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Ebarking at a cruise holiday It helps to have a range of interesting destinations to choose from, and there are always a few that stick in the mind and dominate your smartphone photo storage more than others.
I’ve been on about 20 cruises with nine different cruise lines on 17 cruise ships over the past five years, and cruise globe The tracking website shows I have covered 27,094 nautical miles.
In that time I spent 117 days at sea, visited 17 countries and docked in 54 ports on three continents, making lots of memories.
It’s hard to pinpoint what makes one cruise port more memorable than others.
Some people stand out because of accessibility – it’s great to be able to just take a step forward cruise ship And be able to instantly immerse yourself in an area without having to catch a tender or face a long coach journey.
Equally, some destinations are worth the visit and create long-lasting memories.
Here are my picks of some of my favorite cruise ports so far.
Read more: The best hidden cruise port gems
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half an hour boat ride from mykonosthe entire island of of Is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a great tour for archaeology, mythology and history lovers.
Founded in the 3rd century BC, Delos is described as the birthplace of the Greek god Apollo and the goddess Artemis, and was a major religious center in ancient Greece, as well as an important commercial port under Roman rule.
You’ll see the remains of colossal statues, ancient mosaic floors and huge marble columns that surrounded ornate courtyards, as well as parts of the ancient theater of Delos with a capacity of 6,000 – the first Apollo Theatre.
cruise lines like celebrity cruises And star clippers Offer a tour of Delos as part of a Greek Islands itinerary.
Read more: I traveled to about 8 Greek islands this summer and this deserted gem was my favorite
Cadiz
small spanish port of Cadiz It is often overlooked by cruise passengers and is simply used as a drop-off point for a day trip to neighboring Seville.
But I believe it is also worth exploring the coastal town, which is surrounded by Roman ruins.
You can spend hours wandering the narrow streets of its old towns shopping in local boutiques, eating tapas or climbing the Baroque watchtower Torre Tavira (Levante Tower) for stunning aerial views of the city. There’s also a quirky puppet museum that you can visit on the way to several quiet beaches – where you can enjoy the sun while everyone else is exploring Seville.
Castaway Cay, Bahamas
Many cruise lines offer visits to private islands around the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
Passengers enjoy sun, sea, sand all day long and sometimes a waterpark with all the ship’s amenities such as buffets and entertainment.
I’ve been lucky enough to ride the giant waterslide on Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay and climb the lighthouse and see the conservation work going on at MSC Cruises’ Ocean Cay.
But my favorite private cruise is the island disney cruise line Castaway K.
You can relax in private cabanas on its three beaches, cycle or run around the island, and snorkel next to the cruise ship where you can see sunken treasures like Mickey and Minnie Mouse statues and the Nautilus submarine from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Guests can also send home a postcard with Castaway’s Disney Cruise Line ticket from the island’s post office.
Read more: Cruise Holidays with Private Islands
kotor, montenegro
Visiting Kotor is like going back to medieval times.
Its old town, filled with cobbled streets and narrow alleys that still echo thousands of years of history, is just a short walk from most cruise ships, meaning there’s no need for a tender.
You can step back in time to the 14th century and explore the city’s Old Town within minutes of leaving your cruise ship. Here, there are ice cream parlors, bars and souvenir shops next to medieval forts and ancient churches. It’s an interesting mix of old and new.
There is also a cat museum here.
Kotor is often included during itineraries of cruise lines around the Mediterranean such as MSC Cruises And Royal Caribbean.
Endicott Arm, Alaska
Strictly no stops, but you don’t get anything more beautiful than a day sailing through Endicott Arm on an Alaska cruise.
The Alaska Fjord is a treat to your eyes as you head towards the Dawes Glacier and watch the huge glittering icebergs float by.
Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier are usually part of Inside Passage Alaska cruises with brands like princess And Holland America Line.
Read more: A family trip through Alaska
Voss, Norway
Norwegian fjords are great to see from a cruise ship, but some of the best views can be seen from above.
Voss offers a perfect bird’s eye view of the ancient fields and flowing valleys of the fjord.
Read more: Best Norwegian Fjord Cruises
This should be avoided if you’re afraid of heights as you’ll have to take a cable car to reach the 2,600-foot-high Mount Hanguren summit, but the views – and also the delicious waffles – you can get from the top are a feast for the eyes and your stomach.
Voss is a regular stop on Norwegian Fjords cruises with brands like Ambassador Cruise Line and P&O Cruises.
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
It’s hard to pick a favorite Caribbean island, but Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic is perfect for a day of relaxation and animal encounters.
You’ll find beaches and crystal clear water for swimming. Plus, there’s a lazy river just steps away from the ship where you can enjoy the sights, sun and sounds with a rubber ring as your guide.
There’s also a chance to meet the local squirrel monkeys and try fresh coconut milk with local rum.
Cruise brands like CARNIVAL And norwegian Visit Puerto Plata regularly on Caribbean sailings.
Read more: Best cruise deals to book now