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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.
Monday 02 February 2026 10:53 GMT
A cruise can offer spectacular views of bucket list destinations across all corners of the globe. For many keen travellers with a list of dream trips or natural wonders to experience, a cruise provides an ideal way to tick off those aspirations efficiently and comfortably.
From gazing upon towering icebergs in Alaska to spotting the giant tortoises of the Galapagos, a cruise grants unique access to incredible natural phenomena worldwide. Cruise ships often present optimal conditions for witnessing marvels like the northern lights, offering an unrivalled method to traverse the Atlantic or sail past ancient temples without the hassles of 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 profound experiences. Whatever your interests—from immersing yourself in pristine nature to circumnavigating the globe—there is a variety of ocean and river cruises promising once-in-a-lifetime journeys.
Options range from chilly Antarctic expeditions 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 bring you closer to nature.
While some routes may carry a higher price tag, they can represent exceptional value for those seeking unparalleled travel opportunities. Here is our curated pick of the top cruises to help you achieve your travel bucket list ambitions.
Best Bucket List Cruises
1. Transatlantic Crossing
Cunard: Westbound Transatlantic Crossing
Southampton – New York
Sit back and relax over several sea days as you sail across the Atlantic, with your main concerns being securing the best sunbed for views and selecting activities from the daily planner. A transatlantic cruise, typically between Southampton and New York or vice-versa, often features few or no stops, granting a week or more purely to enjoy the ship and maritime life.
An iconic vessel on this route is Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. Guests can savour old-school luxury cruising, including white-gloved afternoon teas and ballroom dancing, while exploring the 8,000 volumes in the largest library 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.
2. Galápagos Islands Expedition
Lindblad Expeditions: Exploring Galápagos
Quito – Galápagos Islands – Quito
Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin from the comfort of an expedition cruise ship. A Galapagos Islands cruise brings you intimately close to the incredible wildlife and natural history of this unique archipelago.
With Lindblad Expeditions, this sailing commences 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 guide you through the region, with opportunities to drop anchor and meet marine life underwater in the crystal-clear waters.
Departs 15 May 2026. From £5,382 per person.
3. World Cruise Adventure
Azamara: 2026 World Cruise
San Francisco, USA – ... – Copenhagen, Denmark
A world cruise eliminates the hassle of airport check-ins and constant packing and unpacking as you travel across continents. You only need to unpack once, ready to explore the globe 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, wifi, food and drink, and weekly laundry are all included, plus guests receive $5,000 of onboard credit and $3,500 for shore excursions.
Departs 5 January 2027. From £45,029 per person.
4. Amazon River Exploration
Aqua Expeditions: Amazon River
Iquitos – ... – Iquitos
Explore the legendary Amazon rainforest on a river cruise with Aqua Expeditions. Travelling with this luxury brand along the Peruvian portion of the renowned 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.
5. Northern Lights Voyage
Havila Voyages
Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen
The northern lights represent nature’s greatest light show. The spectacle, known as aurora borealis, is best observed from remote locations in Norway, the Arctic, Iceland, and Alaska. Ideal 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. On Havila Voyages’ coastal express, travelling from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, guests sail through majestic fjords across 34 ports, watching for the aurora from deck or the glass-enclosed Havblikk Bar and Lounge. The captain will even wake you for sightings at night, and Havila Voyages promises a free next voyage if you don’t see the northern lights on a 12-day round trip between 1 October and 31 March.
Departs year-round. From £1,747 per person.
6. Alaskan Wilderness Cruise
Princess Cruises: Voyage of the Glaciers
Vancouver, Canada – ... – Vancouver, Canada
Alaska offers a visual feast with snow-capped mountains and colossal glaciers. A cruise here allows you to visit these natural marvels, with chances to spot whales or eagles. Unique excursions include gold panning and axe throwing.
Get closer to the ice on Princess Cruises’ 14-day Voyage of the Glaciers, sailing through Glacier Bay National Park and past the Hubbard Glacier. Aboard Discovery Princess, 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.
7. Antarctic Expedition
Silversea: King George Island
King George Island – ... – King George Island
Experience the planet’s last untouched continent on an Antarctic cruise, immersing yourself in breathtaking scenery even from your cabin. Opportunities include exploring the ice on guided tours to encounter penguins and whales, or participating in polar plunges.
Passengers can embark on a six-day roundtrip with Silversea from King George Island around the Antarctic Sound, witnessing icebergs floating alongside the ship. Excursions feature guided hikes and zodiac cruises to approach wildlife closely.
Departs 1 November 2026. From £12,040 per person.
8. Mekong River Cultural Journey
Riviera Travel: Mekong River
Ho Chi Minh City – ... – Angkor
Travel to the heart of Vietnam and Cambodia on the Mekong River. A river cruise here provides a comfortable way to engage with the villages and cultures of Southeast Asia.
Sailings typically depart from Ho Chi Minh City, visiting floating markets and the beautiful landscapes of the Mekong Delta, along with the ancient golden temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia. A 15-night sailing with Riviera Travel includes visits to local communities, tours of Phnom Penh, and a stop at the Cu Chi Tunnels used during the Vietnam War.
Departs 26 October 2026. From £4,099 per person.
9. Egyptian Nile Cruise
Viking Cruises: Egypt
Cairo – ... – 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, typically starting from Cairo and passing landmarks like the Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings.
Viking Cruises offers a 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids itinerary including flights, food, wifi, tips, and 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.
