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America’s Best Cruises

Cruise Destinations & Ports for Group Cruises | America’s Best Cruises

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
  • Major ports alphabetized within each region
  • Group-cruise planning built into the experience
11 Destination RegionsFrom Alaska to the South Pacific
Individual GuidesGo deeper than a generic port list
Group PerspectiveWhat works when several people travel together
Growing LibraryMore destination guides added over time
Captain Chuck Lund aboard a cruise ship at sunset

A REAL PERSON BEHIND EVERY GROUP

Meet Captain Chuck.

Chuck Lund is the founder of America’s Best Cruises and has spent more than 35 years taking care of people and bringing groups together.

He understands that the best group trips aren’t really about ships, cabins or itineraries. They’re about the people you share them with, the memories you bring home and those wonderful moments when everyone realizes, “We’re really doing this together.”

That’s why Chuck approaches every group cruise personally. He helps take the uncertainty out of planning, keeps everyone informed and handles the countless details that can turn an exciting idea into a stressful job for the group organizer.

His goal is simple: make the planning easier, make the experience more personal and give everyone something wonderful to look forward to.

“I treat every guest like family because that’s what these trips are all about.”
Dramatic fjord scenery representing world cruise destinations

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.

Don't Ask Only “Which Ship?” Ask “What Kind of Memories Does Our Group Want to Make?”

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.

01

Pick the Feeling

Beach, history, nature, adventure, culture or some combination of them.

02

Explore the Region

Browse the destinations and see which places excite the people in your group.

03

Compare Sailings

Then find cruise options that balance destination, budget, dates and group needs.

A

GLACIERS • WILDLIFE • MOUNTAINS

Alaska

Towering scenery, wildlife, historic towns and glaciers make Alaska one of cruising's most distinctive experiences.

Explore Alaska →
↑ Back to Destination Directory
A

CITIES • COASTLINES • FJORDS • ADVENTURE

Australia & New Zealand

Modern cities, extraordinary landscapes, dramatic New Zealand scenery and Australian coastal experiences make this a major voyage.

Explore Australia & New Zealand →
↑ Back to Destination Directory
B

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.

Explore the Bahamas →
↑ Back to Destination Directory
B

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.

Explore Bermuda →
↑ Back to Destination Directory
H

VOLCANOES • BEACHES • ISLAND CULTURE

Hawaii

Hawaii combines dramatically different islands, volcanic landscapes, beaches, cities and Polynesian culture in one destination.

Explore Hawaii →
↑ Back to Destination Directory
M

ANCIENT CITIES • FOOD • ART • COASTLINES

Mediterranean

Few cruise regions combine ancient history, famous cities, islands, food and cultural variety quite like the Mediterranean.

Explore the Mediterranean →
↑ Back to Destination Directory
M

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.

Explore Mexico →
↑ Back to Destination Directory
N

FJORDS • CAPITALS • HISTORY • NORTHERN LANDSCAPES

Northern Europe

Northern Europe can combine dramatic fjords, historic capitals, rugged coastlines and long summer days.

Explore Northern Europe →

Destination guides describe places in the library. Actual cruise availability and port calls vary by cruise line, sailing date and current operating conditions.

↑ Back to Destination Directory
P

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.

Explore the Panama Canal →
↑ Back to Destination Directory

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 scenery or time to simply relax. A good cruise destination gives people choices while keeping everyone on the same vacation.

TRAVELER 1Explore

History and culture.

TRAVELER 2Relax

Beach and pool time.

TRAVELER 3Scenery

Ports and landscapes.

EVERYONEReconnect

Meet back aboard and compare stories.

Together Enough to Feel Like a Group. Free Enough to Feel Like Vacation.

NOT SURE WHERE TO GO?

Start With What Your Group Enjoys

01

Beaches & Warm Weather

Consider the Bahamas, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico or South Pacific.

02

Nature & Scenery

Alaska, Northern Europe, New Zealand and the South Pacific stand out.

03

History & Culture

Bermuda, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Panama offer plenty to explore.

04

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 Group Cruise Questions & Answers library covers pricing, cabins, payments, organizer responsibilities, dining, events and more.

NEXT STEP

Make the Destination Work for Real People

Compare likely cabin count, practical dates, budget, departure convenience and current group terms.

Explore Group Cruise Q&A

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.

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 and interests of the travelers.

Which destinations have memorable beaches?

The Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and South Pacific all offer 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.

Are all 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 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.

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.

Who handles guest cruise payments?

The organizer should not collect or hold guest cruise funds. Payment is made through the applicable agency or booking channel, cruise line or approved provider as appropriate.

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.

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