9 Best Cruises to Add to Your Travel Bucket List

These bucket-list cruises are not your average beach vacation. From the frozen wilds of Antarctica to the ancient temples of Egypt, these sailings take you somewhere truly special.

The Best Bucket List Cruises for 2026 and Beyond

Whether you dream of spotting penguins in the polar ice or sailing past the Statue of Liberty, there’s a cruise out there built for your bucket list. Here’s a look at some of the most exciting sailings available right now.

1. Transatlantic Crossing: Cunard’s Queen Mary 2

Southampton to New York

Imagine crossing the Atlantic without a single airport line or delayed flight. A transatlantic cruise gives you days of pure sea time to relax, explore the ship, and soak in the views. It’s a slow, luxurious way to travel between continents.

Cunard’s iconic Queen Mary 2 is the gold standard for this kind of voyage. Guests enjoy white-gloved afternoon teas, ballroom dancing, and access to the largest library at sea — with over 8,000 books. You can also catch performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company or the English National Ballet.

One fun bonus? You can bring your pet along. Dogs and cats can stay in the onboard kennels during the crossing.

• Departs: June 10, 2026
• Starting price: £799 per person

2. Galápagos Islands: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

Quito – Galápagos Islands – Quito

Few places on Earth feel as wild and untouched as the Galápagos Islands. This is where Charles Darwin made the observations that changed science forever. Today, you can follow in his footsteps on an expedition cruise.

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions runs a 10-day journey starting in Quito, Ecuador. From there, you fly to Baltra Island and begin exploring. Expect to come face-to-face with giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, playful sea lions, and even penguins.

Expert naturalists guide every excursion. You’ll also have chances to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters and meet the marine life up close.

• Departs: May 15, 2026
• Starting price: £5,382 per person

3. World Cruise: Azamara 2027

San Francisco to Copenhagen — 37 Countries, 188 Nights

Why visit one bucket-list destination when you can check off dozens in a single trip? A world cruise lets you unpack once and wake up in a new country almost every day. No airport runs, no dragging luggage — just pure exploration.

Azamara’s 2027 World Cruise departs from San Francisco and ends in Copenhagen, Denmark. Along the way, you’ll sail past the Golden Gate Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and the Sydney Opera House. The ship also transits the Panama Canal.

The price includes tips, Wi-Fi, food, drinks, and weekly laundry service. Guests also receive $5,000 in onboard credit and $3,500 for shore excursions.

• Departs: January 5, 2027
• Starting price: £45,029 per person

4. Amazon River: Aqua Expeditions

Iquitos, Peru and the Peruvian Amazon

The Amazon rainforest is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. A river cruise is one of the best ways to explore it. You get deep into the jungle without roughing it in a tent.

Aqua Expeditions offers a seven-day sailing through the Peruvian Amazon. Expert guides lead excursions where you might spot pink dolphins, spider monkeys, and sloths. When you’re back on the ship, you can unwind in the spa, gym, or movie room.

The fleet includes two boutique ships: the 20-suite Aqua Nera and the 16-suite Aria Amazon. Both offer a high-end experience in a very remote setting.

• Departs: June 20, 2026
• Starting price: £8,442 per person

5. Northern Lights: Havila Voyages

Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen, Norway

The northern lights — also called the aurora borealis — are one of nature’s greatest shows. Seeing them requires dark skies and remote locations, which makes a cruise ship an ideal viewing platform. Norway’s coastline is one of the best places in the world to catch them.

Havila Voyages runs a coastal express route between Bergen and Kirkenes. The round trip covers 34 ports and takes you through stunning Norwegian fjords. You can watch for the northern lights from the deck or from the cozy glass-enclosed Havblikk Bar and Lounge.

The captain will even wake you up if there’s a sighting in the middle of the night. Havila also offers a great guarantee: if you don’t see the northern lights on a 12-day round voyage between October 1 and March 31, your next voyage is free.

• Departs: Year-round
• Starting price: £1,747 per person

6. Alaska: Princess Cruises Voyage of the Glaciers

Vancouver to Anchorage (or Reverse)

Alaska is one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. Towering glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and wildlife around every bend — it’s a place that leaves people speechless. A cruise is one of the best ways to take it all in.

Princess Cruises offers a 14-day Voyage of the Glaciers aboard the Discovery Princess. The ship sails through Glacier Bay National Park and past the massive Hubbard Glacier. Shore excursions include unique activities like gold panning and axe throwing.

On the ship, you’ll find 14 bars and lounges with large windows perfectly designed for scenery-watching. Dining highlights include the Catch by Rudi seafood restaurant and the Princess360 immersive dining experience.

• Departs: June 6, 2026
• Starting price: £2,898 per person

7. Antarctica: Silversea Cruises

King George Island – Antarctic Sound – South Shetland Islands

Antarctica is the last truly wild place on Earth. Very few people ever set foot there, which makes an Antarctic cruise one of the rarest travel experiences you can have. Even from your cabin window, the scenery is breathtaking.

Silversea offers a six-day round trip from King George Island. The route takes you through the Antarctic Sound — sometimes called the end of the world. You’ll watch massive icebergs drift past the ship while guides lead zodiac excursions and hikes to spot penguins and whales.

Brave travelers can also take part in a polar plunge — a quick dip in the icy Antarctic waters. It’s cold, it’s unforgettable, and it makes for a great story.

• Departs: November 1, 2026
• Starting price: £12,040 per person

8. Mekong River: Riviera Travel

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Angkor, Cambodia

The Mekong River winds through some of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating places. A river cruise here lets you get close to local villages and ancient temples without the exhaustion of constant travel days. It’s a comfortable and immersive way to see the region.

Riviera Travel runs a 15-night sailing that starts in Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll visit the floating markets of the Mekong Delta, tour the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, and stop at the famous Cu Chi Tunnels used during the Vietnam War. The journey ends near the ancient temples of Angkor in Siem Reap.

This trip is especially great for history lovers. The mix of culture, food, and scenery makes it one of the most well-rounded river cruises in the world.

• Departs: October 26, 2026
• Starting price: £4,099 per person

9. Egypt and the Nile: Viking Cruises

Cairo – Luxor – Aswan – Cairo

Sailing the Nile River means watching thousands of years of history unfold right outside your window. Ancient temples and towering monuments line the banks as your ship glides through modern Egypt. It’s a journey unlike anything else.

Viking Cruises runs a 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids itinerary. The package includes flights, food, Wi-Fi, tips, and guided excursions to the Pyramids of Giza and the brand-new Grand Egyptian Museum. An Egyptologist sails on board to give guest lectures throughout the trip.

Stops along the way include the Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and the city of Aswan. This is history up close — no textbook required.

• Departs: December 17, 2026
• Starting price: £7,395 per person

Which Bucket List Cruise Is Right for You?

The right cruise depends on what excites you most. Want luxury and sea days? The transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2 is hard to beat. Craving wildlife and adventure? The Galápagos or Amazon river cruise will deliver. Ready to see the whole world? Azamara’s world cruise has you covered.

Whatever your dream destination, there’s a sailing that can get you there — in style and comfort.