New Ways to See the World by Cruise

One of the things I enjoy most about travel is that there is always a new way to see the world. Sometimes it is a cruise line visiting an entirely new region. Sometimes it is a special event that happens only once every ten years. It can even be discovering a different way to begin a cruise from a familiar American port.

This week, I thought I would share a few new and interesting ways to experience the world by cruise.

Virgin Voyages Is Sailing Somewhere Completely New

Virgin Voyages is heading north for its first-ever season in Scandinavia and the Baltics during the summer of 2028.

One itinerary that immediately caught my attention is the 12-night Scandinavia & Stockholm Overnight cruise aboard Valiant Lady. It sails roundtrip from Amsterdam on July 19, 2028, visiting Oslo, Copenhagen, Gdańsk, Stockholm, Berlin and Aarhus.

The overnight stay in Stockholm is especially appealing. Instead of watching the clock and hurrying back to the ship, you will have more time to experience the city, to enjoy dinner ashore and see what Stockholm feels like after many of the daytime visitors have left.

This adults-only cruise combines long summer days, beautiful cities, history, food and plenty of time to enjoy the destinations. You can see the full itinerary here.

Make Galveston Part of the Vacation

After recently sailing from Galveston aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, I think arriving at least one or two days before the cruise is especially important.

Galveston is separate from Houston’s airports, so transportation to the island needs to be arranged in advance. Arriving early provides a cushion in case of a flight delay and gives you time to enjoy Galveston itself.

The Strand, the historic architecture, waterfront restaurants and the Pleasure Pier can turn that pre-cruise night into the real beginning of your vacation. I stayed at the beautiful Grand Galvez before my cruise, and I would gladly spend more time exploring the island on a future trip.  You can fish, tour haunted cemetaries, or do a foodie tour.

Galveston is also a seasonal home for Disney Cruise Line. Disney continues to include the Texas port in its cruise schedule, with voyages to the Western Caribbean and select themed sailings.

That has a special connection for me because the Disney Magic was the very first cruise ship I ever sailed aboard. More than 50 cruises later, it would be fun to return to Galveston and sail on the ship that started it all.

Some Travel Experiences Only Come Around Once a Decade

Viking has released special 2030 river cruisetours featuring the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany.

The Passion Play began with a vow made by the villagers in 1633 and has become a tradition lasting nearly 400 years. The performance involves members of the village and is presented only once every ten years.

Viking’s 2030 options combine the performance with destinations such as Salzburg, Innsbruck, Budapest, Vienna and Munich, along with river cruising on the Danube or Rhine.

Although 2030 may sound far away, this is not an ordinary annual event. For travelers who have always wanted to experience the Passion Play, learning about the choices now provides time to decide which combination of cities and river cruising feels right. You can read more about Viking’s Oberammergau journeys here.

Don't Forget! Check Your Passport Before Planning an Exotic Cruise

A cruise through a more exotic part of the world may visit several countries during one vacation, and each country can have different entry requirements.

Check your passport’s expiration date well in advance. Some destinations require it to remain valid for at least six months beyond your trip, while others may require visas, electronic travel authorizations or available passport pages. Starting early gives you time to handle everything without a last-minute rush.

This is especially important for longer, multi-country journeys. I may have a very exciting reason for sharing this particular tip, but I’ll save that announcement for another day!

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