Top 10 cruises for Canadians in 2024 (2024)

Canada is a country of cruisers according to Virtuoso’s 2024 Luxe Report, which gathers information from its network of travel advisors who arrange travel for a typically affluent clientele. Cruise sales in 2023 rose 48% above 2022, with the trend proceeding in 2024, said Una O’Leary, Canada GM for Virtuoso Travel. Highlighting adventure cruising as a top trend for Canadian travellers, the report notes Canadians are willing to travel great distances for dream experiences.

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As one who has reviewed cruise ships and myriad itineraries since 1990, the question I’m most often asked is: What is the best cruise?

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Well, that depends on your lifestyle preferences, available time, budget, and where you wish to go. My choice of 2024’s best – or most desirable – cruise ships afloat are: Atlas World Voyager, Crystal’s Symphony and Serenity, Cunard’s Queen Anne arriving in May, Explora Journeys Explora I with Explora II arriving soon, Oceania Vista and sister Allura launching soon, Regent Seven Seas Grandeur, Seabourn’s Venture and Pursuit, and Silversea’s Silver Nova and Silver Ray launching soon.

As global horizons brim with exciting destinations, the newest itineraries beckon intrepid cruisers to view rarely-seen vistas and wildlife, experience awesome adventures, or immerse themselves in local culture. Here are ten itineraries sure to spark bragging rights.

1. Viking’s Paris & Heart of Normandy

This 8-day Seine River cruise loops from Paris to Rouen in Normandy, giving guests a glorious sense of the historic river that influenced French art, culture, cuisine, and history. Viking’s longships dock and overnight in the heart of the City of Light, in view of the Eiffel Tower, where elation bubbles over Olympic ceremonies.

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Viking’s included excursions give an excellent view of Paris’ essential sites, plus a visit to Napoleon’s Chateau Malmaison. Stops along the Seine include medieval villages and dreamy Giverny for the house and gardens where Impressionist artist Claude Monet painted his cycle of water lilies. From the Gothic city of Rouen, guests visit the Normandy Beaches – marking the 80th Anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2024 – as well as Allies’ cemeteries, museums and historic sites. Optional excursions include visits to ancient Honfleur and Versailles Palace.

2. Cunard’s British Isles Festival Voyage

Cunard celebrates the new Queen Anne – the world’s most anticipated cruise ship, arriving in May 2024 – with a 14-night British Isles Festival Voyage that circumnavigates the British Isles from Southampton, England with calls at Ireland and Scotland.

Every port offers chances to experience active adventure and historic culture. From Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway and Titanic Trail. From Cobh, Blarney Castle and Cork sites. Sites include Isle of Sky, Orkney Isles and Glasgow’s best. Edinburgh options include Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and Royal Yacht Britannia. Along the way: golf heaven at St. Andrews, and plenty of Whiskey distilleries for Single Malt aficionados.

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3. Silversea’s Antarctica Bridge

Silversea’s expedition cruises offer two ways to reach the White Continent. Fly the “Antarctica bridge” from Punta Arenas, Chile over Drake Passage to King George Island, Antarctica, to embark on Silver Endeavour.

Or cruise from Puerto Williams, Chile – the world’s southernmost populated town – across Drake Passage on a course that includes Falkland Islands and South Georgia en route to Antarctica.As Antarctica itineraries are guided by weather and ice conditions, trust the captain to navigate through ice and icebergs to calm bays and isles where you can safely kayak or take Zodiac rides to accessible landings.

Cruising Antarctica, you’re destined to be awestruck by the pristine beauty, thriving wildlife including whales, seals, and various penguin species. And if you brave a polar dip in frigid waters, you earn a lifetime of bragging rights.

4. Seabourn’s Beyond The North Cape

Seabourn high Arctic expedition including Svalbard Seabourn Venture’s 12-Day Svalbard – Beyond The North Cape takes guests on the ultimate Arctic adventure, starting north of the Arctic Circle in Tromso, Norway and ending in Edinburgh, Scotland. Norway’s coast and islands are rich in birdlife, wildlife, and dotted with fishing villages and places sacred to Norwegian heritage.

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Thrills abound on kayak and Zodiac jaunts among icebergs and through scenic fiords, and exhilarating hikes over tundra landscapes thriving with small plants and flowers. The remote Svalbard archipelago is a unique haven for polar bears, as well as seals, walrus and humpback whales. If conditions allow at Longyearbyen, guests may join an optional submarine dive.

5. Regent Seven Seas’ Epicurean Spotlight

Seven Seas Grandeur’s 10-day Epicurean Spotlight voyage from Athens to Barcelona focuses on tantalizing gastronomies of countries fringing the Mediterranean Sea, with opportunities to meet celebrated chefs, dine in Michelin-starred restaurants, visited famed wineries, learn culinary secrets, and visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

From Piraeus, Greece (port for Athens) Seven Seas Grandeur calls at Bozcaada and Istanbul, Turkey; Taormina, Sicily; Sorrento for Capri, Italy; Civitavecchia to access Rome, Italy; Cannes and Marseille, France, before disembarkation in Barcelona.

6. Oceania Cruises’ Kiwi & Aussie Majesty

Oceania Regatta’s 15-day itinerary from Auckland, New Zealand to Sydney, Australia mingles active escapades through stunning nature and wildlife with indulgent culinary and wine experiences, while introducing guests to vibrant local cultures, both Aboriginal and modern.

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This excellent itinerary offers excursions to New Zealand’s best sites within a time frame impossible by a land tour. From Auckland, it runs to Rotorua, Napier, Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin, Bluff and cruising Milford Sound fiords before crossing the Tasman Sea to Australia for calls at Melbourne and Tasmania en route to Sydney.

7. Crystal Symphony’s Land of the Rising Sun

Crystal Symphony’s 11-day itineraryfrom Hong Kong to Yokohama, port city for Tokyo, takes guests on an immersive journey through the history and delights of Asian culture, both ancient and modern.

Starting in Hong Kong, the voyage continues to Keelung, Taiwan en route to a comprehensive tour of Japan. Notable ports of call include tropical Miyako-Jima, Naha Okinawa, Kagoshima, Kochi, and Kobe, prior to overnighting in Yokohama for excursions to Tokyo.

8. Explora Journey’s Cinematic Shores and the Panama Canal

Explora 1’s leisurely, 19-day itinerary from Los Angeles to Miami, called Journey from Cinematic Shores and the Panama Canal An Extended Journey takes guests on a superbly luxurious voyage to San Diego; Mexico’s Cabo San Lucas, Mazatland and Puerto Vallarta en route to Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala.

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From there, guests visit Puntarena, Costa Rica before crossing the iconic Panama Canal. After stopping in Panama City, the cruise continues to Cartagena and Santa Marta Columbia before arriving in Miami.

9. Holland America Line’s Yukon + Denali

As Alaska celebrates its 65th anniversary of statehood, many lines offer special cruises. Holland America Line’s 14-day Yukon + Denali cruise on ms Kongingsdam offers the most exciting combo of sea and land experiences, with chances to view the Northern Lights. From Anchorage, guests overnight in Alaska’s Denali National Park before visiting Fairbanks.

After flying to Dawson City, Yukon for another overnight, they continue to Whitehorse, northern Canada’s largest city, then on to Skagway to embark on the Alaska route to see Glacier Bay and Ketchikan. The cruise continues through the Inside Passage to Vancouver, British Columbia.

10. Icon of the Seas’ Caribbean Adventure

The world’s biggest ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is a destination unto itself. Loaded with spectacular options for thrill-seekers and families with kids, Icon is conducive to intergenerational bonding, as grandparents can easily retreat to secluded, adult-only pools and lounges.

The Miami-based Icon sails year-round, seven-day Caribbean itineraries Eastern routes include Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis. Western routes include Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras, and Cozumel Mexico. Each itinerary includes a day at the line’s private island called Special Day at Coco Cay, where kid-free types can hide away at an adult-only pool and beach.

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