OverSixty January 2023 Issue

36 TRAVEL ISSUE 3 | JANUARY 2023 | OVERSIXTY.COM.AU Our top 10 bucket list cruises JOANNA HALL CRUISING C ruising is more than just an easy way to travel. It also allows savvy travellers to tick destinations off a bucket list, from the world’s great cities to exotic islands. “Wheth- er you are looking for those once-in-a-life- time experiences in destinations like South Africa and taking awildlife safari, or if you are just looking for a great value local getaway, there are exciting opportunities for every- one,” says Alex Sirman, Managing Director of Imagine Cruising. “We have seen a keen interest in our guests returning to interna- tional cruising, particularly for longer more immersive touring-cruise holidays.” Sirman says that popular routes and departures are booking fast. “There are still some great of- fers available for 2023, and we are now see- ing most cruise lines open up their plans for 2024 for those who are ready to get their trip planned early,” he says. Here’s our top pick of bucket list cruises to help you plan your next big adventure. Circumnavigation of Australia Our backyard has it all; cosmopolitan cit- ies such as Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, sprawling deserts, lush rainforests, pristine coral reefs, unique wildlife, and kilometres of unspoiled beaches. On a circumnavigation cruise, you get to sample it all, including the Great Barrier Reef, the exotic TopEnd, and the windswept south including Kangaroo Island and Tasmania (Princess Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Royal Caribbean International). Coast to Coast via the Panama Canal It’s one of mankind’s epic engineering feats and one of cruising’s unforgettable expe- riences. The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the Isthmus of Panama, and transiting its multiple locks and winding waterway is breathtaking. And there’s a bonus; if you cruise between Flor- ida and California, you’ll also get to experi- ence colourful ports of call in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico (Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International). The Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers This iconic cruise between Amsterdam and Budapest transports you along these three mighty rivers and slices gently through Europe’s vibrant and historic heartland. Along the way are countries rich in history and culture, along with Holland’s tulip fields, Germany’s fairytale castles, Austria’s scenic landscapes, and the medieval towers of Slo- vakia (Viking Cruises, Scenic, Avalon Water- ways, Emerald Cruises, Travelmarvel). Transatlantic to New York This ultimate journey by sea pays homage to a golden era of travel – a voyage across the vast Atlantic Ocean to the Big Apple. Wheth- er you’re cruising from Southampton, or on a repositioning cruise from Europe, it’s all about history, grandeur, and vast ocean vis- tas. And you’ll have five or more days on the crossing, with nothing to do but relax and en- joy the sea air, culminating in a cruise-by of the Statue of Liberty to arrive in Manhattan (Cunard Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Oceania Cruises, Viking Cruises, Holland America Line). Norway and the Norwegian Fjords The main drawcard of cruising here is an im- pressive lineup of picturesque views, scenic cruising through dramatic landscapes, wild folklore, and glimpses of the famed Northern Lights. Add fascinating ports of call including Geirangerfjord, Bergen and Tromso, and if you pick the right itinerary, a crossing of the Arctic Circle with a crew ceremony to initi- ate first timers (Hurtigruten, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises). Alaska cruisetour Hundreds of ships cruise Alaska in the north- ern hemisphere summer months, and on a cruisetour, you can explore the best of the Last Frontier both on land and at sea. Shaped over centuries by glaciers, it’s blessed with lush scenery, sky-high peaks and deep fjords, with itineraries taking in Anchorage, Denali Na- tional Park, and ports of call including Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. Plus, the opportu- nity of creating unique memories from dog sledding to bear watching (Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line). French Polynesia The South Pacific islands conjure many im- ages in the mind’s eye, from vast mountains rising from the ocean and pristine white- sand beaches to sunsets illuminating the sky in a wild palette of colours. With French Polynesia, add plenty of Gallic charm and colourful coral reefs abundant with marine life, which combine to make Tahiti and her islands an ideal bucket-list cruise destination (Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Ponant, Paul Gauguin Cruises). The Kimberley It’s one of Australia’s most remote destina- tions, an ancient wilderness of grandeur and contrast with breathtaking deep gorges, sky- high waterfalls and untamed forest. Several cruise ships visit this historic region of West- ern Australia between April and September eachyear, typicallyoperatingbetweenDarwin and Broome. On offer are natural wonders in- cluding King George Falls, Montgomery Reef, and daily activities from crocodile spotting to exploring indigenous rock art (True North, Coral Expeditions, Ponant, APT). Antarctica This wilderness of “other world” quality can only be explored from the water, and dur- ing the short southern hemisphere summer, expedition ships push through ice floes to place you on the doorstep of the white con- tinent and its many marvels. What lies ahead is a breathtaking landscape of spectacular iceberg sculptures and calving glaciers, en- counters with gentoo penguins, and spotting seals, whales and seabirds (Hurtigruten, Sce- nic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Princess Cruises, Ponant, Lindblad Expeditions). Grand, repositioning or world cruise If you have time on your hands, a grand or repositioning cruise is one way to tick multi- ple destinations off a bucket list. These cruis- es are usually one-way trips of several weeks or longer, sometimesmoving a ship fromone cruising region to another to end one season and begin another. And if you want the ul- timate bucket list cruise, consider a world cruise. Lasting several months, they follow some of the world’s most coveted ocean-go- ing routes with plenty of sea days, marquee destinations, far-flung outposts, and scenic cruising (Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean International, Ocean- ia Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Viking Cruises). Clockwise from top left: The Kimberley, True North; The Rhine in Strasbourg, Viking Cruises; Norway, Hurtigruten; Bora Bora, Paul Gauguin Cruises Whether you’re a first-timer or seasoned cruiser, there are cruises that everyone should take at least once CRUISING Best of the rest The Amazon: The world’s second- longest river winds through Brazil, Columbia and Peru, and a cruise here offers the bonus of an overland add-on to Machu Picchu or Cusco. Hawaii: The name evokes images of white sand beaches, palm trees teased by ocean breezes, dramatic mountain ranges and waterfalls. And it lives up to the clichés. The Mississippi: This mighty river is where glamorous paddle wheelers ply its famous waters, stopping at iconic destinations including New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Circle South America: From the dramatic Chilean fjords and bucket list cities such as Buenos Aries, to the continent’s vast stretches of rugged landscapes, this cruise is both unusual and exotic. Canada and New England: Cruising the St. Lawrence River in the northern hemisphere autumn is an ethereal experience, but more than just a way of witnessing the change of colours; it’s also a passage back in time.