The best cruises from the U.S. for every type of traveler

It’s no secret that Alaska is home to some of the country’s best wildlife spotting opps, which is why I was psyched to embark on Holland America’s Alaskan Explorer sailing in August 2022. Both on and off the ship, I had the chance to spot many a whale—along with puffins, otters and other adorable and astonishing creatures that call the Last Frontier home. (If you’re lucky, you may even spot a bear or two!). Sailing roundtrip from Seattle, this bucket-list itinerary includes scenic cruising through the Puget Sound and Glacier Bay (select cruises) along with stops in Juneau, Icy Strait Point (select cruises), Sitka, Ketchikan and, last but not least, Victoria, British Columbia.

With its varied landscapes—ranging from majestic mountains and volcanoes to stunning beaches to lush tropical rainforests—a trip to Hawaii offers something for everyone. While you can island-hop around the Aloha State via ferry or plane, it’s not exactly seamless. Norwegian Cruise Line’s 7-day Hawaii Inter-Island, which sails year-round from Oahu to Kauai, takes the stress out of planning a multi-island Hawaiian vacation. Cruisers will have the incredible opportunity to visit four Hawaiian islands—Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai— without having to schlep their luggage, unpack or worry about booking inter-island flights or ferries. Overnights in Maui and Kauai are also included in the itinerary, allowing travelers to immerse themselves and uncover the beauty of each locale.

For a sun- and fun-filled bachelorette party weekend, consider one of Margaritaville at Sea’s two- or three-night Bahamas sailings, which make for the perfect party-centric weekend escape. On board, your group can sip tropical-inspired cocktails (Mai Tais, anyone?) at one of several bars and lounges while listening to Jimmy Buffett tunes, get pampered at the spa, play a round of pickleball and so much more. Bonus: The line offers special bachelorette and girls getaway packages, which include access to the best available fares, group discounts and even a dedicated concierge to take the hassle out of trip planning.

Character meet-and-greets, Broadway-caliber performances, themed drinking and dining venues, over-the-top obstacle courses and top-notch performances: Find all this and more aboard Disney's three-night Bahamas cruises from Fort Lauderdale. From there, stops include Nassau and one or both of Disney’s idyllic private islands, Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The fun starts as soon as you get on boad.

Royal Caribbean is best known for its show-stopping onboard entertainment offerings (think: 10-story slides, dueling waterslides, ziplining, carousels, surfing and skydiving simulators and escape rooms) and a seemingly endless amount of bars and restaurants. As such, this mega-ship line is ideal for families of all ages—picky eaters included! Its weekend getaway cruises offer loads of fun in a short time, making it an easy escape for families

While the kids are at play, grown-ups can bask in the sun from the adults-only Solarium, where I spent most of my time on board my Caribbean cruise. Royal Caribbean offers several weekend Caribbean itineraries that cruise roundtrip from major cities like Miami, Galveston, Los Angeles and Orlando (Port Canaveral); however, I recommend opting for one that includes a port of call in CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island paradise in the Bahamas that boasts its own waterpark along with thrill-seeking activities like ziplining and a helium balloon ride.

For prime leaf-peeping opps, embark on American Cruise Line's Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise, where you can admire the changing leaves and high peaks from the perch of your ship. Along the way, you'll stop in historical, storybook-worthy towns like Sleepy Hollow, West Point, Kingston and Catskill before ending in Albany. Thanks to the line's smaller, catamaran-like ships, you’ll get closer to shore—and closer to the scenery the whole way through—than you would on a traditional ocean mega-ship. 

For luxury lovers with time to spare, consider a 14-night voyage wth Regent Seven Seas Cruises on the line's Emerald East Coast sailing from Miami to New York. Ports of call include the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao), Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Barts, Puerto Rico and Bermuda, making it especially ideal for island-hopping. On board, expect all-suite accomodations (each with a private balcony) and gourmet dining, plus added perks like unlimited shore excursions, Wi-Fi, unlimited spa access and an open bar. Premium suites are also privy to butler service and pre-cruise hotel stays. 

Carnival’s motto is “Choose Fun,” and that’s precisely what you’ll find on any of its TK ships cruising the world. The wallet-friendly cruise line is a favorite among budget-conscious travelers craving a fun vacation that won’t necessarily break the bank. The line’s 5-day Baja Mexico sailing from San Francisco stops in Catalina Island and Ensenada, and packs plenty of added value. The standard cruise fare (from $659 per person, averaging around $164 per night for four nights) includes access to over ten restaurants—plus ample bars and lounges—and dozens of entertainment offerings (think: deck parties, game shows, trivia contests, outdoor sports activities, pools and hot tubs, karaoke, musical performances, stand-up comedy and more). So, what’re you waiting for?

Viking is known for its adults-only, all-inclusive river, ocean and expedition cruises. As you can guess by its name, the 15-day Great Lakes Collection sailing—which cruises from Toronto, Canada to Duluth, Minnesota—takes adventure-seeking cruisers on an epic journey around all five majestic Great Lakes. Travelers will sail aboard the sleek Scandinavian-inspired Viking Octantis, which features all-balcony staterooms, cruising the Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Michigan (Detroit, Alpena, Mackinac Island), Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula and a handful of Ontario hotspots (Georgian Bay, Silver Inlet and Thunder Bay). While fares are pricy (from $13,995 per person), they are all-inclusive, folding in one shore excursion in each port of call, Wi-Fi, beverages (bottled water, beer, wine and soft drinks), taxes and fees, spa access, 24-hour room service and more.

Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages is one of the most innovative cruise lines out there. The adults-only line has done away with buffets, instead offering 20-plus fun, free and flavorful food concepts (think: Korean BBQ at Gunbae, tacos and tequila at the ‘gram-worthy Pink Agave and ice cream at the cheekily named Lick Me Till… Ice Cream). With all this in mind, it’s no surprise that the line is a favorite amongst foodies. The party-centric onboard experience comprises nightclubs, tattoo parlors and risque entertainment (cabaret performances, acrobatics shows, DJs and the like). Also, do yourself a favor and upgrade to a suite to enjoy exclusive access to Richard’s Rooftop, a swanky members-only outdoor space for partying and sipping cocktails in style. While you can’t go wrong with any of the itineraries, I’m especially partial to the four-night Fire & Sunset Soiree sailing, which sails roundtrip from Miami and calls on Key West and Bimini, where the line has its own buzzy beach club.