Top 5 best cruises 2025 - ultimate guide
1) Introduction: how to choose cruises
The choice of cruises is not about «the biggest liner», but about matching the route with your season, budget and style of rest. Start with a goal: fjords, islands, glaciers or expeditions. For illustration, we have collected five directions to quickly understand which best cruises suit you. In the review there is also antarctica cruise – an option for those who dream of zodiac exits to icebergs and encounters with penguins. Immediately note: insurance, visas and flights to the port – part of the equation, as well as sustainable practices of shipping companies, because best cruises is also about responsible travel.
Then look at the format: size of the ship (megailator with infrastructure or chamber yacht), duration (5-7 nights or 10+), type of cabin (indoor, with window, balcony, sink), days at sea and saturation of shore excursions. Take into account the weather and storm zones, especially if it is rocking; sometimes the right choice of deck decides everything. Compare the included services – drinks, tips, internet, equipment for takeoffs – not to overpay. And remember: best cruises is not «once and for all», but the exact match of the route, season and your tempo. In the following sections we will lay out the best cruises.

2) Norwegian Fjords – route and weather (norwegian fjords cruise)
Route of the Norwegian fjords – a classic: Bergen Gardanger Geiranger Olesünn, sometimes Flom with the railway and Nereyfjord. It is a soft adventure format without visa surprises, with cozy ports and short transitions. In the category best cruises it is valued for accessibility and dramatic panoramas. For families and beginners norwegian fjords cruise – almost perfect start: views as from BBC documentary, logistics simple, and days at sea short. Choosing the best cruises, look at the number of panoramic passages through narrow fjords and the time of stops: they give a chance to catch waterfalls, trolls roads and viewpoints without crowd.
When to go: high season June-August, long day, rain more, greenery maximum. May and September dry, less tourists but cooler. The average temperature in Bergen in summer is +15…+ 18 °C, the sea +10…+ 14 °C; storms occur, but storms are shorter than in the open Atlantic. For planning in the best cruises logic take into account possible fogs and low clouds – they decorate, but hide the peaks. For comfort-viewers – a balcony and a warm jacket; for photographers – early visits to fjords. To match the best cruises, check the windows on the Geiranger and Nereihfjord and choose the ships with panoramic decks and a quiet ride.
Practice: small boats give deeper approaches and cozy ports, large – more entertainment on board. In the context of best cruises, small vessels win at the expense of intimate passages and schedule flexibility. Norwegian fjords cruise appreciate late departure days to reach the viewpoint of Dalsnibba or Trollstigen. Rain – normal, waterproof shell and trekking shoes solve half the questions. The wind is stronger when entering the straits; those who are afraid of cockpits, choose the middle decks and cabins closer to the middle of the ship. And also: the best memory of the best cruises here – slow viewing with hot coffee, when there is a milk fog over the water.

3) Greek islands – beaches and old towns (Greek cruise islands)
The Greek islands are an alternation of beaches and postcards from old cities: Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete, Corfu. The typical greek islands cruise starts from Piraeus or Lavrion and alternates short crossings with long stops. If you want a soft sea and photogenic sunsets without marathon on the sea, this is one of the best cruises.
When to go: May-June and September-October – warm water and less crowd; July-August melts makes the Cyclades windy. Sea +22… 26 °C, air +26… 32°C, it’s hotter in Rhodes. For families and romantic greek islands cruise is especially good with overnight in the ports – sunsets do not miss, and experiences correspond best cruises.
Beaches: the black sands of Perissa, the lagoon of Balos and the pink Elafionisi in Crete. Old cities: medieval Rhodes, Venetian Chania, UNESCO-center of Corfu. Spend time in the vineyards and monasteries. Small boats and yachts are easier to moor in tiny boats – an important criterion for best cruises.
Liefbaki: comfortable sandals, hat and SPF 50; on Santorini waiting line for the cable car – book transfer in advance. Take flights with late departures from Mykonos/Santorini or Superyachts. On the big liners more often tenders; love autonomy – choose mid-size. So the Greek islands are consistently in the cruises.

4) Alaska Inside Passage — glaciers and whale safaris (alaska inside passage cruise)
The Inside Passage route is a ribbon of fjords and straits between Vancouver/Seattle and Sitka: Juno, Skagway, Ketchikan, Haynes, sometimes Hubbard and Glesher Bay (by quota). The «scenic cruising» days pass by the glaciers of Marjorie, Dawu or along the Tracy-Arm/Endicott-Arm – you can hear the crack of the ice and the echo of the bay. In protected waters, the swing is softer than in the open ocean, so best cruises here dare to take beginners and families. For alaska inside passage cruise the geography of the stops is important: a long day in Juno for glacier tours, in Skagway – historical railway White Pass, in Ketchikan – totem parks and rain forests.
Season May-September. Dry May, snow caps bright; June-August – peak feeding humpback whales and orcas passes; in August it is rainier. September – below the prices, a chance to catch the northern light. Water +8… 12 °C, air +10… 18 °C, layers of clothing – must. For best cruises take flights with guaranteed permits in Glacier Bay and full «glacial» days. On an alaska inside passage cruise, it’s better to visit Tracy Arm in the morning: the light is soft, the icebergs are blue, the fog gives drama to the shots.
Practice and live-hawks: choose the mid-ship cabin and balcony – both stable, and photos with ice at hand. Waterproof shell, warm cap and binoculars 8 42 are required. Small expeditionary ships are closer to the glaciers; large – more amenities and children’s areas. Check whether the rate includes tips/hot chocolate on observation decks – details distinguish cruises. In Juno, plan an alaska inside passage cruise-tour: whale safari from Auke Bay, helicopter on Mendenhall/Herbert with landing on the ice. In Skagway – White Pass Railway and trails to the waterfalls; in Ketchikan – kayaks in misty bays.

5) Japan & South Korea Discovery — culture and food (japan and south korea cruise)
The Asian duo is a smooth line of ports: Tokyo/Yokohama, Shizuoka (Fuji), Osaka/Kobe, Fukuoka, Busan, Jeju. Format japan and south korea cruise – short breaks, a lot of «walking» time and gastronomic stops. For beginners in best cruises everything is friendly: metro from the port, contactless payment of IC-cards and clear signs. Plus bonus – evening lights of Osaka and night markets of Busan. If you love cities with character and cuisine «every day new», it is almost guaranteed «wow» which easily fits in cruises.
The best seasons are spring under the cherry tree (end of March – April) and autumn under the «keyo» (October – November). Summer hot and humid, but festivals – fire; late August-September can bring typhoon, build flexibility. Take a light rain jacket and comfortable sneakers: run through the temples of Kyoto, skyscrapers Umeda, markets Kuksi. For best cruises look for late departures from Kobe/Osaka – sunsets over the swollen neon are every hour.
Food and culture – why it is a «edible museum». In Japan: Sushi on the line, ramen tonkotu, okonomiyaki and takoyaki in Osaka; tea ceremony and onsana (rules of purity are mandatory). In Korea: Pusan pluckers on the hoarding, kimchi, pyeong namen, street hottoks and ttokki; try jjimjilbang. Live: eSIM for navigation, Suica/PASMO/T-money for transport, cash to small markets. Such a route is stable in the best cruises – rich, delicious, without complex logistics.

6) Antarctica – an expedition of dreams (antarctica cruise)
Antarctica is not about the liner-city, but about small boats, zodiac landings and close encounters with nature. The classic antarctica cruise goes from Ushuaia through the strait of Drake to the Antarctic peninsula: icebergs-«cathedrals», colonies of penguins, Weddell’s seals and great bigeys. The expedition team reads lectures, and every day – 1-2 landings or cruises on zodiacs. It is for this format best cruises value the sincerity of contact with the continent: less show – more real discoveries. Add strict IAATO rules (no closer than 5m to animals, boot disinfection) – and get a trip where the emotions are higher than comfort, but the result is at the level of best cruises.
Season November-March: the beginning gives «blue» icebergs and ice, January – peak activity of chicks, February-March – cleaner water and more whales. Routes: Peninsula Classic for 10-12 days, Circle Route with crossing of the Arctic Circle, «long» programs with South Georgia and Falklands for 16-20 days. Drake – 2 days in each direction; the swing is real, take Scopolamine/ Seabend and choose a mid-ship cabin, low deck. Temperature 2…+ 3°C, the wind makes ‘like 10’. For planning best cruises look for guaranteed zodiac-outputs, flexible weather plan and experienced operator – so the chances of perfect days are higher, and impressions are drawn to cruises.
How to choose a ship and what to take into account. Small ships 100-200 pax give more landing (rule: on shore simultaneously 100 people) is the key to saturation antarctica cruise. Often included rubber boots and expedition park; check insurance with evacuation 250-300 k. USD and mandatory briefings. Chamber: protection from moisture, spare batteries. Book in 8-12 months; the sole charge is below in the yurt. For the sustainability of nature – «leave no trace» and bio-cleaning equipment. When the expedition is properly assembled, Antarctica almost always becomes personal #1 on the cruises list.

7) Comparison of routes and type of ship (norwegian fjords cruise) – resources: www.andreevwebstudio.com
In short: Norway – the lyrics of fjords and short crossings, Greece – beaches + old cities, Alaska – glaciers and whales, Japan-Korea – megalopolis and food, Antarctica – expedition. For the softness of the sea and photos from the deck norwegian fjords cruise and Greece more friendly; the most «wow-ice» – Alaska; maximum wildlife – South. When choosing a route, check the season and duration of stops: the more time in key ports, the closer you are to cruises.
Type of ship = nature of the trip. Megailners: water parks, children’s areas, many restaurants – ideal for warm destinations and companies. Medium vessels: better berthing in small ports, the chamber atmosphere is top for norwegian fjords cruise and Japan. Expedition ships with zodiacs are the only correct format for Antarctica. The smaller the ship, the more often the captain changes plans flexibly, and the higher the chance of getting into cruises.
Cabin and deck. Balcony – the top for fjords and glaciers: awakened – and panorama. With a tendency to swing – the middle of the ship, lower decks. In the warm seas interior cabins save budget, which is better to invest in excursions. Add «scenic cruising days» to the check-list – they turn the usual route into cruises.
Where to assemble the details of the ship and content plan: templates, checklists and a selection of brand visual search at www.andreevwebstudio.com
- will help you to flip your flight notes, flight plans and port map. This approach saves time and brings you closer to the cruises.

8) Ports and day trips: what to do (greek islands cruise) – shopping ideas: www.antiquorum.shop
Santorini: sunrise in Imerovigli, then down to Perissa/Kamari (black beaches) and back to Oyu at sunset – take a transfer in advance, funicular gives queue. For best cruises catch flights with late departure: evening domes is half magic. On the greek islands cruise convenient plan «1 beach + 1 old town»: less running, more fun.
Mykonos: morning in Chora before the crowd, afternoon – beach Psarou/ Ornos or surf on Naxos (depending on the weather). Rhodes: UNESCO Old Town + Lindos (Acropolis and St. Paul’s Bay). To match best cruises, keep the rule 60/40: 60% «slowly walk», 40% «beach/ sea».
Practices and souvenirs: comfortable sandals, water, hat, SPF 50; in the Kitesurfing melts – take a light breeze. eSIM Maps and offline navigation save, tenders save in time. Ideas for shopping according to the best cruises aesthetics: ceramics Santorini, olive oil Crete, herbs of Rhodes, Minodier/ decoration in style «venetto» with Corfu – be inspired by showcase www.antiquorum.shop
, to pick up gifts «with history». On the greek islands cruise less = better: one outstanding view, one delicious lunch, one beach – and a perfect day.

9) Booking and cruise (alaska inside passage cruise) – help with tours: www.mavidi.online
How to book wisely. Search for flights from Glacier Bay or Hubbard – this is a best cruises ticket. Buy alaska inside passage cruise for 6-9 months, but monitor «wave season» (jan-march) and school holidays – prices jump. If the budget is flexible, take a refundable rate and bet on the price fall. Medium-sized ships give more «chamber» ports and convenient berths – often they become the very cruises.
Cabin and programs. Balcony/ window – plus for «scenic cruising» and ice photos; when swinging – mid-ship, lower decks. Excursions better catch in advance: whale safari Auke Bay (Juno), helicopter/ plane to the glacier, White Pass in Skagway, kayaks in Ketchikan. Count the time for tenders and return on board. Useful hack for alaska inside passage cruise: choose the approaches with morning Tracy-Arm – glaciers «blue», and the crowd is smaller. Internet packages take a little (day of the glaciers do not touch) – emotions more than megabytes, and it is also spirit cruises.
Equipment and insurance. Multilayer, waterproof jacket, hat/gloves, binoculars 8 42, camera packing; from hosing – scopolamine/bracelet. Insurance with evacuation – must. If you want to find the dates, cabins and tours under alaska inside passage cruise without a headache – just give us an introduction, and we will put together a plan on www.mavidi.online
. So the chance to «get in ten» and really choose best cruises becomes maximum.

10) Final recommendation – your short-list best cruises (japan and south korea cruise)
To simplify the choice, set the target and season, and then customize the type of ship and the duration of the stops. So you quickly get out on really best cruises without overpayments and disappointments. For romance, nature, cities and expeditions we have five accurate hits – this is your best cruises for the next year. Save the list and match dates: weather flexibility often decides which ones will be your personal cruises.
Your list of best cruises:
- Norwegian Fjords Cruise – for the first cruise and wow-tours; May-September, better mid-size ship with balcony – «quiet and beautiful».
- Greek Islands Cruise – beaches + old towns; May-June and September-October, overnight in the ports give sunset level best cruises.
- Alaska Inside Passage Cruise – glaciers and whales; book with Glacier Bay/Hubbard, balcony is mandatory for shots.
- Japan & South Korea Discovery (japan and south korea cruise) – megacity cities and food; perfect spring under the cherry trees and autumn under the mountains, take late departures from Kobe/Osaka.
- Antarctic Peninsula Expedition – small ship 100-200 pax, zodiacs and close encounters with nature; November-March, expedition format = spirit best cruises.
Final advice: book early, but keep «plan B» by dates and cabin. Balcony for ice and fjords always pays off. Save post and return to jorneyunfolded.pro for routes and check-lists – so the chance to choose a truly best cruises maximum.