The bucket list cruises you should do in 2024

2024 is already set to be a stellar year for travel, and what better way to explore it than by sea? Below, find our favourite cruises to add to your bucket list for next year.

Four Seasons Explorer

Best cruise for: a brand-new adventure with the new Four Seasons ship

If ever there was a place to discover by boat, it’s Palau. A western Pacific archipelago with a string of 340 islands, nearly 200,000 square miles of protected marine territory and pristine dive sites, it’s a tricky-to-reach tropical paradise. Enter the Four Seasons Explorer, a new 11-cabin catamaran that operates as a floating hotel, where guests can embark daily via speedboat transfer from the main city, Koror. Instructors at the PADI centre will take divers out to renowned sites such as the Peleliu Wall, home to pygmy killer whales and silvertip sharks, while marine biologists run snorkelling trips to Clam City and Jellyfish Lake. Other activities could include hiking to the Ngardmau waterfall, bathing in the mineral-rich mud of the Milky Way Lagoon or visits to cultural sites including the stone monoliths of Babeldaob Island, thought to date back to 161. Unlike typical cruises, there is no set number of days on board, so the toughest decision will be deciding when to leave.

Website: fourseasons.com

Cunard and Scenic Cruises

Best cruises for: sporting journeys

Ahead of the Paris Olympics, sports-themed journeys are winning. First up is Cunard’s inaugural Sporting Greats and Wellness Voyage (13-20 February 2024), a round-trip from Sydney with lectures by Australian sports stars including cricketer Brett Lee, golfer Karrie Webb and presenter Mark Beretta. Then, closer to home, is Scenic Cruises’ Sporting Legends Cruise: Paris & Seine Edition (8-15 July 2024), with Olympic legends Daley Thompson and Steve Redgrave joining guests for a classical concert at Château de la Roche-Guyon outside Paris. They will also take part in a Q&A session and discuss what it takes to be a champion.

Website: cunard.com; scenic.co.uk

Holland America

Best cruise for: cultural voyaging

Holland America’s new National Geographic Day Tours are designed to offer a cultural deep-dive into Mediterranean destinations – whether that means learning about the importance of honeybees (including having a go at hands-on honey extraction) at the bee museum in Rhodes; harvesting fruit with accountant turned sustainable farmer Bruno Santos in Madeira; or meeting Santorini locals to hear about life on the island over a wine-and-cheese tasting. Each is led by a National Geographic trained guide and available to guests on Oosterdam and Nieuw Statendam.

Website: hollandamerica.com

Stubborn Mule Travel

Best cruise for: little ones

Family adventure specialist Stubborn Mule Travel is adding a new tailor-made cruise itinerary for 2024: Active Bali and Komodo. It combines island life – white-water rafting and cooking classes in Ubud, a sunrise hike up Mount Batur, beach time in Pemuteran – with a three-night boat trip to see the Komodo dragons. Snorkelling, swimming and spotting turtles and blacktip reef sharks are bound to be a hit with all ages.

Website: stubbornmuletravel.com

Abercrombie & Kent

Best cruise for: island hopping

Wandering the narrow streets of Zanzibar’s Stone Town, I pause at every century-old wooden door, their intricate carvings and imposing brass studs drawn from the Islamic and Indian traditions that shaped this bustling trade hub. Zanzibar is the first and most populated destination on this two-week expedition, and we soon make for more remote locales. On the coast of Tanzania, I spot Pemba flying foxes roosting in the trees and visit the ruins of the Great Mosque at Kilwa Kisiwani before departing the shores of East Africa for the Seychelles. I’m aboard Le Jacques-Cartier, a Ponant ship chartered by Abercrombie & Kent, and it’s an intimate, sleek vessel for a voyage – whether I’m sipping spritzes by the pool, attending lectures in the theatre or watching for marine life through the windows of an underwater lounge. After a day at sea, island-hopping properly begins. On Aldabra Atoll, the park rangers and scientists studying the extraordinary ecosystem introduce giant tortoises, coconut crabs and white-throated rails, then take us for a zodiac cruise in the lagoon. On Astove Atoll, we snorkel with hawksbill and green sea turtles along a coral wall that starred in Jacques Cousteau’s 1956 documentary The Silent World. And on Aride Island, we meet some wondrous winged residents, from elegant fairy terns to plucky magpie-robins and white-tailed tropicbirds. At the penultimate stop, Praslin Island, the Seychelles has one more treat in store: the endemic coco de mer, or sea coconut, a palm that produces the world’s largest seed. The dirt paths in the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve are the last places we wander before we have to wave goodbye to Eden. Stephanie Waldek

Website: abercrombiekent.co.uk

Hurtigruten Expeditions

Best cruise for: wildlife watching

Sea lions slither down the powder-white sand to surf in the shallows. Hard-to-spot marine iguanas and orange Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttle over black lava rocks. Pelicans dive for sardines dropped by a clumsy bluefooted booby while, high above, a hawk soars across the sky. Mosquera Islet is only the first stop on my looping Hurtigruten Expeditions journey around the eastern Galápagos Islands on MS Santa Cruz II but it’s like landing in a wildlife documentary. The feeling continues in the coming days, as I snorkel alongside turtles in turquoise Santa Fe bay, get up close with giant tortoises in the jungle highlands of Santa Cruz (one of four inhabited islands) and watch lava lizards in a fierce tail-flicking territorial fight. That’s followed by the neck-dipping, beak-tapping courtship dance of the waved albatross as couples reunite on Española. Hurtigruten has form when it comes to adventure cruising: it began with Coastal Express in 1893, carrying travellers, locals and goods along Norway’s coast, before branching out into Arctic expeditions soon after. Just two years ago, it partnered with Galápagos expert Metropolitan Touring, which has been sailing this archipelago for more than 70 years (in 1959, most of Galápagos became Ecuador’s first national park). Visits are tightly controlled (maximum 100 guests on any ship, timed permits, all local guides), which means we are the only group at each landing site and rarely encounter another vessel. Guests on board are a brilliantly mixed bunch, from multigenerational families to keen photographers. Days are packed, with three or four activities to choose from each time we drop anchor: hiking, snorkelling, kayaking, nature walks and birdwatching boat trips. This is an active, nature-first itinerary offering the chance to see extraordinary species in their natural habitat. Emma Love

Website: hurtigruten.co.uk

Silversea

Best cruise for: Arctic plunging

On the descent into Kangerlussuaq Airport, all eyes are glued to the windows for a first glimpse of Greenland’s rocky terrain and chalky, aquamarine water. We’re here to begin our Silversea voyage aboard Silver Cloud, where charming butlers in dinner jackets stand by – an ever-welcoming presence, whether handing out seasickness remedies or ensuring walking boots are cleaned daily. Bear monitors, geologists, naturalists and kayak guides are all part of the expedition team. Sailing through calm Kangerlussuaq Fjord, it’s hard to imagine the weather as anything other than serene, yet it determines our itinerary, as it has dictated the lives of communities in this remote land for centuries. One day I wake up to mist around Ilulissat, a towering glacier with cathedrallike spires. Zodiac cruises allow for a sense of scale and, in typical Silversea fashion, a bar appears with Champagne and truffles. The devastating impact of global warming is difficult to disguise in Greenland’s wilderness, with ice groaning as it calves, before cascading, roaring, into the sea. At the breathtaking Tasermiut Fjord, I choose the strenuous hike on vegetation-covered slopes. It quickly turns into a scramble over boulders, but the reward is a clear view of the Uiluit Qaqqaa and Ulamertorsuaq peaks, often cited as some of the planet’s best rock climbs. We tour Nanortalik Museum (it has the world’s oldest seal-skin boat) and spot a pod of humpback whales while sailing from Paamiut, watching their tails splashing playfully on the surface for close to an hour. The polar plunge – a daring jump into the Arctic water followed by boozy hot chocolate – is a guest favourite. The most memorable dinner takes place on deck at The Grill, where I wrap up in blankets to cook steak on hot rocks. There are nearly 23 hours of sunlight here in July, and eating under blue skies as ginormous icebergs float past is truly a pinch-me moment. Saffron Altmeyer-Ennis

Website: silversea.com

Celebrity Cruises

Best cruise for: following fjords

Perhaps the most iconic fjord on the planet, Geirangerfjord doesn’t disappoint. I set the alarm for 6am to witness our early-morning sail in, forest-covered mountains rising majestically on either side as thundering waterfalls meet the deep blue below (one of the most photographed is Seven Sisters, best seen in early summer when the snow melts on the peaks). There’s a hush in the air as our captain performs a slow 360-degree doughnut so that everyone on deck has a perfect view. Later that day, I head to frozen Djupvatnet lake, more than 3,200 feet above sea level, the starting point for an exhilarating 10-mile downhill guided bike ride to the town of Geiranger. Visiting the fjord is one of the highlights on my Celebrity Apex round-trip voyage from Rotterdam (next year it will set off from Southampton). The ship has sophisticated neutral suites by Kelly Hoppen; the Magic Carpet, a spectacular cantilevered platform that moves up and down the side, serving as either a dining or drinks venue; and an impressive array of restaurants, such as sushi specialist Raw on 5 and the more comfort-food-focused Rooftop Garden Grill. Other stops on the itinerary include the waterfront city of Haugesund, once home to prominent Viking monarchs and a hub for the herring industry, where I take a speedboat ride around the archipelago, past salmon farms, fishing communities and miles of rugged coastline. In the southern city of Kristiansand, I discover the neogothic cathedral, bustling fish market and an old town where the streets are lined with white timber houses. Alesund, in contrast, is filled with pastel-painted art nouveau architecture, the result of a fire in 1904 that destroyed most of its buildings. The reward for climbing the 418 steps to the Fjellstua viewpoint is worth it: a sweeping vista that stretches to faraway fjords. Emma Heuser

Website: celebritycruises.com

Explora Journeys

Best cruise for: canal crossing

Think of cities with waterways and Venice or Amsterdam probably spring to mind, but I’m on a three-night whistle-stop cruise that homes in on a trio of other canal-laced destinations: Hamburg, Rotterdam and Bruges. It’s one of the initial voyages of Explora I from new brand Explora Journeys, part of the MSC Group. On board, the hotel-like interiors are pared back and serene, geared to kicking back in comfort. All suites have a private terrace; there are four heated pools (one adults-only, another indoors with a retractable roof), a spa and wellness programme, and enough restaurants to dine for a fortnight and not become bored. The 10-course tasting menu at Anthology, by a series of guest chefs, is a standout, as is pan-Asian Sakura, for lobster pad thai and scallops. In Hamburg, I wander along the narrow canals, crossing bridges past gleaming glass-and-steel structures and the contrasting Unesco World Heritage Speicherstadt, a historic red-brick port warehouse complex. At sunset, the Sky Bar on deck 14 provides a final panoramic vista as we set sail for Rotterdam. Here, I visit the striking 1970s Piet Blom-designed Cube Houses and the landmark Markthal, a modern horseshoe-shaped building with a curved ceiling that houses a buzzing food market. The next port of call is the pocket-sized fairy-tale city of Bruges, with its gothic and neogothic architecture and quaint cobblestone streets. The chocolate-making workshop at the end of my walking tour makes for a deliciously sweet end to the day. This is a box-fresh, bells-and-whistles new cruise, with design rooted in Europe and an intimate, relaxed vibe. Sophie Chai

Website: explorajourneys.com

Seabourn

Best cruise for: discovering the British Isles

If there was any doubt that Scotland’s wildlife is as impressive as its whisky, David Attenborough’s Wild Isles TV series, broadcast earlier this year, put paid to that. One standout sequence showed golden eagles mid-flight above Loch Lomond. So, when I visit the village of Luss on its western shore, my eyes scan the sky – in vain. All is not lost, though: hiking in Knockan Crag Nature Reserve, I have a sighting of the majestic bird of prey. Birds are frequent stars of the itinerary followed by Seabourn Venture (the company’s first expedition ship), which pinballs around the British Isles. On a zodiac ride around the Isle of Staffa, Atlantic puffins fly out from Fingal’s Cave before whirling back to their burrows with food for their chicks. And on the volcanic Isle of Lunga, we’re greeted by razorbills, guillemots and cormorants. The creatures of the sea are equally fascinating. On a morning kayak, I spot moon jellyfish and a camouflaged common seal reclining on a rock; one evening, around 10 white-sided dolphins corkscrew in the water, leading us towards the Isle of Harris. Ancient landscapes abound, from the Calanais Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis to St Magnus Cathedral on the Orkney Islands, and Skara Brae, one of Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic settlements, discovered only in the 19th century. On board, there’s a library of wildlife books, lectures on history, biology, ornithology and geology, plus a sauna, deep within the spa. Days end with lobster tail, pork belly and black cod. A close-to-home cruise that proves you don’t have to travel far for a nature-focused adventure. Hannah Waring

Website: seabourn.com

Regent Seven Seas

Best cruise for: a Scandinavian adventure

With fairy-tale castles, medieval cities and miles of deserted coastline, Germany’s northern Mecklenburg region is a popular holiday spot. One of the most in-demand resorts is Warnemünde, near Rostock port, where Seven Seas Splendor docks on the first day of my Baltic voyage. I follow the market-stall-lined Alter Strom to the 19th-century lighthouse overlooking the sugar-white sandy beach, stopping to munch on a traditional fischbrötchen (fried-fish sandwich). It’s a typical summer-at-the-seaside scene, and belies the freak weather ahead. While Western Europe swelters, severe winds and rough swells mean that our next two stops – the Danish island of Bornholm and Swedish city Karlskrona – are abandoned. Luckily, there is plenty to do on board, from lectures on the history of the region to origami classes and afternoon teas with flambéed fruit and miniature sandwiches. I drift between the hot tub on deck and Serene Spa, making the most of swims in the infinity pool, seaweed body wraps and guided meditations. The food is excellent, from the tender New York strip at American steakhouse Prime 7 to the seafood stew at Italian Sette Mari. By the time the ship reaches Klaipėda in Lithuania, all is calm again and I join a group kayaking on the Minija River. Afterwards, I wash down šakotis cake that looks like a sea sponge with local apple juice, before buying amber bracelets and linen napkins from a market in town. Although the trip also ticks off the blockbuster cities of Tallinn, Helsinki and Stockholm, it’s discovering these lesser-known places that I cherish the most. Octavia Saugman
Website: rssc.com

Rascal Voyage

Best cruise for: off-grid sailing

Indonesia-based Rascal Voyages has two handcrafted, five-cabin phinisi yachts – Rascal and Rebel – with a third, Rogue, on the way in 2024. The company is known for off-grid expeditions in places such as Raja Ampat, the Spice Islands and the Ring of Fire, where water sports, including diving, are the big draw. Keep eyes peeled for new, cross-border itineraries in Malaysia and Thailand too.

Website: rascalvoyages.com

Crystal Cruises

Best cruise for: making new waves

Crystal Cruises recently relaunched the muchloved Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony under the Abercrombie & Kent umbrella. The majority of the crew are back, as are all the familiar restaurants, including Nobu’s Umi Uma, while the Aurōra Spa and single ocean-view guest rooms are new. In spring 2024, the ships will sail around Australia, New Zealand and Asia, before heading to Europe.

Website: crystalcruises.com

Secret Atlas

Best cruise for: northern delights

With room for just 12 guests on board the MV Vikingfjord, the new, low-impact micro-cruises from Secret Atlas have the smallest passenger count of any expedition ship in Svalbard. Summer voyages focus on exploring the wilderness of the Norwegian archipelago: visiting abandoned whaling stations, observing walrus haul-outs and polar bears, and getting up-close to almighty glaciers.

Website: secretatlas.com