Cruise ship captains reveal their favourite locations
Don’t know where to cruise? Then ask the experts! Cruise ship captains have the best knowledge in the business.
1. Sydney
We’ve always thought that Sydney was one of the world’s greatest cities to see from the water and it turns out that many captains agree with us. Captain David Pembridge from P&O cruise said “The most spectacular sail in, in the world, must be Sydney. As dawn approaches, the turn to starboard around Bradley’s Head brings the moment for which all of the watching passengers and crew have been waiting; the fantastic city skyline, the iconic Opera House and the vast span of the Harbour Bridge come into breath-taking view and welcome all on board to another wonderful visit to this magnificent city.” And that’s even before they get off to experience the great food, art, shopping, nightlife, beaches, cafes and much, much more.
2. French Polynesia
If you were dreaming up a picture perfect, tropical island destination, then you couldn’t do much better than French Polynesia. With pristine white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, waving palm trees and unparalleled sunsets, it’s like sailing into paradise. Bora Bora is the favourite of Princess Cruises captain Mariano Manfuso, who said Bora Bora is the perfect place for diving and water safaris, an enchanting geological phenomenon”.
3. Skagway, Alaska
Captain Daniel Green from Regent Seven Seas said it best: The last time I visited Skagway, we were accompanied by some killer whales on the approach. I slowed the ship and we cruised alongside each other for a long time. The sight was breath-taking and forms some of my best memories at sea.” Alaska is known for its once-in-a-lifetime animal encounters and the Inside Passage, where Skagway sits, is the epicenter of the action. See whales right from the ship or head ashore in search of bears, moose and eagles.
4. Tromso, Norway
Known as the capital of the Arctic, Tromso is the best place in the world to see the Northern Lights. Hurtigruten is a local cruise line that sails around these waters for most of the year, delivering cargo and carrying passengers. One of the line’s captains, Arnfinn Kaasboll, never tires of it. “When you approach ‘The Gateway to the Arctic’ with the Northern Lights twinkling overhead, it is truly spectacular. Tromso is directly beneath the Aurora Oval (the epicentre of Northern Lights activity) so we regularly have an opportunity to watch this fantastic show as it changes from light green to dark purple flickering across the sky above the city.”
6. Panama Canal
Cutting a line through Central America from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, the Panama Canal is one of the great manmade wonders of the world. It’s an incredible feat of engineering and has been carrying ships for more than 100 years. And it’s something of a bucket list achievement for many seasoned cruisers. Captain Peter Philpott from Cunard is in awe of the canal and it’s his favourite destination to visit, saying “one cannot but think of the vast numbers of canal construction workers who lost their lives in the jungle in order to complete this Wonder of the World, connecting two oceans, which forever changed the face of the shipping industry.”
Related links:
5 things you MUST do to avoid seasickness on a cruise
10 things you must never do in a cruise cabin
P&O’s first cruise around New Zealand