The exotic destinations you can cruise to
Google a destination, twirl an old-fashioned globe or look at a world map and you'll find that you can take a cruise in or around every one of our planet's amazingly diverse continents.
While many cruisers take off to nearby Pacific island nations such as Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji, there are almost unlimited destinations to discover by an unprecedented choice of ocean and river ships. Here are a few continents to kickstart your wanderlust...
THE CONTINENT: ASIA
Why go: Coastal Asia – on the Indian and Pacific Oceans – is broadly divided into south-east, south and east Asia. Between the three regions there's a wealth of cultures and countries to explore: everything from ancient temples and sacred sites to futuristic cities such as Tokyo, Singapore and Shanghai, traditional villages, tiny islands and luxurious beach resorts awaits the keen traveller.
When to go: Because Asia is the world's biggest continent, climates vary hugely. October to February is the best time to visit south-east and south Asia when the weather is drier and cooler. Cherry-blossom season – March to May – is the most popular time to visit Japan; spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are generally best for China.
All at sea: Asia's main cruise hubs are Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo (Yokohama), Shanghai and Bangkok. You can fly in and take regional cruises from these ports or join the Asia sector of a world voyage.
Up a lazy river: Sailing the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia is becoming a classic cruise experience, while Myanmar's Irrawaddy River is a rapidly developing destination. A Yangtze cruise is an integral part of any trip to China and India's Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers are featuring on adventurous travellers' wish lists.
The cruise director says: "Now's the time to go. There are more choices of ocean and river cruises in Asia than before and still many destinations rarely visited by Westerners to discover."
THE CONTINENT: AFRICA
Why go: This kaleidoscopic continent is home to 53 culturally and geographically diverse countries. It is a land of extremes – from the vast Sahara Desert to lush tropical islands and bush savannah, sophisticated cities to dusty villages, mountain ranges to deserted beaches – and its wildlife is one of the biggest attractions. As well as the Big Five (lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, rhino and leopard) some 1100 species of mammal and 2600 species of birds live in this animal kingdom.
When not to go: Most cruises operate in summer, between October and May.
All at sea: Several westbound, trans-Atlantic, world voyages and repositioning cruises visit the Cape Verde Islands, Namibia, Ghana and Senegal on Africa's west coast. Most Africa cruises are out of South Africa's Cape Town and Durban, sailing around the south-east coast to Mozambique and Kenya, and/or to Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion and the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. Cruises vary in length and ports visited; for example, Variety Cruises (varietycruises.com) sails year-round in the Seychelles.
Up a lazy river: The Nile flows through 11 African countries and cruise companies are now returning to Egypt. Several lines charter the Zambezi Queen (zqcollection.com) for short wildlife-spotting cruises on Botswana's Chobe; and in Senegal the Bou El Mogdad ferry sails between St Louis on the Atlantic and Podor on the edge of the Sahara Desert. A dhow cruise in Mozambique's Quirimbas Archipelago (iboisland.com) is another exotic option.
The cruise director says: "Safaris, wildlife, stunning scenery and sophisticated cities – what's not to love?"
THE CONTINENT: NORTH AMERICA
Why go: Surrounded by three oceans – the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic – North America has dozens of different coastal cruising routes. Ships sail everywhere from sub-Arctic Canada and Greenland in the north, to tropical Costa Rica in the south and along the eastern and western seaboards. Cruises on the Great Lakes offer yet another perspective of this mighty continent's big cities, back country and indigenous history.
When to go: West Coast northbound cruises are most frequent in April and May. Southbound cruises to the Mexican Riviera run year round but most go during the dry season between September and May. Atlantic Coast cruises operate from April to October and November, with September and October being best for "leaf-peeping" cruises. Alaska's cruise season is from April to September.
All at sea: Key cruising areas include Alaska, California, east and west Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Canada and New England.
Up a lazy river: Riverboats and small ships sail on the Mississippi from Northern Minnesota to New Orleans, in upper, middle and lower segments; on the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest; and on the Hudson and St Lawrence rivers.
The cruise director says: "While Alaska is, quite understandably, the most popular North American destination for Antipodean cruisers, there's a whole lot more to explore."
THE CONTINENT: SOUTH AMERICA
Why go: It has the world's highest waterfall (Angel Falls in Venezuela), longest river (the Amazon – recently noted by scientists to beat the Nile), largest rainforest (the Amazon), longest mountain range (the Andes) and a host of fascinating native creatures such as the anaconda, capybara, llama, jaguar, tapir, vicuna and piranha. Highlights of the Pacific coastline include Ecuador's Galapagos Islands, ancient Incan ruins and the Chilean fjords. Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world, is the main departure port for Antarctica. Along the Atlantic coast, Argentina's Buenos Aires and Brazil's Rio de Janeiro are exciting, cosmopolitan cities with distinctly different characters.
When to go: Cruises generally operate between November (late spring) and early May (mid-autumn). Galapagos Islands expeditions run year round.
All at sea: Itineraries can be classified as Pacific/Incan coast, "round the Horn" between Buenos Aires and Valparaiso, Brazilian Riviera, Amazon River, Galapagos Islands and to Easter Island. Some lines offer lengthy (60 or more days) circumnavigations of South America.
Up a lazy river: Some ocean lines cruise the Brazilian Amazon from Manaus or Rio, to the port of Macapa. Three- to seven-day Peruvian Amazon cruises operate mostly from Iquitos.
The cruise director says: "An expedition cruise in the Galapagos Islands is one of the standout experiences in my life; Buenos Aires one of my favourite cities; and sailing the Amazon is definitely on my wish list."
THE CONTINENT: EUROPE
Why go: Fifty countries, countless different languages and a complex and often turbulent history make Europe a continent that's not only one of the most populous but one of the most culturally diverse. Seafaring is a strong common theme: Europe is bordered by the Arctic Ocean, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean. Today's cruisers have a mind-boggling choice of itineraries to choose from. Western Mediterranean cruises visit countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Portugal and Malta; Eastern Med cruises go to Greece, the Balkan Peninsula and a few still call at Turkey. Baltic and Northern Europe cruises take in Britain, Germany, Scandinavia and Russia.
When to go: Most cruises (ocean and river) operate between April and October but some sail year-round. Midsummer is best avoided.
All at sea: Pick the destinations and the length of time you can cruise for and there will be a ship and itinerary to suit.
Up a lazy river: The popular route between Amsterdam and Budapest travels through five countries on the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers. Cruises in France are in the Bordeaux region and on the Rhone, Saone, Seine and Loire rivers; in Italy, on the Po; in Portugal, on the Douro; and from the Czech Republic to Germany on the Elbe.
The cruise director says: "Why can't Europe be closer to New Zealand?"
FIVE NEW FRONTIERS OF CRUISING
1. Papua New Guinea
Until a few years ago, only small expedition ships visited PNG and the country's colourful culture, coral atolls, wild landscapes and fascinating World War II relics were largely hidden from the world. Today, P&O and Princess sail to PNG from Australia, cruising the Trobriand, Solomon and Conflict Islands, while adventure lines such as Coral Expeditions (coralexpeditions.com) and True North (truenorth.com.au) delve deeper into the wild.
2. The Baltic sea
As some Mediterranean destinations become overrun by tourists, discerning cruisers are discovering less-visited historic port cities such as Tallinn (Estonia), Gdansk (Poland) and Riga (Latvia) in Northern Europe. Mainstream and luxury lines offer Baltic and Scandinavia itineraries that take in Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Finland.
3. Albania and Montenegro
These Balkan Peninsula countries are being rediscovered by cruise lines as Turkey was dropped from many itineraries last year and Croatia, particularly Dubrovnik, plans to drastically reduce visitor numbers. Albania and Montenegro have natural attractions aplenty, along with medieval towns and villages, ancient ruins and an increasingly buzzy social scene.
4. Arabian Peninsula
Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman have featured on world voyages for quite a while but ships are now spending more time based in the Gulf region. Abu Dhabi's Arabian Wildlife reserve on Sir Bani Yas island is a major drawcard, Oman's main port of Muscat is a beautiful blend of ancient and modern and Khasab is the gateway to the Musandam Peninsula, which you can cruise by dhow.
5. Greenland
The world's biggest island, way up in the Arctic Circle, is mostly cruised by small expedition and luxury ships. It's a natural wonderland, with massive icebergs, dramatic fjords, hot springs and a wealth of marine and bird life. Its capital city, Nuuk, is home to just 16,500 people; tours to remote areas allow visits to Inuit communities.
Written by Sally Macmillan. Republished with permission of Stuff.co.nz.