6 Unusual Cruise Destinations For Your Next Trip

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Are you looking to book a cruise but want to try something new and interesting? Perhaps you're looking for a hidden gem or just want to go somewhere that doesn't always get seen when people talk about going on a cruise. Here are a few favorite off-the-beaten-waterway cruises.

Amsterdam, Netherlands - January 06 2019: Large cruise ship arrived in the harbor of Amsterdam photo credit: GettyGetty
Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of roughly 1,600 islands and limestone islets jutting up, seemingly from nowhere, in the middle of the Gulf of Tonkin. There are lots of different ways to explore Ha Long Bay, but one of the luxury options is taking a two-day cruise with Azalea. You will have the choice between a two or three-day cruise including transfer to and from Hanoi, depending on how much time you would like to explore the bay.

Both cruises include opportunities to enjoy Tai Chi and kayaking excursions. But the three-day cruise also adds a trip to a local fishing village and Toi Sang Cave. Regardless of what you choose, make sure to enjoy some time on the sundeck watching the islets pass by.
Norway

Start near the North Pole and work your way down the stunning Norwegian coastline on this spectacular six-day cruise. Board the Cruise South with Hurtigruten and experience the deep fjords and jagged mountains of Norway’s western border.

You will start in Kirkenes, close to the triple-point between Norway, Sweden and Finland, and head around to Mehamn. By the second day, you will be in Tromsø and heading down the coast of Lofoten on the third. Once in Lofoten, you will have the opportunity to explore the rugged mountains and sleepy villages, peaceful but bursting with local art and music.

You will cross the Arctic circle on the fourth day and transit Trondheim and Ålesund on the fifth day before docking in Bergen on the sixth day. Learn about Norway’s storied fishing culture. During the winter months, cross your fingers for northern lights.
Nile River

Egypt is famous for its skylines sharpened by pyramids and great ancient history, but there is so much more to Egypt than Giza. To explore more of this incredible country, book a four-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan with Sanctuary Retreats. You will visit the Valley of Kings and the Valley of Queens during your time in Luxor, then head to Esna on the second day.

You will have access to an Egytopologistwho will act as your guide around ancient temples and tombs. Pass sacred crocodiles basking in the sun on your way to Edfu and take an Egyptian cooking class onboard. Explore more local temples via motorboat and felucca boat before enjoying a final evening culture show and docking at Aswan the next morning.
Iceland

Iceland has been at the top of many travelers’ bucket lists for the past few years, but how many of them have managed to conquer the entire west coast? Cruise some of the more remote fjord towns with the Icelandic Mosaic cruise by Ponant.

This eight-day cruise begins and ends in the capital city of Reykjavík and hits Grundarfjörður, Isafjörður andAkureyri as well as the islands of Grimsey and Heimaey. One particularly nice selling point for this cruise, besides the fact that it offers the opportunity to explore Iceland’s incredible western and northern coast, is that Grimsey is particularly difficult to access any other way.

Lying directly on the continental rift, this remote island experiences daily (small) earthquakes in its frigid Arctic setting, perfect to visit by boat.
Amazon

If you are looking to explore the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, book an Amazon river cruise with Rainforest Cruises. You can choose between four different countries: Peru cruises, Brazil cruises, Bolivia cruises, or Ecuador cruises. With so many choices, it can be quite difficult to narrow it down.

For a classic Brazilian Amazon experience, I recommend taking a four-day cruise with the Desafio. This schooner offers a more intimate cruising experience with only twelve cabins on board, allowing passengers to get to know one another and enjoy a peaceful river cruise. Desafio departs Manaus for Anavilhanas, the world’s largest river archipelago.

During the following three days, you will be able to take smaller motorized canoes through the archipelago to explore the network and confluence of rivers in the area. Then enjoy tropical meals and pristine river views on your way back to Manaus.
Indonesia

It seems that everybody is headed to Bali (understandable) but Indonesia is made up of over 17,500 individual islands that are begging to be explored. To hit some of the lesser-known gems, take an Indonesian island cruise with Peregrine. This cruise embarks from and returns to Kuta in Bali, so you will still have the opportunity to explore Bali but will also get to see so much more during your trip.

With a maximum number of 48 passengers on board and a minimum age of 15, expect a relaxing and invigorating eight-day island adventure. From Bali, you will head to Saringi and Keramat, Satonda, Banta and Rinca to see Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. On the way back, you’ll hit Moyo and Lombok before returning to Bali.

Where will you cruise in 2019? Let us know in the comments.