Ocean Cruising: What you need to know

There’s a WORLD of exploration to be had when ocean cruising, and once you’ve settled into your cabin the old cliché that ‘you only have to unpack once!’ rings gloriously true.

How long is an ocean cruise?

The French have a wonderful expression for the high seas: ‘le grand large’. Everything about it expresses that stunningly vast expanse of ocean, the horizon ever distant, as you head off on a seabound adventure.

It’s a concept that is hard to grasp for those who’ve never travelled by sea, but that incredible feeling of ‘scale’ – of being so small, setting out on an ocean so large – can be enormously addictive. Particularly when you feel the power of a supership eating up the kilometres beneath you.

245 Days

It’s little wonder, then, that there are lots of dyed-in-the-wool cruise-goers whose journeys stretch longer and longer each year, some over 100 days and more. In August 2019, the purported longest-ever continuous world cruise set sail on a 245-day circumnavigation of the world. Viking’s Ultimate World Cruise is taking in six continents, 59 countries and 113 ports, including 22 in-port overnights (to prevent cabin fever, we’re thinking) aboard the 465-stateroom Viking Sun.

167 Days

With super-long itineraries and expedition cruising both clearly a ‘thing’, Silversea made some quite serious waves of its own in 2019 as it announced a ‘world-first’ Expedition World Cruise in 2021. Described as an ‘Uncharted World Tour’, the 167-day epic journey aboard the luxe Silver Cloud glues together the line’s more immersive, experiential bits as it crosses the globe from Ushuaia across to Tromsø via the ultimate adventure destination wishlist, including Antarctica, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and India, Iceland and the Arctic Svalbard region.

12-17 Days

While longer cruises are seeing a surge in popularity, some cruise lines are best suited, by their very nature, to a less lengthy epic journey. The boutique nature of Star Clippers’ tall ships, for example, means its version of an epic voyage is one of its 15- to 16-night ocean crossings. If shorter and closer to home is more appealing, then its just-announced 11-night itinerary out of Ko Samui and calling on Cambodia on the luxury Star Clipper, is set to sail in April 2020.

Where can you go on an ocean cruise?

You’re not lugging around heavy backpacks, or wrestling luggage into overhead compartments to see the best of the world. Plus most cruise ships allow 32 kilos, so you can bring along your creature comforts and buy souvenirs along the way!

Depending on your itinerary, you could be waking up every day in a new destination.

Sure, sometimes you could only spend half a day in a port, but you also get to experience multiple destinations in a shorter amount of time – ideal if you have limited holiday leave. And the organised tours and activities keep things running smoothly around some of the most popular sights on the planet, enabling you to see and learn things you normally wouldn’t travelling alone.

And, of course, cruise ships are famous for their onboard activities to keep you entertained at sea too: think putt-putt golf on a real lawn (Celebrity Edge), 3D cinema (Explorer of the Seas), a waterslide with 65-kilometre-per-hour turns (Carnival Legend), wine tasting in a 35,000-bottle cellar (Queen Mary 2), even the Rijksmuseum at Sea (ms Westerdam).

Then there are kids’ clubs, luxury spas, rock walls, yoga classes, lectures, and Broadway-style shows including We Will Rock You (Anthem of the Seas) and Jersey Boys (Norwegian Bliss). Indeed, there’s so much to do on land and sea, that while it’s true you only have to unpack once, you’ll certainly find it tough packing to leave.

The famed pine trees on the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia.

The Pacific

Tropical, relaxing, friendly and fun, the Pacific is an ever-popular ocean to cruise, particularly for Australians with cruises departing from the East Coast and New Zealand. It’s a top choice for people who love the sun, the great outdoors, snorkelling and diving, and chilling out.

Ports include the famous South Pacific islands of Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa and Tahiti. The quick trip across the Tasman to New Zealand around the north and south islands with special stop off in the wondrous Milford Sound is another popular itinerary.The most not miss destination is the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia.

Hawai‘i, Tahiti and the far flung Pitcairn Island are less often visited by the large cruise lines, typically on a relocation cruise.

Pride of America is the only ship home ported in Hawai’i and her seven day itineraries are very very popular.

In Tahiti, the Aranui 5 is a cargo ship with very comfortable accommodation.

Hawaii, USA

View on Napali Coast on Kauai island on Hawaii, USA

The Atlantic (& Mediterranean)

From the East Coast of the USA and Canada, to the Caribbean and Bahamas, from Mexico, Brazil and Argentina to South Africa, Morocco, Spain and the UK, this ocean is home to such a unique mix of destinations.

And pass through the Strait of Gibraltar and you hit the wonders of the Mediterranean.

Quantum of the Seas – 1st arrival in New York November 10, 2014

But perhaps the most iconic cruise in these waters is the Transatlantic, which occurs when ships are repositioning from Europe to the Americas, or vice versa (the classic is between Southampton and New York).

If doing a Transatlantic cruise, be sure to pick a ship that you’ll be happy to spend up to five consecutive days at sea on.

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The Indian ocean

If you’re after exotic lands and luxury destinations, the Indian Ocean is a fabulous place to cruise. Ports include the east coast of Africa (Cape Town, Zanzibar, Madagascar), breathtaking islands such as the Maldives, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, as well as Asian destinations that formed part of the ancient ‘Spice Route’ like India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Myanmar.

Cruising the Antarctic, ranked #16 in our countdown of '100 Ultimate Travel Experiences of a Lifetime'. — Cruising the Antarctic, ranked #16 in our countdown of ‘100 Ultimate Travel Experiences of a Lifetime’.

The Southern & Arctic oceans

Not many can say they’ve ventured to these remote seas, and not many will. Antarctica voyages are singularly spectacular. Lucky cruisers to the great southern continent are treated to an overwhelming array of fauna. The birdllife is immense. the penguins beguiling and in the later months of the southern summer, whales and killer whales are wondrous.

There is no denying crossing the Drake passage, known as the ‘drake shake’ can be a little uncomfortable if not a lot frightening but the pay off is worth it. Aurora Expeditions do offer some sailings where you can avoid the ‘shake’ with flights to and from Antarctica.

The do not miss destination is South Georgia, teeming with penguins, birds and seals. Although few cruise itineraries will include it as it is an additional week cruising.

Panoramic view over glaciers and icebergs in Neko Harbour, Antarctica.

Why travellers are increasingly dreaming of a white Christmas – and the best places to experience one for yourself.

If the Euro summer has long been Australians’ defining holiday, the white Christmas may well be emerging as its frosty successor.

Booking data from APT Travel Group has revealed that Australians are planning long-haul travel further in advance and increasingly swapping summer at home for a white Christmas abroad.

Why more travellers are booking a white Christmas

tallinn winter — Find festive spirit in abundance in Tallinn, Estonia. (Credit: Unsplash/Dmitry Sumin)

Part of the shift is practical. With the Australian Government recently downgrading its travel warning for parts of the Middle East, travellers’ confidence in long-haul travel is returning as key transit hubs for Australians travelling to Europe reopen.

But accessibility alone isn’t the reason we’re seeing an incline in festive winter holiday bookings.

This year, Australia has experienced a particularly patchy start to the snow season, reminding travellers of how unpredictable winter has become and leading them to look overseas for their next wintry escape. At the same time, rising global temperatures are making reliable snowfall less certain across many parts of the world. Ironically, the rarer a classic white Christmas becomes, the more alluring it feels.

finland snow — Travellers are increasingly looking overseas for guaranteed snowy escapes. (Credit: Unsplash/Joni Kuusisto)

Behavioural psychologists have long observed what they call the ‘scarcity effect’: we tend to assign greater value and desirability to experiences that feel limited or increasingly out of reach. A white Christmas – once an annual tradition for many – has evolved into a bucket-list experience.

It’s also a novel antidote to the Australian festive season. Rather than scorching pavements and beachside barbecues, travellers want to experience the Christmas they’ve spent their whole lives watching in films: snow-dusted pines, chestnuts roasting over an open fire and streets glowing beneath tinsel garlands and fairy lights. Nostalgia sells, but even more so when we feel like it might not always be available to experience.

For decades, Australians have sought to escape winter in search of a European summer. Now, the pendulum is swinging the other way. Below are the top places to have yourself a very Merry Christmas in the snow.

The best places to have a white Christmas

Finland

best places for white christmas — Finland is one of the best destinations for a white Christmas. Credit: APT)

When you’re set on experiencing a blanket-white Christmas, your best bet is to go north. Thanks to its chilly temperatures and geographical proximity to the Arctic Circle (nearly one third of the country’s landmass lies within the Arctic region), travellers are guaranteed to see snow during Finland’s winter months. Plus, the possibility of witnessing the northern lights ribboning across the sky makes the experience all the more magical.

Tallinn, Estonia

tallinn old town — The city of Tallinn has a UNESCO-listed medieval town. (Credit: Unsplash/Ilya Orehov)

While places like Finland and Norway are coveted Christmas destinations, they certainly aren’t easy on the wallet. Estonia’s charming medieval capital of Tallinn is one of the best places to have a white Christmas on a budget, boasting Gothic spires, an intimate atmosphere and toasty market stalls selling everything from handicrafts to sugar-coated almonds. While snow over the Christmas period isn’t guaranteed these days, the country is further north and generally colder than Western European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands.

Canada

whistler christmas — Explore the Christmas lights of Whistler. (Credit: APT)

With its festive spirit, friendly locals and picturesque landscapes, Canada is a top contender for the best place for a white Christmas. Victoria in British Columbia has just about every Christmas tradition covered in one town: a main street of snow-frosted stores, a gingerbread competition, a visit to see the reindeer and horse-drawn trolley rides; while Alberta will see you embracing cosy holiday traditions with the spectacular Canadian Rockies as your backdrop.

If you can’t choose just one destination, the Twelve Days of Christmas tour by APT includes Christmas in Banff, sleigh rides at Lake Louise, Vancouver’s Canyon Lights and the Canadian Rockies. “It’s a relaxed, accessible way to get a proper white Christmas, snow guaranteed rather than hoped for,” says Sarah Latimore, Head of Product at APT for Europe.

New York, USA

new york winter — Central Park dusted with snow is all but magical. (Credit: Unsplash/Caitlyn Wilson)

Yes, films have been romanticising Christmas in New York for decades, but there’s a reason: the cool shift transforms the grand metropolis into what feels like a cinematic village where families glide over ice skating rinks in Central Park, dazzling displays illuminate the streets and carollers sing outside cosy bars with crackling fireplaces.

Germany

Browse bountiful Christmas markets in Regensburg. (Credit: APT)

Germany does Christmas with all the trimmings, especially the Christmas markets; there are hundreds (if not thousands) to choose between in picture-postcard historical towns across the country. Dresden has one of the oldest markets in the country, while Regensburg offers four fairy-light festooned markets within its UNESCO-listed medieval old town.

London, UK

london snow — Cosy up in London for the winter. (Credit: Unsplash/Zhang Kaiyv)

London is a prime place to celebrate a white Christmas with little people: Hamleys alone is worth getting on a plane for! Not only do many hotels offer holiday packages for families, but the sight of latticed snowflakes drifting from the sky on a rugged-up stroll along the Thames is nothing short of enchanting.

Prague, Czech Republic

prague snow — Escape to the charming city of Prague. (Credit: Unsplash/Lukas Konvica)

Offering Gothic architecture, charming cobbled streets and spiced pastries in spades, Prague is among the best places to spend a white Christmas. Come Advent season, when a dusting of snow may cover its ancient castle, and the smell of roasting ham rises from the market stalls, it becomes utterly unforgettable.

Niseko, Japan

niskeo skiing — Hit the slopes for a Christmas spent skiing in Niseko. (Credit: Unsplash/Kristian Klausen)

You don’t need to fly all the way to Europe to enjoy a wintry Christmas abroad. On Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, Niseko is a wonderland for travellers wishing to spend the Christmas season carving up the ski slopes. Promising festive events such as fireworks and giant illuminated trees, as well as plenty of the fluffy white stuff, this ski resort town doesn’t disappoint.

Is Europe or Canada better for a white Christmas?

Europe and Canada are the two most popular destinations among Australian travellers booking wintry Christmas escapes. But which is right for you? Sarah Latimore, Head of Product at APT for Europe, says the answer hinges on your travel interests and preferences.

“Europe suits travellers who want depth, variety and a bit of indulgence, moving through centuries-old Christmas market traditions city by city,” Latimore says.

“Canada is for travellers chasing that classic, snow globe white Christmas. Think twinkling lights and decorations through Whistler and Banff, evenings by an open fire in a Fairmont hotel, and the kind of moments that define the season: dog sledding, sleigh rides, snow underfoot rather than sand.

“Neither is the ‘right’ choice universally; it comes down to matching the traveller. Someone chasing romance and heritage will lean Europe. Someone chasing a classic, white Christmas will lean Canada.”