If you love to travel and explore extraordinary destinations around the world, bucket list cruises are a fantastic way to see more of these must-see places. With bucket list cruises, you can go on exceptional journeys across the world to create magical memories that last a lifetime.
Below, we share our best bucket list cruises to inspire your next incredible venture.
A northern lights bucket list cruise
Many people have the aurora borealis (also known as the northern lights) on their list of must-sees. This natural phenomenon, caused by energised particles from the sun colliding with our atmosphere, creates mesmerising waves of green, red and purple that pulsate across the sky in a spectacular colourful dance.
Such a breathtaking sight makes the northern lights prominent on many ultimate bucket list cruises. Although there is no guarantee of seeing the aurora borealis, there are some places where the odds are high. And, with the natural scenery in these locations being just as stunning, it is worth taking the chance.
The polar regions are some of the best locations for seeing the northern lights, so look for cruises that visit places such as Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Alaska. Be sure to sail here in the autumn or winter when there is less light, making this solar activity more visible.
Many cruise lines offer aurora borealis bucket list cruises. Hurtigruten has a ‘Northern Lights Promise’ on some of its sailings, offering bucket-list cruise expeditions from the UK to destinations above the Arctic Circle.
You can also find northern lights bucket list cruises with Ambassador Cruise Line, Cunard, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and P&O Cruises.
A Norwegian fjords bucket list cruise
The Norwegian fjords are renowned for their wondrous beauty. These narrow inlets, where the ocean meanders between the cliffs, are formed when glaciers retreat, making for an unforgettable magical sight and one of the best bucket list experiences at sea.
A cruise is a perfect way to explore this gorgeous landscape. Sailing on the tranquil waters, taking in several of the UNESCO World Heritage fjords, their captivating waterfalls, brooding mountains and charming villages, these ships offer the ultimate bucket list cruise expeditions.
Spring and summer are ideal times to sail around the Norwegian fjords, when the milder weather enables you to make the most of these sights. However, if you are hoping to see the northern lights in Norway, opting for the winter months will increase your chances of catching this awe-inspiring sight.
Leading cruise lines, such as Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises and Cunard, offer Norwegian fjords bucket list cruises, visiting the main port destinations. Meanwhile, with their smaller ships, Hurtigruten and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have more expedition-style cruises that can navigate the narrower waterways and access some more remote areas.
A Rocky Mountains bucket list cruise
While discovering the Rocky Mountains in Canada may top many people’s bucket lists, the idea of a Rocky Mountain bucket list cruise may be surprising. However, several cruise lines combine an Alaskan and Canadian Cruise with a journey on the infamous Rocky Mountaineer train to create an epic American bucket list cruise.
Begin your adventure from the bright lights of cosmopolitan Vancouver before sailing through the Inside Passage to discover the secluded landscape of Alaska with its remarkable wildlife, shimmering glaciers and fascinating history.
Then, board the luxury Rocky Mountaineer train to gain an up-close encounter with the Rocky Mountains’ magnificent wild landscape of canyons, far-reaching pine forests and rugged alpine terrain.
Cruise lines such as Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line offer Alaskan cruises where a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer train can be included as an add-on for one of the best bucket list cruises.
Cruise during July and August for optimum weather, longer days and a greater presence of wildlife. However, if you want fewer crowds and better deals, opt for the shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October.
A Caribbean bucket list cruise
If your ultimate bucket list cruise entails warmer climes, sailing in the Caribbean has to be one of the top choices. These tropical paradisal islands with soft sandy beaches and turquoise waters offer year-round warm weather, welcoming culture and a fascinating blend of history and tradition from their African and European influences.
The Caribbean includes thirteen countries, classified as sovereign states by the United Nations, each with a delightfully unique appeal. When adding the Caribbean to your cruise bucket list, one day, you could be walking on the pink sands in the Bahamas, then, the next, snorkelling with stingrays in the Cayman Islands or swimming with dolphins in the Dominican Republic.
You can find Caribbean bucket list cruises with almost all the leading cruise lines, each offering varying Caribbean itineraries covering the eastern, western or southern regions. Although cruising is pleasant throughout the year, booking your Caribbean bucket list cruise between December and April will mean you can enjoy drier, sunnier weather and calmer waters.
A Mediterranean bucket list cruise
There are so many fascinating sights to explore in the Mediterranean, stretching from the sun-soaked beaches of Spain to the riveting resorts on Turkey’s coastline. So, when choosing where to visit for your summer holiday, it can be a challenge. Book a Mediterranean bucket list cruise, and you’ll get to see much more, all while travelling in luxury and style.
A classic Western Mediterranean cruise could include iconic destinations such as Barcelona, the French Riviera, Monte Carlo, Rome and Florence. Sail further east, and you can take in the historic cities of Athens or Istanbul, the enchanting Greek islands or the increasingly popular ports in Croatia and Montenegro.
Most of the main cruise lines have ships offering itineraries in the Mediterranean, including Celebrity Cruises, P&O Cruises, MSC Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises. The cruise season in the Mediterranean typically lasts from April to November, with the peak time from June to September.
