Alaska
May to September is breaching season for humpback whales and therefore the best time for an Alaskan cruise. To negotiate the Inner Passage, ships are smaller, which means you'll spend most of your time looking at the scenery. A popular option is a combo holiday, including three days on the Rocky Mountaineer train from Calgary to Vancouver. Seven-night cruise on Celebrity Century, plus one night in Vancouver, from €1,299, including flights from Dublin.
americanholidays.com
Eastern Caribbean
If you like beaches, snorkelling, scuba diving and . . . more beaches, the eastern Caribbean is for you. It's for everybody else, too: this is the world's busiest cruise neighbourhood and its primary ports of call – the Bahamas, St Thomas and St Maarten (as well as Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands and Grand Turk) are the best developed for cruise tourism. Eight-night cruise on Carnival Liberty from €643.
cruiseholidays.ie
Eastern Mediterranean
Classical history is the central theme of this cruise, which usually begins in Italy and moves eastward in a loop through Greece and Turkey. The most popular itineraries on a typical 10-day cruise include visits to the ruins of Pompeii, Athens, Istanbul and the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, as well as a a bit of island-hopping, usually Santorini or Mykonos. Ten-day cruise, including flights from Dublin to Rome, from about €1,799.
celebritycruises.ie
European river cruise
Explore the heart of Europe aboard a luxury river cruiser with state rooms to match a four-star hotel. Start in Amsterdam and cruise down the Rhine, the Main and the Danube, stopping in 13 cities before finishing in Budapest. The all-inclusive cruise also includes visits to nine Unesco World Heritage Sites. From €3,562, excluding flights.
vikingrivercruises.com
Far East cruise
Cunard cruise the old-fashioned way, which suits its largely senior passengers just fine: formality reigns and evening wear is de rigueur for dinner. If you fancy 37 nights of it, cruising from Hong Kong to Southampton, visiting Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Middle East and Italy along the way, then pack your ball gown and tuxedo. From €3,095. cunard.com
Hawaii
It's quite a trek to get there, but Hawaii isn't a US favourite for nothing. You can visit four of the archipelago's islands – Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai – on a seven-day cruise that also includes optional tours to Lanai. Cruises start and finish in Honolulu, which is more busy metropolis than tropical paradise. Seven-night cruise on Pride of America and a night in Honolulu from €2,040, including flights from Dublin.
sunway.ie
Norwegian fjords
The most popular cruise itinerary sticks to the fjords in southern Norway, stopping at Kristiansund, Alesund, Stavanger and stunning Flam. But you can venture north into the Arctic Circle on longer excursions, typically 11 days. The best experiences are had on smaller vessels that can navigate the fjords with greater ease. Seven-night cruise on MSC Poesia from €619, excluding flight to Copenhagen.
msccruises.ie
Scandinavian & Russia
Even though the city's port is some distance from the 18th-century historic centre built by Peter the Great, sailing into St Petersburg is still one of the big thrills of this cruise. Other ports of call typically include Tallin, Riga and Stockholm, where many cruises start. Seven nights on Legend of the Seas, including flights from Dublin to Stockholm, from €1,189.
royalcaribbean.ie
Western Mediterranean
This is by far the most popular option for Irish holidaymakers. Cruises generally start in Barcelona and stop at up to five ports in France and Italy, including Toulon, Nice, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Naples. Popular daytrips include Provence, Florence and the Amalfi coast. Seven-day fly/cruise, including flights from Dublin to Barcelona, from €1,089.
royalcaribbean.ie
Antarctica and Patagonia
Exploration meets luxury as you unwind from a day on the Antarctic plateau with a glass of Champagne and a full-body massage. Seabourn specialise in cruises aboard smaller ships with ultra-attentive service and all the trimmings. This cruise comes with skilled expedition staff, daily Zodiac excursions and photography classes. From €13,490. seabourn.com
