Summertime is arguably the most popular time of year for vacations and for good reason—cruising the ocean with a cold drink under the summer sun is an unrivaled experience. You may think you have plenty of time to plan your perfect trip for next summer but don’t wait too long, your fellow travelers are already showing increased demand for the best dates and rates on Summer 2022 vacations. Enjoying the journey is important, but so is your destination so we gathered a list of the most popular summer destinations for you to visit next summer.
The Mediterranean
If you’re looking for a good time paired with beachside relaxation, choose this as your go-to. The summer months are popular for families and college students due to school breaks so local shops and hot spots are buzzing with activity. The Eastern Mediterranean offers a slew of options for picturesque moments in the Black Sea, Holy Land, Egypt and more—often paired with stops in Athens, Santorini & other Greek Isles locales. Many ports in the Western Mediterranean reside in Spain or along the French Riviera, but may also include Portugal, Gibraltar, and the islands of Ibiza and Mallorca.
European Rivers
Most cruisers avoid the cold winters of Europe, instead opting for outdoor seating at cafés, summer festivals and popular events like seeing the tulips blossom in Holland. River cruising offers new and returning travelers alike a different perspective of Europe. Explore fairy-tale towns on the banks of rivers as you sail along in state-of-the-art modern ships. Pack your days with as much exploration and culinary delights as you like since river cruises normally journey only at night, meaning no days are spent at sea.
Western Europe
A popular location on Transatlantic cruises—which sail on the shoulders of summer coming over in April and returning to the west as late as November—is Western Europe. This area is home to world-renowned landmarks such as Rome’s Colosseum, Barcelona’s Sagrada Família Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower in Paris & more. History lovers often enjoy these cruises because of the artistic, cultural and architectural wonders that seem almost common-place to the region.
Northern Europe
The summer can be quite pleasant in Northern Europe, with sunny skies and a cool breeze to accompany the vast landscapes and natural beauty of the region. There are many faces to Northern Europe including the Baltic Sea region, the British Isles and the Northern Capitals. If you’re hoping to see the Northern Lights, you’re in luck, the best months for spotting the lights are typically September and March (although it varies). Or maybe you are in search of supreme relaxation, in which case consider an Iceland cruise visiting Reykjavik’s Blue Lagoon Spa and geothermal baths.
Alaska
Most think of ice and snow when they envision Alaska and for that reason, among others, the Summer is the perfect time to visit Alaska. With more active wildlife, you’re likely to see bears and migratory birds in June, whale watching is popular from May to July and the salmon run takes place in later summer. Cruisetours are a popular way to visit the area, offering unique experiences such as rides on Alaska’s famous railway, nights at McKinley or Denali Wilderness Lodges and fun activities like panning for gold.
