Danielle McCarthy
Cruising

5 most exotic places to cruise in 2017

Sure, you can visit locations like the Amazon, Central America and Asia, but cruising really is the only way to do it in classic style. As the leading carriers, like Holland America Line, prepare to set sail on a number of exciting itineraries, 2017 is shaping up as cruising’s best year yet. In addition to Holland America Line offering several of the most inimitable cruises around Australia and New Zealand, cruising a little further afield on their elegant vessels equals a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here’s our pick of five of the most exotic locations set to be visited.

1. Panama Canal

Connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Panama Canal changed international maritime trade forever, and in doing so created an incredible location for cruising! Holland America Line offers various experiences, which let you see the canal in all its glory. A 48-mile waterway that divides two continents and connects two mighty oceans, marvelling at the sights on the Panama Canal cruise will be one of the most thrilling explorations you take in your life – and experiencing it on-board the elegant comfort of a Holland America Line ship is the icing on the cake.

2. China

Ancient, fascinating, vast and complex, China is must-visit for every traveller. What most people don’t realise, though, is that it’s also a great destination for cruising. Cruises to China often stop at ports like Shanghai and Beijing, letting you experience the modern urban sprawl of some of the world’s most populous cities, while at the same time getting a chance to take in historic sites like the Forbidden City palace complex and Tiananmen Square.

 

3. The Amazon

Few destinations evoke the same sense of wonder and adventure as the Amazon, and a cruise really is the best way to experience this mighty waterway. Witness Mother Nature as you’ve never seen her before on this immense South American river which passes through more than half the world’s rainforests. Amazon cruises also include a chance to stop in at some of the continent’s incredible, captivating ports like Rio de Janeiro and Manaus.

4. Japan

Japan is another destination that isn’t necessarily thought of by cruise-planners, but it really is the perfect way to see the Land of the Rising Sun. In many ways, Japan is a place of contrasts. At one moment, you’ll be jostling through a densely packed city. The next, you’ll be paying your respects at an ancient shine in a national park. Generally, your cruise to Japan will be part of a broader itinerary that includes stops in China and South Korea.

5. Singapore

To many the gateway into Southeast Asia, Singapore is an incredible location for cruising. A port stop in this vibrant, ever-evolving multicultural hub is never dull. From sitting in a Chinese teahouse to purchasing a sari in Little India, then next thing you know you’ll be standing jaw agape as you take in the wonder of the gold-domed sultan Mosque. Sample some of the best food in the world and get lost in the hustle and bustle.

THIS IS SPONSORED CONTENT BROUGHT TO YOU IN CONJUNCTION WITH HOLLAND AMERICA LINE.

Related links:

5 magical experiences on a cruise through Europe

15 cruise tips approved by the Over60 community

Why you should never sneak booze on a cruise

 

Tags:
holidays, travel, cruise, Exotic, Locations, Holland America Line