Ocean Voyages by Region
Seasons, highlights and the style of voyage in each of the world’s main cruise regions.
Get Free Regional QuotesWhere in the World Should You Sail?
Each cruise region has its own personality, its own season and its own style of voyage. Use this overview to narrow the field, then explore our dedicated regional sites for itineraries and port detail.
Caribbean & Bahamas
Sailed all year. Eastern routes favor beaches and the Virgin Islands; Western routes reach Mexico and Central America; Southern routes visit the farther islands.
Cruise Caribbean →
Alaska
Roughly May to September. Glaciers, fjords, whales and frontier towns along the Inside Passage, with land-and-sea cruisetours inland.
Cruising Alaska →
Mediterranean
Busiest in summer, with spring and autumn popular for milder weather. Ancient sites, island hopping and some of the world’s great food.
Mediterranean Cruise →
Northern Europe
Mainly a summer region. Norwegian fjords, Baltic capitals, the British Isles and Iceland, with long daylight hours.
Cruising Scandinavia →
Asia
Japan, Southeast Asia and beyond. Seasons vary widely across the region, so the best month depends on where you go.
Asia Cruises →
South Pacific, Australia & New Zealand
Best known as a southern-summer destination, with island-hopping voyages through Polynesia and Melanesia.
Get a South Pacific quote →What Makes Each Region Different
Caribbean: easy, warm and flexible
The Caribbean has more sailings than anywhere else, from short Bahamas trips to two-week Southern Caribbean voyages, mostly from Florida, the Gulf Coast and the Northeast. It suits beach lovers, families and first-timers. Remember the Atlantic hurricane season (officially June 1 to November 30) when choosing dates. Learn more at Cruise Caribbean, and find port-by-port shore excursions at Caribbean Cruise Ports.
Alaska: scenery from the deck
Alaska is about nature: tidewater glaciers, mountains, whales and eagles. Most sailings leave from Seattle or Vancouver; one-way voyages across the Gulf of Alaska can be paired with a land tour. Choose a cabin with a view if you can. Learn more at Cruising Alaska, and plan shore time with Alaska Port Excursions.
Mediterranean: history in every port
Rome, Barcelona, Athens, Venice’s lagoon region, the Greek islands, Croatia and Turkey make the Mediterranean the classic culture cruise. Days in port are full, so expect an active vacation. See Mediterranean Cruise and European Cruises, and book tours with Europe Port Excursions.
Northern Europe: fjords and capitals
Norway’s fjords, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Iceland and the British Isles reward summer travelers with cool weather and very long days. Visit Cruising Scandinavia for itineraries.
Farther Afield
Asia combines modern cities and ancient temples, from Japan and South Korea to Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore. Distances are long, so many voyages run 10 nights or more. See Asia Cruises and Asia Shore Excursions.
The South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand offer volcanic islands, lagoons, the Great Barrier Reef and dramatic fjords, with the main season in the southern summer.
South America voyages round Cape Horn, explore the Chilean fjords or call along the Atlantic coast, often as longer sailings. Plan port days with South America Shore Excursions, or browse shore tours in every region at Shore Activities.
Not Sure Which Region to Choose?
Tell us what you enjoy and when you can travel. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will suggest regions and itineraries, with free quotes.
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