There was a time when choosing a cruise was fairly simple.
Pick a ship.
Pick a week.
Pack too many clothes.
Try not to miss the ship in Cozumel.
Cruising in 2027 is a different animal.
You can spend a week hopping between Caribbean islands, sail beside glaciers in Alaska, wake up in a different European city every morning, cross the Panama Canal, explore the Greek Islands or spend two weeks traveling through the South Pacific.
And then you still have to choose the ship.
So instead of trying to declare one cruise the “best,” we’re going to answer a much more useful question:
Which cruise is right for the vacation you actually want?
Here’s where we’d start when planning a cruise for 2027.
2027 Cruise Quick Guide
| Cruise Destination | Consider It For |
|---|---|
| Caribbean | First cruises, beaches & families |
| Alaska | Wildlife, glaciers & scenery |
| Mediterranean | History, food & sightseeing |
| Greek Islands | Couples, scenery & island hopping |
| Northern Europe & Norwegian Fjords | Scenery & cooler summer travel |
| Hawaii | Island hopping without international travel for U.S. travelers |
| Bermuda | Easy summer getaways |
| Panama Canal | Longer cruises & bucket-list travel |
| Canada & New England | Fall foliage & coastal towns |
| South Pacific | Longer tropical adventures |
| Australia & New Zealand | Scenery, wildlife & extended vacations |
| Transatlantic | Sea days & unusual itineraries |
1. Caribbean Cruises
A Great Place to Start Cruising
If you’ve never cruised before, the Caribbean is difficult to beat.
Flights to major departure ports are relatively easy to find from much of the United States, there’s an enormous selection of ships, and itineraries range from quick three-night escapes to voyages lasting more than a week.
But there’s an important distinction new cruisers often miss:
Not all Caribbean cruises are the same.
Eastern Caribbean
Expect ports such as:
- St. Thomas
- St. Maarten
- Puerto Rico
- Dominican Republic
- Tortola
These itineraries can be a good fit when beaches and island sightseeing are priorities.
Western Caribbean
Common stops include:
- Jamaica
- Grand Cayman
- Cozumel
- Costa Maya
- Belize
- Roatán
This side of the Caribbean offers an appealing combination of beaches, snorkeling, diving, Mayan history and adventure excursions.
Southern Caribbean
This is where things become especially interesting for travelers who have already taken a Caribbean cruise.
Possible destinations include:
- Aruba
- Curaçao
- Bonaire
- Barbados
- Saint Lucia
- Grenada
Southern Caribbean cruises can be especially appealing if your priority is visiting islands rather than spending most of the vacation aboard the ship.
For example, Norwegian has published 2027 Caribbean programs ranging from shorter Bahamas trips to weeklong voyages, including sailings from Florida and San Juan.
Consider a Caribbean Cruise If You Want:
- Your first cruise
- Beaches
- Warm weather
- Family vacations
- All-ages entertainment
- Snorkeling and diving
- Lots of itinerary choices
Our tip: Don’t choose a Caribbean cruise solely because you like the ship. Look at how many actual islands you’re visiting.
2. Alaska Cruises
For the Vacation Where the Scenery Is the Main Attraction
The Caribbean makes you look toward the water.
Alaska makes you stare at everything.
Mountains.
Glaciers.
Whales.
Waterfalls.
Forests.
Tiny towns tucked beneath enormous landscapes.
An Alaska cruise is completely different from the stereotypical tropical cruise, and that’s precisely the appeal.
The 2027 Alaska season is already substantial. Celebrity, for example, has published 2027 itineraries visiting destinations including Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Seward, Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm and the Inside Passage.
Norwegian has also announced a significant 2027 Alaska deployment from Seattle, Vancouver and Whittier, including seven-day voyages and longer nine- and ten-day options.
Round-Trip Alaska Cruises
Seattle and Vancouver are popular starting points.
These can be convenient when you want a traditional seven-night vacation without complicated transportation arrangements.
One-Way Alaska Cruises
This is where I’d look if Alaska itself is the priority.
Sail between Alaska and Vancouver, then add time on land.
A cruise tour can extend the vacation toward places such as Denali National Park and the Alaska interior.
Consider Alaska If You Want:
- Wildlife
- Glaciers
- Photography
- Mountains
- Cooler summer weather
- Outdoor adventure
- A bucket-list trip
Our tip: In Alaska, the itinerary can matter more than the ship.
Look carefully at glacier viewing, time in port and whether the cruise includes places you actually want to explore.
3. Mediterranean Cruises
The Cruise for People Who Don’t Want to Sit Still
Wake up.
Barcelona.
Tomorrow?
Italy.
Next day?
France.
Then maybe Greece.
A Mediterranean cruise can feel like someone hit fast-forward on a European vacation.
That’s both its greatest strength and its biggest danger.
You can see an incredible amount in one trip, but don’t try to see everything in every port.
Choose what matters.
Norwegian’s published 2027 European program includes multiple ships and embarkation options from cities such as Barcelona, Rome, Athens and Reykjavik, with many itineraries emphasizing longer port stays.
Celebrity also has 2027 Mediterranean itineraries combining Italy, Greece and Croatia.
Consider the Mediterranean If You Want:
- History
- Architecture
- Food
- Wine
- Multiple countries
- Busy sightseeing days
- Pre- and post-cruise city stays
Our tip: Add at least two nights before your cruise.
Flying across the Atlantic on the morning your ship leaves is the kind of adventure nobody needs.
4. Greek Islands Cruises
For Island Hopping Without Packing Every Other Day
Santorini gets the photographs.
But Greece has far more to offer.
Depending on the itinerary, you might encounter:
- Santorini
- Mykonos
- Rhodes
- Crete
- Corfu
- Athens
- Turkey
- Croatia
Celebrity has published several 2027 itineraries combining the Greek Islands with Croatia, Italy and Turkey.
Norwegian’s 2027 European deployment also includes Greek Isles itineraries aboard Norwegian Viva.
The real advantage?
Your hotel moves.
Spend the day exploring an island, return to the ship for dinner and wake up somewhere new.
No repacking.
No dragging suitcases onto ferries.
No wondering which suitcase ended up in Athens while you’re standing in Mykonos.
Consider a Greek Islands Cruise If You Want:
- Couples travel
- Honeymoons
- History
- Island hopping
- Mediterranean food
- Photography
- A first European cruise
5. Norwegian Fjords & Northern Europe
For Travelers Who Think Summer Is Too Hot
Not everyone dreams about spending July sweating through Rome.
Some of us would rather stand on deck wearing a jacket while enormous mountains rise from a fjord.
Northern Europe offers an entirely different cruise experience.
Possible itineraries can include combinations of:
- Norway
- Iceland
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Germany
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
The scenery can be spectacular, particularly along Norway’s coastline.
These cruises can also work well for travelers interested in the growing trend toward cooler summer destinations.
Consider Northern Europe If You Want:
- Fjords
- Dramatic scenery
- Cooler temperatures
- Historic cities
- Photography
- Longer summer daylight
6. Hawaii Cruises
The Island-Hopping Vacation Without Leaving the United States
Hawaii presents one major challenge for travelers.
Which island?
A cruise offers a wonderfully simple solution:
Several of them.
A Hawaii itinerary can allow travelers to experience dramatically different islands without repeatedly changing hotels or flying between them.
Norwegian continues to promote seven-day Hawaii cruising built around visiting multiple islands.
That means one vacation can combine volcanoes, beaches, waterfalls, scenic drives and several distinctly different Hawaiian landscapes.
Consider Hawaii If You Want:
- U.S.-based island travel
- Volcanoes
- Beaches
- Hawaiian culture
- Multiple islands
- Scenic excursions
Our tip: Treat Hawaii differently from the Caribbean.
The islands are the attraction.
Get off the ship.
7. Bermuda Cruises
A Surprisingly Easy Summer Escape
Bermuda isn’t in the Caribbean.
Yes, we’re putting that out there before somebody emails us.
But it frequently gets lumped into Caribbean cruise planning because it delivers many of the same things travelers are looking for:
Beautiful water.
Beaches.
Warm-weather vacations.
Easy cruising from the East Coast.
Norwegian has announced 2027 Bermuda sailings from New York aboard Norwegian Luna.
Unlike itineraries where you visit a new port every morning, Bermuda cruises can give you more time concentrated in one destination.
That’s appealing if you actually want to explore.
Consider Bermuda If You Want:
- Pink-sand beaches
- East Coast departures
- Summer cruising
- Longer stays in one destination
- Couples trips
- Shorter flights or no flight to Florida
8. Panama Canal Cruises
A Cruise Where the Journey Really Is Part of the Destination
Most cruises are about where the ship stops.
The Panama Canal is different.
Here, the sailing itself is one of the attractions.
Watching a massive cruise ship navigate the canal’s lock system is one of those travel experiences that’s difficult to appreciate until you’re standing on deck watching it happen.
These itineraries also tend to be longer.
Depending on the voyage, you might combine destinations in:
- Caribbean
- Central America
- Mexico
- Colombia
- Pacific Coast
Consider the Panama Canal If You Want:
- Longer cruises
- Engineering and history
- Multiple regions
- Sea days
- Bucket-list travel
This isn’t necessarily the cruise I’d choose for someone who only has five vacation days.
But when you finally have the time?
Put it on the list.
9. Canada & New England Cruises
The Cruise for Fall People
Some travelers chase beaches.
Others wait all year for sweaters, lobster and leaves.
If you’re in the second group, look north.
Canada and New England cruises can include places such as:
- Boston
- Bar Harbor
- Halifax
- Charlottetown
- Quebec City
- Portland
- New York
Norwegian has announced 2027 Canada and New England voyages running into the fall, including itineraries aboard Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Pearl.
Consider Canada & New England If You Want:
- Fall foliage
- Seafood
- Historic towns
- Cooler weather
- Scenic coastal travel
- A cruise that doesn’t revolve around beaches
10. South Pacific Cruises
When You Want to Go Farther
This is where cruising starts getting adventurous.
Fiji.
French Polynesia.
Samoa.
Cook Islands.
New Caledonia.
These aren’t necessarily quick vacations.
They’re the kind of trips you start thinking about months — perhaps years — ahead.
Norwegian Spirit’s published 2027 program includes South Pacific voyages involving destinations such as Fiji, French Polynesia, Samoa, New Caledonia and the Cook Islands.
Consider the South Pacific If You Want:
- Tropical scenery
- Longer cruises
- Remote destinations
- Snorkeling and diving
- Bucket-list travel
- Something beyond the typical Caribbean itinerary
11. Australia & New Zealand Cruises
One Cruise, Two Very Different Countries
Australia and New Zealand are destinations many Americans want to visit but postpone because of the distance.
A cruise doesn’t eliminate that flight.
Unfortunately.
But once you’re there, it can simplify exploring a surprisingly large region.
New Zealand delivers fjords, mountains and dramatic natural scenery.
Australia brings cities, wildlife, beaches and an entirely different personality.
Celebrity’s currently published 2027–28 cruise program includes Australia and New Zealand among its destination offerings.
Consider Australia & New Zealand If You Want:
- Longer vacations
- Wildlife
- Dramatic scenery
- Major cities
- Wine regions
- Bucket-list travel
12. Transatlantic Cruises
The Cruise for People Who Actually Love Being on a Ship
There’s a special kind of cruiser who sees six consecutive sea days and thinks:
Perfect.
Welcome.
Transatlantic cruises often happen when ships reposition between Europe and North America.
That can produce unusual itineraries, lots of time at sea and sometimes attractive pricing relative to the length of the voyage.
But you need to enjoy the ship.
Because you’re going to become very familiar with it.
Consider a Transatlantic Cruise If You Want:
- Sea days
- Longer vacations
- Relaxation
- Repositioning itineraries
- Europe plus North America
- The ship itself to be part of the destination
Which Cruise Line Should You Choose in 2027?
This question matters almost as much as the destination.
Different cruise lines can deliver dramatically different vacations.
Royal Caribbean
Consider Royal Caribbean if the ship itself is a major part of your vacation.
Large ships, family activities, entertainment and private-destination experiences make it especially attractive for families and multi-generational groups.
Carnival Cruise Line
Consider Carnival Cruise Line if you want a casual atmosphere, lots of departure choices and a cruise built around fun rather than formality.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line has an especially broad published 2027 program spanning the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Bermuda, Canada/New England and the South Pacific.
It’s worth considering when itinerary variety and flexible onboard options matter.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises can appeal to couples and adults looking for a more upscale contemporary cruise experience.
Its published 2027 offerings include Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean and other international destinations.
Which 2027 Cruise Destination Is Right for You?
Let’s make this easier.
First cruise?
Start by researching the Caribbean.
Taking the kids?
Look closely at Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries, then compare ships based on onboard activities.
Want incredible scenery?
Start with Alaska or the Norwegian fjords.
Want history and food?
Mediterranean.
Planning a honeymoon or anniversary?
Greek Islands or Mediterranean.
Want a summer trip without tropical heat?
Alaska, Northern Europe or Canada.
Want a longer bucket-list adventure?
South Pacific, Australia/New Zealand or Panama Canal.
Love sea days?
Look at a transatlantic crossing.
When Should You Book a 2027 Cruise?
Don’t assume you need to wait until 2027.
Many 2027 itineraries are already on sale.
Royal Caribbean already lists 2027 Alaska departures, Celebrity has published substantial 2027 inventory, and Norwegian has announced more than 500 voyages for its peak spring/summer 2027 season.
Booking earlier can be particularly useful when you need:
- A specific cabin type
- Connecting rooms
- Family accommodations
- Accessible cabins
- A particular sailing date
- A popular Alaska itinerary
- A balcony cabin
- Holiday or school-break travel
Price is only one consideration.
Sometimes the bigger advantage of booking early is simply getting the cabin and itinerary you actually want.
Inside Cabin or Balcony?
Ah.
The eternal cruise debate.
For the Caribbean?
I’d rather spend the money on excursions than stare at my balcony all day.
For Alaska?
That balcony becomes considerably more tempting.
For a transatlantic crossing?
It depends how much you enjoy sitting outside staring dramatically toward the horizon.
There isn’t one correct answer.
Consider how much time you’ll spend in the cabin, how scenic the sailing is and how much the upgrade costs.
Should You Book Cruise Excursions Through the Cruise Line?
Not necessarily.
You generally have three choices:
Cruise-line excursion
Usually straightforward and convenient.
Independent tour
Can offer smaller groups or different experiences.
Explore independently
Sometimes the best option in walkable ports.
But pay very close attention to departure time.
The ship does not care that your taxi got stuck behind a goat.
If you’re exploring independently, know exactly when you need to be back.
Don’t Forget the Cost Beyond the Cruise Fare
That $699 cruise can become something very different after adding:
- Airfare
- Hotel before departure
- Transportation
- Gratuities
- Drinks
- Specialty dining
- Wi-Fi
- Excursions
- Travel insurance
- Port transportation
- Parking
- Onboard purchases
Compare the total vacation price, not just the advertised cruise fare.
That one habit can prevent a lot of unpleasant surprises.
Our Favorite Way to Plan a 2027 Cruise
Start with the destination.
Not the ship.
Ask yourself:
Where do I actually want to go?
Then determine:
When can I travel?
Then:
Which cruise lines sail there?
Then compare:
Itinerary → ship → cabin → total cost.
That’s a much better approach than seeing a giant ship in an advertisement and deciding you need to spend seven days wherever it happens to be going.
Unless the ship is your destination.
Then ignore everything we just said.
Start Planning Your 2027 Cruise
We’ll be expanding our cruise guides to help you compare:
Caribbean Cruises → Eastern Caribbean → Western Caribbean → Southern Caribbean
Alaska Cruises → Seattle → Vancouver → Glacier Cruises → Cruise Tours
Europe Cruises → Mediterranean → Greek Islands → Northern Europe
Cruise Lines → Ships → Cabins → Dining → Excursions
Cruise Ports → What to Do → Beaches → Restaurants → Shore Excursions
That last part is important.
A cruise shouldn’t just be about the ship.
Every port is another destination waiting to be explored.
And sometimes the place you discover during an eight-hour cruise stop becomes the place you return to for an entire week.
