What's the best time to take an ocean cruise?

The best time really depends on where you want to go. If you're heading to Antarctica, plan for November to March when the ice conditions are best. For Arctic cruises, go between June and September - you might even catch the Midnight Sun. The Galapagos is great year-round, but the waters are warmest and calmest from December to May. If you're interested in New England and Eastern Canada, many travelers say September and October are perfect for seeing the fall colors in full swing.

How many ports do ocean cruises usually visit?

Most cruises stop at 4-7 main ports, though it varies by trip. Take the British Isles Singles Cruise - it hits 9 ports in 11 days, stopping at places like Edinburgh, Dublin, and Belfast. Or look at the Alaska Discovery cruise on Holland America, which visits Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, plus takes you through the gorgeous Glacier Bay. In places like Antarctica, you'll spend more time cruising past glaciers and making expedition landings than visiting traditional ports. At each stop, you usually get 6-10 hours to explore or join guided tours.

What kind of experts are on the cruise staff?

You'll be in really good hands with the cruise staff. In the Galapagos, English-speaking naturalist guides certified by the Galapagos National Park lead your excursions. Arctic and Antarctic trips come with expedition leaders, marine biologists, and polar specialists. On ships like the M/V Sea Spirit, you'll learn tons from the staff through talks about wildlife, photography workshops, and informal chats about the places you're visiting.

What are the cabins and ship facilities like?

You've got options ranging from comfy standard rooms to fancy suites. On the M/V Sea Spirit, for example, there are eight types of cabins - from Classic to Owner's Suites - all with private bathrooms and air conditioning. Every ship has sun decks, lounges with bars, dining rooms, and observation areas. Smaller ships like the Archipel I catamaran feel more intimate with just 16 passengers, and they often include extras like kayaks and snorkeling gear.

How long do you stay at each place during an ocean cruise?

You get plenty of time to really see each place you visit. In the Galapagos, plan on 2-3 hours at each island - enough time to hike, snorkel, and watch wildlife. The Antarctica Classic in Depth cruise gives you 6 whole days around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. As one traveler put it: "With six days on the Antarctic Peninsula, you'll have ample opportunities for kayaking and landings, weather permitting." The schedule stays flexible though, since weather can affect plans.

Ocean Cruise Tours & Trips

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10 best Ocean Cruise tour packages

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Ocean Cruise
Sail & Hike Greece: Mykonos to Athens
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Mykonos, Delos, Syros, Ermoupolis, Kythnos, Loutra, Serifos,Kea,Ioulida,Otziás,Lavrion,Athens+5 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Islands
Greek IslandsMykonos+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
24% Off
From $2,112
US$1,613per person
+$114 local payments
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Polar
Antarctica Classic
4.7 (33 reviews)
"Amazing Tour, very well organized. The staff were dedicated to show and teach us the beauty and uniqueness of the continent."
Susann, traveled in January
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego National Park, Drake Passage,South Shetland Islands,Antarctic Peninsula+2 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
G Expedition
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
20% Off
From $9,299
US$7,439per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Antarctica Classic in Depth
4.0 (5 reviews)
"This expedition to Antarctica was brilliant and so special. A chance to see the last frontier and the unique flora and fauna of this amazing place."
Elizabeth, traveled in November
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego National Park,South Shetland Islands,Antarctic Peninsula+2 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
G Expedition
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
35% Off
From $14,599
US$9,489per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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$Chairman\'s Voyage: America\'s 250th Anniversary - Cruise & Land Journey Tour$
$Chairman\'s Voyage: America\'s 250th Anniversary - Cruise & Land Journey - 19 destinations$
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City & Culture
Chairman's Voyage: America's 250th Anniversary - Cruise & Land Journey
Duration
19 days
Destinations
Boston, Martha's Vineyard Island, Providence, Mystic,New York City,Philadelphia,Baltimore,Washington DC,Mount Vernon,Yorktown,Jamestown,Williamsburg,Wilmington,Charleston,Miami,Little Havana,Everglades National Park,Key West,Nassau+15 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Scenic Eclipse
Country Region
East Coast USAEastern USA+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
35% Off
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US$47,785per person
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$Chairman\'s Voyage: America\'s 250th Anniversary Cruise Tour$
$Chairman\'s Voyage: America\'s 250th Anniversary Cruise - 15 destinations$
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City & Culture
Chairman's Voyage: America's 250th Anniversary Cruise
Duration
12 days
Destinations
New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC,Mount Vernon,Yorktown,Jamestown,Williamsburg,Wilmington,Charleston,Miami,Everglades National Park,Miami Beach,Key West,Nassau+11 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Eclipse
Country Region
East Coast USAEastern USA+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
35% Off
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US$14,795per person
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Nature & Wildlife
Treasures of Galapagos: Western & Central Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz, 22 destinations)
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Quito, Baltra Island, Isabela Island,Las Tintoreras Islet,Puerto Villamil,Floreana Island,Santa Cruz Island,Puerto Ayora,Santa Fé Island,South Plaza Island,Española Island,Punta Suarez,Gardner Island,San Cristóbal Island,Leon Dormido,Lobos Island,Bartolomé Island,Santiago Island+15 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Galapagos IslandsPacific+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
35% Off
From
US$11,125per person
+$230 local payments
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City & Culture
Grand Western Canada Vacation with Alaska Cruise
5.0 (38 reviews)
"The tour was excellent. We could not fault it at all."
Denise, traveled in August
Duration
20 days
Destinations
Vancouver, Kelowna, Glacier National Park of Canada,Banff National Park,Banff,Sulphur Mountain,Lake Louise,Icefields Parkway,Jasper National Park,Jasper,Kamloops,Whistler,Victoria,The Butchart Gardens,Tongass National Forest,Juneau,Skagway,Glacier Bay National Park,Ketchikan+16 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Koningsdam
Country Region
West Coast Canada
Operated in
English
Operator
Globus
35% Off
From
US$7,444per person
+$749 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Island Hopping
Venice and Croatian Islands Cruise (Split to Venice)
5.0 (2 reviews)
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Croatia Slovenia Italy
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Croatian IslandsNorthern ItalyAdriatic+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
8% Off
From $5,299
US$4,899per person
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Island Hopping
Eastern Caribbean with St. Barths 2026-2027 - 8 Days
1.0 (1 review)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Barbados Saint Lucia Guadeloupe Antigua and Barbuda Saint Kitts and Nevis Virgin Island, British St Martin+3 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Emerald Azzurra
Ocean
Atlantic
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
27% Off
From $7,790
US$5,687per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent (Ultramarine), Operated by Quark
5.0 (2 reviews)
"Expedition team were good. Food was very good."
Jhansi, traveled in December
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, South Shetland Islands,Tierra del Fuego National Park+1 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Ocean Endeavour
Regions
PatagoniaAndes Mountains+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
14% Off
From $18,592
US$16,030per person
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Polar
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent (Ocean Explorer), Operated by Quark
4.8 (20 reviews)
"Seeing penguins really close up - they came even closer to us than I thought possible."
David, traveled in February
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, South Shetland Islands
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
10% Off
From $13,495
US$12,145per person
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Adventure & Adrenaline
Snorkel & Dive: Great Barrier Reef (Diving)
4.2 (5 reviews)
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Cairns, Great Barrier Reef
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Regions
Great Barrier ReefEast AustraliaSouth East QueenslandQueensland+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
10% Off
From $725
US$653per person
+$65 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
In-Depth Exploration in the Land of the Polar Bear
5.0 (1 review)
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Longyearbyen, Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park,Ny Aalesund,Kvitoya,Nordaustlandet Island,Bråsvellbreen,Alkefjellet,Edge Island,Sor-Spitsbergen National Park,Hornsund,Bellsund+9 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Ship
M/V Sea Spirit
Regions
SvalbardArctic / North Pole+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Poseidon Expeditions
10% Off
From $14,795
US$13,316per person
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City & Culture
Vienna and Croatia with Islands (21 destinations)
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Austria Slovenia Croatia Bosnia
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
10% Off
From
US$2,977per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Adventure & Adrenaline
Croatia Sailing Adventure 8D/7N (Split to Dubrovnik)
1.0 (1 review)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Split, Omis, Makarska, Hvar Island, Korcula Island,Mljet Island,Dubrovnik+2 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Regions
Croatian IslandsDalmatiaAdriatic+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Bamba Travel
10% Off
From
US$2,719per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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