A few months ago, I wrote about my Top Five Aspirational Cruises For 2019. Having been on my first cruise in six years in November, with another coming up in just a few days, I am constantly looking at what I may be able to do next. Part of what makes travel so exciting is going to dream destinations and places that you may never imagine being able to visit.
Top Five Aspirational Cruises For 2020
1. Starting the list is cruising on Silversea to Antarctica. Silversea will offer 14 sailings between December 2019 and February 2020. After hearing about my dad’s journey, it was clear that this destination had to be at the top of my list.
My dad sailed on Silver Cloud to Antartica just a few weeks ago. Not only did he write about it on the site, we also discussed it on my podcast. It wasn’t his first time in the White Continent, though. This once in a lifetime destination for most is a thrice in a lifetime experience for Ralph. And who knows? He may go back sometime soon – hopefully with me.
My first luxury cruise experience was aboard Silver Whisper, and it made me hungry for more. I can only imagine how much fun this trip would be, and the unique itinerary would only be complemented by the luxury and comfort that Silversea provides.
2. Next up, cruising aboard Seabourn Encore from Dubai to Athens. The 18-Day Arabian Gems & Holy Land departs Dubai on May 5, 2020, and reaches Athens on May 23, 2020. This itinerary is a bit longer than I usually like cruising – I have two dogs. However, the ports that the cruise visits are all places that I have never been.
I have only heard wonderful things about Dubai from everyone I know who has been there, and I have never been to Greece. However, destinations visited in the middle of the cruise are the standouts of the itinerary. Most notibly, Muscat, Oman. I have best friends that live in Muscat, and I have not yet had the chance to visit. Those who have traveled to Oman say that the people are very nice, and the city of Muscat is beautiful- not only in its arcitecture, but also in its landscape.
Tel Aviv is another bucket list destination for me. Having many friends who have traveled there and have come back with great stories about the food, culture, and people, it has been somewhere I have wanted to check out for awhile now. Not only is the itinerary of this trip one that checks a lot of my boxes, Seabourn Encore is a beautiful ship that I have unfortunately only ever seen photos of.
3. Having never been able to visit our 49th state, a seven-night cruise from Seward to Vancouver aboard Oceania Regatta would provide the perfect opportunity to do so. The trip departs August 24, 2020.
Growing up with family friends living in Alaska, it is a place to which I always dreamed of going. In fact, I am the only member of my family who has not cruised to Alaska. Of course, there is the famous option to go whale watching, something that all of my Alaska-traveling family members did without me; however I find it equally fun to walk through cities, especially in the Alaskan summer.
As a fan of cold weather, it would be nice to escape the North Carolina heat during August, and go somewhere where the weather is more ideal. Not only am I excited for the destination, Oceania Regatta is being refit in September of 2019, and I can only imagine how wonderful the already lavish ship will look after those enhancements.
4. Regent’s 14-day Dreams of Africa itinerary cruises roundtrip from Cape Town. Seven Seas Voyager departs Cape Town on December 22nd, 2020 and travels to seven ports along the way. Africa is another one of those dream destinations for me. That probably goes without saying at this point, as it has made my list.
Last week, I was able to interview Devin Quinn from CroisiEurope on my podcast. Devin spoke about her recent river cruise in Africa and although it was not the same experience that I am speaking about here, it still got me excited about the destination.
Excursions include touring game reserves, visiting the spot where Nelson Mandela was captured, touring downtown Durban, and more. The balance of nature and history makes this vacation ideal for someone like me.
5. Rounding out the list is a Cunard’s Japan Circumnavigation. The 9-night sailing aboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth starts in Tokoyo on September 28, 2020. Going to Tokoyo is something that I have been wanting to do for a couple years now. After considering going solely to Toyoko and staying in a hotel, this itinerary seems like a better idea.
The itinerary embarks and disembarks in Tokoyo, which allows for more time to explore the city if you so desire. If I were to take this cruise, I would probably spend two nights in Tokoyo pre-cruise, and two nights in Tokoyo post-cruise.
The itinerary also calls on Nagasaki. As someone who considers myself a bit of a history buff, this destination has also been on my bucket list for quite a bit of time. I would also love to see what else Japan has to offer with the other four cities Queen Elizabeth will visit during this sailing.
Have any of you cruised similar itineraries? What are your dream destinations? Let me know in the comments below.
Check out this week’s podcast where I delve deeper into this list, plus my top five aspirational cruises for 2019.
