Creative Cruise Destinations
There are approximately
two zillion cruises to the Caribbean and Mexico. And that’s fine. But
think about it…if it is accessible by water, you have a potential
cruise. Here are six creative alternatives to that Caribbean cruise—but
remember, this is just a starter list. To get even more creative, think
of anyplace near water, type the name of that place into your favorite
search engine along with the word "cruise," and you're on your way.
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African Honeymoon Cruise
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The Crystal Symphony
outside of Cape Town, South Africa. Crystal Cruises is among
the many cruise lines offering packages to Africa.
(Photo courtesy Crystal Cruises) |
Africa may not be
the first place people think of for a cruise, but maybe they should.
Think of the bright lights of Cape Town . . . the pyramids of Egypt and
the romance of Casablanca . . . the big wildlife of Kenya . . . the
vibrant culture of the Seychelles . . . the
sand dunes of the Namib Desert
. . . . That's just a sampling of the exotic destinations many cruise
lines are offering in Africa. National Geographic Traveler has a
great article on cruising Africa; see the links section below.
Alaska Honeymoon Cruise
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Alaska may not have
the Caribbean's sun and surf, but it more than makes up for
that with stunning beauty.
(Photo courtesy
Princess Cruises) |
This is a very popular cruise
destination and may be your ticket if you are one of those people who
doesn’t like heat and sand (you know who you are). The mountains are
stunning and there are lots of “nature calls” on most routes. Also (if
you are American): since you are in the United States, it can be simple
to use money, avoid passport hassles, etc.
Mediterranean Honeymoon Cruises
The advantage of cruising the
Mediterranean is seeing such a wide variety of cultures and vistas in
such a short amount of time. Cruise itineraries vary, but typical stops
include Venice, Tripoli, Istanbul, Alexandria, Malta, Athens, Rome,
Lisbon, and more.
Belize Honeymoon Cruise
A little different from the standard
Caribbean and Mexico trip, Belize City is an increasingly popular port
just south of Mexico on the East Coast of Central America, north of
Guatemala. Typical trips inland involve treks through the rain forest;
others go snorkeling or scuba diving in Ambergris Caye, near Belize
City. There is even an option called “cave tubing.” Belize’s national
language is English, although knowing Spanish would be a help to
exploring Belize City on your own.
Galapagos Islands Honeymoon Cruise
Ever been to a place so
wild that the animals don't know enough to be afraid of humans? That's
the Galapagos Islands, where visitors come face to face (sometimes
literally) with birds, sea lions, giant tortoises, and a wide variety of
other wildlife—including more than 50 animal
species found nowhere else in the world. OK, you have to fly to Quito,
Ecuador and then to the coastal port to board a cruise ship to the
Galapagos, but how else are you going to get there? With knowledgeable
guides no less? You'd come away with the most unique honeymoon pictures
on your block.
European Rivers Honeymoon Cruise
Combine the convenience of cruising
with the excitement of a tour through the cultural mélange of Europe?
Try a European river cruise. For thousands of years, rivers were the
lifeblood of European civilization, which means that a river cruise will
take you through some of Europe's most historic and vibrant cities. For
example, you can cruise up the Danube River to towns and cities in the
Czech Republic, Romania, and Austria in comfort, with lots “at your
speed” sightseeing. The cities, such as Prague, are ancient and
beautiful, filled with medieval architecture and elegance. Plus, the
American dollar remains strong in eastern Europe at this writing.
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Eight Exceptional Cruises to Africa
This National Geographic Traveler
Online article profiles eight African offerings from major cruise lines.
Alaska
Cruise Planning Guide
Lots and lots of articles and resources
about cruising Alaska from CruiseMates.com.
Silver Whisper Mediterranean Cruise Review
Durant and Cheryl Imboden of the
excellent Europe for Cruisers website describe their Mediterranean
cruise aboard the Silver Whisper (on Silversea Cruises).
Belize City at
PortReviews.com
A rather thorough description of what
to expect if your cruise takes you to Belize City; includes pictures.
Discover
Galapagos
This website, operated by a Canadian
travel agency, provides an excellent virtual tour of the islands, as
well as helpful information for potential visitors.
Doing the Danube
Mary Ann Hemphill's detailed description of her
cruise up the Danube River is just delicious: "We saw streets
with pastel buildings like a rainbow of sherbets, churches that looked
like an architectural confectioner had frosted them with pale yellow,
pink and sky blue icings, and topped them off with cherubs and gilt."
Includes lots of pictures.
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Your honeymoon story
Have you done this trip (whether on
your honeymoon or other travel)? We'd love to hear about your experience
so we can share it with others . . . just
drop us a line.
Last Updated:
February 09, 2010 |
