How does a journey to Arabia sound? Or what about the longest river cruise America has ever set sail? With ships sailing all over the world, it can be difficult to choose the right destination for you, especially when there are so many bucket list-worthy options.
That’s why I’ve compiled some of the most exciting itineraries of 2023. From exciting new routes to tried-and-true routes with new trains, this list will spark a sense of adventure. your calendar for both distant destinations and places close to home as we head into the new year. Prepare to be inspired.
Note: All prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. Ticket prices do not include taxes and fees.
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Japan on Ponant’s Le Soleal
After nearly three years of shutdowns and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan finally reopened to tourists in November 2022. That includes train passengers and some routes — including including Netherlands US route and Famous people (currently offering special “Spicy Road” trips that include Japan) — returning.
However, the most interesting Japanese itineraries I’ve discovered for 2023 are some of the routes offered by ponantby Le Soleal. The line is not only the first expedition ship to take passengers to the southern islands of Japan, but its itineraries are Japan-focused routes that exclude other countries such as those operated by Holland America and Celebrity offers.
Detail: The first is an eight-day cruise, from March 24 to 31, 2023, offering visits to the traditional villages of the Okinawa and Ryukyu Islands, as well as Ishigaki and Kume. Prices start at $6,000 per person for a cabin overlooking the ocean.
The second is an eight-day trip from Osaka to Fukuoka, May 15-22, 2023, taking passengers to stops in the Seto Inland Sea, the oldest sea route in Japan. Tickets start at $7,310 per person for a sea view room. More information on Ponant’s Asia trips can be found on line’s website.
West Africa on the Spitsbergen of Hurtigruten
In a first for damageThe airline is offering a selection of trips around Africa’s west coast, including the islands of Cape Verde and the Bissagos Islands of Guinea-Bissau, made up of more than 80 coastal islands and islets, just about 20 among them is the annual population. -ring.
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Trips to Cape Verde are rare, making this ideal for anyone looking to get the country off their to-do list. Plus, with Hurtigruten’s rapid expansion beyond traditional Norwegian services and into an expedition cruise, you could be one of the first to try this queue-first cruise, which will four times by the end of 2023 (and to the beginning of 2024) ), departing from Dakar, Senegal.
Detail: These 13-day cruises on Hurtigruten’s Spitsbergen depart from Dakar in November and December 2023 and January 2024. Prices start at $5,974 per person for an interior cabin. More information can be found on Hurtigruten Expeditions’ website.
The Ohio and Mississippi Rivers on the American Countess of the Queen’s Voyage of the United States
no secret America’s Queen’s Trip sailing the rivers of the United States for many years. But what makes this particular journey so special is that it will be the longest route ever. The 23 days cruiseincluding cruises on both the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, will be provided on the line’s newest ship, 245 passengers america countess.
The ship will make stops in some of America’s most notable small towns, including La Crosse, Wisconsin; Dubuque, Bettendorf and Burlington, Iowa; Hannibal, St. Louis, Kimmswick and Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Paducah, Henderson, Owensboro, Brandenburg, Louisville and Maysville, Kentucky; Madison, Indiana; Pleasant spot, West Virginia; and Cincinnati and Marietta, Ohio.
Detail: The maiden voyage will begin in Red Wing, Minnesota (near Minneapolis), on July 24, 2023, and end in Pittsburgh on August 15, 2023. The return journey will begin on August 15, 2023, when the ship arrived in Pittsburgh. Prices start at $10,599 per person for an interior cabin. You can find more details about line’s website.
Middle East on Windstar’s Star Legend
If you are looking for a travel destination a little further away, Windstar Cruise is offering Red Sea and Persian Gulf voyages in the Middle East – the first for the line, going Newly extended Star Legend in the region, beginning in the fall of 2023.
The route will offer four different itineraries, but my favorite is the 10-day Persian Gulf option from Dubai to Muscat, Oman, which includes calls to places like Ras Al-Khaimah and Fujairah in the Emirates United Arab Emirates and Khasab, Oman. The ship will also visit the UAE’s Sir Bani Yas island, which is renowned for its wildlife and nature conservation. Trips include overnight trips in Doha and Abu Dhabi.
Detail: This itinerary is offered 11 times, starting in November 2023 and running until early 2024. Fares start at 3,499 USD/person for sea view accommodation.
Caribbean and Bahamas on MSC Meraviglia and Carnival Venezia from NYC
While Caribbean and Bahamas cruises are not a new thing from New York, two cruise lines will have a new presence there starting in 2023: Festival cruise line with the Venice Festival, which will start from Manhattan in June, and MSC Cruises with MSC Meraviglia, which will be based at Brooklyn’s Red Hook station starting in April.
The itineraries look pretty standard at first glance, but the important thing here is that, for the first time, lines’ private island — in this case, Carnival’s Crescent Tree and MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve — will be accessible via round-trips from New York.
Detail: From April to December 2023, MSC Meraviglia will offer 11 seven-night cruises calling at Port Canaveral (near Orlando) and the Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserves, both in the Bahamas. Prices start at $399 per person for an interior cabin. More information can be found on MSC Cruises website.
From June to December, Carnival Venezia will do an eight-day trip in the Bahamas that includes Nassau, Freeport and Half Moon Cay, with prices starting at $484 per person for an inside cabin. During that time, the ship is also scheduled to undertake five eight-day Eastern Caribbean cruises visiting Amber Cove, Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay, with fares starting at $684 per person for an interior cabin. . For more details, visit festival website.
Australia/New Zealand on Disney Wonder and Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady
With Australia and New Zealand finally getting back to work after the shutdown, it’s no surprise that some cruise lines will be sending ships to the region for the first time in 2023. Starting in November, Disney Cruise LineDisney Wonder will make 14 two- to six-night trips from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne — visiting places like Hobart and Eden in Australia; City of Auckland, New Zealand; and Noumea, New Caledonia — coming later in the year, giving Disney fans another choice of destination.
In addition, beginning December 2023, Virgin Trip‘ The all-new Resilient Lady will offer five two- to 14-night cruises from Melbourne, providing locals with a more modern vessel. (The Australian market rarely sees brand new ships.) Trips include stops in Hobart, Burnie or both Tasmanian ports. During the two-week voyage, ports also included Sydney, as well as Picton, Napier, Tauranga and Auckland in New Zealand.
Detail: Disney Wonder’s per-person fare for the inside cabins starts at $946 for two nights, $1,604 for three, $2,000 for four, $2,118 for five, and $4,078 for six. For more information, visit Disney Cruise Line website.
Virgin Voyages’ per-person rates for accommodation inside start at $245 for two nights, $613 for five, $753 for six, and $2,240 for 14. Test Virgin Journey Website for more details on cruises.
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