It’s a new year, and new years' bring new opportunities. That’s also true in the world of cruising: while tried-and-true cruise itineraries are always popular choices, each year cruise lines roll out a variety of brand-new itineraries for cruises that set out around the world.
We’ve scoured the brochures and read the press releases, all in the name of finding some of the most interesting new cruise itineraries for 2024. From sailing adventures to small ship cruises to unusual adventures on the seven seas, these are the five new 2024 cruise itineraries that you absolutely must try.
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Sailing Through Greece from Kos aboard Island Windjammers’ Lyra
Island Windjammers has been operating casual sailing cruises in the Caribbean since 2008. Its fleet includes the 101-foot-long Diamant, and the larger 156-foot Vela, both of which make their home offering a variety of six and 12-night Caribbean cruises.
In 2024, however, Island Windjammers is dramatically expanding its horizons by offering its first-ever season of sailing cruises from Greece.
Departing aboard the 98-foot, eight-passenger luxury sailing ketch Lyra, Island Windjammers’ new 10-night Greek Isles sailings are about as off the beaten path as you can get. Departing from Kos (which lies just south of Bodrum, Turkey), Lyra then bobs casually around the Greek Dodecanese Islands, going where the weather takes it during the day, and anchoring in sheltered bays and inlets at night.
On its 10-day voyages, Lyra will call on towns and locales. You may never have heard of, including Panteli, Arki, Patmos, Loipsi, Kalymnos, Levitha, Kefalos, Tilos and Nisyros. Of those, Patmos is arguably the most famous, with smaller cruise ships routinely tending passengers ashore to see the imposing Monastery of St. John the Theologian.
If you think you’ve seen Greece before, chances are good you’ve never seen it this way – or this relaxed. So grab a drink and head on up to Lyra's teak decking; the warm tradewinds of the Greek Islands are calling.
Snag a Spot on Holland America’s Month-Long Alaska Cruise
There are plenty of exciting things happening in Alaska in 2024, but perhaps none is as unique as Holland America Line’s massive 28-day voyage that departs roundtrip from Seattle aboard Westerdam.
Dubbed the “Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice”, this unique sailing departs June 9, 2024, and covers nearly all that Alaska has to offer by sea, including rare visits to Dutch Harbor, a crossing of the Arctic Circle, and scenic cruising past Little Diomede Island that lies on the border between the United States and Russia.
Westerdam also sails to many areas of Alaska that just aren’t possible on a standard weeklong voyage from Seattle. Some of the more exotic ports of call on this itinerary include a stop in Valdez, Alaska; calls on Nome, Homer and Kodiak, as well as the chance to visit both Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier, all on the same itinerary.
What’s more, this cruise still calls on all the mainstay Southeast Alaskan ports you’d expect, including Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and even Seward (for Anchorage).
Finally, this itinerary eschews Victoria, British Columbia for the Canadian port town of Prince Rupert – a nice change to the ordinary.
If you can’t take part in 2024, never fear: Holland America Line will be repeating this grand voyage to Alaska again in 2025.
https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/
