Spain – France

This short 5 day cruise can be purchased for as low as $300. The Liberty of the Seas cruise liner that is part of Royal Caribbean International begins its journey in the evening in Barcelona, arrives into Nice in France on the next day, then returns back to Spain so you could spend a couple of days enjoying the beaches and nightlife of Palma de Mallorca, and gets back to Barcelona early in the morning. While on board, travelers can occupy themselves with a variety of activities, including spending time in spas, taking a walk through thematic bars or simply work in a pleasant atmosphere (the cruise liner has a great Wi-Fi connection).

The three countries cruise

For about $449 you will have a unique opportunity to visit three countries at once by taking a cruise on the Liberty of the Seas of Royal Caribbean International – accomplishing all of this in six days. Leaving from Barcelona in Spain, you will arrive into French Nice in the morning, next day you will have a scheduled tour of Rome, then another day will be spent in Sardinia and after one day of travel you will arrive back at the port of Barcelona. If you still have some free time after the trip is over, some cruises offer free bonus visits to the spa.

Western Mediterranean

This cruise on Royal Caribbean International will take you eight days. You will leave in the evening from the Spanish city of Malaga, spend a day in Valencia, then make your way from the Iberian Peninsula to the Apennine in one day, have a full day to walk around Rome, dedicate another day to Florence, visit Corsica, and then, having spend one full day travelling, return back to Malaga on the 8^th day. The cruise will take place on the Adventure of the Seas, a huge liner that can accommodate more than 3000 passengers and contains not only a shopping gallery, beauty salons and spas, but even an ice skating rink and a climbing wall. This luxurious cruise to the western Mediterranean starts at only $500.

Cruise around Italy

For just over $500 you will be able to go on an 8 day cruise around Italy, visiting several other countries along the way. The trip begins in the capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca. After a day at sea, you will arrive to the French Riviera and will enjoy a full day in Cannes and Monte Carlo. Then the ship will proceed to Italy and make a stop in Florence. From there – Rome is within easy reach. You will spend another day in Palermo on Sicily and then spend another full day travelling and return to Palma de Mallorca. All of this will take place onboard of the Grandeur of the Seas, which can accommodate 2440 passengers and is part of Royal Caribbean International. It offers a full range of spa programs, two swimming pools, outdoor jogging tracks, computer games room and a huge selection of bars and restaurants.

Eastern Mediterranean

You will only need about $500 to explore the most interesting parts of the eastern Mediterranean. Leaving from Rome in the evening, you will spend the next day in Sicily, then after one day at sea, you will arrive in Athens, Greece. The next day is devoted to the trips to the Turkish town of Kusudasi and the ancient Ephesus. Then back to Greece and a visit to Crete, another day at sea and you will finish your route in back in Rome. This cruise trip is organized by Royal Caribbean International on the impressive Navigator of the Seas liner, where you can skate, play basketball or golf, visit the huge theater with a five-tiered auditorium and spend a little money at the casino.

Adriatic

Never been to Venice? For just $500 you will have a chance to visit this city and then spend seven days aboard of the Voyager of the Seas cruise liner of Royal Caribbean International. The ship is designed to accommodate 3114 passengers and has everything for your leisure from swimming pools, golf simulators and aerobics classes to fabulous restaurants, featuring different cuisines of the world. So the trip will start in Venice, then the ship will go to the Slovenian city of Koper, from there in one day you will get to Italian Ravenna, will spend another day in famous Bari, cross the sea again overnight and in the morning find yourself in Croatian Dubrovnik, then another day at sea and one day back in Venice.

Italy – Greece – Turkey

For about $500 you will cruise for eight days around two Mediterranean countries – quite a great option to spend a holiday. The trip of=n the Costa Romantica of Costa Cruise Lines begins in the Italian port of Civitavecchia, makes a stop in the Sicilian town of Messina, spend another day at sea and arrive in Izmir, Turkey on the next day. The following day will be spend on the Greek island of Santorini, then in glamorous Mykonos and Pireo, and after one day at sea you will return to the Italian port. You will be amazed at the truly stylish Italian liner. Millions of dollars have been invested in the original works of art: paintings, sculptures, murals and handmade furniture. And of course, an Italian liner can’t exist without a casino, opera and sumptuous restaurants featuring Italian cuisine.

Europe – Africa

You are in for an exciting journey if you select a cruise on the Costa Serena of Costa cruise lines starting at $599 for eight days. You start the cruise in Barcelona, Spain and then sail to Marseilles in France, then spend a day in each of the Italian cities of Savona and Naples, pop into Catania for half a day and then head to the shores of Africa – Tunisia. After visiting this country for a day, you will spend another day at sea and in the morning arrive at Barcelona. Among the features of the luxury liner Costa Serena (the flagship of the company): the prestigious Samsara spa, 13 bars, 5 restaurants and as many as four swimming pools (two of them have a glass sliding roof).

East Coast

$799 will get you an 11 day cruises offered by Celebrity Cruises, which offers a very different, very high level of comfort on their ships. The Celebrity Equinox cruise liner offers everything you need for luxury travel: from spas, solariums and gardens to a wine cellar where you can attend a lecture and learn about the best wines. The ship takes off from Rome, spends a day in Sicily, then after a day at sea arrives at the capital of Greece. In the evening you take off for Turkey and in the morning arrive in the town of Kusadasi. After that you visit the Greek islands of Rhodes, Mykonos and Santorini and the Italian island of Capri. The trip ends back in Rome.

From Italy to Istanbul

You will spend 11 days cruising around eastern Mediterranean Sea with Costa Cruise lines for around $750. Like many other cruises offered by this operator, your trip will begin in the Italian port of Civitavecchia. Then you will visit Messina, spend a day at sea, and visit the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini before making your way to Izmir. After that – the highlight of the cruise trip – a day and a half in beautiful Istanbul. On the way back to Italy, you will stop at Greek ports of Piraeus and Volos. This cruise trip will take place onboard of the Costa Romantica – one of the most elegant and comfortable ships of the company.

Mexican Riviera cruises generally cover several major ports, located on the Pacific coast of Mexico: Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Zihuatanejo. Cruises start either in Mexico or in the United States: San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The most famous port during a Mexican Riviera cruise is Acapulco – the home of one of the world’s top 10 beaches and the fourth most beautiful harbor in the world. It is also the largest port on the Mexican Coast. Acapulco experienced a boom in popularity a few years back which has since subsided, leaving to the memories perhaps the most exciting nightlife in all of Mexico. From this point of view it is highly recommended to supplement your cruise with a beach vacation in Acapulco – it has excellent amenities and you will not get bored. During the day you can see dolphin shows, go shopping or simply spend all day on the beach.

Puerto Vallarta is a colonial town in the state of Jalisco, noted for its cobbled streets and incomparable beaches. A combination of several factors of the local climate such as the sea breeze saturated with iodine and sea salt and very comfortable temperatures create very special air quality conditions. Many people come here to not just swim and sunbathe but also to improve their health. The town is located on a small but very beautiful bay.

Cabo San Lucas is the most ambitious resort of Mexican California, if not all of Mexico, located on the tip of the peninsula. Everything here is more luxurious and expensive than in the central part of the country. Many celebrities and wealthy people come here for holidays. Diving is a very popular activity; Cabo is also considered a top destination for marlin fishing. The best place for swimming and all water related activities is Medano beach, which is located west of the harbor. Among available activities here are paragliding, water skiing, bungee jumping and parasailing.

Manzanillo is a great resort destination for sport fishing enthusiasts: here you can catch excellent specimens of marlin, sailfish etc. Also it is a paradise for surfers. And for those who just want a quiet beach holiday, there is a special resort area – a sandy split consisting entirely of hotels, shops and excellent beaches. Diving and snorkeling enthusiasts will appreciate the convenience of being able to dive off the coast – there is no need for a boat – the water is calm and clean and there are corals.

Mazatlan is a perfect combination of sun, sea and untouched nature. Currently it is a great place for a beach holiday with an excellent infrastructure. Each year it hosts international surfing competitions.

Quite often a sea cruise covers a dozen countries, but Mexico is such a capacious and multifaceted place that one type of recreation is not enough to get the full range of impressions. Mexican Riviera cruises will give you an opportunity to get to know the ancient culture and history as part of the shore excursions, enjoy the most beautiful days on board of the cruise liner and of course relax on a sandy beach under a palm tree – all of this will leave you with the kindest, brightest and touching memories.

Big Island of Hawaii is a perfect place for a beach holiday and for shore excursions during your Hawaii cruise. The local feature is a magnificent park of volcanoes, where you can see unique landscapes, created by lava. The most massive volcano on the planet, Mauna Loa is located here. Nowhere else on the planet, in an area this big, can you see essentially all the varieties of volcanic activity and such unique topography. The island is a strange mixture of volcanic rock, waterfalls and exotic tropical vegetation. If your cruise ship happens to linger on this island for an extra day, you will have a chance to go on a sightseeing tour or simply take walks and swim in the ocean and feel the eternal celebration of beauty of nature around you. The Big Island is one of the most interesting ports during your sea cruise in the region.

Next on the cruise route is Oahu, which the natives call the “meeting place”, perhaps because it is the intersection of many roads. The island is the home of the capital of the archipelago, Honolulu, as well as the famous Pearl Harbor. Without exception, all cruises to Hawaii start or stop here. Just like any big city, Honolulu is very lively with a vibrant nightlife; also, there are excellent beaches and shopping. This will be the most “civilized” part of the cruise. Polynesian Cultural Center is located on Oahu. North Shore is a recognized surfing Mecca.

Continuing the trip along the archipelago, the liner will visit the island of Kauai, or “Garden Island” – with the most vivid and rich vegetation of the Hawaiian Islands. This island is the embodiment of the tropical romance with its mysterious grottos, cozy lagoons, tropical waterfalls and geysers. Very impressive are Waimea canyon state park that stretches for sixteen miles – it is also known as the Great Pacific Canyon, Kauai Lagoon wildlife sanctuary and Botanical gardens. Kauai is essentially the most humid place on the planet with annual 11.7 meters of precipitation. Centuries of showers formed the islands vast valleys.

The next gem on your route is the island of Molokai. It has the largest percentage of native population. Molokai is one of the most prominent representatives of the Hawaiian Islands with deserted beaches, ancient temples of pagan gods, very good dirt roads and almost no cars. This island is also famous for the world’s highest cliffs. There is also the longest coral reef in the US, so do some snorkeling if you have a chance. Although there is almost no tourist infrastructure and very few tourists, the nature is clean and the scenery – stunning.

The island of Maui is called by the natives the “Island of the valleys”. It has everything that the tourist who plan their cruise or a visit to Hawaii dream about – more than 600 varieties of palm trees, the whitest sand, orchids and colorful birds. In a word – a paradise. Besides, there are superb hotels and excellent infrastructure. It as a very, very nice place to stay. The island can be explored as a part of a shore excursion from your cruise ship or you can simply take a walk and enjoy this beach paradise.

The last island, most frequently visited by cruise liners as part of cruises to Hawaii is Lanai. It is a small, quiet and beautiful island, consisting of pristine rain forests and pine apple plantations. It is known as a place for a quiet and quality recreation for a few that choose to come here. There is only a handful of hotels and everything necessary to enjoy the peace and beauty of tropical luxury. The underwater world here is also quite noteworthy if you get a chance to go snorkeling during your time on the island.

Speaking of transatlantic cruises, it is worth to point out the routes that involve multiple ports of call with alternating travel days – in fact these cruises are very unique because of all the impressions you get from sightseeing. Another option is cruises where the primary intent is the voyage itself.

Sightseeing oriented transatlantic cruises, just like similar cruises around Europe, provide an excellent opportunity for experienced cruisers to see new cities and countries. This type of cruise has two options. The first one covers the northern seas, starting, for example in the Baltic Sea, Great Britain or the Netherlands and goes through the Norwegian Fjords, Spitsbergen and Iceland with the final destination in New York. Or it starts in one of the cities of the Mediterranean or the Atlantic coast and covers North Africa, the Canary Islands and continues on through the equatorial waters all the way to the Caribbean or even California. So what you get is a very entertaining and original voyage where an ample number of travelling days at sea gives you an opportunity to alternate between a quiet holiday on board of the cruise liner and active days of shore excursions and sightseeing tours. At the end of the cruise you can extend your holiday with a great beach vacation.

Cruises that don’t have any ports of call besides the starting and ending points are a great option for the lovers of the sea, who truly appreciate comfort and privacy. If you go for this type of a cruise, be sure to take your time selecting the right cruise liner, cruise company and the style of cruise travel. These cruises are primarily offered by Cunard as part of their premium class packages. Cunard is the only company that scrupulously adheres to old maritime traditions; in particular, it distinguishes classes of service within a single vessel. So the standards of service, quality of food and even the freedom of your movement on the ship will depend on the class of your cabin. Other options are comfortable luxury cruises offered by SilverSea, Crystal Cruises and SeaDream Yacht Club. In addition to impeccable service, top quality food and amenities on board of fairly small luxury cruise ships, you can expect the appropriate level of company of your fellow travelers.

Transatlantic cruises will give you not only the most pleasant experiences, newfound tranquility and peace of mind, but also a sense of freedom and the magnificence of life.

• Yacht cruises – everything is pretty clear here and you can select any option according to your taste. The islands are pretty close to each other, the sea is calm, so the yacht cruises in these waters deserve the highest praise.
• Standard class sea cruises are provided primarily by Royal Princess. This cruise liner is fairly small, but the advantage is that it can dock in small island ports and is able to pass through narrow gaps between coral reefs to enter lagoons. Although you have to take a special bout from the ship to get to the island, they run very frequently, so there is no inconvenience whatsoever. Royal princess isn’t new but very comfortable. It is owned and operated by Princess Cruises which automatically means a pretty solid standard of quality service without any special frills, excellent food, comfortable travel and excellent entertainment program. Another good description of the company would be “a perfect combination of price and quality”. Prices for additional services on board of the cruise liner are also very reasonable.
• Luxury cruises in this region are provided by Regent Seven Seas. Each cruise ship operated by this company is an example of the elite service. Regent Seven Seas makes it a priority to provide a luxury cruise vacation, with quality placed in the forefront. The company has been acclaimed numerous times for the quality of cruises. The philosophy of seven regent seas is to make everything possible for the comfort of their passengers. The price of the cruise includes almost everything: soft drinks, wine at dinner and the content of the mini bar in the cabin. A piece of advice – when comparing the prices of standard and luxury cruises, pay attention what is included in the price and what is not. That will help estimate how much money you will spend on board in each case.

And now, the itinerary. Most likely, you will visit the islands of Tahiti, Huahine, Rarotonga (Cook Islands), Moorea, Raiatea and Bora Bora. The area is beautiful. A general advice for the sea cruises in the region: when you select shore excursions, choose sightseeing tours or something that includes diving or snorkeling, horseback riding or swimming in waterfalls. The islands of French Polynesia are popular because of their unique paradise-like nature. You will get a chance to see the most spectacular places. If you are a diving enthusiast, the possibilities are endless, as the underwater world is simply indescribable.

If you decide to stay in Tahiti you are already doing yourself a favor. The island is very, very beautiful. For those who appreciate the wild life there’s a jeep safari that takes you across the island and you get a chance to see wild forests, mountain slopes, covered with greenery and orange trees, volcanoes and waterfalls. For some strange reason, orange trees that were brought here long time ago only grow on rocks. The oranges collected from them by brave locals are incredibly expensive – it is believed that because lava accumulated a large quantity of water and heat, the fruits turned out to be incredibly delicious. You can also taste melons, watermelons, mangoes, and the most delicious pineapple sin the world – they are very inexpensive. However, it should be noted that the prices on everything else are quite high, so sea cruise in the area is a great way to save money.

Apart from being an impression packed unforgettable adventure that makes you look forward to the start of a new day, Tahiti cruises provide you with a great opportunity to revive your soul and get a wonderful attitude toward life.

So, for example when you go on the Danube cruise, it will start in Budapest, right at the Green Bridge. By the way, another important feature of the European river cruises is that most of the stop will be in the center of towns and cities. During sea cruises, as a rule, the ship stops at a distance away. In this case your floating hotel will take you right to the place where the sightseeing tour starts. So from Budapest we are making our way to Slovakia, and then on to Austria, where besides the capital we will experience the charm of small towns, and then finally see the medieval Bavaria with its castles, bridges, Durer museum, the most delicious gingerbread in the world, mulled wine, sausages and beer. Your cruise ship usually travels between the stops at night while you sleep. After excursions if you have any desire, you can go for a walk without any fear that you will have a long way back to the ship, as it is usually the case during sea cruises; in this instance – everything is nearby.

Danube cruises usually take 7-9 days, but sometimes longer, if they start in Ishmael and cover Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia.

Beside the Danube, there are quiet, cozy and comfortable river cruises on the Thames, Seine, and Loire with its famous castles, on the Rhine through Germany and Switzerland, on the Po river in Italy with the visits to the famous cities of art – Verona, Torcello and Boretto, in Portugal on the Dora river etc.

The amenities and entertainment program on board of a river cruise ship are quite different from sea/ocean cruises. Sometimes there is a swimming pool and a bar. But that is it as far as infrastructural similarity.

All in all European river cruises get a lot of positive feedback and can definitely be recommended as a comfortable and interesting vacation choice. Although they are probably a little boring for children, adults are certain to get a lot of enjoyment and memorable impressions.

One of the options is to start your cruise in Rio de Janeiro and Santos – this can be either a relatively short cruise along the shores of Brazil and Argentina or a cruise package that will take you to travel all the way south and around the continent. Santos is located next to a famous city of San Paulo. Everyone has heard about legendary carnivals in Rio de Janeiro. Generally, if you want to catch the carnival, you have to book your trip well in advance.

The route goes through some very beautiful places and is actually a quite pleasant ride in warm tropical waters. There is definitely a sightseeing aspect here but mainly it is all about endless beaches and islands and simply relaxing and enjoying the laid back atmosphere.

Alternatively, you can start you South America cruise in Argentina. Buenos Aires represents a colorful mix of European and American styles, old and new. Dorrego square is a home to numerous antique shops, and on the weekends the area is transformed – you can watch tango dancers and mime performances. Just outside of Buenos Aires you can experience “Fiesta Gaucha”: a spectacular rodeo.

While making its way around the edge of South America cruise line will pass Cape Horn. If the cruise starts in Rio or Buenos Aires the ending point is usually in Santiago de Chile. If you do not plan any activities right after your cruise, this is the best route to choose. So from Buenos Aires or Rio the trip goes through multicultural Uruguay. Then there is a short stop at Falkland Islands and then on to Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia – the closest city-port to the South Pole and the gateway to Antarctica. Cape Horn is the realm of penguins, sea lions, bird colonies, and even further south – crystal clear icebergs and glaciers.

After rounding Cape Horn, the cruise ship will travel up the Chilean coast. Here you will see incredibly beautiful cliffs and fjords – the true highlight of the cruise, and visit Valparaiso – a small port town near Santiago. In addition to staying and doing some sightseeing in Santiago, one of the after cruise options is a trip to Easter Island – a very sacred and extraordinary place.

Another option of a South America cruise is the so called “Three Americas” trip, which covers Ecuador, Venezuela and Peru.  This route usually starts in San Diego and also includes Mexico and Panama.  It is a wonderful option of a cruise which covers combines entertainment, education and ethnography. So much is written about legendary Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the islands of the Sin and the Moon and the mysterious patterns of Nazca desert. Mysterious Incas, which we can only learn about from the remains of their cities, still confuse scientists: extraordinary cruelty, incredible enlightenment, unique knowledge of mathematics and astronomy and amazing structures, the purpose of which still isn’t clear to anthropologists.

The highlight of this cruise isn’t so much discovering of wild nature, but the most amazing ethnographic component worthy of not just a sightseeing tour but a real expedition, and in this case, a very comfortable one. Some of the after cruise options, while you are still in Peru, include a short and memorable trips to Bolivia.

To conclude the review of this diverse region, all of the above South America cruise travel options are a terrific opportunity for your own discovery of the continent, because no matter where you travel specifically, sooner or later you will want to collect the entire kaleidoscope of vivid impressions of this almost fairy tale land.

The main treasure of Alaska is in its nature and mystery. Alaska cruises ill allow you to enjoy the views of high mountains, snow-capped peaks, breathtaking misty fjords and wildlife. A real harmony with environment can be observed in Alaska. Only here you have the opportunity to see from aboard of the cruise ship huge humpback whales, killer whales and belugas, towering in the waves of the ocean. Alaska cruises are great fun not only for adults but also for children. This is a great opportunity to see the representatives of the unique wildlife in a natural, relaxed environment. Traveling on a cruise ship will allow you to see the sights which are ordinarily out of reach for a regular tourist.

Only while at sea, you can witness the unmatched sunrises and sunsets and plunge into the atmosphere which cannot be experienced on land: the sounds of waves, splashes of water which are made by playing humpback whales. A cruise to Alaska is a great opportunity to see the grandiose landscapes of the Rocky Mountains and to get the unforgettable impressions. But getting to know the nature is not the only advantage of sea cruises. There is a lot of entertainment on board of a cruise liner, which can be enjoyed and appreciated even by the most discerning travelers.

Another thing to keep in mind about cruises to Alaska is that you can also pick the rout. Some of the recommended ones include a visit to Hubbard Glacier – about two thousand square miles of blue ice – quite unearthly spectacle that you are able to watch right from the deck of the cruise ship. Do not forget to take your camera as there are plenty of spectacular shots to be made.

There are also before and after cruise activity programs available – usually lasting 3, 6 or 9 days. They include getting to know the local culture, tours dedicated to the topic of the Gold Rush, as well as close acquaintance with the nature and local lifestyle. There’s also a helicopter tour – some of the wildlife is better observed from a safe altitude. You can also simply fish for a few days or spend time immersing in the feel of this beautiful northern edge.

Denali National Park is one of the most interesting places on Alaska. It’s a huge, almost untouched and beautiful area with Mount McKinley – the highest mountain in North America visible from a distance. Denali has the largest quantity of grizzly bears – the subject of the local pride.

The best time to take Alaska cruises is from May to September, but you happen to be travelling at the end of summer – beginning of fall, you’ll get a chance to see the nature in the most striking colors.

Asia and Europe constitute the biggest parts of the world, with 54 countries, each of them remarkable in their own way, stretching across its territory. Asia isn’t only mainland, but also numerous islands, nestled in seas and oceans along its shores. With the easy access from the sea ports, most of the countries can be visited during sea cruises to Asia.

UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey and Cyprus – are a part of South West Asia which will introduce the travelers to the marvelous beauty of the deserts, sandy beaches and beautiful seas, modern skyscrapers and mosques, ancient cultures and of course, unforgettable shopping experience. While enjoying your Asia cruise on Costa Favolosa liner, you will discover the fabulous cities of the Emirates and Oman. During Red Sea cruises you will visit sunny Egypt and world famous city of Petra in Jordan. And some of the Mediterranean cruise packages will get you acquainted with Turkey and Cyprus.

If you want to visit such countries in the Indian Ocean as Maldives, India and Sri Lanka, taking an Asia cruise is a perfect option. These countries are a part of South Asia which is popular not only because of the unique beauty of the white sand beaches, spectacular scenery and warm sun, but also because of the unique culture of these places.

Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan are located in East Asia, which is characterized by a remarkable combination of mountain and lowland landscapes. Japan is a country where past and present go hand in hand. Not every cruise to Asia gives a unique opportunity to visit Japan. China is the land of old traditions and ancient emperors, Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors. The island of Taiwan impresses due to its unique diversity of vegetation and picturesque mountains.

Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia are located in South East Asia. The travelers will look forward to experience the warmth of hospitality, the beauty of people, religious rituals and nature. Thailand is the country of beautiful beaches and friendly people. Singapore is located in the heart of South East Asia. This city-state for centuries has connected East and West, Combining tradition and modernity. European and Asian architecture is successfully combined in Malaysia. Indonesian capital Jakarta is famous for its hectic lifestyle, which contrasts the quiet and unhurried life of small villages of the island of Java. While visiting the island of Bali during your cruise to Asia, be prepared to experience the peaceful tropical life and spectacular beauty of landscapes.

So what are they, Asia cruises? Undoubtedly very rich, beautiful and interesting. And it is much more than just a sightseeing tour. Be certain that you will not regret having chosen this particular cruise itinerary. Asia, first of all, is a very different world, societies living under different laws, customs, lifestyles and philosophies. During your time on a cruise you will have a chance to really get an impression and a sense of the world. And perhaps after you return back to your everyday life, you will bring back some of the serenity, happiness and enjoyment of the beauty of the moment, so customary in these amazing places. 

Cruise vacation to a destination like Australia will be accompanied by tons of unforgettable sights and attractions. Just think about visiting the famous Sydney harbor, untouched rain forests and Great Barrier Reef. There are things that can be experienced only in Australia.

Sydney is considered to be the most beautiful city in Australia and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You will have a chance to explore the sandy headlands, world famous bays and surf beaches. Take boat ride under Sydney harbor or admire the city from the height of AMP Tower, scroll amid skyscrapers of the business center and feel the atmosphere of the business capital of Australia.

Hobart, Tasmania – once you find yourself in the main harbor of the capital city of Tasmania, be sure to see the sandstone warehouses of the 19th century, located along the shoreline. Experience the beauty of the famous Salamanca Place Street, and stroll through the shops and galleries. Close to Hobart are Mount Wellington and Valley Cole wineries.

Did you know that the indigenous people of Australia preserved the world’s oldest culture? Their customs and traditions are reflected in art, legends, dances and music. Stories, related to the mythological period in time, which the aborigines call Dreamtime, take us back 50000 years ago and let us know how the present day Australia was born. Many of the myths of that era, built of stone and carved on the rocks, can be seen in the mountainous area of the country.

Within an hour’s drive from Sydney is the Mountain National Park – one of the most picturesque and memorable places in the world. The mountains are covered with countless eucalyptus trees that produce the vapors of the essential oils. High concentration of these vapors in the air creates a rather thick bluish haze – due to this effect, Blue Mountains gained its name. In the park there are several viewing platforms, offering great views of the valley located down below – famous Three Sisters mountains (giant stone formations from the legends of Aborigines) and Echo Valley.

On the way to the Blue Mountains, there is an Australian wildlife park. Charming kangaroos and sleepy koalas, cute small penguins, proud cassowaries and clumsy wombats, colorful birds and other wonders of Australian nature will not leave you indifferent, and unique pictures that you’ll take will be long reminding you of this wonderful country.

Ocean cruises to such distant continents and island like Australia and South Pacific are more available than ever with an array of tour operators catering to the area. Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Melbourne and Sydney – this is far from a complete list of places that you will get a chance to see. And the list of attractions available to you will only be limited by your abilities. Elegant white cruise liners will warmly welcome you on board.

There are multiple options available for Australia cruises in 2012, which can be selected from cruise operators.