Our Top Five Cruise Destinations in America

• From Ice to Paradise: Discover a continent of contrasts, where you can swap the rugged glaciers of Alaska for the sun-soaked beaches of Hawaii or the Caribbean without leaving the comfort of your ship.

• Hassle-Free Exploration: Forget the stress of long road trips and internal flights; a cruise lets you tour the USA’s most iconic cities and national parks while your luxury hotel travels with you.

• A Destination for Every Traveller: Whether you are seeking the history of the East Coast, the glamour of California, or the wildlife of the Pacific Northwest, here are the top five American voyages to add to your bucket list.

America is hugely diverse, offering some of the most captivating landscapes and fascinating cities in the world. Taking a cruise allows you to explore this vast area with ease, not worrying about long road trips, internal flights and switching hotels. 

Instead, on a cruise, you can enjoy luxuries, amenities, activities and comfortable accommodations as well as incredible food and drink.

However, with so much to see and do, where should you go first? Here’s the lowdown of five of the best cruise destinations in America you need to put on your travel bucket list.

1. The Caribbean

Caribbean cruises are some of the most popular with cruisers, and with good reason. Their year-round tropical climate and idyllic beaches, fringed by palm trees and lapping clear waters, make it the destination for the most relaxing holiday. 

Cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises and more, offer a range of varied itineraries, taking in islands such as the Virgin Islands, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia and Barbados.

Some cruise lines even have their own private islands in the Caribbean to enjoy as part of their itineraries, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages and Disney Cruise Line.

Each has its own unique culture, often with a rich heritage. Meanwhile, popular beach activities include swimming with dolphins, scuba diving or snorkelling to explore the multi-coloured reefs and their abundant marine life, paddle boarding, and sea kayaking.

2) Alaska

If you love an adventure in the wild, then Alaska is the cruise destination for you! Sailing on the serene fjords, you’ll witness the pristine beauty of epic glaciers and waterfalls, home to incredible wildlife, including many species of whales and seals.

In Denali National Park, North America’s tallest peak, ‘The Great One’, also known as Mt. McKinley, can be seen from afar, while the taiga forests of pines and spruce hide black and brown bears, moose and red squirrels. 

Or sail to Glacier Bay National Park, otherwise known as Alaska’s crown jewel. The incredible, huge UNESCO World Heritage Site has seven glaciers, fjords and mountains dotted across its breathtaking landscape. You may even spot an otter or a seal there, too!

Numerous cruise lines sail to Alaska, including Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Carnival.

3) Hawaii

Hawaii is made up of eight major islands, including Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and the Big Island. A cruise provides the best opportunity to see them all and make the most of your time in this Pacific paradise. 

From the sun-soaked white beaches to the verdant green rainforests, intersected with shimmering waterfalls and reaching up towards Maui’s active volcanoes, there’s so much to explore and enjoy.

Discover the traditional Polynesian culture, go dolphin and whale watching, play a round of golf or just sit back and soak up the laid-back vibe of this colourful destination.

The beautiful islands of Hawaii can be discovered via a Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn or Norwegian Cruise Line voyage.

4) East Coast of the USA & Canada

Cruising this Atlantic stretch of America encompasses some of the most iconic cities in the world, with a wealth of history and culture, as well as stunning national parks and incredible wildlife. Itineraries can include stops in New York, Boston and Washington, where history, arts and entertainment are ubiquitous.

For the ultimate cruise experience, you can even sail straight to New York City from Southampton onboard one of Cunard’s iconic transatlantic cruises.

For nature lovers, autumn is a glorious time to cruise the East Coast, as New England’s fall foliage turns the landscape into a spectacular blanket of reds, ambers and yellows.

Head further north towards southern Canada, and the rocky shores become dotted with historic lighthouses or sail to the eastern shores of Canada and discover the historic, picturesque port of Halifax in Nova Scotia.

Some itineraries also take you inland to the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Toronto. Meanwhile, cruises south visit popular sunshine destinations in Florida, such as Key West and Miami.

Many cruise lines operate East Coast and Canadian itineraries, including Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas and Carnival.

5) California and West Coast

Along its 840 miles of coastline, California hosts the fascinating modern metropolises of Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. This Golden State is renowned for its relaxed culture, infamous wines and rugged landscape. 

Take in iconic views, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the Hollywood Sign, the notorious Alcatraz Island, the bright lights of Las Vegas, the ancient Redwood National Park, or the famous Long Beach. 

With cruise lines, such as Silversea, Norwegian Cruise Lines, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Hurtigruten, offering a wide range of itineraries, you can extend your cruise either north to Seattle, Vancouver and Alaska or south towards Mexico.

Whether you seek the frozen frontiers of the North or the sun-drenched shores of the South, America’s coastal diversity offers a cruise for every style of traveller.

Embark on your next great adventure and discover the vast beauty of the USA from the unique perspective of the sea.