Cruising across the water, enjoying the sunshine and discovering new places. You can combine all of this on a cruise. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, there’s something for everyone with the large selection of cruise routes. With a cruise ship, you are actually travelling in a floating hotel and see different places, although you only have to unpack your suitcase once. We show you the most beautiful cruise routes in the world. And one thing is for sure, the real hits are routes that score with special features and show the beauty of the places.
1. Norway: Cruising through the Norwegian fjords
More and more people are opting for a cruise to Northern Europe. The destination of Norway is not quite as far north as Iceland and Greenland, but has a lot to offer in terms of nature. The route to northern Europe usually starts from Hamburg or Kiel and leads via Copenhagen to the Norwegian ports of Bergen and Stavanger. The route also offers the opportunity to get to know travelling by ship. Because cruises on these routes don’t have to be long. Perfect for seeing what awaits you on a cruise.
Cruise Hardanger Fjords Norway
The further north you travel by ship, the more spectacular nature becomes. Past fjords with dangerously high cliffs to the left and right, with deep waterways running between them. The highlight of this trip is the journey to the Geirangerfjord, which offers you rugged mountains from which small waterfalls cascade and has secured the cruise first place on our list of the most beautiful cruise routes in the world. The travel season for this region starts in April, when it can still be a little chilly. The peak season is then in summer from June to September.
2. Western Mediterranean: cruise to the metropolises
Cruises through the western Mediterranean are often the most popular with Germans. Here you have the opportunity to get to know numerous metropolises in a short time and then perhaps decide to explore them in more detail on your next trip. Cities such as Barcelona, Palma, La Spezia and Marseille have a lot to offer and passengers can gain a brief insight into the metropolis on a walking tour.
Amalfi Coast cruise
Travellers from Germany and the surrounding area are particularly interested in this route. Pleasant weather, a common currency and good communication are reasons for the region’s popularity.
The best time to visit the western Mediterranean is from April to the end of October, with the months of May, June and September standing out in particular. The temperatures here are pleasant, but it is not too hot for activities on land.
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3. Panama Canal: The most famous waterway in the world
If you’re looking for warmer destinations, then the Caribbean might be just the thing for you. If you are considering a trip to white beaches and turquoise waters, you should definitely make sure that the route runs along the Panama Canal. The legendary Panama Canal is considered the most famous waterway in the world. With a length of 82 kilometres, it cuts through Central America and connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Cruise St Thomas Caribbean
It’s not just nature that is special on this route. The engineering and history of the waterway are also something to marvel at. The crossing takes 15 hours and requires passing through three locks. Since 1914, it has been possible for ships to integrate the route through the Panama Canal into their itinerary. For example, the route from New York to San Francisco was shortened by three weeks. The time that can be saved by travelling through the canal is therefore enormous.
Many well-known routes often start in America. Passengers get an insight into the Caribbean, South America or Panama. The special features of the routes vary from cruise to cruise. But they all combine a mixture of adventure, culture and relaxation. This has earned it a place in our list of the most beautiful cruise routes in the world. The main cruising season here is during the dry season from mid-December to mid-April. In summer and autumn, Panama cruises are cheaper.
4. Iceland & Greenland – Cruise to the Arctic Circle
Cruise routes to the north are very popular. In the case of Greenland, the cruise takes you to the most sparsely populated country on earth. The self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark has incredible nature to offer, with glaciers and icebergs piling up here. Of course, the wildlife should not be forgotten, as polar bears and reindeer see Greenland as their habitat.
Most expeditions take place in East Greenland, while transatlantic cruises often stop in the southern part of the country and offer city trips that may also take you to the capital Nuuk. It is almost impossible to cover the entire coastline of Greenland, as it stretches over 44,000 kilometres and is therefore 4,000 kilometres longer than the circumference of the earth. It’s amazing what this country has to offer!
Northern Lights Iceland
Watch the Northern Lights dance in the sky or marvel at the midnight sun. This is possible here if you opt for this cruise route.
Cruise Iceland
Iceland is the youngest island in the world. As the largest volcanic island, Iceland is the land where fire, water and ice meet. Volcanoes, waterfalls or places where there are more sheep than people, this country is definitely worth a visit. A very popular cruise route runs from Hamburg via Scotland and then connects Iceland and Greenland.
The peak season for travelling to these areas is between June and October. Most cruises on the route take place between July and August, as the summers here are very short. However, if you are more interested in the Northern Lights, you should plan your visit between October and March.
5. Canary Islands: “Island hopping” and adventure
Cruises whose routes take you to the Canary Islands are also popular. You dock at various locations and literally hop from island to island. The exciting world of the Atlantic and the proximity to Africa have a special charm for many and the route is one of the most beautiful cruise routes in the world.
Santa Cruz De Tenerife harbour
But it’s not just the Canary Islands that have a lot to offer. Madeira and Cape Verde are also definitely worth a trip. In addition to the destinations worth seeing, a cruise on this route impresses with its mix of varied scenery and diverse programme. Whether a snorkelling excursion into the special underwater world on Lanzarote, the natural spectacle on La Palma or the whales and dolphins on Tenerife, there really is a suitable tour for everyone.
The wide range of activities, but of course also the islands themselves, attract people to the Canary Islands region. Sometimes the Canary Islands are also combined with other destinations in the area or en route. The cruise is recommended in the period from mid-March to the end of October. This is when the weather is at its best and you can enjoy the trip to the full.
6. Pacific: along the coast of Canada & Alaska
Past rocky coasts, glaciers and green-covered mountains: a cruise along the Pacific coastline of Canada and Alaska has so much to offer. The route usually starts in Vancouver and leads past a spectacular coastline to Alaska. A major highlight on this route is the famous Inside Passage, which is considered one of the most beautiful ferry passages in the world. The Inside Passage is a coastal connection between British Columbia in Canada and the US state of Alaska.
Cruise ship Alaska
As the most beautiful fjord coast, it offers huge glaciers and secluded bays. If you look out of the window or stand on deck, you will discover a labyrinth of 1,000 islands. If you keep a close eye out, you can marvel at the fascinating wildlife. Humpback whales, harbour seals and seals are at home in the endless expanse of the north. The week-long journey through the Passage is one of the most beautiful cruise routes in the world. Once in Alaska, the cruises offer tours to historic cities or visits to the gigantic natural landscape.
On this route, you can decide whether you want to travel on large cruise ships or dig a little deeper into your pockets and travel the narrow waterways on smaller expedition ships. In addition to cold winters, the region has warm summer temperatures from May to September. The best time to travel here is between April and October.
7. Antarctica: Expedition to the South Pole
Exactly on the opposite side of the globe, one of the most beautiful cruise routes in the world continues along the southernmost city in the world to the uniqueness of Antarctica. Covered in ice and surrounded by the sea, Antarctica offers a world that seems magical. The journey to Ushuaia or Buenos Aires, where the route usually starts, is very long from Germany, but well worth it. The experience of travelling to Antarctica is described as a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Cruise ship Antarctica Neko Bay
If you want to experience seals, penguins and whales in the wild, you need to dress warmly. Because nowhere is it as cold as in the Antarctic. In winter, temperatures here can reach as low as -50 degrees Celsius. But when you watch nature pass by from the ship and the penguins jump into the water, it warms your heart.
Expedition cruises have strict requirements to protect nature and animals and not to disturb the Antarctic ecosystem. Ships on this route offer less entertainment, but more information events in which scientists inform passengers about the flora and fauna of the region.
Due to the cold winters, the travelling season to Antarctica is limited to November to March. This is when the ice breaks up and only then do the ships have access.
8. Amazon: Cruise on the longest river in the world
In eighth place is the cruise route on the Amazon. But it is no less beautiful. Probably the most exotic route in our list is along the longest river in the world. It meanders 7,000 kilometres through Peru, Colombia and Brazil and offers impressive views of tropical nature along its banks.
View over the Amazon
The Amazon basin is the largest CO2 reservoir on our planet. On this route, you will discover a new adventure around every bend in the river. You plunge further and further into the jungle and encounter river dolphins and water buffalo. The route often takes you to the capital of the state of Amazonas and shows you the highlights of Brazil. The special feature is that this is a river cruise. The ships that sail on this route are not traditional cruise ships. The passengers are travelling on smaller ships, which also make it possible to navigate the narrow side arms of the Amazon.
This route is considered the most exotic in the list of the world’s most beautiful cruise routes. The Amazon region can be travelled all year round. However, it is particularly beautiful from December to March.
9. Rhine: River cruise with landscape and culture
A classic river cruise should of course not be missing from our list of the most beautiful cruise routes in the world. In the penultimate place we have chosen, we present the cruise route on the Rhine. The ranking does not mean that the route is not beautiful, it is actually quite popular with Germans. And the route also has some great highlights and impressions to offer.
River cruise Rhine Boppard
You don’t always have to go far to enjoy a relaxing holiday on a ship. There are also marvellous places to discover close by. On a Rhine cruise, you sail past completely different landscapes and cultures. And the variety from Basel in Switzerland to the mouth of the North Sea, as many routes are travelled, could not be greater: the “Romantic Rhine” with the Loreley rock, the vine-covered slopes or the wine-growing towns along the way. Here, large towns, meadows and fields and the tree-covered banks dominate the cruise. The tributaries in Holland also have their charm. With its 880 navigable kilometres, the Rhine has a lot to offer and is rightly popular with travellers.
The best time for a cruise on the Rhine is between April and October. However, the route is also recommended during the Advent season for the Christmas markets.
10. Cruise around the world
For travellers who can’t decide on a travel destination or don’t want to limit themselves to just one, there is the option of booking a cruise around the world. This is of course much more extensive than any of the cruises we have presented so far. Such a cruise can take three to four months, but of course offers more cultural impressions than any other.
Cruise Hong Kong Harbour From Victoria
On a cruise like this, you really have a little bit of everything and can experience all the highlights of the routes in places one to nine: The largest continent of Asia, the various metropolises in Europe, the Canary Islands with their wide range of activities. The special features of the Panama Canal and the Inside Passage are also included in many of these cruise routes. Travelling to Antarctica or the Amazon would go beyond the time frame. With everything this cruise has to offer, it is considered the most unusual and definitely one of the most beautiful cruise routes in the world.
A cruise around the globe can usually last between 80 and 120 days and you are of course tied to the departure dates of the respective providers. Cruises often depart in January or October. Here, too, it depends on the region that the ship is travelling to.