It isn’t hard to see why more cruises are heading to Cape Town.Credit: iStock
As we sail into the new year, there’s a good reason all eyes are on the Kimberley Coast, West Africa, Hong Kong, the Arctic and more. Read on for the 15 hottest destinations in cruising in 2025.
Cape Town
As an addendum to the above, special mention goes to Africa’s busiest cruise port. Last summer 65 ships visited Cape Town, a number expected to steadily increase over the next few years. It isn’t hard to see why, starting with the sail-in under the looming bulk of Table Mountain, and a cruise terminal right in the heart of the city’s action. This is a top port for shore excursions too, with superb surrounds such as Table Mountain National Park, Cape Peninsula and the utterly beautiful wine country around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. MSC and Norwegian Cruise Line have the biggest presence in South Africa. See capetown.travel; ncl.com; msccruises.com.au
West African coast
Volcanic rock formations on Cabo Verde.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Africa has languished as a cruise destination thanks partly to distance and lack of cruise-port infrastructure, but troubles in the Red Sea have redirected cruise ships around Africa’s coast, and interesting itinerary choices have boomed. Expect to hear more about African cruising: music to the ears of the jaded, been-there cruiser. Among cruise lines offering comprehensive sailings down the West African coast are Azamara and Oceania Cruises, with ships stopping in nations such as Cabo Verde, Senegal, Gambia, Ghana, Togo and Sao Tome on sailings between the Mediterranean and South Africa. See azamara.com; oceaniacruises.com
Austral Islands, French Polynesia
Raivavae, one of the Austral Islands in French Polynesia.Credit: Lionel Gouverneur
The Society Islands such as Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora are a staple of small-ship and luxury cruising, and many ships also visit outlying archipelagos such as the Marquesas and Tuamotus. So what’s new? Well, French Polynesian company Aranui Cruises has started sailing to the ultra-remote Austral Islands, and itineraries on the mixed freight-passenger vessel Aranui 5 have proved so popular that many more visits have been added for 2025 and 2026. Cruises call at the Austral’s five inhabited islands for a unique encounter with an unfrequented corner of the Pacific. See aranui.com; tahititourisme.com
Kimberley, Western Australia
Float between the rust-tinged cliffs of King George River.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
The Kimberley has long been a cruise hotspot, partly because there are few other expedition choices in Australia. Yet the Kimberley is becoming hotter than ever, with more and more cruise companies visiting: Travelmarvel joined the fray this year, as did Paspaley Group with small-ship Paspaley Pearl by Ponant, while Seabourn Pursuit and Scenic Eclipse II arrived for the first time. Most ships offer similar itineraries with highlights including Montgomery Reef, King George River and the bird-rich Lacepede Islands. Next year is the last opportunity to boat through spectacular Garaan-ngaddim (Horizontal Falls) before the practice ceases in 2026 following a decision by the West Australian government to “strike a balance” between tourism and protecting the environment. See australiasnorthwest.com; seabourn.com; ponant.com; scenic.com.au
Maluku (Spice) Islands, Indonesia
Aerial view of the lava flow on Banda Neira in the Banda Islands.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
It may be wishful thinking that we’ll be hearing more about Indonesian cruising in 2025, since the lack of cruise choice there is an ongoing frustration to adventurous Australians. But things are changing as our neighbour sets out to attract more cruise passengers. Among cruise ports being developed is one on Ambon in the Malukus, a scattering of over a thousand islands notable for spice plantations, superb reefs, and historic sites connected to colonialism and World War II. Expedition companies such as Aqua Expeditions, Ponant and Silversea pass through, but Coral Expeditions is leader of the pack for its regular departures. See coralexpeditions.com; aquaexpeditions.com; ponant.com; silversea.com; indonesia.travel
Istanbul, Turkey
Stone lioness in the garden of Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul.Credit: Getty Images
A city that has been around for millennia, and at the centre of Mediterranean history for much of that time, has had many remarkable incarnations. The addition of a swanky, mostly underground cruise-port terminal in 2021 is a mere blip, but one to delight cruisers arriving in one of the world’s most splendid harbours. Istanbul is now a popular homeport and regular port call on eastern Mediterranean cruises from the likes of Celebrity, Viking and Princess. Much is new along the waterfront, including Istanbul Modern art museum, and 2025 will see more, including cultural spaces, promenades and restored Ottoman gardens. See celebritycruises.com; princess.com; vikingcruises.com.au; istanbul.com
Hong Kong, China
Dining, shopping, amazing vistas… Hong Kong is a cruising dream.Credit: Getty Images
Cruise-ship arrivals in Hong Kong jumped 50 per cent this year as the harbour city vies with Shanghai and Singapore to become Asia’s premier cruise port. The sail-out past skyscrapers, green hills and islands is one of the best in cruising, and the city itself has plenty to offer too, not least world-class dining and great shopping. Hong Kong has also been positioning itself as an art hub, and the redeveloped West Kowloon waterfront has a host of cultural spaces that display everything from contemporary Chinese art to treasures from the Forbidden City. See discoverhongkong.com; vikingcruises.com.au; royalcaribbean.com; celebritycruises.com
Monaco
The terrace at Amazonico Monte-Carlo, Monaco.
The Mediterranean’s most glamorous port creates a marvellous arrival as you sail into its harbour, casino crowning a rock on one side, princely palace on the other, billionaires’ yachts between. The mini-state isn’t resting on its laurels, however. Among the latest attractions is a sleek waterfront car museum, renovated Renaissance palace frescoes and the soon-to-reopen Exotic Garden, which has spectacular cliff-clinging views. Legendary brasserie Cafe de Paris Monte-Carlo looks stunning after long renovations, and the new Amazonico Monte-Carlo restaurant offers a taste of Latin America superbly matched by a belle epoque backdrop from its terrace. See visitmonaco.com; oceaniacruises.com; seabourn.com; scenic.com.au
Japan
Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands... expedition cruising is booming in Japan’s subtropical regions.Credit: iStock
Japan is hotter than ever, but for cruise lovers it remains underestimated. You’ll be hearing much more about Japan cruising in future, though. The nation wants to develop its cruise business and spread visitors into less-known destinations. In 2025, 100 ports will be open to cruise ships from the likes of Scenic and Coral Expeditions. Most big cruise companies now sail there, but of most interest is the boom in expedition cruising to small ports and islands, offering the chance for repeat Japan visitors to explore destinations such as the subtropical Ryukyu Islands, Seto Inland Sea and heritage towns such as Inujima, Onomichi and Mitarai. See japan.travel; scenic.com.au; coralexpeditions.com
The Arctic
Icy adventures aboard a Silversea Zodiac in the Arctic.
The demand for sailing both the Arctic and Antarctic is insatiable, no doubt because numbers are limited, and the polar regions represent cruising’s last frontier, and are associated with thrilling stories of exploration. As ice retreats, more ships from the likes of Scenic, Ponant and Viking are sailing the Northwest Passage and visiting Greenland, the Canadian High Arctic and outlier Svalbard. The environmental impact is problematic, so best choose the eco-friendliest cruise ships, be sure to tread lightly while ashore, and spread the word about the alarming global-warming effects you’ll see for yourself. See canada.travel; visitgreenland.com; visitsvalbard.com; scenic.com.au; ponant.com; vikingcruises.com.au
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
A pair of curious sea lions... up-close wildlife encounters in the Galapagos.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
A small flotilla of luxury expedition ships has sailed out in the Galapagos Islands over the last few years, the latest Galapagos Explorer, a venture into cruising by posh safari company andBeyond. Cruising is tightly controlled in this eco-sensitive destination so – barring further political unrest in Ecuador – it will remain in hot demand. The chief attraction is the archipelago’s famously unfazed wildlife, which allows you close-up encounters with giant tortoises, iguanas, seals and sea birds. The scenery is however marvellous too, striped with coloured earth and rock, and topped by worn-down volcanoes. See andbeyond.com; ecuador.travel
Marseille, France
Old and new collide… Marseille Cathedral and the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations.Credit: iStock/Getty Images
One of the oldest cities in Europe is finally having its moment, thanks to the murmurings of influencers, fashion gurus and arty types – and an airport busy with budget European airlines. It has been a while coming, as over the last two decades Marseille shook off its reputation for grime and crime and reinvented itself with museums such as the Museum of Mediterranean Civilizations. Many more cruise ships are now calling at this harbour, from Royal Caribbean to Viking and Seabourn. But Marseilles has substance behind the buzz: a long history, terrific architecture, multicultural flavours and seemingly endless sunshine. See marseille-tourisme.com; royalcaribbean.com; vikingcruises.com.au; seabourn.com
The Philippines
Coron is an Asian cruise highlight.
With more ships visiting the Philippines, and the government keen to develop its cruise industry, we can look forward to increasing itinerary choices in our near neighbour. The Philippines is a destination ripe for cruising, with thousands of islands, dazzling corals, a rich history and some of the nicest people on the planet – as cruisers should already know, since half of all cruise crew are Filipinos. More ports are being developed, and small ships are increasingly visiting lesser-known ones such as Bohol, Batangas, Samar and Leyte. The karst outcrops and shimmering seas of Coron are an Asian cruise highlight. Heritage Expeditions, Coral Expeditions and Silversea are among lines that visit. See tourismphilippines.com.au; heritage-expeditions.com; coralexpeditions.com; silversea.com
Murray River, Australia
The Murray’s first luxury ship… Australian Star will launch in 2025.
The Murray River holds an iconic place in the history of European settlement in Australia, but until now has offered only modest river-cruise options. That changes next year with the launch of Australia Star, a luxury 38-passenger vessel operated by Murray River Paddlesteamers in partnership with APT, which will be Australia’s largest paddle steamer. The destination offers a quintessential Aussie experience thanks to its significant Aboriginal sites, old frontier towns, sheep stations, and its connections with explorer and settler history. The semi-arid outback landscapes and wetlands are notable for abundant bird life. See murrayriverpaddlesteamers.com.au; aptouring.com; visitthemurray.com.au
Magdalena River, Colombia
Carnival parade in Barranquilla, Colombia.Credit: Getty Images
Colombia has been on hot-list horizons for a while, so expect to hear more about it. For river cruisers, it offers an entirely “new” river to explore, as AmaWaterways became the first mainstream river-cruise company to sail there from this year. It launches a second ship in mid-2025. The sluggish, muddy Magdalena River is an important transport and trade route, and also home to manatees, crocodiles and iguanas. Itineraries operate between superb historic city Cartagena and Barranquilla, a famous carnival town where the river meets the Caribbean Sea. See amawaterways.au; colombia.travel