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

10 best Ocean Cruise tour packages

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Ancient Wonders
Highlights of Greece with Cruise (Start Athens, End Athens, With 3 Days Cruise, Moderate C Cabin)
5.0 (1 review)
"Everything was well put together and well planned."
Darcie, traveled in September
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Athens, Delphi, Thermopylae, Kalabaka, Metéora, Mykonos,Chora,Kusadasi,Patmos,Crete,Knossos,Santorini,Oia,Lavrion+8 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Costsaver
From
US$2,824per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Ultimate Viking Discovery: Iceland to Greenland
Duration
27 days
Destinations
Iceland Greenland Canada USA
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Eclipse
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
13% Off
From $89,049
US$77,819per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
European Discoverer (End Paris, With 3 Days Cruise, Moderate C Cabin)
Duration
29 days
Destinations
Netherlands Switzerland Italy Croatia Montenegro Albania Greece Turkey Vatican City (Holy See)Monaco France Spain+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Costsaver
13% Off
From
US$8,599per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Splendours of Europe & Prague 2027
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany Austria Czech Republic Slovakia Hungary+1 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ships
Emerald Dawn Emerald Sun Emerald Star Emerald Sky+3 ships
River
Danube Rhine Main
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
21% Off
From $7,735
US$6,104per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
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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Price based on Private Double Room
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Nature & Wildlife
Fjords of Tierra del Fuego (4 Nights)
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Punta Arenas, Alberto de Agostini National Park,Hornos Island,Isla Navarino,Ushuaia+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
Ventus Australis
Regions
Chile AustralPatagoniaAndes Mountains+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Australis
8% Off
From
US$2,435per person
+$290 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Polar
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent (Ultramarine), Operated by Quark
5.0 (2 reviews)
"Excellent! Tour, Quark Expedition staff, hotel, Food, Daily programs all thumb up."
YILIANG, traveled in March
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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Price based on Shared Room
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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
14% Off
From
US$7,064per person
+$749 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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City & Culture
Contrasts of Canada & the St. Lawrence River
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Portland, Rockland, Camden, Eastport, Halifax, Peggys Cove,Louisbourg,Sydney,Cape Breton Island,Cap-aux-Meules,Magdalen Islands,Charlottetown,Prince Edward Island,Wood Islands,Perce,Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé National Park,Quebec City,Montreal+12 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Eclipse
Country Region
Eastern Canada
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
9% Off
From $13,195
US$12,061per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Across the North Atlantic: Iceland, Greenland & Labrador
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Iceland Greenland Canada
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
35% Off
From $8,399
US$5,459per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Antarctica Classic
4.7 (33 reviews)
"It is hard to put into words how absolutely amazing Antarctica is. G Adventures did a marvelous job of getting us there and providing a marvelous experience."
Kevin, traveled in March
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Ushuaia, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
G Expedition
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
20% Off
From $9,399
US$7,519per 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, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
G Expedition
Country Region
Antarctica / South Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
40% Off
From $13,299
US$7,979per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Polar
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent (Ocean Explorer), Operated by Quark
4.8 (20 reviews)
"Antarctica is definately a place you should experience a once in a lifetime experience."
Antoinette, 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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Price based on Shared Room
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City & Culture
Iberian Discovery: Spain and Portugal with Morocco
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Spain Gibraltar Morocco Portugal
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Eclipse II
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
13% Off
From $18,405
US$15,944per 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
13% Off
From
US$2,719per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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