Chart Your Course: Top Cruise Destinations for 2025

Top 2025 Cruise Destinations and Itineraries

Where to Set Sail Next

If you’re currently dreaming of your next holiday, 2025 cruises are shaping up to deliver incredible experiences. With brand-new ships, reimagined itineraries, and unique adventures, cruises in 2025 offer the perfect chance to explore your bucket-list destinations, including the Baltics, Antarctica, Japan and more!

Ready to book your dream cruise? Contact us today. 

So, grab your sun hat, scarf, or parka – depending on where we’re headed – and let’s dive into the top must-sail destinations for 2025.

1. Japan: Ancient Traditions Meet Modern Marvels

Japan takes out the number one spot for best cruises for 2025, and with good reason.

Imagine gliding into a Japanese port where centuries-old temples share the skyline with gleaming skyscrapers. As a must-see destination, Japan has it all: tea ceremonies, cherry blossoms, and bustling street markets that make your senses come alive. Whether you’re exploring the historic peace memorial in Hiroshima or slurping ramen in Tokyo, every port has a story to tell – and a dish to taste.

⚓Top Picks:

Princess Cruises stands out with their “More Ashore” program, offering longer port stays so you can fully explore Kyoto’s serene temples or Tokyo’s neon-lit streets. And if a “2025 family cruise holiday” is on your to-do list for the year, you can’t go wrong with MSC Cruises. It is perfect for multi-generational groups, with spacious family cabins, kids’ clubs, and even onboard Japanese language lessons​.

Tokyo, Japan

Discover your perfect cruise to Japan here.

2. The Baltics & Scandinavia: Nordic Wonderlands

If fairy tales were real, they’d be set in the Baltics and Scandinavia. Think colourful harbours, medieval castles, and fjords so stunning they’ll leave you speechless. From Tallinn’s old town charm to the fjords of Norway, 2025’s Northern European cruise experiences offer postcard worthy-views and magical moments at every stop along the way.

Pro tip: Visit in the northern hemisphere summer for the magical midnight sun or in their winter for the bucket-list Northern Lights.

⚓ Top Picks:

In 2025 Viking Cruises is bringing this region’s rich culture to life through onboard activities like local food tastings, Nordic folklore performances, and glassblowing workshops, alongside shore excursions exploring Tallinn’s medieval charm or the palaces of Stockholm​​. If you’re after a more laid back style of cruising, Norwegian Cruise Line offers flexible itineraries that combine scenic cruising through Norway’s breathtaking fjords and immersive shore excursions that envelop you in the heart of this breathtaking region.

Saint-Nicolas church in Tallinn, Estonia

Plan your Baltics & Scandinavia cruise here.  

3. Greek Islands: A Slice of Mediterranean Magic

Sun-drenched beaches, whitewashed buildings, and sparkling turquoise waters – welcome to the Greek Islands! Whether it’s strolling the cobblestone streets of Santorini, partying in Mykonos, or uncovering myths in Rhodes, these islands blend relaxation with history in the best way possible. A Greek cruise isn’t just a trip; it’s a love letter to the Mediterranean.

⚓ Top Picks:

Combine one of 2025’s new cruise ships – Princess Cruises’ Star Princess, launching in October this year – with immersive Mediterranean voyages and you’ll discover luxury reimagined. And for an elegant experience with culturally rich shore excursions – combined with onboard sophistication – you can’t go past Celebrity Cruises’ Greek Island itineraries.

Santorini, Greece

Book your Greek Islands adventure here.

4. Alaska: Nature at Its Most Breathtaking

Calling all adventurers – a 2025 Alaska cruise has your name all over it! Alaska is where towering glaciers, majestic wildlife, and jaw-dropping vistas take centre stage. Cruise past Hubbard Glacier, watch eagles soar over Glacier Bay, or spend a day whale watching in Juneau. Whether you’re kayaking through icy waters or enjoying the view from your ship, The Last Frontier is as wild and wonderful as it gets.

⚓ Top Picks:

Holland America Line leverages over 70 years of Alaskan cruising expertise to deliver unforgettable experiences, from scenic cruising in Glacier Bay to wildlife-spotting excursions. With onboard naturalist talks and eco-conscious sailings, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for Alaska’s untamed beauty​.

Sunrise at Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

Start your Alaskan adventure here.

5. Southeast Asia: A Feast for the Senses

Southeast Asia is a kaleidoscope of experiences, making it perfect for a “best cruises of 2025” list! Picture this: the urban buzz of Singapore, the serene beauty of Ha Long Bay, the culinary delights of Penang, and the vibrant culture of the Philippines. From tranquil beaches to bustling cities, every stop is an adventure. And let’s not forget the food – each port is a culinary celebration waiting to happen.

⚓ Top Picks:

Many major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, and Celebrity Cruises, visit this region. But for Southeast Asia cruises in 2025, you can’t beat Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Freestyle Cruising”, which offers unparalleled flexibility to tailor your trip, including overnight stays in Bangkok, and excursions ranging from cooking classes in Vietnam to snorkelling in the Philippines.

Singapore Flyers in Full View

Explore Southeast Asia cruises here.

6. Repositioning Cruises: Unpack Once, See the World

Ever dreamed of crossing oceans while waking up to a new view every day? Repositioning cruises from Africa to Europe or Asia offer just that. Encompassing multiple top destinations into one voyage, the 2025 repositioning itineraries on offer all give you the perfect combination of relaxing sea days with busy stops at iconic destinations like Cape Town, Lisbon, and Singapore. Perfect for those who want a mix of adventure and lazy afternoons at sea.

⚓ Top Picks:

Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International both offer exceptional repositioning cruises, and in 2025 you can’t go past their Hawaii-to-Sydney itinerary, with both cruise lines offering world-class amenities and diverse shore excursions, perfect for adventure and relaxation.

Discover repositioning cruises here.

7. Antarctica: A Journey to the Edge of the World

Antarctica isn’t just a destination; it’s an adventure. Picture yourself zipping through icy waters in a Zodiac, standing among a colony of penguins, or marvelling at the otherworldly beauty of towering glaciers. The White Continent is remote, pristine, and unlike anything else on Earth. Every moment here is unforgettable. 

⚓ Top Picks:

These days there are more cruise companies than ever visiting Antarctica, but for unparalleled adventure and luxury, you can’t go past Scenic Eclipse. With their Polar Class 6 rating, Scenic’s “Discovery Yachts” are purpose-built for polar exploration, and they boast helicopters, submarines, and Zodiacs for up-close encounters with glaciers and wildlife.  HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) is another top-pick for this region, providing eco-friendly voyages with expert-led wildlife encounters that make them a stand-out option for cruising Antarctica

Icebergs Floating around Antarctica

Embark on an Antarctic expedition here.

8. Greenland: The Arctic’s Best-Kept Secret

Greenland a must-see cruise hotspot for 2025. With new airports opening and a tourism boom on the horizon, now is the perfect time to visit and still beat the crowds. Cruise through ice-filled fjords, visit tiny coastal villages, and learn about Indigenous Arctic culture – all while surrounded by untouched natural beauty.

⚓ Top Picks:

HX excels in sustainable Arctic cruising, combining expert-led lectures and Zodiac landings with meaningful cultural exchanges in Greenlandic villages; while Seabourn offers unforgettable cruises through Greenland’s fjords, blending adventure with indulgence to create the ultimate luxury expedition experiences.

Tiilerilaaq, Greenland

Plan your Greenland adventure here.

9. Egypt/Nile River Cruising: History on the Water

The Nile isn’t just a river; it’s a living museum. A 2025 river cruise along the Nile will transport you back in time, taking you past temples that date back thousands of years; and giving you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the Great Pyramids and discover the treasures of Luxor. River cruising here combines cultural immersion with the kind of relaxation only a cruise can provide.

⚓ Top Picks:

Viking Cruises’ custom-built river ships provide spacious rooms and insightful voyages that include private tours of the Great Pyramids and expert-led visits to the Valley of the Kings; while Scenic River Cruises adds luxury to historical exploration, with all-inclusive amenities and immersive cultural experiences.

Alexandria Harbour, Egypt

Explore the Nile River here.

10. Event Cruises 2025: Be Part of Something Extraordinary

So not really a “destination”, but we had to include it – because why just go on a cruise when you can also combine it with a 2025 world-class event or a unique theme? Event and themed cruises are all the rage for 2025, offering everything from exclusive access to global spectacles to immersive onboard experiences. Virgin Voyages leads the way with themed sailings like drag brunches, LGBTQ+ celebrations, and immersive wellness retreats; or you could experience the vibrant energy of Mardi Gras on Celebrity Cruises’ specialised voyage departing from Tampa, and enjoy world-class live music on a Norwegian Cruise Line music-themed cruise.

⚓ Top Picks:

For something truly different, imagine sailing to the Monaco Grand Prix with MSC Cruises, where you’ll enjoy premium viewing spots, VIP hospitality, and immersive onboard activities tailored to motorsport enthusiasts.