Virgin Voyages cruise destinations in the North Seas right now: There are four ships in the fleet (the newest ship debuts in 2024): Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady (scheduled to debut in 2024). The line sails to a variety of destinations around the globe, including popular spots in the Caribbean, Europe and the South Pacific. Virgin’s ships have departed from ports in Miami; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Barcelona, Spain; Athens, Greece; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Singapore; Melbourne, Australia; and Auckland, New Zealand so far, and Virgin continues to switch up itineraries to sail from destinations around the world. Itineraries typically last anywhere from two to 15 nights. Read extra info at Virgin Voyages.

Beyond the obvious natural scenery, Greece has an incredible history and culture. A sailing holiday here could involve visits to ancient ruins and world-famous landmarks. The country is also known for its delicious food and excellent produce – something that makes docking at a port a whole lot more enjoyable. Greece covers a massive 6000 islands! For anyone planning an extensive sailing holiday – this offers an enormous number of places to visit and cruise between. Whatever kind of destination you may be after, there should be an island in Greece that will suit you. As Greece covers a fairly extensive area to cruise, here are two top parts of the country for a yacht holiday. Thanks to our COVID-19 cancellation insurance, you don’t have to stress whether your travel plans will be affected due to COVID-19. Here are some of the reasons why you should book your Mediterranean yacht cruise in 2021 with IntersailClub: Flexible ReschedulingIf you have to change your travel plans because you cannot get to your departure destination due to COVID-19 travel disruption, you can either: Receive a credit for the deposit paid, which you can use in the next 12 months or Reschedule your charter for alternative dates.

The fourth and final destination on your cruise is a stop in Nassau, Bahamas, where you can engage with marine wildlife, enjoy a day at the Atlantis Resort, or unwind by the ocean. If you’re into animals, you won’t want to miss snorkeling in Nassau, where you’ll discover what it’s like to swim next to sea turtles. Once you’re done, spend the rest of your time at Green Cay Beach before heading back to the ship and setting off on your return journey to Fort Lauderdale. There’s a reason why one of the best cruises for couples visits the romantic islands of Hawaii. With its awe-inspiring waterfalls, dramatic mountains, and perfect beaches, Hawaii is always an unforgettable vacation. Departing from either Honolulu, Hawaii or Vancouver, British Columbia, our Hawaii cruises last anywhere from 8 to 13 nights and visit a number of exotic island destinations.

May is the time when the beautiful island of Ibiza starts to come to life once again. Usually, Ibiza should be now getting ready to inaugurate a busy summer season, with the opening of its famous clubs and discotheques and of a wide range of first class accommodations, ready to welcome most demanding guests travelling to the Island to enjoy Med’s ultimate destination for clubbers. Cala Saladeta is one of the many stretches of sand on Ibiza that proves size isn’t everything when it comes to beaches. Small and beautiful, this is one of the most popular beaches on the island amongst both tourists and locals – and after just a few minutes here, you’ll understand why. Saladeta’s perfectly transparent waters give a whole new sense to the word turquoise and are shallow and calm as well, making it a great beach for a family day out (arrive early to claim your space, though). Whether you have been to heavenly destinations such as Greek Islands, the French Riviera, and Amalfi Coast before or not, these beautiful sailing spots in the Mediterranean will call you to come back over and over again. So, why not indulge in the opportunity to discover hidden natural gems, new local dishes, traditions, and people each time you visit the Mediterranean? Here are a few useful sailing yacht cruise tips to help you plan your unforgettable summer holiday in Europe’s fanciest location.

Navin Sawhney, CEO of the Americas for Ponant Yacht Cruises and Expeditions, highlights a cruise to these three Indian Ocean destinations as bucket list-worthy. Prepare for adventure on a Ponant Explorers ship, each named after a French explorer. Designed with the privacy of a yacht and just 92 guest rooms each, these vessels offer cruises through stunning tropical waters and excursions for scuba diving, water sports and wildlife viewing. For a bigger ship experience, look to cruise lines like Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises, all of which sail to these exotic destinations as well.

When asked about his bucket list destinations, Jason Montague, president and CEO of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, says this: “The South Pacific is so picturesque. It’s no wonder so many people yearn to visit – and I’m definitely one of them. There’s no better way to experience the island of Tahiti and the surrounding South Pacific than on a Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ ship. From a ship, you can really appreciate the dramatic topography of the volcanic islands of French Polynesia.” Spend 10-plus nights cruising through the pristine water surrounding Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and other islands aboard the Seven Seas Navigator.

Those who start from the east and sail to the northern coast, or who want to sail to the Aeolian Archipelago should not underestimate the Strait of Messina. This sea area is difficult to navigate, primarily because of strong, constantly changing currents. In addition, the frequent ferry and ship traffic demands a lot of attention. The Strait of Messina is not suitable for beginners and could be problematic for less experienced crews. The most important ports in the area are: Trapani, Marsala, Marina di Ragusa, Marzamemi, Syracuse, Catania, Taormina, Reggio Calabria, Tropea, Vibo Valentia, Milazzo, Porto Rosa, Sant Agata, Cefalu, Palermo, Lipari, Salina and Riposto.

Another beautiful Greek sailing route takes you through the less famous Sporades islands which are located off the East coast. There are eleven islands in total but if you start at Volos or Skiathos, you’ve got a good chance of visiting quite a few. Known as the emerald of the Aegean, expect rich vegetation, unspoiled green-blue waters and a more traditional way of life. Highlights include the picturesque island of Skopelos, the party-island Skiathos and the Marine Park of Alonissos which is dotted with secret coves.

Carrefour operates several supermarkets near Sitimar Marina. Find every essential from Sicilian olive oil to chilled Moretti beer. Palermo’s trio of street markets – Ballaró, Vucciria and Capo – are alive with snails, octopus, rising bread and rapidly diminishing piles of tomatoes. It’s where locals do their weekly shop, so roll up your sleeves and get ready to join them. The Palermo-Montecarlo is an 804km (500mi) sprint from Sicily to Monaco, with breathtaking views over Sardinia and Corsica en route. The 50-plus sailboats that set sail from Mondello in Sicily in late August are big and beautiful. The offshore regatta also serves as a training ground for Olympians and America’s Cup sailors. Discover extra info at https://pixievacations.com/.

If you were going to compile a bucket list of British breaks, this is surely a contender, taking you through the Highlands and islands of Scotland to explore the endlessly beautiful Caledonian Canal, the magical islands of Scotland’s western shore and hidden sea lochs that are only accessible on the water. The deluxe Lord of the Glens hosts a maximum of 54 passengers and is one of the best ways to explore the area. Guests stay in outward-facing en suite cabins and enjoy superb cuisine throughout. What’s more, in May 2023, TV star and proud Scotswoman Carol Kirkwood is joining a cruise adding star appeal to your Scottish staycation. She’ll tell you about her life growing up in Morar and her grandfather’s role in building the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Know what you want: Experienced cruisers have a bit of an advantage when it comes to booking a cruise online since they’re likely already familiar with cruise lines, ships, cabins, onboard features, etc., so making selections could be as simple as clicking a button. But if you’re new to cruising or you’re looking to try a new cruise line, destination or cabin type, you’ll want to make sure to do plenty of research before fiddling with an online booking site, or you could wind up confused and overwhelmed by a process that should simplify the travel booking experience.