One of the best parts of a cruise holiday is the fantastic views you get as you sail away from the port. The best cruise port sailaways enable you to take in a region’s spectacular scenery from a vantage point that you’ll only ever get from a ship.
When your cruise ship departs for your holiday, a beautiful sailaway cruise port creates the tone of what will likely be an incredible holiday. But where are the most memorable cruise ports for a sailaway?
We share our seven favourites from across the world.
Sydney Harbour Australia
The port of Sydney is one of the most iconic in the world. It’s home to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, two of the most globally recognisable landmarks.
As your ship leaves the cruise port to sail away on the ocean, these landmarks slip away and are replaced by the surrounding stunning beaches, lush green parks, and vibrant neighbourhoods.
One of the best times to enjoy a cruise port sailaway from Sydney is at sunset, when the colours in the sky create views that are just breathtaking. Book a cruise sailaway party from Sydney Harbour, Australia, and you can experience these glorious views from the best vantage points with a glass of champagne in your hand.
Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong
Victoria Harbour is one of the busiest and most cosmopolitan ports in the world, but it’s also one of the most beautiful.
The skyline of Hong Kong Island, with its towering skyscrapers, is a sight to behold on a cruise port sailaway. You’ll also see a number of the city’s historic buildings as your ship departs, including the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum.
If you are lucky enough to be on a cruise port sailaway in the evening, you’ll likely get to experience the spectacle of the nightly Symphony of Lights show. Accompanied by a musical score recorded by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, a colourful, multi-media performance takes place on a canvas of 42 buildings and two attractions- creating an epic backdrop for a very special cruise port sailaway party from Hong Kong.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The port of Rio de Janeiro is located in the heart of the city, surrounded by some of the world’s most infamous landmarks. The Christ the Redeemer statue overlooks the city, providing a reassuring chaperone for your cruise ship sailaway.
As it disappears from sight and the gorgeous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema become just slivers of golden sand, the imposing Sugarloaf Mountain offers a long-lasting presence.
As the carnival capital of the world, Rio de Janeiro is undoubtedly one of the best places to start your cruise port sailaway party. Dance to the samba beats and sip fresh caipirinhas cocktails to get in the mood for a fantastic cruise holiday.
New York, USA
You cannot discuss global iconic landmarks without mentioning New York. Its illustrious skyline comprises some of the most eminent sights in the world, including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the One World Trade Center. Sailing away from the port, you’ll also gain an impressive view of the city’s surrounding boroughs and the Atlantic Ocean.
The city’s transformation over time makes it even more wonderful to see. The mix of old and new architecture, the skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty, surrounded by waters, offer a captivating panorama of this remarkable US city as your ship departs.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
With Terracotta roofs, and gleaming stone buildings contrasting the vivid turquoise waters, Dubrovnik is undeniably one of the most beautiful cruise ports for a sailaway. Its location on the Adriatic Sea provides a picturesque backdrop for the city’s well-preserved medieval fortifications, towers, and churches.
In the background, the majestic Srd mountain overlooks the UNESCO-recognised old town that is enclosed by its 12th-century walls. As your cruise ship sails away, charming little islands dispersed across the waters come into view – a stunning way to begin a sailaway cruise around the Mediterranean.
Geiranger, Norway
For an utterly magical experience, Geiranger offers one of the best cruise port sailaways. Its dramatic scenery of towering mountains, deep sapphire waters and breathtaking waterfalls are nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Leaving Geiranger, you’ll sail along Geirangerfjord. This 9-mile fjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and regarded as one of the most magnificent of its kind. It is also one of the longest and deepest in the world, taking you serenely away from Geiranger and past two of Norway’s most-visited waterfalls, The Seven Sisters and The Suitor.
Neko Harbour, Antarctica
A cruise sailaway out of Neko Harbour in Antarctica provides an unforgettable experience like no other. The quiet waters, frozen fjords and immense glistening glaciers, are dwarfed only by the rising peak of Mount Francais.
As your cruise ship departs, it’s not unusual to be escorted by humpback whales who breach the icy waters. Meanwhile, seals and penguins loiter on the icebergs that hug the coastline – extraordinary sights that create lifelong memories.
From stunning architecture and rich cultural heritage, to natural beauty and remarkable wildlife, these destinations offer some of the best cruise port sailaways- but there are many more, too!
If you’d like to book a cruise holiday to enjoy sights like these for yourself, please get in contact with our cruise specialists.
