to this question, look no further than social media. Recently, one user asked cruisers on Reddit to share their favorite cruise itinerary.

The following question was asked on the r/cruise subreddit: “What’s the best cruise you’ve ever been on?” The popular thread received more than 200 responses, with many users sharing memories of their favorite cruise itineraries and destinations. Here are the best cruises you should consider taking, according to other travelers.

Alaska

Many cruisers in the comment section shared the best cruise they’ve ever taken was to Alaska. One of the top responses stated, “If you want to see something that is really amazing, do an Alaska cruise.”

“Alaska. I have never been to a place where everywhere you go you can look in any direction, take a picture and it could be a postcard,” responded one Reddit user.

In agreement, another user said, “I did an Alaskan cruise last summer. I have thought about it almost every single day since. And I’m not exaggerating either. The stops in Alaska were incredible.”

In addition, one user responded, “Always said that Alaskan cruises weren’t for me, but decided to go when an opportunity came just say I did it. Absolutely an unforgettable experience and I recommend it to everyone now.”

“Without a doubt, Alaska. One way Vancouver to Anchorage with a sailing through Glacier Bay National Park (On Coral Princess in 2019). Did a ton of excursions, I still think about it all the time, it was spectacular,” responded another user.

Most of the responders recommended Holland America or Princess Cruise Line as the best choice for visiting Alaska, as these cruise lines have access to Glacier Bay National Park. However, Norwegian Cruise Line also offers sailings to Glacier Bay National Park, which many argue is a must-visit for Alaskan itineraries.

Each summer, cruise lines offer many different sailings that visit Alaska, departing from Vancouver, Seattle, or Seward. Itineraries can be round-trip or one-way sailings, often starting in Canada and sailing north to Alaska (or vice versa).

Alaskan cruise itineraries sail through the breathtaking scenery among the natural landscape of Alaska. Between the wildlife, glaciers, and fjords, cruising to Alaska is one of the most popular itineraries among cruisers.

Southern Caribbean

The Caribbean continues to be one of the most popular destinations to visit on a cruise vacation. With a variety of itineraries available, you can book sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean; however, many of the responders shared the best cruise they’ve taken visited the Southern Caribbean.

“We did a Southern Caribbean Christmas cruise. It was my favorite because we had zero stress. Enjoyed all our ports,” noted one person.

According to Celebrity Cruises, the Southern Caribbean is comprised of the following islands: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, and Martinique.

One area of the Southern Caribbean that is particularly popular is the group of ABC islands, which includes Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

“The 8-day ABC [cruise]. I've been on 3 times and checks all the boxes,” shared one traveler in the comment section. Numerous cruisers agreed that ABC itineraries are the best. “ABC is top tier,” stated an additional person.

Another user replied, “Two sea days down, three great ports that stay a long time, and two sea days back. The ABC islands are all super nice [and] just perfect for us.”

“7-day NCL Cruise. Southern Caribbean itinerary from Puerto Rico, [visiting] Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. I also went solo which made things 10x better,” shared another cruiser in response.

Norwegian Fjords

Similar to Alaska, numerous people shared how the best cruise they’ve ever taken was visiting the fjords of Norway. With stunning landscapes and pristine fjords, sailings through the Norwegian fjords provide some of the most spectacular views of nature.

“Recently [did] a Norwegian fjords cruise and the scenery can only be described as heaven on earth. Have only been on half a dozen or so cruises, mainly Med and France & Spain but this one has been my favorite,” writes one commenter.

Similarly, another user replied, “Norwegian fjords last month. It was absolutely amazing. We’ve now switched our Caribbean cruise next summer to an Alaska cruise.”

“I did two Norway cruises… Those were amazing. The views are spectacular, the walks are nice, the air is as crisp as can be, and it is not too hot over there. Overall the best cruise [I’ve ever done],” responded one more cruiser.

However, sailings to the most popular fjords in Norway will be restricted in the coming years for environmental concerns. Those looking to book a cruise to the Norwegian fjords on a mainstream cruise line should consider sailing on this itinerary in the next year before the restrictions go into effect.

Sailings to the Norwegian fjords often depart from Southampton, England, and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Other sailings depart from Oslo, Norway; Reykjavik, Iceland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Bermuda

One of the more unique destinations you can cruise to from North America is Bermuda. According to many of the cruisers in the comment section, an itinerary visiting Bermuda was the best sailing they had been on.

Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda is a small island owned by the United Kingdom with pink sand beaches. The island stands out from others because of its cultural blend of American and British traditions.

A major highlight of booking a Bermuda cruise is the opportunity to have an overnight stop in Bermuda, which is offered on most sailings that visit the remote destination.

One person commented, “I think Bermuda. The staying overnight for three days and the pink sands beach was amazing!”

“Bermuda cruise from NYC on NCL Escape. [It] was our honeymoon. Loved spending several days on the same island. Rode a moped all over that island,” responded another cruiser.

Likewise, this cruiser shared, “We also just went to Bermuda on Celebrity out of Bayonne, New Jersey. It stays docked for 3 full days and 2 nights in Bermuda, we rented an electric car for the whole three days. Saw so many cool beaches. It was so much fun it should be illegal.”

“Bermuda overnight cruises. You get a chance to get to know the island and really explore, without the rush to get back to the ship,” responded one cruiser. With a similar sentiment, another cruiser stated, “Parking for 3 days was the best part! I was hoping to find another Bermuda cruiser here. We are rare.”

Panama Canal

For those looking to have a unique adventure from North America, sailing through the Panama Canal can be a once-in-a-lifetime sailing. Most itineraries that visit or transit the Panama Canal depart from Florida on a longer sailing. Ports of call typically include stops like Cartagena, Colombia, and other destinations in the Southern Caribbean or Central America.

The Panama Canal is an engineering marvel, attracting many tourists to the region. Most cruise lines offer some sort of Panama Canal itinerary, which can be a round-trip sailing or a repositioning cruise through the canal. Because of this unforgettable experience, many travelers find this itinerary to be the best cruise they’ve taken.

“Out of Miami on a 12 cruise down to Columbia and through the Panama Canal. I was in [the] front of the ship as we went through. The ship opened the area up and had coffee too out there. It was an amazing experience,” shared one cruiser regarding the best cruise they’ve ever taken.

Additionally, another person replied, “15 day Panama Canal repositioning cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to San Francisco, this was to get the ship repositioned for Alaska season. Being able to see the Panama Canal locks in action and one of the engineering marvels of the world was amazing to see.”

“My first cruise in December 2018. 29 days on Norwegian Sun from Miami through Panama Canal around Cape Horn over Falklands to Buenos Aires,” shared one more user.

Baltic Sea

Although European cruises are extremely popular among cruisers, the Baltic Sea appears to be one of the preferred regions. Itineraries around the Baltic Sea bring travelers to multiple destinations throughout Northern Europe and Scandinavia.

These sailings include stops in a variety of vibrant cities and historical landmarks throughout Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Historically, many Baltic Sea itineraries visited Russia; however, the current political climate has cruise lines removing the country from any upcoming itineraries.

“Twelve day Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. We docked in St. Petersburg for two nights which gave us three full days of sightseeing,” shared one cruiser.

Agreeing, another user replied, “I went 14 days with the german cruise line 'TUI CRUISES' on a Baltic Sea cruise. We had great weather, the food was very nice and the best thing. Our stop in Sweden was just while the Midsommarstång was in full fashion, so we witnessed one of the greatest holiday festivities of the Scandinavian world”

Finally, another commenter stated, “Alaska is the best [cruise] that leaves from the United States. Baltic Sea when you can get over to Europe for a cruise.”

South Pacific

If you’re looking to visit some of the most remote islands in the world, many cruisers would recommend sailing to the South Pacific. Multiple travelers in the comment section shared how their best cruise was visiting islands in the South Pacific.

Itineraries throughout the South Pacific can include a variety of destinations, such as Fiji, Tahiti, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Samoa. These are tropical and cultural destinations, providing a unique blend of experiences for cruisers.

“45 day cruise of the South Pacific [from] San Diego [on Holland America]. The scenery and friendliness of the residents were unsurpassed by any other trip we have taken. I could have hopped off the ship and spent years on nearly every island we visited,” reads the top comments in the response section.

Another user shared, “MSY Windspirit around French Polynesia [like] Bora Bora, Moorea [and] Tahiti!”

Moreover, cruise lines offer transpacific cruises that provide the opportunity to visit the South Pacific on a longer sailing. One person replied, “Transpacific—Vancouver to Sydney—if you love sea days you get three 5-day stretches. Awesome!

Antarctica

Perhaps the most exotic destination on the list, multiple commenters shared how the best cruise they’ve ever taken was visiting Antarctica. For many, visiting Antarctica is a bucket-list destination and is typically only reachable by cruise ship.

Mainstream cruise lines provide scenic cruises to Antarctica, which does not provide guests with the opportunity to actually disembark the ship on land. On the other hand, expedition ships are smaller - and pricer - but allow guests to go ashore in Antarctica.

“And after [Alaska], do a Norway cruise. Then after that do an Antarctica cruise. Antarctica is without a doubt the coolest cruise I’ve been on,” states one of the top comments in the comment section.

Another commenter agreed, sharing how traveling to Antarctica was thrilling because it was on their bucket-list: “17-day Antarctica expedition cruise. But I’ve loved so many.”

Visiting Antarctica can be treacherous, as cruisers need to sail on the infamous Drake Passage to reach the remote continent. This can deter some cruisers from wanting to visit, as the weather can be ruthless.

“Antarctica. It was amazing, the wildlife, the solitude, all white and blue water. But I will say Drakes’ Passage was no joke. Winds were 69-72 knots, huge waves. I didn’t sleep that night. First and only time hubby and I got sea sick,” shared another user.