Cruise Regions
Explore 12 cruise destinations worldwide
Plan your perfect cruise by exploring destinations organized by region. From Caribbean beaches to Alaskan glaciers, find live ship positions, popular ports, and expert guidance for every cruise region.
Planning Your Cruise by Region
Choosing the right cruise region is one of the most important decisions when planning a cruise vacation. Each region offers a distinct experience shaped by geography, climate, culture, and the time of year you're traveling. Understanding these differences helps you select a voyage that matches your interests and expectations.
Tropical Cruising: The Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, and South Pacific offer warm-weather escapes with beautiful beaches, snorkeling, and water sports. These regions feature cruise line private islands and tend to have the most diverse ship options, from budget-friendly to ultra-luxury.
Cultural Immersion: The Mediterranean, Baltic, Asia, and Northern Europe emphasize history, architecture, and cuisine. These itineraries often include UNESCO World Heritage sites, ancient ruins, and cosmopolitan cities. Port days tend to feature more sightseeing than beach time.
Adventure and Wildlife: Alaska, Antarctica, and Norwegian fjords attract travelers seeking natural wonders. Expect glacier viewing, wildlife encounters, and dramatic landscapes. These regions often feature smaller expedition-style ships alongside mainstream cruise lines.
Unique Experiences: Transatlantic crossings offer a throwback to classic ocean travel with multiple sea days, while South America combines diverse cultures with Patagonian wilderness. Hawaii provides a domestic option for Americans seeking tropical islands without international travel.
Key Factors When Choosing a Region
- Season: Some regions (Alaska, Antarctica, Baltic) only operate during specific months
- Cruise Length: Caribbean offers 3-7 night options; Mediterranean and Asia typically require 7-14 nights
- Departure Ports: Consider whether you need flights to reach the embarkation port
- Budget: Expedition regions and remote destinations command premium pricing
- Interests: Beaches vs. history vs. wildlife drives which region best suits you
Browse our regional guides below to find live ship positions, popular ports, and detailed information about cruising each destination. Use our ship comparison tools to find the perfect vessel for your chosen region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Caribbean is the most popular cruise region, followed by the Mediterranean, Alaska, and Northern Europe. Each region offers unique experiences, from tropical beaches to ancient ruins to glacier viewing.
Consider factors like travel season (Alaska only runs May-September), your interests (history, beaches, wildlife), cruise length preferences, and departure port convenience. Each region has distinct characteristics that appeal to different travelers.
Caribbean cruises run year-round with peak season November-April. Mediterranean season is May-October. Alaska cruises operate May-September. Baltic and Northern Europe sail June-August. Antarctica is only accessible November-March.
The Caribbean is often recommended for first-time cruisers due to short sailing distances, multiple departure ports along the US East Coast and Gulf, calm waters, and a wide variety of ships and itineraries at all price points.
The Caribbean and Bahamas typically offer the best value due to competition and proximity to major ports. Transatlantic repositioning cruises can offer excellent value for those with flexible schedules. Expedition regions like Antarctica command premium prices.