CRUISE DESTINATIONS • PORTS • PLACES YOUR GROUP WILL REMEMBER
Explore Cruise Destinations Around the World
A great cruise begins with the ship — but the places you visit can become the stories your group talks about for years.
Explore Alaska, Australia & New Zealand, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Mediterranean, Mexico, Northern Europe, the Panama Canal and the South Pacific through our growing destination library.
Start with a region. Then dive into individual ports, beaches, historic cities and unforgettable places.
- Destination guides organized by region
- Every destination alphabetized for easy browsing
- Group-cruise planning built into the experience
THE SHIP IS ONLY HALF THE VACATION
Where You Go Changes the Entire Cruise
A seven-night Alaska cruise feels completely different from seven nights in the Caribbean.
Bermuda rewards travelers who want time to explore one island more deeply. The Mediterranean can put a different historic city outside your window almost every morning.
That is why destination selection should come early in the group-planning conversation.
DESTINATION DIRECTORY
Choose a Cruise Region
Every category below is clickable. Categories are organized alphabetically so you can find what you want quickly.
USE THIS PAGE AS YOUR DESTINATION MAP
Region First. Destination Second. Cruise Third.
You do not need to know the exact ship or itinerary before you begin exploring.
Pick the Feeling
Beach, history, nature, adventure, culture or some combination of them.
Explore the Region
Browse the destinations and see which places excite the people in your group.
Compare Sailings
Then find cruise options that balance destination, budget, dates and group needs.
GLACIERS • WILDLIFE • MOUNTAINS
Alaska
Towering scenery, wildlife, historic towns and glaciers make Alaska one of cruising's most distinctive experiences.
CITIES • COASTLINES • FJORDS • ADVENTURE
Australia & New Zealand
Modern cities, extraordinary landscapes, dramatic New Zealand scenery and Australian coastal experiences make this a major voyage.
BLUE WATER • BEACH DAYS • ISLAND ESCAPES
Bahamas
Short escapes, beaches, private-island experiences and clear water make the Bahamas especially approachable for first-time groups.
PINK SAND • HISTORY • ISLAND TIME
Bermuda
Bermuda combines famous beaches, historic towns, colorful Hamilton and an island experience that rewards travelers who want time to explore.
ISLANDS • CULTURE • BEACHES • COLOR
Caribbean
The Caribbean offers enormous variety — from beach-focused islands to historic cities, shopping ports and adventurous shore days.
VOLCANOES • BEACHES • ISLAND CULTURE
Hawaii
Hawaii combines dramatically different islands, volcanic landscapes, beaches, cities and Polynesian culture in one destination.
ANCIENT CITIES • FOOD • ART • COASTLINES
Mediterranean
Few cruise regions combine ancient history, famous cities, islands, food and cultural variety quite like the Mediterranean.
PACIFIC COAST • CARIBBEAN WATER • CULTURE
Mexico
Mexico gives cruise groups beaches, food, history and dramatically different experiences on the Pacific and Caribbean sides of the country.
FJORDS • CAPITALS • HISTORY • NORTHERN LANDSCAPES
Northern Europe
Northern Europe can combine dramatic fjords, historic capitals, rugged coastlines and long summer days.
Destination guides describe places in the library. Actual cruise availability and port calls vary by cruise line, sailing date and current operating conditions.
ENGINEERING • HISTORY • CARIBBEAN & PACIFIC
Panama Canal
Panama Canal itineraries can combine one of the world's great engineering landmarks with Caribbean ports, Colombian history and modern Panama.
LAGOONS • ISLANDS • CULTURE • FARAWAY BEAUTY
South Pacific
The South Pacific can feel genuinely remote — turquoise lagoons, tropical islands, dramatic landscapes and cultures that make the journey feel like an adventure.
ONE DESTINATION • MANY DIFFERENT VACATIONS
Your Group Does Not Have to Want the Same Thing
One traveler may want history. Another wants a beach. Someone else wants food, shopping or adventure. A good cruise destination gives people choices while keeping everyone on the same vacation.
NOT SURE WHERE TO GO?
Start With What Your Group Enjoys
Beaches & Warm Weather
Consider the Bahamas, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico or South Pacific.
Nature & Scenery
Alaska, Northern Europe, New Zealand and the South Pacific stand out.
History & Culture
Bermuda, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Panama offer plenty to explore.
A Little of Everything
Let us compare itineraries based on the actual people in your group.
FOUND A DESTINATION YOU LOVE?
Now Answer the Group-Cruise Questions
Destination is only one part of the decision. Our complete Group Cruise Questions & Answers library covers pricing, cabins, payments, organizer responsibilities, complimentary cabins, dining, events and more.
CRUISE DESTINATION FAQ
Choosing Where Your Group Should Cruise
The destination is exciting, but the right itinerary also needs to work for your group's budget, schedule and interests.
What are the best cruise destinations for groups?
There is no single best destination. The right region depends on your group's interests, budget, available travel time and departure needs. The Caribbean and Bahamas can work well for relaxed warm-weather groups, while Alaska and Northern Europe appeal strongly to travelers focused on scenery.
Which cruise destinations are best for first-time cruisers?
Many first-time groups appreciate destinations with straightforward itineraries and broad appeal, such as the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda or Mexico. The best choice still depends on the people traveling.
Which destinations are good for families?
Families can enjoy nearly every cruise region. The useful question is whether the itinerary, ship and shore activities fit the ages, mobility and interests of the travelers.
Which cruise destinations have the best beaches?
The Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and South Pacific are all known for memorable coastal experiences, although individual beaches and conditions vary.
Which cruise destinations are best for history?
Bermuda, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Panama Canal itineraries can offer particularly rich historical and cultural experiences.
Which cruise destinations are best for scenery?
Alaska, Northern Europe, Australia and New Zealand and the South Pacific can offer especially dramatic landscapes.
Does the whole group need to take the same shore excursions?
No. One of the advantages of a group cruise is that travelers can choose different shore experiences and reconnect later aboard the ship.
Can America’s Best Cruises help arrange group excursions?
America’s Best Cruises can help explore applicable group shore-excursion or touring options when available. Availability, pricing, providers and cruise-line procedures vary.
Are all of these destinations available on every cruise line?
No. Cruise lines, ships, seasons and itineraries vary. A destination appearing in this library does not mean every cruise line currently calls there.
How do we choose between two destinations?
Compare departure convenience, total cost, trip length, climate, port intensity, shore activities and what the majority of likely travelers genuinely want from the trip.
Should we choose the destination or cruise line first?
Either approach can work, but for many groups it is useful to identify the type of destination and experience first, then compare cruise lines and ships that offer a practical fit.
How far in advance should we choose the destination?
For many group cruises, approximately 8–14 months before sailing is a useful practical planning range. Larger or more complex groups may benefit from 12–18 months or more.
What if people in the group want different things?
That is normal. Choose a destination with multiple shore options and avoid requiring everyone to spend every port day together.
What should we do after choosing a destination?
Estimate the likely number of cabins, determine practical dates and budget and compare available sailings that fit the group's priorities.
Who handles guest cruise payments?
The organizer should not collect or hold guest cruise funds. Payment is made through the applicable agency/booking channel, cruise line or approved financing provider as appropriate.
Does America’s Best Cruises specialize in group travel?
America’s Best Cruises focuses on helping groups compare cruise options, understand group terms, support reservations and coordinate applicable group arrangements.
A REAL PERSON BEHIND EVERY GROUP
Meet Captain Chuck.
Chuck Lund is the founder of America's Best Cruises and a retired Captain with over 35 years of experience taking care of his guests. He brings the same attention to planning, communication and detail to your group cruise. His goal is simple: help your group choose wisely, understand your real costs and enjoy the anticipation without turning the organizer into an unpaid travel agent. ‘I treat every guest like family because that's what these trips are all about.’
THE WORLD IS BIG • YOUR GROUP ONLY NEEDS THE RIGHT PLACE TO START
Where Should Your Group Go Next?
Tell us approximately how many people may travel, where they live, when they can go, their realistic budget and what they love doing. We can help narrow the world into a few cruise options worth getting excited about.
