Our Top 20 Bucket List Cruises - Part Two

Fans of high seas holidays will tell you there’s at least one dream cruise they hope to take one day. And while for some people their dream cruise might be taking a step back in history, for others it might be seeing abundant wildlife or exploring somewhere exotic. Whatever floats your boat, here’s the second 10 of our top 20 bucket list cruises to inspire your imagination.

The Murray River

Australia’s most famous waterway is the third longest navigable river in the world after the Amazon and the Nile, steeped in history, dotted with quaint townships, and blessed with a dramatic landscape. Exploring the Murray on the PS Murray Princess is one way to go; she’s an authentic replica of an inland paddle wheeler, with a choice of itineraries including three, four and seven nights.

Circumnavigating Australia

It takes around 33 to 35 days to circle Australia from Sydney on a cruise ship, a true bucket list cruise presenting you with the best of our own backyard. On a typical circumnavigation, such as those offered by Holland America Line each summer, you’ll sail through the iconic Great Barrier Reef, across the Top End, and along the dramatic Western Australia and Southern coasts, sometimes with side stops at places including Komodo Island and Bali thrown in.

The Rhine, Main, And Danube

This is one of Europe’s most popular and iconic river cruise routes, taking in three of the world’s great waterways and travelling from Amsterdam to Budapest. And there’s plenty of operators to choose from including Uniworld, Scenic and Avalon Waterways. In around 15 days you’ll cruise through Hungary, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands, enjoying historic castles, lush vineyards, charming towns and villages, and exploring the must-see cities of Vienna and Budapest.

French Polynesia

French charm, idyllic islands, colourful coral reefs, pristine beaches, marine life, and a warm ambience are just a few highlights which make Tahiti a dream cruise destination. There’s also no better way to explore than on the ms Paul Gauguin on a round trip cruise from Papeete, the boutique luxury ship bearing the great French artist’s name and built specifically to navigate both open oceans and shallow lagoons.

The Douro River

The sun-washed jewels of Spain and Portugal await you on a typical two week cruise of the UNESCO-designated Douro Valley, and you can travel on Uniworld’s Queen Isabel. Highlights include the picturesque costal city of Lisbon, Porto, Spain’s Golden City of Salamanca, and activities including wine tasting, fine dining and flamenco.

Canada and New England

It’s an ethereal cruising experience as your cruise ship glides quietly down the St. Lawrence River, flanked by endless forests shimmering with red, orange and yellow foliage. Cruising the waters here in autumn is more than just a way of witnessing the change of colours; it’s also a passage back in time, and the best way to enjoy the natural beauty of this rugged region with a large variety of ships to choose from.

The Norwegian Fjords

Western Norway has the highest concentration of fjords in the world; long, narrow inlets with steep cliffs, penetrating from the coast into mountain wilderness. They’re also best appreciated from a ship, with cruise lines including Azamara Club Cruises offering departures from Amsterdam, and featuring the best of them. Along the way destinations which might appear on your itinerary, and for you to explore, include  Bergen, Tromso, Flam, and the tiny hamlet of Gudvangen.

The Greek Islands

This scenic corner of the world is ideally suited to cruising, a myriad of islands, whitewashed villages, olive groves and sandy beaches waiting to be explored. Cruising Greece on the masted Wind Star is a unique experience in itself, allowing you to visit places you may otherwise miss, and immerse yourself into a unique history and culture, where brilliant blue water meets sun-bleached ruins.

Russia And The Baltics

Think of Russia, and two great cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg spring to mind, and Viking River Cruises offers itineraries which include multiple days in both to explore famous landmarks. There’s another side of Russia, however; Golden Ring towns like Yaroslavl and Uglich are blessed with opulent palaces, fortified monasteries, and beautiful cathedrals, with cruising being the easiest way to see them all. 

Circling South America

This is another hot destination in the cruising world for good reason. It’s both unusual and exotic, from the dramatic Chilean fjords and bucket list cities such as Buenos Aries, to the continent’s vast stretches of rugged landscapes. Some cruise lines including Princess offer longer itineraries visiting more than 25 ports across multiple countries including Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador and Uruguay, packed with colour and adventure.