If you’re busy dreaming about your next escape to sea, now is the time to start planning your 2023 cruise vacation.
While all of the beautiful places visited by Celebrity Cruises provide incredible experiences, there’s always somewhere new and exciting to try. From up-and-coming hotspots to new ports of call full of natural wonders, you’ll find a top cruise destination to visit no matter what type of getaway you’re looking for.
Here are some of the best cruise destinations to consider for 2023.
Western Europe
Bairro Alto in Lisbon, Portugal
Discover the highlights of Western Europe on a cruise along the Mediterranean’s northern coastline and Portugal’s Atlantic ports.
Cruises call at two of Portugal’s most beautiful cities, Lisbon and Porto. In Lisbon, take the tram up to Bairro Alto, a bohemian enclave at the heart of the city where you’ll find small shops, cafes, and entertainment along each cobblestone street.
Porto, Portugal
Porto offers an equally authentic atmosphere with sites like the dramatic Luis I Bridge that spans the Douro River and the grand old port houses at Vila Nova da Gaia on the opposite bank.
Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France
Cruises to France explore the glamorous, sun-drenched Côte d’Azur, where in Nice, the Promenade des Anglais lines the long sweep of sandy beach. Nice is the ideal base for visits to the mountain village of Èze, Cap d’Ail, for walks with the scent of wild herbs in the air, or glamorous Cap d’Antibes.
La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
On a cruise to Spain, you’ll visit historic ports like Malaga or Alicante, where the influence of the Moors, who occupied southern Spain for centuries, blends seamlessly into local art, food, architecture, and music.
Further north, set sail to the sophisticated Catalonian capital of Barcelona, where the famed works of architect Antoni Gaudi are a magnificent and inspiring sight. In the Balearic islands, unwind on hipster Ibiza, famous for its glorious beaches, nightlife, and spiritual atmosphere.
Greece
Watch: Greek Islands Cruise with Celebrity Cruises
Explore the endless beauty of Greece on a cruise to the Greek Islands. Our Greece cruises sail to a mixture of popular islands such as Mykonos, Santorini, and Hydra, and lesser explored destinations including Chania, Volos and Thessaloniki.
Hydra Island, Greece
If you’re looking for an island packed with character, Hydra is one of the most unique places to visit in Greece. The whole island, which has an arty, bohemian atmosphere, is car-free. Donkeys are the main mode of transport here.
The scenery is ruggedly picturesque, with quiet bays accessed by boat. You’ll find a sophisticated bar and restaurant scene in the pretty port, which spills over a natural amphitheater around a busy harbor.
Volos, Greece
Volos, one of the more off-the-beaten-track Greek ports, is located at the foot of Mount Pelion and offers plenty of authentic restaurants and tavernas. Here, you can explore the Centaur’s Path, built around the legend of the Centaur, and the archaeological site of Dimini.
The West Coast & the Mexican Riviera
El Arco in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
For many, the Mexican Riviera is a highlight of the Pacific Coast and should certainly be on your list of cruise destinations to visit in 2023.
Sail round-trip from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, where there are wonderful opportunities for whale watching and fine beaches with a backdrop of desert scenery. Race across the cactus-studded desert on an ATV, or take a boat tour to the dramatic rock formation of El Arco.
Balandra Beach in La Paz, Mexico
New for 2023 is the port of La Paz, where you can bask on sandy beaches in secluded coves or join a whale-watching trip. In Ensenada, local wine tasting and vineyard tours may be high on your agenda, as this region is well known for viticulture.
Playa de Los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Another fabulous cruise destination to visit in 2023 is Puerto Vallarta, one of the most glamorous ports in the Mexican Riviera. Visit the historic center, where you can walk alongside brightly-colored houses, shop for handmade clothing, and stop into a local restaurant for a traditional pozole (a meaty stew) or ceviche.
You can also cruise along the Californian coast to ports like Catalina Island, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and Astoria, Oregon.
The Caribbean
Eagle Beach, Aruba
With sunny weather year-round and endless palm-fringed beaches to choose from, the Caribbean is one of the best places to cruise at any time of the year.
Sail on a Southern Caribbean cruise to the idyllic ABC islands—Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao—where white sand beaches and snorkeling over vibrant corals await.
Admire historic forts and the colorful old center of San Juan, Puerto Rico, or unwind on the long, sandy beaches of St. Kitts, St. Maarten, or Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.
Mayan ruins in Costa Maya, Mexico
If you’re looking to explore the western Caribbean, consider a cruise to Costa Maya, an exciting destination located in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico.
Explore the diverse coral reefs underwater during a snorkeling or scuba session. Discover ancient Mayan ruins in nearby archeological sites, or allow a Mayan shaman to perform a healing ritual and soothe your worries away.
Grand Anse Beach, St. Maarten
Choose an itinerary length to suit your needs; there’s a vast choice for 2023. Celebrity offers four- or five-night getaways to the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico, or longer, more in-depth itineraries.
The 10-night Ultimate Southern Caribbean itinerary, for example, visits ports including St. Maarten, St. Lucia, St. John, Barbados, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
You could start your cruise in the heart of the Caribbean, sailing round-trip from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, Antigua, Grenada, Bonaire and Dominica.
Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
Or sail from Tampa on an 11-night Ultimate Caribbean and The Americas itinerary, visiting Grand Cayman, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico. Some sailings feature an overnight stay in Cartagena, Colombia, offering a great chance to explore this atmospheric old city after dark.
The Panama Canal
Panama Canal
Admire a masterpiece of engineering during a cruise to the Panama Canal. Get a front-row seat to see the incredible design that has made the Panama Canal work so efficiently for over 100 years.
Marvel at the intricate lock system and see how the water flow is managed to allow massive ships to pass safely through this cut that divides North and South America.
Casco Viejo, Panama City
After visiting the Miraflores Locks, head to Casco Viejo, Panama City’s atmospheric old town and 500-year-old historic site. This is the cultural heart of the country with great restaurants serving authentic Panamanian food, bars, and Spanish colonial architecture clustered within the chunky walls.
Visit local craft stores for unusual gifts like the famous “molas”—pretty woven baskets—made by Panama’s Kuna indigenous people.
Cartagena, Colombia
Depending on your itinerary, you’ll visit many beautiful ports throughout Central America, the Caribbean, the United States, and vibrant Cartagena, Colombia.
Panama Canal cruises for 2023 sail between Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale or Miami, or round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. Why not opt for an 11-night Panama Canal and Southern Caribbean itinerary, which takes in the very best of the Southern Caribbean, as well as the canal itself?
Asia
Kuta Beach in Bali, Indonesia
Celebrity Cruises makes a spectacular comeback in Asia in 2023 with brand new itineraries sailing from Bali, Indonesia and Mumbai, India.
For those who have been seduced by Asia’s charms before, there will be familiar ports, including enchanting Lombok, with jagged, forested mountains and gorgeous beaches.
Another highlight is the bustling Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, where you’ll find sizzling street food, high fashion, and the soaring Petronas Towers.
Hambantota, Sri Lanka
New ports of call, meanwhile, include Celukan Bawang on the lush, mountainous island of Bali, and Hambantota in Sri Lanka, from where you can stroll on endless beaches frequented only by sea turtles, or join a tour to spot blue whales, the world’s largest mammal.
Tokyo, Japan
You could also sail from Hong Kong and Singapore to Vietnam and Thailand, with a chance to explore incense-scented temples, golden palaces, and lively street markets, as well as the poignant history around Ho Chi Minh City.
Or head for Japan for the thrilling buzz of dynamic Tokyo, spiritual Kyoto, and the iconic Mount Fuji.
The Galapagos Islands
Galapagos
Join an expedition to the Galapagos Islands, where you can swim with sea lions, marvel at giant tortoises, snorkel among penguins, and discover prehistoric-looking iguanas.
Many of the animals you’ll see in the Galapagos Islands are endemic to the area, meaning you can’t find them anywhere else in the world.
Watch: Luxury Galapagos Islands Cruises Aboard Celebrity Flora
Another reason to cruise to the Galapagos Islands is to experience Celebrity Flora, a groundbreaking mega-yacht designed to showcase the wonders of the Galapagos and provide travelers with an intimate, sustainable experience of the area. Flora is one of three ships operated by Celebrity in the islands.
Choose between the Outer Loop and Inner Loop itineraries on Flora, or the Northern Loop and Southern Loop on Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration. All of these offer superb snorkeling, hiking, dramatic volcanic scenery, and extraordinary wildlife.
Machu Picchu
Add on to your Galapagos adventure with a 10- to 16-night holiday package, taking in the culture of Quito, the Ecuadorian capital; Lima in Peru, known for its avant-garde culinary scene; and spectacular Machu Picchu, the exquisite Incan citadel.
Alaska
Watch: Alaska Cruise: Experience The Last Frontier
Thanks to its majestic wildlife, wild terrain, and breathtaking glaciers, Alaska is one of the best cruise destinations in the world.
Sail through the Inside Passage, dotted with forested islands and rich in marine life, from pods of black-and-white orca to dolphins and humpback whales.
Humpback whale in Alaska
Explore cities such as Skagway and Juneau, where you can try dog sledding and join whale-watching tours. In Ketchikan, you can bike through a rainforest, watch bears fishing for salmon, and admire ancient totem poles.
Celebrity offers an impressive range of itineraries in Alaska for 2023. You could sail round-trip from Vancouver to the breathtaking Hubbard Glacier, a vast wall of ice that calves off chunks with a mighty rumble as you watch from the deck of your ship.
Hubbard Glacier, Alaska
Or join a voyage from Seattle to the Endicott Arm Fjord and the Dawes Glacier, where you’ll spot seals basking on floating chunks of ice.
Alternatively, take a one-way itinerary between Vancouver and Seward, gateway to northern Alaska and the dreamy Misty Fjords National Park.
Denali National Park, Alaska
Enhance your adventure in the 49th state with a Cruisetour. Hike Denali National Park in the shadow of North America’s tallest peak, float down Fairbanks’ Chena River on a sternwheeler, and board the Wilderness Express, a luxury train boasting expansive views of the surrounding landscape.
Iceland
Watch: Iceland Cruises Aboard Celebrity Cruises
Iceland is an incredible cruise destination for nature lovers. You’ll get the chance to see cascading waterfalls and steaming geysers, soak in geothermal springs, and even descend into the ice under a glacier.
Bathe in the Blue Lagoon, a series of naturally heated geothermal pools just a short drive from Reykjavik. In Reykjavik itself, visit the Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral, a striking church that is the country’s tallest.
Whale in Iceland
For a nature-filled adventure in Iceland, join a whale-watching tour to spot humpbacks and orcas. After dark, if you’re visiting late in the season, keep an eye on the sky for the Northern Lights dancing across the heavens.
Most of Celebrity’s cruise itineraries include an overnight stay in Reykjavik, allowing you to enjoy plenty of time in the Icelandic capital, and perhaps get a glimpse of this natural wonder.
Read: What to Pack for Iceland
The Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system, lying beneath the Coral Sea along Australia’s northeast coast. Some 900 islands here are scattered across a massive area of more than 130,000 square miles.
A Great Barrier Reef cruise will take you to many fabulous places, including Port Douglas, where sunbathing, snorkeling, and reef diving await at beautiful Four Mile Beach.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
You’ll also set sail to the port of Cairns, the tropical gateway of Queensland where rainforests house immense biodiversity and beautiful beaches line the shores of the city. Explore the area’s interior forests by railway, or take a scenic cable car ride above the treetops.
And when the ship overnights in Cairns, there’s an exciting adventure in store for 2023: the magical option to sleep under the stars on a private pontoon floating above the Great Barrier Reef.
Sydney, Australia
Finish your Great Barrier Reef cruise in the dynamic city of Sydney. Treat yourself to a performance at the grand Sydney Opera House, or spend the day in the sun at Bondi Beach. Tour Darling Harbor by boat for a unique view of the city center and historic Pyrmont Bridge.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island
A new port, Kangaroo Island, has been added to Celebrity’s Australia cruises for 2023. Kangaroo Island lies off the south coast, near Adelaide.
You’ll have the chance to explore one of Australia’s most beautiful nature reserves that boasts a large population of kangaroos. Fur seals, koalas, and wallabies also inhabit this tranquil spot.
The beaches that encircle Kangaroo Island are magnificent, while the towns here have a laid-back, arty ambiance, especially in Kingscote, where you’ll find some superb galleries. There are wineries here, too, with cellar door tastings on offer.
South America
Osorno Volcano, Patagonia
In 2023, you’ll find thrilling voyages between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Valparaiso, Chile in South America. Explore the scattered jigsaw of remote islands that forms untamed Patagonia at the curled southern tip of the continent.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
In addition to Patagonia’s wild charms, you’ll have a chance to explore snow-capped Osorno Volcano, towering over the cobalt-blue waters of Chile’s Lake District. Take tango classes in sultry Buenos Aires, or join a guided tour of the dazzling street art in Valparaiso.
South America is one of the best places to cruise in 2023, and travel by luxurious ship is also convenient as the distances involved are so vast.
Antarctica
Antarctica
Explore the savage beauty of Antarctica on 14-night cruises that also visit the isolated Falkland Islands, known for their spectacular bird life, including hundreds of thousands of penguins.
Much further south, marvel at towering glaciers and ice-strewn bays of the Antarctic Peninsula, on the lookout for seals, more penguins, and humpback whales that cruise slowly through the nutrient-rich water.
You’ll be astounded by icebergs the size of cathedrals, and mountains draped like meringues in a dense covering of sparkling snow.
Hubbard Glacier, Alaska
Don’t miss out on your chance to sail to one of the top cruise destinations in 2023. Explore all of Celebrity’s 2023 cruises on our website.
