Popular cruise destinations for 2018
One of the most common questions I get when I host my syndicated radio show on travel has to do with cruise ports. A listener will call in to talk about cruises she is considering, and will ask which itinerary is best.
Should she do one that has the Gulf of Alaska and the Inside Passage, or just the latter? Or, when looking at Alaskan cruises, is it better to book an expedition-style boat in order to explore the Bering Sea? Similar questions arise for Mediterranean cruises and Caribbean cruises, and the list goes on.
The truth is, there is no perfect or right answer.
Looking again at Alaskan cruising, one itinerary might contain ports with items of interest KING FEATURES SYNDICATE mostly pertaining to the native Alaskan culture, while another might tilt toward the shore stops where nature sights predominate.
Which is chosen depends on the predilections of the vacationer.
But thanks to a poll taken by the industry’s preeminent cruise-information site, CruiseCritic.com, I can now give advice on which destinations have the highest approval ratings.
The site’s rankings were published in July, and here are some of the winners:
Best Mediterranean Ports: Cruise Critic divided this list into Eastern and Western destinations, so there are two top dogs: Dubrovnik in Croatia, and Villefranche in France. Both spots were lauded for their accessibility: Travellers can simply stroll off their ship and be right in the historic heart of these two cities.
Best European River Cruise Port: Here’s a surprise, with the tiny French town of Arles (associated with painter Vincent Van Gogh) beating out mighty Budapest, the second-place winner.
Best Caribbean Ports: Once again, the region is divided East and West, with the Bahamas and Bermuda added to the Eastern Caribbean “bucket” and ultimately whupping actual Caribbean destinations. That’s right: King’s Wharf in Bermuda gets the crown for best “Eastern Caribbean” destination, thanks to the abundant attractions — historic sights, pink sand beaches, shopping — in easy reach of the port. For the Western Caribbean, Cuba’s Havana takes the blue ribbon.
Best “Private Island”: I’m against these enclaves on principal, as I think a key element of the cruising experience is the ability to explore a number of different nations and/or cities in a short span of time. When the cruise line fully controls the port, there are no cultural experiences to be had. But nowadays, it sometimes is impossible to find itineraries, particularly in the Caribbean, that don’t devote at least one day to these private developments. Not surprising, as they’re huge cash cows for the cruise lines. So which is “best”? According to Cruise Critic readers, Disney Cruise’s Castaway Caye tops the list, and for a surprising reason for this family-friendly company: its adults-only beach. The spot also might have nostalgia value, since it is where Tom Hanks’ character found his mermaid in the movie “Splash.”
Best Alaskan Destination: Glacier Bay is the area to cruise, according to the site’s users. It’s home to the Marjorie Glacier, which is calving at a ferocious rate, thanks to climate change. The takeaway here seems to be: See it before it disappears.
To see all of Cruise Critic’s picks, go to www.cruisecritic.com.
Note to the reader: Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip. The information in this column was accurate when it was released, but prices are competitive, sometimes limited and can always change without notice.
Pauline Frommer is the Editorial Director for the Frommer Travel Guides and Frommers.com. She co-hosts the radio program The Travel Show with her father, Arthur Frommer and is the author of the best-selling Frommer’s EasyGuide to New York City.