Whether you want to revisit a region with a fresh itinerary or discover something totally new, these five destinations are set to make waves on cruise calendars this year.
By Claire Sibonney
Sail Under the Midnight Sun in Alaska
Alaska’s iconic landscapes offer pure theater for nature lovers, watch glaciers calve, spot bears fishing for salmon or smoky soak in the magic of the midnight sun. Princess Cruises’ new 22-day Ultimate Alaska Solstice voyage highlights the state’s grand coastal scenery, including hidden fjords and towering snow-capped peaks, and coincides with the longest day of the year (when you’ll experience more than 18 hours of daylight). Oceania Cruises’ 12-day Wilds of Alaska itinerary, by contract, focuses on more off-the-beaten-path destinations, venturing to ports like Kodiak, where puffins and killer whales thrive, and Homer, with its dazzling wildflowers and vibrant arts community. The itinerary also includes a stop at Klawock, a new port where travelers can engage with Tlingit traditions such as totem carving.
Go in Search of Lemurs in Madagascar
Madagascar’s remote shores and distinct biodiversity make it a fascinating destination for expedition cruises. Located in the Indian Ocean, the island nation is a haven of misty rainforests, spiny thichets and unspoiled coastlines. It’s the only place on earth where lemurs lives in the wild, and more than 100 species swing through the trees or bound across the forest floor. Madagascar is also home to nearly half of the world’s chameleon species, including several that exists nowhere else. Cruise lines such as Ponant venture to some of the country’s most captivating spots, including Nosy Be, known for its coral reefs and fragrant ylang-ylang plantations, and the Avenue of the Baobabs, where the mysterious, endemic “upside-down trees” create an otherwordly backdrop to your African adventure. The cruise line’s new 12-day Madagascar & South African itinerary also calls in port cities Mahajanga, where a shore excursion may include a visit to the Cirque Rouge sandstone formations, and, Toliara, which has a botanical garden with more than 900 plant species.
Let Qatar Wow You
Qatar is quickly becoming a highlight of Persian Gulf cruises, anchored by capital city Doha’s new half-a-billion-dollar cruise facility. The striking Grand Cruise Terminal, complete with an art gallery, aquarium and a facade made up of more than 1,100 arches inspired by Arabic architecture, positions the futuristic capital as a key stop on itineraries that showcase the region’s enticing mix of modern luxury and rich culture. In Doha, travelers can explore the lively market of Souq Waqif, marvel at the National Museum of Qatar’s exhibits or enjoy the chic dining and shopping at the Pearl Island, a sprawling development featuring a marina, canals and pedestrian squares. Outside the city, desert safaris include heart-pumping dune rides and evenings at traditional Bedouin camps. On Norwegian Cruise Line’s seven-day Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia & Bahrain itinerary, cruisers embark in Doha before visiting five more ports, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, allowing them to take in some of the Arabian Peninsula’s most spellbinding cities in a single trip.
Circumnavigate Iceland’s Dramatic Coasts
Few places offer contrasts as stark and as stunning as “the land of fire and ice”. Along the coast, you’ll find black-sand beaches that stretch for miles and glacial lagoons dotted with floating icebergs, all set against rugged cliffs. Exploring the country by ship provides an ideal way to take it all in. Celebrity Cruises’ seven-night itineraries aboard Celebrity Silhouette in July and August 2025 include a new port, Djupivogur, near the famous Diamond Beach, where chunks of glacial ice gleam on volcanic sands. Other stops, from Reykjavik, with its cool arts scene, to Akureyri (a.k.a. the Capital of North Iceland), which offers easy access to the geothermal mud pools at the base of volcanic mountain Namafjall, highlight the natural and cultural diversity that define this singular island.
Meander Southeast Asia’s Mekong River
If you’ve only cruised the waterways of Europe, it’s time to take on a new continent. In October 2025, Viking Tonle will set sail on its inaugural voyage along the Mekong River, joining its sister ship Viking Saigon, which debuted in 2022. Built specifically for the Mekong, Viking Tonle carries just 80 guests in 40 outside staterooms, each featuring a veranda or French balcony to keep you in touch with the river. The 15-day Magnificent Mekong itinerary combines an eight-day river cruise with multi-night hotel stays in Hanoi, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll be able to wander Hanoi’s colorful alleys and markets, explore the Cambodian temples of Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, take a cyclo (three-wheeled bicycle taxi) ride in Phnom Penh and simply watch life unfold along the peaceful riverbanks.