The Best Island Cruises

Irresistably Beautiful Beaches

The scent of the sea. Teak decking. Affluent wood interiors. Art and creativity from across time and around the world. Intimate surroundings. Appetising cuisine, with concern for your taste and palette, and an extensive wine list. Wake up early. Go to bed late. Exercise, or locate a new angle in relaxation in the onboard spa. These items alone are enough to tempt the most timid onto an island cruise. But add in wonderful sands, in hues of superb white to jet black, seas in hues of blue that one must feel to understand, and the warm hug of the sun and it is impossible to deny island cruises.

Ports like Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Martin, and St. Thomas feel divine. The enticement of Greek islands, like Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Skiathos, Skopelos, Corfu, Lefkada, Akynthos, and Aegina call with an emphasis that speaks of relishes and aromas both archaic and modern. The Roman port in Sicily beckons to the island traveler.

Ocean Facades in Your Own Backyard

Cruising islands nearer to home is another alternative for the American traveler. Island cruises traverse from the southern United States all through the Caribbean and Mexico. Southern California is another jumping-off point, with cruises to adjacent Catalina Island as well as the Hawaiian Islands. Maybe you're searching for something a little different. An island cruise that trails the coast to Alaska holds out the bold opportunity to experience the rough frontier of Alaska right in the face from the security and convenience of the cruise ship. Another local preference are Channel Island cruises, as well as cruises out of Washington State through the San Juan Islands.

Shore trips and water sports make every island destination an experience in itself. At times water skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking and excursion boats reinforce the opportunities to swim and bask in the sun on fantastic shores. No matter how you view it, island cruises provide an excellent opportunity for anyone who needs to stay close to home, but wants to take it easy in the convenient beauty offered only by a cruise destination that can be as close as your own backyard.

Charm of the Far Away Beaches

More unique island cruises are aplenty. The western islands of Scotland call travelers between the climate-friendly months of March to November. Other destinations allow for the warm waters of the Mediterranean, including Greek, Italian, Croatian and Sicilian islands. Malta is another popular destination as is Cyprus in the wonderful sea. A stirring experience off the routine path awaits travelers who take island cruises to Africa! Smaller, more informal cruise ships sail to Southern Africa via Cape Verde, Ascension and St Helens Islands. Across the Atlantic, island cruises travel through the Tierra de Fuego region and Argentina's southern tip. An arctic parka is normal issue on these excursions.

The Galapagos Islands in Ecuador give another type
of island cruise experience.

Sea turtles and other natural beauty special to these islands take the traveler to another world. Australia, a massive island in itself, offers its own adaptations of cruises to local destinations, such as Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Ah, if only one had two lives; one to work and vote and carry out responsibilities, and the other to spend a lifetime on island cruises!