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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Island Hopping
Pristine islands of the Bahamas & the Panama Canal
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Bahamas Colombia Panama
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Eclipse
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
8% Off
From $12,995
US$11,891per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Ancient Wonders
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
8% Off
From
US$8,599per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Grand Western Canada Vacation with Alaska Cruise
5.0 (38 reviews)
"Both Doug and Steve were very polite and so good at their jobs."
Jan, 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
8% Off
From
US$7,134per 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
Northern ItalyAdriaticCroatian Islands+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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River Cruise
Splendours of Europe & Prague 2027/2028
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany Austria Czech Republic Slovakia Hungary+1 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ships
Emerald Destiny Emerald Dawn Emerald Sun Emerald Star Emerald Sky+4 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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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
9% Off
From $17,190
US$15,601per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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City & Culture
Vienna and Croatia with Islands
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Austria Slovenia Croatia Bosnia
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
9% Off
From
US$2,977per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Nature & Wildlife
Independent Galapagos cruise aboard the Galápagos Legend
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Quito, Baltra Island, Seymour Norte, Bartolomé Island,Santiago Island,San Cristóbal Island,Puerto Baquerizo Moreno,Guayaquil+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Galapagos IslandsPacific+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Globus
9% Off
From
US$5,199per person
+$220 upfront costs
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Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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$Autumn Foliage of Canada & America\'s East Coast 2026 Tour$
$Autumn Foliage of Canada & America\'s East Coast 2026 - 17 destinations$
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City & Culture
Autumn Foliage of Canada & America's East Coast 2026
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Montreal, Quebec City, Charlottetown, Pictou, Halifax,Peggys Cove,Lunenburg,Mahone Bay,Bar Harbor,Acadia National Park,Cadillac Mountain,Provincetown,Cape Cod,Oak Bluffs,Martha's Vineyard Island,Edgartown,New York City+12 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Eclipse
River
St. Laurence River
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
9% Off
From
US$15,515per person
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Nature & Wildlife
Chilean Fjords & The Glaciers of The Beagle Channel 2026
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Valparaiso, Niebla, Valdivia, Puerto Montt, Petrohue,Osorno,Puerto Varas,Frutillar,Castro,Chiloe Island,Chonchi,Cucao,Puerto Eden,Glaciar Pio XI,Bruggen Glacier,Punta Arenas,Beagle Channel,Ushuaia,Buenos Aires+14 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Eclipse
Regions
PatagoniaAndes Mountains+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
4% Off
From $19,915
US$19,030per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Polar
Antarctica Classic
4.7 (33 reviews)
"Perfect trip with lectures, landings on true Antarctic land, a lot of pinguins."
Gediminas, traveled in November
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
30% Off
From $13,299
US$9,309per person
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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
10% Off
From
US$18,405per 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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