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9 Best Cruises to Tick Off Your Travel Bucket List
Cruise editor Marc Shoffman selects some of the finest sailings to enjoy natural and man-made wonders in your lifetime.
Tuesday 27 January 2026 09:44 GMT
A cruise can offer spectacular views of bucket list destinations across all corners of the globe. For many avid travellers with a list of dream trips or natural phenomena to witness, a cruise presents an ideal method to check off those coveted locations.
From marvelling at towering icebergs in Alaska to observing the giant tortoises of the Galapagos, a cruise provides unique access to a wealth of incredible natural environments worldwide. Cruise ships often furnish optimal conditions for viewing wonders like the northern lights and represent an unparalleled way to traverse the Atlantic or glide past ancient temples, all while avoiding lengthy airport queues, flight delays, and jet lag.
This selection moves beyond typical cruise holidays focused on Mediterranean beaches or Caribbean islands. Instead, these are distinctive sailings crafted for remarkable experiences. Whatever your interests—from deep immersion in nature to circumnavigating the planet—a variety of ocean and river cruises offer once-in-a-lifetime journeys.
Options range from chilly expeditions to the Antarctic to relatively warmer adventures in the Amazon or Galapagos Islands. Itineraries cater to diverse budgets, from cruises emphasising the journey aboard immersive ships with memorable entertainment and excursions, to expedition-focused vessels designed to ignite your sense of adventure and discovery, bringing you closer to the natural world.
While some routes may command a higher price, they can represent exceptional value for those seeking truly unique travel opportunities. Here is our curated selection of top cruises to help you tick off your travel bucket list.
Best Bucket List Cruises
- Transatlantic
Cunard: Westbound Transatlantic Crossing
Route: Southampton – New York
Settle in and relax over several sea days as you sail across the Atlantic, with your main concerns being securing the perfect sunbed for views and choosing activities from the daily planner. A transatlantic cruise, typically between Southampton and New York or the reverse, often features few or no stops, granting a week or more to simply enjoy the ship and maritime life.
An iconic vessel on this route is Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. Guests can sample old-school luxury cruising, including white-gloved afternoon teas and ballroom dancing, while exploring the 8,000-volume library—the largest at sea—and watching performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company or the English National Ballet. Notably, you can even bring your pet on transatlantic journeys to stay in the onboard kennels.
Departs: 10 June 2026. From: £799 per person.
- Galápagos Islands
Lindblad Expeditions: Exploring Galápagos
Route: Quito – Galápagos Islands – Quito
Follow in Charles Darwin's footsteps from the comfort of an expedition cruise ship. A Galapagos Islands cruise brings you intimately close to the region's incredible wildlife and natural history.
With Lindblad Expeditions, this sailing begins in Quito, with a flight to Baltra Island for a 10-day journey of discovery to encounter giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, playful penguins, and sea lions, among other species. Onboard experts will guide you through the region, and there will be opportunities to drop anchor and meet marine life in the crystal-clear waters.
Departs: 15 May 2026. From: £5,382 per person.
- World Cruise
Azamara: 2026 World Cruise
Route: San Francisco, USA – ... – Copenhagen, Denmark (extensive itinerary covering 37 countries)
A world cruise eliminates the hassle of repeated airport check-ins and constant packing and unpacking as you travel across continents. You only need to unpack once before exploring the world on voyages lasting from three to six months, potentially ticking off multiple bucket list destinations in a single trip.
Guests can visit 37 countries over 188 nights on Azamara’s 2027 World Cruise, departing from San Francisco and concluding in Copenhagen. The itinerary includes late stays in port and sailings past iconic landmarks such as San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, New York's Statue of Liberty, the Panama Canal, and Australia's Sydney Opera House. Tips, Wi-Fi, food and drink, and weekly laundry are all included, plus guests receive $5,000 in onboard credit and $3,500 for shore excursions.
Departs: 5 January 2027. From: £45,029 per person.
- Amazon River
Aqua Expeditions: Amazon River
Route: Iquitos – ... – Iquitos (Peruvian Amazon)
Explore the legendary Amazon rainforest on a river cruise with Aqua Expeditions. Travelling with the luxury brand along the Peruvian portion of the famed river on a seven-day sailing, guests can join expert-led excursions to spot rare wildlife including pink dolphins, spider monkeys, and sloths.
When not discovering the scenery, guests can relax in the spa, gym, or movie room aboard either the 20-suite Aqua Nera or the 16-suite Aria Amazon.
Departs: 20 June 2026. From: £8,442 per person.
- Havila Voyages (Northern Lights)
Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, represent nature's most magnificent light show, best observed from remote locations in Norway, the Arctic, Iceland, and Alaska. Ideal viewing conditions require clear, dark skies free from light pollution, making a cruise an excellent viewing platform from the ocean's expanse.
The prime time to see the northern lights is between late September and April. Havila Voyages' coastal express from Bergen to Kirkenes and back sails through majestic fjords across 34 ports. Guests can watch for the aurora from the deck or the comfort of the glass-enclosed Havblikk Bar and Lounge. The captain will even awaken you for a sighting in the middle of the night. Havila Voyages guarantees that if you don't see the northern lights on a 12-day round voyage between 1 October and 31 March, your next voyage is free.
Departs: Year-round. From: £1,747 per person.
- Alaska
Princess Cruises: Voyage of the Glaciers
Route: Vancouver, Canada – ... – Vancouver, Canada (via Alaskan destinations)
Alaska offers a visual feast of snow-capped mountains and colossal glaciers. A cruise here allows you to visit these natural marvels and potentially spot whales or eagles. Unique excursions include gold panning and axe throwing.
Princess Cruises' 14-day Voyage of the Glaciers sails through Glacier Bay National Park and past the Hubbard Glacier. Aboard Discovery Princess, you can enjoy panoramic views from the large windows of its 14 bars and lounges, and dine at top venues like the Catch By Rudi seafood restaurant and the Princess360 immersive dining experience.
Departs: 6 June 2026. From: £2,898 per person.
- Antarctica
Silversea: King George Island
Route: King George Island – Antarctic Sound – Antarctic Peninsula – South Shetland Islands – King George Island
Experience the planet's last untouched continent on an Antarctic cruise, a superb way to immerse yourself in the stunning scenery, even from your cabin. Opportunities include exploring the ice on guided tours to encounter penguins and whales, or participating in polar plunges.
Silversea offers a six-day roundtrip from King George Island around the Antarctic Sound, known as the end of the world, where you'll see icebergs floating alongside the ship. Excursions encompass guided hikes and zodiac cruises to approach wildlife closely.
Departs: 1 November 2026. From: £12,040 per person.
- Mekong River
Riviera Travel: Mekong River
Route: Ho Chi Minh City – ... – Angkor (Vietnam and Cambodia)
Journey to the heart of Vietnam and Cambodia on the Mekong River. A river cruise here provides a comfortable way to access various villages and the rich culture of Southeast Asia.
Sailings typically depart from Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the floating markets and beautiful landscapes of the Mekong Delta, as well as the ancient golden temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia. A 15-night sailing with Riviera Travel includes visits to local communities, tours of Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, and a stop at the Cu Chi Tunnels used by the Vietcong during the Vietnam War.
Departs: 26 October 2026. From: £4,099 per person.
- Egypt (Nile River)
Viking Cruises: Egypt
Route: Cairo – Luxor – Qena – Esna – Aswan – Edfu – Cairo
Watch Egyptian history unfold as you sail along the banks of the River Nile. A cruise is an excellent way to discover both ancient and modern-day Egypt.
Sailings usually start from Cairo and travel past landmarks such as the Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Viking Cruises' 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids itinerary includes flights, food, Wi-Fi, and tips, plus excursions to see the pyramids of Giza and the new Grand Egyptian Museum. An Egyptologist on board provides guest lectures.
Departs: 17 December 2026. From: £7,395 per person.
