Postcard perfect destinations like Venice, Greece and Paris are popular ports on cruises for a reason. But consider those exotic, under-the-radar cruise destinations people rarely visit. A night spent staring at the Northern Lights or sailing alongside humpback whales are cruise options you might want to consider if you are looking for a unique holiday.
While some cruise for the ship itself, cruising can also be a way to discover lesser known and difficult to visit destinations without having to worry much about the logistics of getting to and around such places. Consider these five adventurous cruise destinations for your next cruise holiday.
Indonesia
It might be under the radar, but of Indonesia ranks highly as one of the best vacation destinations. The island nation is made up of over 17,000 islands, making it a perfect destination to experience on a cruise.
Indonesia is located in Southeast Asia and has a vast expanse of islands scattered across both the Pacific and Indian oceans. Part of its enticing nature is its rich biodiversity, magnificent beaches and water sports, including diving, snorkeling and surfing. Aside from its abundant variety of water attractions, Indonesia has a rich culture, impressive history, diverse religions and its art and music are unlike any other.
Once digging in to planning a trip to Indonesia, you’ll discover you want to visit a number of the islands that make up the country. But if you tried to visit all the Indonesia islands, it would take an estimated 49 years to do so! And planning the logistics of getting from island to island in Indonesia is enough to make anyone want to throw the towel in on trip planning. For the best experience, consider booking a private cruise to go island hopping around to Indonesian islands like Borneo, known for its ancient bio-diverse rain forest. With a professional tour guide and the right charter cruise, you can unpack once while sailing to the most captivating islands in Indonesia.
Galapagos
When talking about the best under-the-radar cruise destinations for your perfect holiday, you can’t leave out the Galapagos. The Galapagos boasts six small islands and 13 big ones, and all these places have one thing in common: fun.
With its rich offer of unforgettable adventures, quality experiences and treasured islands, the Galapagos is not a place you’ll forget in a hurry. The islands even inspired Charles Darwin’s “The Origin of the Species”. Some alluring features of the Galapagos are the giant tortoises, sea lions, beautiful flora and fauna found no where else on Earth, along with clear waters, breathtaking views and mesmerizing landscapes.
The Galapagos is truly one of those once-in-a-lifetime trips. And the best way to explore and experience the Galapagos is with the right tour guides on private charters and small ship cruises.
Tonga
Some of the most remote places to travel on Earth are more than worth the difficult journey to reach them. Tonga is one of those places.
Located in the South Pacific and only accessible through New Zealand or Fiji, getting to Tonga is a long journey. However, you’ll quickly forget the arduous journey to get to Tonga once you discover the island is replete with idyllic landscapes, pristine natural environments, unspoiled beaches, and enough sights for you to explore to your fill. Tonga is famous for its humpback whales and other wild animals seen all year round.
Tonga has a tropical climate, but it’s often cool and comfortable, as it doesn’t get hot and sticky from humidity like other island destinations. Because of its micro-climate, the fact that the island isn’t crowded and Tonga’s superb sights, cruisers love their visit.
Aruba
Along with Bonaire and Curacao, Aruba makes up part of the ABC Islands. Aruba is a Caribbean island that is on the northern coast of Venezuela, and to date, traces of Dutch history can still be found on the island because there was once a Dutch colony in Oranjestad.
Aruba has beautiful architecture that reminds you of its colonial history, and its flat landscape is dotted with caves and cacti. Excellent for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling, Aruba boasts beaches with white sands, beautiful sunsets, and a mouth-watering culinary scene.
Although the island is relatively small compared to other islands, it is jam-packed with beauty.
Norway
Norway is one of the most beautiful places to spend a perfect holiday. Complete with the Northern Lights, glaciers and its fjords, Norway has an abundance of natural beauty that enthralls people. Some of the most enchanting villages and natural sights aren’t easily accessible, making a cruise the perfect way to discover Norway.
You can sit back and relax while cruising along Norway’s coastlines and in and out of its fjords. In port, cruisers enjoy the wilderness, history, culture and Nordic flavors. You can even cruise Norway in winter to sail under the Aurora Borealis.
