Adventure Cruises
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Cruises for people who don't just sit by the pool
A cruise is the easiest way to string together several adventures in one trip: unpack once, wake up somewhere new. The trick is choosing itineraries built around wild places, then booking the right shore excursions before they sell out.
Alaska's Inside Passage
Tidewater glaciers, humpback whales, bald eagles, and ports like Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan with world-class excursions: glacier landings, the White Pass railway, bear viewing, sea kayaking. Round-trips from Seattle or Vancouver are easy from the West Coast.
Season: May to September
Western Caribbean Adventure Ports
Cave tubing and ziplining in Belize, Mayan ruins and cenotes from Cozumel, snorkeling Roatán's reef. Great for families: short flights, warm water, and lots of kid-friendly excursions.
Season: Best November to April (hurricane season runs June to November)
Mexican Riviera from the West Coast
Sail from Los Angeles or San Diego to Cabo, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. No flight needed if you live in California, which makes this the lowest-hassle first adventure cruise. Snorkel, parasail, ride ATVs, or whale-watch in winter.
Season: Year-round; whale season December to March
Norwegian Fjords
Sheer cliffs, waterfalls and tiny villages. Hike to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), kayak Geirangerfjord, or ride the Flåm Railway. Long summer daylight means more hours to explore.
Season: May to August
Expedition Cruises: Galápagos & Antarctica
Small ships, naturalist guides, zodiac landings. Swim with sea lions in the Galápagos (year-round) or walk among penguins in Antarctica (roughly November to March). Once-in-a-lifetime trips worth saving for.
Cruise tips that save real money
- Book excursions independently. Third-party tours are often cheaper than the cruise line's version for the same experience. Pick ones with a return-to-ship guarantee.
- Book early or very late. The best cabins go 9 to 12 months out; last-minute deals appear 60 to 90 days before sailing when the final payment deadline passes.
- Pack a waterproof daypack. Tenders, zodiacs and rain happen. Our dry bags keep your phone and passport safe.