Excellent cruise destinations in the Caribbean Sea: Adventure-chasing couples will love visiting Samana in the Dominican Republic, a nature and wildlife paradise. Board a speedboat and head to Los Haitises National Park and Bird Cay, a sanctuary for numerous species of birds. Then you’re off to Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas, a gorgeous Virgin Island that has enchanted pirates and sailors for centuries. Couples on a honeymoon cruise shouldn’t miss taking a luxury catamaran out to Honeymoon Beach in nearby St. John, where you’ll be able to snorkel, swim, or simply enjoy a relaxing day under the coconut trees. From there, continue on to San Gabriel Cave. Kayak around mangrove canals and step inside the caves, marveling at the indigenous Taino pictographs left behind. If you prefer to take it easy, there’s also a day excursion to Cayo Levantado, a small island off the coast of Samana, where you can sip on rum punches and melt your worries away on the sand. Find more details at onlinecruisebooking.

As a cruise industry veteran and general manager at Viking Cruises, Sujith Mohan has crisscrossed the world visiting numerous fascinating destinations by ship. Antarctica tops his list of memorable journeys. A number of expedition lines offer itineraries to this remote part of the world that can span anywhere from eight days to four weeks, including National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions and Quark Expeditions. Major cruise lines like Viking Cruises and Celebrity Cruises also travel to this region. Whichever cruise line you choose, prepare to get close to seals, whales and various species of penguins by kayak or Zodiac boat and marvel at the snowcapped icebergs on an adventure to remember.

Monaco provides an interesting mix of culture and scenery for cruisers – especially those interested in racing. Hop aboard a Windstar Cruises yacht for an intimate seven-day voyage; you’ll enjoy stops in ports like Rome and Portofino, plus exclusive access to special Grand Prix events and Formula One races in Monte Carlo. If you’d like to explore Monaco without the racing theme (or on a bigger vessel) consider a Mediterranean voyage on Oceania Cruises, many of which include a stop in this picturesque region. The Cyclades, southeast of mainland Greece, are some of the most beautiful islands in the world, including Delos, known as the birthplace of Apollo. The Cycladic isles of Santorini and Mykonos are no strangers to major lines like Silversea Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, but booking a private yacht may promise an even more memorable experience. “Between the geographical makeup of the Cyclades Islands and the mythic nature and narrative behind each stop, the exquisite and traditional m/s Erato yacht is the ideal vessel to tour the Aegean Sea,” says Kathy Stewart, the regional director of Western Europe for tour operator Butterfield & Robinson. “This private excursion has it all: an enviable mix of biking and hiking adventures, authentic Greek culinary experiences both on ship and on land and ancient history woven throughout.”

Cruising around the sparkling waters of Europe is one of the best ways that anyone could spend a holiday. We all dream about stopping on charming islands, exploring new port towns, cruising the beautiful waters, and living the dreamy yachting lifestyle. If you are planning on booking the best yacht holidays in Greece, or want to explore more of Europe, then be sure to check out some of these destinations. Chartering a yacht and sailing between these amazing places will result in one of the best holidays possible! Although the uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic is still palpable, you can book your Mediterranean yacht cruise in 2021 with confidence. This year, most of us feel that we need time to relax from day-to-day stress and recharge our batteries more than ever.

May is the time when the beautiful island of Ibiza starts to come to life once again. Usually, Ibiza should be now getting ready to inaugurate a busy summer season, with the opening of its famous clubs and discotheques and of a wide range of first class accommodations, ready to welcome most demanding guests travelling to the Island to enjoy Med’s ultimate destination for clubbers. Sheltered by red cliffs that look as if they’ve been carved straight out of the Grand Canyon, Sa Caleta is situated just a 15-minute drive from Ibiza town. Its shallow, gentle waters make it a great beach for a family day out, especially as the paella served at the acclaimed La Caleta restaurant is meant to be some of the best in Ibiza – which is saying something on an island renowned for its seafood. This is a popular beach, but its cliffs lend it an exclusive, private feel as well as providing spots of shade in which to take a break from tanning. The Best Time for Mediterranean Yacht Cruises? Summer is the best time to visit the Mediterranean, and it is definitely the high travel season in this part of Europe. The millions of people from all around the world flock to the Mediterranean’s beaches during summer months for much-deserved summer break due to the region’s pleasant climate. The summers in the Mediterranean are sunny and hot, and the sea is warm. However, the best time for Mediterranean yacht cruises is late spring (May-June) or early fall (September-October) when the temperatures and the sea are pleasurably warm, days are sunny, and the crowds in popular destinations are far fewer than in summer.

Sailors often prefer the area between the northern coast of Sicily, Calabria and the Aeolian Islands. Palermo, Cefalu, Sant Agata, Milazzo and Porto Rosa are ideal places to begin Yacht charter in Sicily. On a sailing trip between the harbors, bays and capes, one can explore the northern coast of the island thoroughly. A detour to the Aeolian Islands (Lipari Islands) is recommended. On the east coast there is the port of Catania, which is a convenient starting point due to the nearby airport. You can also begin a trip from Taormina or Syracuse.

Croatia is a travel destination that is definitely having a ‘moment.’ Hailed as everything from the ‘new Greece’ to the ‘new Riviera’, this part of Europe offers beautiful beaches and a traditional way of life. There are no fewer than 1185 islands along the crystalline Adriatic coast, and one of the best ways to explore them is by boat. Head off from the historic cities of Split and Dubrovnik and make sure you include the upmarket island of Hvar, timeless Vis island and the more remote islands of Kornati or Elafiti. Expect traditional fishing villages, beautiful sun-soaked beaches and a plethora of attractive hidden coves.

As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily promises more sand, sunshine and secret anchorages than almost anywhere else. The Aeolian Islands – seven sub-tropical isles and scores of volcanic specks – are Sicily’s biggest yachting draw. Italian A-listers and humble fisherfolk sail atop crystalline waters suffused with seismic bubbles. Both enjoy platters of seafood spaghetti served on volcanic black-sand beaches. Sail in and join the club. They don’t call the island of Stromboli “the lighthouse of the Mediterranean” for nothing. A puffing volcano stands 924m (3,032ft) above the sea, offering sailors a 24/7 navigation point for the other six Aeolian Islands. Tie up in Stromboli’s mini-marina. Then tuck in. Island cuisine is a fiery mix of volcanically charged chillies and swordfish steaks. Discover additional info at https://www.cruisebooking.com/.

Spain’s northern coastline is well-known for its verdant landscapes, fine cuisine, modern cities and picturesque villages along its vast, golden beaches. It’s also packed with art and architecture, making it a great cruise destination for lovers of culture. From the Biscay town of Getxo, with its UNESCO-listed Vizcaya Bridge, to the Basque capital Bilbao, with its world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, there are gems to discover at every port. You’ll start in Getxo before heading to Bilbao and on to the magnificent city of La Coruña in Galicia, where you can wander between the medieval old town and the more modern districts to see the architectural contrasts.

Make sure to always read the fine print so you know exactly what you’re getting, and you don’t run into any issues when you arrive for embarkation or once you’re onboard. (Important fine print could include whether or not you can cruise with a baby or while pregnant — which is a much earlier cut off date than on planes.) You should be doubly diligent when it comes to any fees that might be charged in addition to your cruise fare such as taxes, fuel charges and gratuities, as well as to change, cancellation and refund policies. Even if you don’t make any changes, cruises are often subject to last-minute itinerary changes due to weather and sea conditions. There’s no friendly travel agent standing by waiting to spell the terms and conditions out for you, so it’s important that you read every last detail yourself.