By Global Travel Worldwide
Choosing the right itinerary is one of the biggest decisions on a first cruise. The best beginner itineraries have short sailing distances, easy ports and interesting things to see, ideally departing from the UK. Here are the routes we recommend most. For the wider picture, see our beginner’s guide to cruises.
Mediterranean cruises
The most popular choice for first-timers. Expect Italian coastlines, Greek islands, Barcelona, Rome and Dubrovnik, with a good mix of history, culture and food. Typical length: 7 to 14 nights. A sample 7-night Western Mediterranean route: Barcelona, Marseille, Florence/Pisa, Naples, Palma and back to Barcelona. Read our Mediterranean cruises for beginners guide.
Caribbean cruises
Warm weather, beaches and relaxed days. Typical ports include Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and many lines have private islands. Typical length: 7 to 10 nights. A sample Eastern Caribbean 7-night route: Miami, Puerto Rico, St Thomas, St Maarten and the Bahamas. Most Caribbean cruises involve a flight. See Caribbean cruising made simple for first-timers.
Norwegian fjords
Scenic cruising with few sea days, calm waters and a structured experience. Many sailings depart from the UK, so there is no flight.
Canary Islands
A consistent climate and easy ports make this an ideal winter first cruise.
British Isles & Northern Europe
Short sailings from Southampton, typically 5 to 7 nights, with ports such as Guernsey, Dublin, Amsterdam and Bruges. A relaxed way to try cruising close to home.
Baltic Sea cruises
A mix of history, culture and natural beauty, with ports in countries such as Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Denmark. A good choice for a second cruise or for travellers who want less-visited destinations.
European river cruises
A more intimate, relaxed pace on rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Seine, visiting charming towns and cities along the way.
Alaska and other fly-cruises
Alaska offers glaciers, fjords and wildlife, with sailings from Vancouver and ports such as Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Other fly-cruise options include the Mexican Riviera and short Bahamas cruises from Florida, which suit travellers wanting a brief introduction to cruising. These need flights, so they work best when planned with a specialist.
Which itinerary should you pick?
- Want culture and food? Mediterranean.
- Want beaches and sun? Caribbean.
- Want scenery with minimal travel? Norwegian fjords or British Isles.
- Want winter sun without a long flight? Canary Islands.
Not sure how long to go for? 7 to 10 nights suits most first-timers. See our cruise length guide, then compare cruise lines in our best cruise lines for beginners.
Plan your first itinerary with us
Our Wrexham team is CLIA UK accredited and headed by one of only two CLIA UK Cruise Masters in Wales. Call 01978 350850 for a personalised cruise consultation.
For more information call us today on 01978 350850
