A cruise for every ocean

Any cruising devotee will quickly tell you that as much as they love visiting a variety of destinations, it is the journey there that makes each cruise holiday truly unforgettable. There’s a cruise for every ocean across our globe and we think that you should be on board…

Cruises to this unique area of the world feature a variety of destinations including Alaska, Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Canada, plus myriad island chains. During the summer, visitors can enjoy 24-hour daylight in this ‘Land of the Midnight Sun.’ Whilst in the winter months, guests can go in search of the majestic Aurora Borealis, a true bucket list experience. Nature lovers can look forward to seeing reindeer and musk ashore, whilst on the coast polar bears, seals and walrus can be marvelled at. At sea, whales are bountiful, as are a wide variety of coastal and sea birds with half of the world’s species residing in the Arctic Circle. All in all, the Arctic Ocean is nature’s playground and invites any guest to play in this winter wonderland.

Sailing the Atlantic Ocean will have you following in the steps of Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan and Francis Drake. Bordered by Africa and Europe to the east, America’s to the west and sprawling as far as the Arctic and Antarctic oceans, the Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest in the world. This magnificent body of water offers many impressive views of coasts indented by bays, gulfs and seas from the top deck of a ship, including the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea. Scattered across the ocean, these areas provided a welcome stop for many explorers and, as you can imagine, they offer even more for your cruise itinerary.

Known for its utopian islands - the Seychelles, Mauritius and the Maldives - the Indian Ocean offers visitors exceptional experiences, from cultural and gastronomical, to those packed with nature. There are so many more layers to its flawless facade than one can discover on a cruise alone and spending time ashore exploring these vibrant islands is as enjoyable as spending time on your balcony, enjoying the views or basking under the sun in the ships swimming pool. The Indian Ocean is also home to many endangered species such as sea turtles, seals and dugongs (also called sea cows) - we suggest that you take your camera with you just in case you’re lucky enough to see any of these animals in their natural habitat.

As the largest and deepest ocean on Earth, spanning 60 million square miles from California to the Philippines, the grand Pacific Ocean teams with activity. From the Antarctic in the south to the Arctic in the north and nestled between the continents of Oceania or Australiasia, there are few cruise ports that the Pacific Ocean doesn’t touch and the chances are that you’ll dip a toe in the waters of the great Pacific at some point. It is also home to the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which stretches more than 1,429 miles and is home to the world’s largest coral reef- an absolute must for those on Australian voyages across the Pacific Ocean. Named by Ferdinand Magellan who called the ocean ‘mar pacific,’ meaning peaceful sea, this enormous body of water is ideal for spending time relaxing on your ships as you cruise leisurely towards your next destination - be that Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand or Mexico.

The Southern Ocean is your gateway to one of the most spectacular areas of the world - the Great White Continent. Time spent sailing its cool waters is just as valuable as time spent ashore in Antarctica and much of Antarctica’s best highlights can be seen from atop your cruise ship. Majestic glaciers, sublime icebergs and crystal-clear waters set the scene for guests’ exploration - ashore on board - whilst opportunities for wildlife spotting are endless. Many species of penguin including Emperor, King, Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie can be found here, as well as whales, seals and impressive birdlife. The Southern Ocean is a place for exploration and expedition and many cruise lines offer kayaking or Zodiac tours to enhance your experience. Some even offer the incredibly unique opportunity to sleep out in the open on the ice - an experience not to be missed, if you can bear the cold!