When reading a novel set aboard a ship, the story often becomes secondary as you lose yourself in the idea of stepping aboard and embarking on an incredible journey across the seas. It’s easy to understand the excitement. On board, a world exists for just you and your fellow passengers, removed from everyday life; yet despite the seclusion you still get the chance to hop off and discover places you’ve never seen before.
1. The Caribbean
Cruises typically invoke daydreams of the Caribbean, accompanied by visions of kicking back with a piña colada on a gorgeous stretch of beach in places like the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. It’s the kind of cliché you can’t wait to try, and the comeback of pirates in film and television has added a certain allure to this classic cruise.
Departure Points: Miami (USA), Fort Lauderdale (USA)
Recommended Reading: The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson
2. Alaska
With the opportunity to marvel at the silver-white beauty of glacial fields and the chilling wonder of the fjords, Alaska is rising in popularity as a cruise option. Along with trips to national parks to see the wildlife which thrives in these cold climes – such as caribous, orcas, wolverines and all types of bears (black, brown and polar) – it’s an opportunity not to be missed.
Departure Points: Vancouver (Canada), Seattle (USA)
Recommended Reading: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
3. The Mediterranean
Balmy weather, mouth-watering cuisine and gorgeous islands are just some of the things we expect on a cruise. You can get all of these in the Mediterranean as you visit Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey, along with the surrounding islands, plunging you into a rich pool of history and heritage.
Departure Points: Barcelona (Spain), Marseille (France), Rome (Italy), Venice (Italy), Athens (Greece), Istanbul (Turkey)
Recommended Reading: Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell
4. Southern Africa
A cruise around southern Africa will allow you to explore the many wonders that Namibia, Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius have to offer. The vibrant culture, the unique wildlife, the marvels of nature, the outstanding cuisine – there is no end to the plethora of incredible experiences these countries have to offer, each completely different from the next.
Departure Points: Cape Town (South Africa), Durban (South Africa)
Recommended Reading: Ghost of Chance by William S. Burroughs
5. Southeast Asia
For the kind of places that define the word paradise, a trip through Southeast Asia is highly recommended. In Burma, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Borneo a wealth of experiences awaits in lush corners of verdant green, where brightly coloured birds take flight and magnificent beasts roam free. Ancient temples, fishing villages and bustling markets invite you to discover time-old traditions and religious rites. It sounds incredibly romantic, but with pristine beaches lapped by crystal clear waters the notion of paradise is inevitable.
Departure Points: Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong
Recommended Reading: The Beach by Alex Garland
Featured image by Donnie Ray Jones
