The coastline of North America offers a hugely diverse range of popular cruise destinations. Both the eastern and western coasts of the USA offer unique experiences for cruise visitors. From Florida in the east to California in the west, this region truly has something for everyone. Whether you are after an action packed multi-port cruise or something altogether more gentle, the USA never disappoints and frequently exceed the expectations of even the most seasoned cruiser. In addition to the mainland and mainstream destinations.
Alaska is always worth including in your itinerary as it also serves up some fabulous wildlife and dramatic scenery. You many even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights! Those looking for a slightly different spin will love Canada and its often dramatic scenery, welcoming people and cosmopolitan towns and cities.
A cruise around Alaska is an unforgettable experience. Explorers young and old will be mesmerised by the awe-inspiring natural scenery and the chance to spot wildlife including bears, eagles and caribou.
Most cruises to Alaska pass along the Inside passage which is a labyrinth of fjords, inlets, islands and mountains running all the way from North of Vancouver Island to the Alaska state capital of Juneau and beyond.
Excursions on offer in Alaska are among some of the most unique you will find in any destination and visitors can kayak alongside orcas and whales, visit a sled dog and mushers camp, go panning for gold or trek through icy glaciers - your holiday is sure to be packed with memorable moments.
One of the biggest highlights of a cruise to Alaska is the opportunity to visit Denali National Park which encompasses 6 million acres of Alaska’s interior wilderness, giving you the chance to spot the big 5; wolves, moose, grizzly bears, caribou and Dall sheep. If you’d like to customise your cruise with a land stay here, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
If you’re planning a cruise to Alaska, we highly recommend opting for a Balcony cabin to maximise your opportunity to spot wildlife and to take advantage of the chance to enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the comfort of your stateroom whilst watching breathtaking scenery go by.
Here at WOWCruise we offer a wide choice of Alaska itineraries with several different cruise lines including Princess, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America and Celebrity Cruises so we can help you discover a holiday which is perfect for you. Take a look at our offers below or get in touch with any questions you have on 0800 888 6787.
Icy Strait Point is owned and operated by Alaska natives with all profits going to support Hoonah, Alaska’s largest Native Tlingit village. Icy Strait is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and from this port visitors can embark in a series of adventures including riding the world’s largest ZipRider (which gives an incredible perspective over the vast wilderness) , whale watching in the waters of Port Frederick and Port Adolphus, ATV expeditions or visiting Chichagof Island which is home to more brown bears than humans.
Ketchikan is located in the midst of Tongass National Forest and as you wander throughout the town the sense of history and culture is palpable; from the George Inlet Cannery and Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show to Dolly’s House on Creek Street where local miscreants once went to misbehave, around every turn there is a sense of how life once was here. Ketchikan has many unique accolades to its name; it’s known as the salmon capital of the world, it’s home to the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles and it’s a place where animals outnumber people with wildlife such as black bears, wolves, Sitka black-tailed deer, bald eagles, seals, otters and humpback whales being just a few of the animals you can spot here.
Alaska’s capital city is unusual in that there are no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska - or North America for that matter, making it seem more isolated amongst such a rugged landscape. Wandering through the downtown area which rests at the base of Mount Juneau, there is a great sense of this being a western frontier town and many of the buildings still feature traditional frontier architecture. Must-see sights include Mendenhall Glacier which stretches for 1.3 miles, Nugget Falls and the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery.
Charming and rustic seaside towns, pods of breaching whales and dolphins, panoramic mountain landscapes, unique cities, exquisite seafood cuisine and the famous colours of the fall foliage; Canada and New England has such a diverse offering and the itineraries here will appeal to cruisers of all ages.
The opportunity to spot marine wildlife is strong and many cruisers will find themselves enjoying the ocean view on sea days for the glimpse of a dorsal fin or if they’re lucky a 100-strong pod of dolphins.
Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure in ports of call like Bar Harbor which is the gateway to the spectacular Acadia National Park, or you’d like to explore the unique heritage of destinations like Quebec City which blends both North American and European influences, each port has something to amaze and inspire you.
Here at WOWCruise we have a wide choice of cruise deals available for Canada and New England with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and more. We can also customise your holiday with pre or post cruise stays in unforgettable cities such as Montreal or Boston. Take a look at our offers below or get in touch with any questions you have on 0800 888 6787.
Halifax is the provincial capital of Nova Scotia and it certainly has a thirst for a good time with more pubs and clubs per capita than any other city in Canada and their most famous brewmaster was also the mayor - three times. Halifax has a great selection of food trucks and during your visit be sure to try the official food of Halifax - the fabled donair - which you may be familiar with here in the UK from our legion of kebab houses! In Halifax you can visit the impressive Citadel National Historic Site which was originally built as a fortification to protect the empire from enemies. Other points of interest include Fisherman’s Cove which is a 200 year old restored fishing village, and the oldest continuously running Farmers Market in North America - the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market.
Serving as the gateway to the mountains and cliffs of Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor is located on Mount Desert Island and is a true highlight of any Canada and New England itinerary. Activities by land and sea are in abundance from kayaking and whale watching to hiking, climbing and biking. Airplane tours are also popular here to view this amazing landscape from an entirely different perspective. Bar Harbor itself is a picturesque coastal community and the other side of the island is no different with charming seaside villages with names like Otter Creek and Seal Harbor. Filled with family-run restaurants and cafes and quirky boutique shops selling artisan goods you can see the appeal to visitors. Of course Acadia National Park is one of the main highlights of a visit here and the views of the looming Cadillac Mountain are certainly impressive. Bike, drive or walk along Ocean Drive for stunning vistas or venture further into the park to see wildlife like moose, peregrine falcons and an extensive array of other bird species.
One of the seven wonders of North America, the Bay of Fundy has the highest tides on earth and is home to the rarest whales. It’s a place where semi-precious minerals and dinosaur fossils can be found and due to its location which is halfway between the equator and north pole, it has a unique coastal environment. It’s a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts with hiking and kayaking on offer as well as bird and whale watching tours.
With blissful blue skies, secluded beaches, intrepid rainforest and looming volcanoes, there’s no destination which provides relaxing escapism quite like Hawaii and for many cruisers travelling one of the itineraries here is top of their wishlist.
Hawaii is a hot spot for those wanting to explore the ocean and the wildlife that lives and visits here. Home to 24 species of whale and dolphin, Hawaii has great opportunity for you to see some of nature's most beautiful animals up close, in fact Oahu is one of the only places in the world where you can swim with whales and Kona offers the chance to swim with manta rays at night - a truly unique experience. The oceans around Hawaii are teeming with life and it’s highly regarded as one of the best diving destinations worldwide.
There’s just as much to discover on land too as Hawaii has a rich native history and traditions such as Luaus and Hula dancing have been preserved, giving you the chance to experience them first hand.
Points of interest are sprawled across the islands and on one day you can find yourself exploring caves in dense, tropical jungle whilst the next you could be enthralled by the history of sites like Pearl Harbour in Honolulu or fascinated seeing how coffee is farmed in Kona.
With activities like surfing, diving, horse riding, hiking and ziplining; the opportunities for adventure are endless, enabling you to explore this dramatic landscape in more ways than one and creating travel memories you’re sure to treasure for a lifetime.
Here at WOWCruise we have a wide choice of cruise deals available for Hawaii with Princess cruise line, Celebrity Cruises, P&O and more. We can also enhance your holiday with pre or post cruise stays in cities like Honolulu, Sydney or even Los Angeles. Take a look at our offers below or get in touch with any questions you have on 0800 888 6787.
As a beautiful cosmopolitan capital city, Honolulu is the racing pulse of Hawaii. Here you can visit notable points of interest such as the only official state residence of royalty in the U.S. - the Iolani Palace, Diamond Head State Monument where a walking trail will take you to the edge of a 300,000 year old volcanic crater, the historic Pearl Harbour and even Shangri-La, a highly noted centre for Islamic arts and culture. Honolulu also offers some fantastic eateries where you can try local dishes such as Lomi Lomi salmon or steamed manapau. Of course no visit to Honolulu would be complete without a pit stop at the stunning Waikiki Beach.
This part of Hawaii is a natural wonderland and is blessed with dramatic waterfalls, blooming gardens and fertile rainforests. Hilo is also a short drive from Volcanoes National Park which sprawls over 330,000 acres and is home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes. In early times Hilo was a busy farming and fishing area which evolved into a commercial center for the sugar industry in the 1800’s. You can discover the intriguing history of the area Lyman Museum or find out about the terrifying tsunamis that nearly wiped out Hilo at the Pacific Tsunami Museum. At the Hilo Farmers Market you can try fresh and delicious locally-grown produce and purchase local crafts and art.
This is where some of the world’s best coffee is grown and whether you’re coffee connoisseur or not, you’ll find it fascinating to learn how this everyday product is cultivated. Whilst in Kona you can take a convenient walking tour of the historic points of interest such as Hulihee Palace, a vacation home for Hawaiian royalty and Ahuena Heiau, a religious temple dating back to 1812. Kona has calm, clear waters making it a paradise for diving, snorkelling and sailing. Dolphins, Hawaiian Green Turtles (referred to locally as honu) and manta rays can be spotted here and in fact, one of Kona’s most memorable experiences is to swim with these graceful sea creatures.
There are so many fascinating and inviting cities across the United States and a cruise holiday allows you to explore more of them in one trip, to get a taste for what they’re really about.
Your biggest decision will be choosing between an east coast itinerary where you can explore the rugged coast of Canada and picturesque towns of New England or the west coast where the ice of Alaska and fire of Hawaii beckons. Alternatively how would you like to discover the country charm of America’s south with an itinerary that offers you the chance to visit the Everglades National Park and the historic city of New Orleans - the home of jazz music.
You’ll visit iconic cities like New York, San Francisco, Miami and Boston and experience fantastic food with worldwide influences. You can delve into the history and heritage to understand why each city is so different to the next and of course you can also enjoy once in a lifetime experiences that are unique to each destination including flying in a seaplane over Skagway or swimming with whales in Oahu.
Diverse landscapes await from the glaciers of Alaska to the glamourous beaches of Miami - each new landscape bringing the opportunity to spot different wildlife, whether it’s whales in the Bay of Fundy or Green Turtles in Hawaii, each sighting will always be special and unique.
With each of the major cruise lines visiting the USA and offering an array of itineraries, you’re sure to discover a cruise which is right for you.
Here at WOWCruise we have a wide choice of cruise deals available for the USA with Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line and more. We can also customise your holiday with pre or post cruise stays in spectacular cities like Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans or New York. Take a look at our offers below or get in touch with any questions you have on 0800 888 6787.