13 of the Best Summer Cruise Itineraries

Listen up, fellow travelers: Summer is almost here, and with it comes the chance to take an adventure at sea that you and your family will never forget. Why spend your vacation time doing the same old routine when you can sail across the ocean and see some of the most beautiful places in the world? Grab your sunscreen and check out these totally hot summer cruise itineraries that will have you thinking twice about where you spend your next family vacation!

Depending on the length of your family’s vacation, there are many options for cruising through Australia and New Zealand. Whether you want to spend one week or an entire month traveling from Sydney to Brisbane, Australia, and into Auckland and Akaroa, New Zealand, multiple cruise lines offer families the chance to go “down under” while experiencing amazing sites like the Great Barrier Reef, the Sydney Opera House, Queen Street in Auckland, and the immense beauty of the Tasman Sea.

For families limited on time or with a limited budget, a cruise to the Bahamas is just what the doctor ordered! Not only is a cruise to the Bahamas affordable, the travel itineraries also run between three and seven days, allowing families to have a magical island adventure in a hurry. Popular cruises from Jacksonville, Florida, will take you around the Bahamas and back in five days, giving you access to warm tropical beaches, delicious island fare, incredible shopping, and lots of fun.

While the Caribbean is close to the Bahamas, a Caribbean cruise offers several unique sailing experiences that definitely won’t leave your family seeing double. With ports of call in places like the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, St. Croix, and more, there are endless opportunities to get a taste for island life. Swim with stingrays, sip rum punch, taste fresh, tropical dishes, and see what makes a cruise in the Caribbean such a popular (and affordable) summer destination.

Cruise along the northeast coast and explore the charm and beauty of famous ports of call like Boston; Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Quebec. From succulent lobsters to creamy brie cheese, the food alone is enough reason to take this cruise. But learning about the early settlers and witnessing the culture of French Canada is even better. Plan on at least a week for this Atlantic Ocean adventure.

Whether it’s the ports of call in wine country, San Francisco, or Los Angeles, there is so much to see and do along the California coast that this cruise is a no-brainer. Trips average a week in length and give travelers a fabulous opportunity to enjoy the unsurpassed beauty of the Pacific coastline, and those poetic California sunsets you have to see to believe. Most cruise lines even offer incredible day excursions to wineries, Hollywood, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more.

Glacier Bay, Alaska, is considered one of the best cruise destinations in the world for good reason. The chance to see soaring eagles, spouting gray whales, icy fjords, and epic glaciers is high on cruise passengers’ lists, but the snow-capped mountains (even in summer), with lush greenery and some of the most pristine natural beauty in the world, are what makes this northwestern cruise one you can’t miss.

For families with a little extra time on their schedule, a cruise throughout England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales is the chance for a life-changing summer vacation. Ports of call include Southhampton and Liverpool, England; St. Peter Port, Guernsey (seen here); and Dublin. Your family will have an opportunity to explore several countries, see ancient castles, cobblestone walkways, and verdant landscapes while enjoying delicious fare like fish and chips (and ale for the grown-ups).

A trip to Hawaii in the summer is fun, but which island do you pick? How about all of them? An inter-island cruise will allow your family to see the four main islands, including Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui while also enjoying day tours to hike the tropical mountains, swim in some of the clearest beaches imaginable, and learn about Polynesian culture while sampling world-class cuisine.

Now is a great time to cruise from Italy to the Greek Isles. With ports of departure leaving from Rome and traveling to Venice, Mykonos, Santorini, and Athens, families can get a taste of the Mediterranean while it’s at its most affordable. The stunning views while on the Aegean Sea and Black Sea, along with the chance to explore historical wonders and taste the freshest imaginable Italian and Greek cuisine, will be an adventure your family will never forget.

The chance to see Italy while also traversing Spain, Croatia, France, and more makes a cruise to the Western Mediterranean an incredible adventure. With ports of call in Naples, Florence, Barcelona, and beyond, your family will see some of the most famous travel destinations in the world and learn about history up close. Plus, the food is out of this world. Spanish tapas, French pastries, and Italian pasta will take you on an exploration of pure flavor.

Swim with dolphins and sea turtles, and head to some of the most beloved travel destinations in Mexico, including Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenad,a and Mazatlan, to have a fiesta-inspired summer vacation unlike any other. With cruises departing from Los Angeles, it’s easy (and surprisingly affordable) to take your family on a weeklong adventure (or more) that will put a little spice in your summer travel.

If you’ve always dreamed about taking your family on a journey around South America, why not make it a reality this summer? Departing from major U.S. cities like Seattle; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and San Diego, these cruise adventures will take your family to places like Argentina, Chile, and Brazil, while offering you a chance to take daytime excursions ashore to explore places like Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Get an in-person lesson on the magnetic cultures of South America.

For families with deep pockets, a summer cruise along the South Pacific to places like Tahiti, Bora Bora, Fiji, and Hawaii will be an experience of a lifetime. Although these cruises, which typically depart from San Diego (but are also available from Australia), have a much higher price tag, the chance to witness some of the most beautiful island nations in the world is definitely worth the cost. These cruises typically run 28 days or longer, meaning you’ll definitely need to cash in on those vacation days.