Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you may have noticed that many people around the world have been patiently waiting in great anticipation for the brand-new Barbie film, released in cinemas on 21st July 2023.
This surge of excitement has had many fans of the iconic character frantically searching for all things pink – from shoes to suitcases!
But, did you know that there are a whole host of magical spots across the globe that are tinted in the distinct rosy hue that Barbie is known for? Yes, it’s true!
In our blog below, we highlight six of the best blushing locations and sites that you can visit on your next cruise to get a pink fix.
Cherry Blossoms, Mt. Fuji, Japan
Step into a pastel-pink paradise and admire the breathtaking cherry blossoms situated around the Fuji Five Lakes in Japan.
As winter waves goodbye and spring creeps in, these delicate pink petals begin to thrive, creating a sea of pink among the trees surrounding Mt.Fuji, Japan. These pretty flowers are typically in full bloom around mid-April, so be sure to plan your visit to Mt. Fuji accordingly to get the best views of these outstanding natural beauties.
Want to know the top locations for picture-perfect cherry blossom views? Make your way to Kawaguchiko, the most popular of the lakes, or Urui River, featuring a cherry-tree-lined path situated nearby Ryuganbychi Bridge. Here, you can be sure to capture the very best Insta-worthy snaps to share with the rest of the world!
Generally, cruise lines dock in Shimizu port when sailing to Japan for Mt.Fuji. The cruise port is around an hour’s drive from Fuji itself, with many cruise lines offering guided excursions and tours.
Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean offer itineraries calling at Shimizu cruise port for those wishing to get to Mt.Fuji and see the mesmerising cherry blossoms in all their glory.
Tangsi Beach, Lombok, Indonesia
Also known simply as ‘Pink Beach’, Tangsi Beach can be found on the eastern shore of Lombok Island, Indonesia. As just one of the ten beaches in the world with entirely pink sands, this natural phenomenon definitely deserves a spot on your to-do list if you’re a lover of all things pink!
The beach gets its colourful name from the pink-tinted sands, caused by a natural mix of crushed, dead coral and regular white sand. This hidden gem is a pastel paradise where you can spend the day feeling the soft, rosy sand between your toes as you stroll along the shoreline.
Lombok cruise port in Indonesia is also known as the Port of Lembar. To get to Tangsi Beach from Lembar cruise port, you will need to go slightly ‘off the beaten path’ as the beach is around a two-hour drive from the port itself- but the views are sure to be worth the journey!
Many external companies offer trips and excursions to Tangsi Beach itself, however, popular cruise lines sailing to Lombok in Indonesia include Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and Royal Caribbean.
Tan Dinh Church, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Set in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s textile market, Tan Dinh Church truly takes centre stage with its pink hues and a combination of Gothic, Roman and Baroque architectural design. Thanks to its unique colouring, this is not only a beloved religious symbol for the local Catholic community, but has also become an extremely popular tourist destination.
This peachy Roman Catholic Church sure stands out from its surroundings, featuring an octagon roof and two side towers- all brushed with pink paint, highlighted by white patterns. The interior of the church is equally as eye-catching, continuing the colour scheme with rows of pink Gothic posts leading the way to the main altar.
Visitors will be pleased to know that it is completely free for members of the public to sightsee and explore this stunning church, both on weekdays and at the weekend. There is no strict dress code when visiting the church, however, it is advised to dress respectfully- which can include covering your knees and shoulders.
Phu My cruise port is the gateway to Vietnam’s largest city, Ho Chi Minh. Around an hour and a half’s drive will take you straight to the heart of the city, with all of the hustle and bustle that it’s famous for.
Most cruise lines will offer their own excursions to Ho Chi Minh City as it is not within walking distance from the port, but there are also options to make your own way to the heart of Vietnam- such as shuttle buses and taxi tours. Cruise lines sailing to Phu My, Vietnam cruise port include Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Marella Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises.
Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda
Located in the south of Bermuda, Horseshoe Bay is a gorgeous pink-sand beach that is one of the island’s most popular locations for tourists. The beach’s light pink colour is created by very small red organisms living in the coral reefs that mix with sand on the floor of the ocean, and shells, which are eventually washed up on the beach resulting in the beautiful rose-tinted sand.
The bay is a much-loved spot for sun-seekers and beach lovers alike, and you’ll see many families and couples frolicking amidst its pastel pink sands and turquoise coloured waters.
Horseshoe Bay is around a 20-minute drive from the Royal Naval Dockyard, where larger cruise lines (including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises) tend to call into. Smaller lines, such as Oceania and Silversea, will usually call at St George, about a 35-minute drive from Horseshoe Bay.
Craigievar Castle, Aberdeenshire
Marvel at the real-life fairy tale, Craigievar Castle, nestled in green oasis of the Scottish countryside in Aberdeenshire. This bewitching castle is bathed in a light pink hue, and has enchanted many travellers for centuries.
The castle, which used to be the home of the Forbes family for more than 300 years and is rumoured to be the inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella Castle, is a treasure trove of storied artefacts and antiques – great if you’re a keen history buff!
When visiting Craigievar Castle, don’t forget to snap a few photographs of the towering castle itself, but also of its surrounding gardens. The grounds of the castle are teeming with manicured, and wild, flora, fauna and wildlife, such as monkey puzzle trees, silver firs, Roe deers and even elusive Scottish wildcats!
The best way to visit Craigevar Castle via cruise is typically on a British Isles voyage that includes a port call in Aberdeen. It’s about a 55-minute drive from Aberdeen to the castle. Aberdeen itself, a bustling port city, is frequented usually by smaller and more boutique cruise lines, such as Azamara and AIDA.
Currently, the castle is undergoing some conservation works until spring 2024, so the castle itself, toilets, and shop are closed until then (but you can still wander around the grounds)!
Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary, Bonaire
Undoubtedly, flamingos are one of the most-well known animals in the world that are tickled pink! On the dazzling Caribbean island of Bonaire, you can see these curious, and sometimes timid, birds at the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary. Situated to the south of the island, this sanctuary is just one of four places in the world where flamingos are bred.
A whopping 10,000 flamingos call this sanctuary, a huge area of salt flats, home in Bonaire. It is prohibited for visitors to get too close to the flamingos here, so make sure to pack your long lens and best binoculars to see these fantastic birds from a local vantage point. The flamingos themselves will be meandering around the water or on the nearby sandy and grassy shore.
From Bonaire’s cruise port, in Kralendijk, it’s about a 20-minute drive to nearby lookouts. Lots of different cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Marella Cruises, P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America Line, all call at Kralendijk’s cruise port frequently on a range of Caribbean itineraries.
So, are you ready to discover your next pink paradise?
