Cruiseline.com Awards 2014 - Destinations

Closer to home, there’s some pretty awesome sand in the Eastern Caribbean, namely in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands (St. John has the region’s most breathtaking crescent beaches, hands down). In fact, Virgin Gorda and Tortola had sand so soft, we wanted to go barefoot for the whole day.

We’re also smitten with the beaches in Bermuda, many of them naturally tinted a lovely shade of blush pink. Paired with the vivid aquamarine water that surrounds this charming Atlantic island, they’re completely irresistible — and wonderfully close to the East Coast ports.

The Eastern Mediterranean, a close second and a cradle of civilization, is a truly exciting place to cruise. See colossal ancient Egyptian monuments outside Cairo, then check out the layers of ancient Greece in modern Athens before hitting the architectural monuments on the islands of Crete, Santorini, and Rhodes. Israel’s Holy Land sights are draws for Arabs, Christians, and Jews, and distinctively Eurasian Turkey boasts more ancient wonders than anywhere else on Earth.

History may not go back as far in the Baltic, yet cultural differences abound between Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania speak three different languages, while northern Germany is an economic powerhouse. Finally, are there any better architectural gems and museum collections than in St. Petersburg?

Southeast Asian itineraries also make our mouths water, but with flavors far more exotic. Often hitting Hong Kong, where saucy Cantonese dishes are beautifully presented at nearly any hole-in-the-wall you walk into, then moving through Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, and maybe even Indonesia, these trips present bright, spicy, exciting dishes (rich Vietnamese phó, creamy Thai lad na) both on and off the ships. Our favorite activity: shadowing the ship’s chef as he heads to the local port market and sources his fresh produce, fish, and meat. Our advice? If your cruise offers this, sign up immediately.

The Greek Isles — with their life-lengthening diet of olive oil, fatty fish, and red wine — are great, but for food lovers, choosing an Eastern Mediterranean itinerary that goes further afield reaps culinary rewards. The fresh fish spots along the Bosporus in Istanbul are magical, the heavy stews found in towns along the Black Sea are as warming as any in the world, and the chopped salads made with the tangiest tomatoes in the Holy Land remind travelers that the region’s ancient cultures are all on the same page — at least when it comes to eating well.

Alaska reveals nature on a supersized scale: On the way up the famed Inside Passage — a stunning ocean highway — be on the lookout for Steller sea lions, porpoises, humpback whales and orcas, moose, and black and brown bears at the water’s edge, and bald eagles in the sky. Expect immense glaciers that course down deep valleys. (When you hear a sharp crack, look fast to capture the sight of a tower of ice collapsing into the sea.) You can also sense the incredible endurance test that Yukon-bound gold prospectors faced when you ride the White Pass train from Skagway up the daunting mountain slopes.

Australia and New Zealand present a different set of natural experiences: Wild kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, emus, and cassowary birds exist nowhere else in the world. Are these animals worth the trip? Trust us: There’s nothing like seeing a roo bound over the outback or a koala climb up a tree. And in Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef, you can snorkel among hundreds of species of fish, mollusks, and mammals. New Zealand, on the other hand, is the majestic Alaska of the Southern Hemisphere, yet much more accessible on foot. It’s no wonder that trekking is all the rage; you’ll want to join the locals and get out and explore.

Aruba may be a spring break destination and megaship depot, but beyond the souvenir shops and big resorts, there’s good reason for the island’s popularity. Imagine white-sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, plenty of restaurants you’d actually want to eat at, a rugged landscape of aloe and divi-divi trees, and a multilingual population that won’t hesitate to extend you a “Bon bini” (welcome).

Many Caribbean ports feel like overrun tourist traps, St. John offers something more pristine and precious. In fact, nearly two-thirds of the island is made up of a protected national park. This is exactly the spot for unplugged outdoor activities. Get lost on trails that weave through sugar mill ruins, kayak in crystal-clear waters, and snorkel off a quiet beach among spotted eagle rays and barracudas.

Sitka is a pretty town, remote and set among the mountains with alluringMount Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano and a remarkableMount Fuji look-alike. The Tlingit Indians have called this home for 50 centuries, and their heritage is revealed in storytelling dances and in the totem park, where giant wooden, handcrafted poles are set in a lush rain forest. Russia had its North American capital here until the U.S. bought Alaska in 1867, and St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, with its onion-shaped domes, is the most notable monument to that era.

Anchorage seems almost un-Alaskan, a big city set next to an arm of the sea with all the room in the world to expand. It’s a great beginning or end to your cruise, rich with Alaskan art and sculptures, great museums dedicated to aviation and bush piloting, and the state’s best history and science center.

Istanbul is a mighty close second and may, for some, top Venice in pure energy. Its setting overlooking the Bosporus — a twisting waterway linking the Mediterranean and the Black Sea — is unparalleled. It’s a city with three names: Byzantium, Constantinople, and now Istanbul, reflecting Greek, Roman, and present-day Turkish cultures and paganism, Christianity, and Islam religions. There are plenty of don’t-miss sights for the first-time visitor: No example is more poignant than Hagia Sophia in reflecting two religions. The bazaars are exotic, and Topkapi Palace is as elaborate as they come.

Santorini, Greece, is in a category by itself, the result of a massive cataclysmic explosion that resulted in blowing most of the island into the air. What’s left is, simply, enchanting: Stand on the precipice and look down into the flooded caldera and across that to a tiny new cone that’s still active. Santorini white wine is an added delight, as are the restaurants at the top of the island, reached only by doorways in the sky atop stairs built into the cliffs.

The second best port of Portofino, Italy, is utterly different and beautiful, so much so that it has served as the set for many films. Just east of Genoa on the Italian Riviera and nestled in a horseshoe-shaped bay, the resort town’s pastel-fronted houses rim the harbor packed with yachts and a local fishing fleet. Steep, wooded slopes form the backdrop and create an idyllic setting. Climb up to the Castello Brown museum via the botanical gardens and to the San Giorgio church for a splendid view down to the picture postcard square. Hikers will enjoy a walk along high ground to the nearby resort of Santa Margherita.

Coming in at No. 3, Valencia, Spain, is a surprise entry for many. Spain’s third largest city has become a huge attraction in recent years with its superb Gothic cathedral, art museum (think Velazquez, Goya, and El Greco), and the crenellated Silk Exchange, a UNESCO World Heritage site. For foodies, Valencia is also the home of paella, the famous saffron-scented rice dish that many think of as synonymous with Spain.

Who hasn’t dreamed of seeing St. Petersburg, Russia, a city steeped in imperial Russian history ever since its founding in 1703 by Peter the Great? We certainly have, and it’s a port that doesn’t disappoint. How could it when it delivers culture on a grand and glorious scale? Don’t miss Peterhof Palace, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, and the Hermitage Museum. Many cruise ships stay in St. Petersburg two or even three days to allow passengers to see the sights.

No. 3 is an utter delight, even for those who didn’t know anything about Helsinki, Finland’s stylish capital, before arriving here on their cruise. Look for monuments designed by Russians during its period of domination, the influences of Scandinavian neighbors, and a homegrown form of art nouveau. Street after street of unusually attractive residential, commercial, and public buildings will knock your socks off. Best of all, the Finns come alive in the short summers with lots of outdoor wining and dining and picnics on harbor islands.

Before Shanghai took on the premier role, Hong Kong had been on top. Now it’s No. 2, but just barely. The city is a separate autonomous district of China; Beijing allows the traditional foreign influences to remain but looks on it as nationalistically less Chinese. Geographically dramatic, Hong Kong is split between hilly Hong Kong Island and the crowded Kowloon Peninsula across the harbor. Its attractions are the street life, shopping, myriad places to sample Chinese food, and wonderful vistas from the famous Star Ferry and Victoria Peak.

Kyoto, Japan, offers a thousand-year heritage as the imperial capital of Japan. It’s a center of Japanese culture and religions, with 1,600 Buddhist and 400 Shinto temples peppering the urban landscape. Fortunately, Kyoto was taken off the target list for the atomic bomb in World War II by U.S. Secretary of War Henry Stimson, who knew the city well. Today, it’s available for all to enjoy.

Bora-Bora captures our hearts for entirely different reasons. The most fabled of French Polynesia’s islands wowed us with its shimmering blue lagoon, while its sensual music and dance left us convinced it’s one of the planet’s sexiest places.

And then there’s Easter Island (aka Rapa Nui), the remote South Pacific isle known for its mysterious and mesmerizing stone moai statues — listed on bucket lists around the world as the “Easter Island heads,” and reason enough to book a cruise that calls on this untamed Chilean territory.