Sharifah Nur AfiqahIt’s something all travellers should try out at least once in their lives. Combining flying and travelling by sea as a way to travel while enjoying the cruise experience is what the fly-cruise is all about!
Also read: Fly-Cruise? What’s That? — A New Way of Travel You Never Even Knew Existed
Those who have never had a fly-cruise experience might be skeptical, but we’re hoping our list of the best fly-cruise routes will persuade you to start planning for your fly-cruise holiday right away.
1. Fly to London and set sail across the North and Baltic Seas
Island Princess | Image credit: Princess Cruises
This Princess Cruises route will take you across the North and Baltic Seas. As the cruise will be embarking from London, you’ll have a chance to have a tour of the place before setting off.
During the next two days of being out on the North Sea, you’ll get to fully immerse yourself in the cruise experience! Whether you’re into spas, live entertainment or sports, all kinds of facilities are made available for you to enjoy and utilise on the ship. You can count on having a pleasant time onboard as the Island Princess has been voted the Best Cruise Ship for Service.
Within two weeks, the ship will dock at the following Nordic countries: Denmark, Sweden, Finland, as well as Russia, before heading on to these Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
The Hermitage, St. Petersburg | Image credit: Ninara
You’ll be hitting up all the important cities like Stockholm, Helsinki, and St. Petersburg, just to name a few, where you have the option of going on shore excursions organised by Princess Cruises. Choose from more free-and-easy tours, or adventurous ones like biking around Bornholm.
The final destination of the cruise will be in Copenhagen, Denmark, where you can continue the rest of your travels on land if you wish!
Cruise package: Scandinavia & Russia Collection
Cruise duration: 14 days
2. Fly to London and take a roundtrip through the Norwegian fjords
If 14 days on a cruise feels too long for a fly-cruise ordeal, this 7-day route is for you. You’ll also be leaving from London, but this journey will be taking you on a breathtaking adventure in Norway instead. There’ll be five ports of call in Norway, namely Bergen, Geiranger, Hellesylt, Olden, and Stavanger.
Geirangerfjord | Image credit: Edward Dalmulder
Highlights include Norway’s most prominent fjord, Geirangerfjord, what some people claim to be the most beautiful in the world. Marvel at the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil Falls up close when you go on a high-speed cruise excursion with Princess Cruises.
Cruise package: Norwegian Fjords
Cruise duration: 7 days
3. Conquer Greenland-Iceland by fly-cruise
Image credit: Visit Greenland
Getting to locations like Greenland and Iceland is a bit more complicated than taking a direct flight when you’re not anywhere near the European continent. However, it means that it’s the perfect opportunity to diversify your mode of travel when you finally embark on that Greenland-Iceland trip you’ve always yearned for.
Eqip Glacier | Image credit: David Stanley
Fly to Reykjavik via your city of choice (Copenhagen, Helsinki, London), before departing for the cruise, which will reach its final destination at Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Along the way, you’ll sail to Vestmannaeyjar (Iceland) and across the Denmark Strait before visiting the natural wonders of Greenland at sites such as Narsarsuaq, Ikka Fjord, Sisimiut, Eqip Glacier, Uummannaq, and Disko Bay.
Upon reaching Kangerlussuaq, you can catch a flight back to Reykjavik and continue your exploration of Iceland on land.
Cruise package: Iceland and Natural Wonders of Greenland
Cruise duration: 12 days
4. Fly to Sydney and take a roundtrip through the South Pacific
Isle of Pines, New Caledonia | Image credit: Chris Hoare
If you’re not really keen on fjords and glaciers, a cruise traversing the South Pacific might just do it for you. Get more beach time the next time you’re in Sydney by getting on a cruise that’ll bring you to New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
Image credit: Chris Hoare
Take the Tchou Tchou train around Noumea, New Caledonia and engage in other exciting shore excursions, or try out some water sports such as lagoon snorkelling and stand-up paddleboarding!
Cruise package: New Caledonia & Vanuatu
Cruise duration: 8 days
5. Experience more of Japan by cruise
Get more out of your Japan holiday by taking a cruise around the different prefectures of Japan, and even stop by Busan, South Korea during your trip! Fly to Japan and make your way down from Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, before arriving in Kobe to go on-board the cruise ship.
Image credit: Yoshikazu Takada
Catch the sunrise at Kochi, before going further south of Japan to Kagoshima, where you’ll get a glimpse of Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes that sits just offshore.
Image credit: Ian Cochrane
Arguably the best part about this route is that you’ll also be stopping by South Korea’s second largest city, Busan, without having to take another flight. You’ll then arrive back in Kobe, where you can continue exploring the rest of Japan!
Cruise package: Korea & Japan Getaway
Cruise duration: 5 days
6. Get to Alaska and the Glacier Bay by cruise
Image credit: Kimberly Vardeman
A fly-cruise trip to Alaska is definitely one you should aim to experience in your lifetime, as its glaciers continue to melt due to climate change. The journey will begin in Vancouver, Canada, before reaching Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway in Alaska.
Image credit: National Park Service
There’s plenty of adventuring to do on shore when the ship docks, including ziplining, adventure karts, and fishing! However, the highlight will definitely be the Glacier Bay National Park where you’ll get up close and personal with the glaciers.
You’ll then head on to the scenic College Fjord, before the cruise ends in Achorage, Alaska, where you’ll then be free to continue your holiday elsewhere in the area.
Cruise package: Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay (Northbound)
Cruise duration: 7 days
Going on a fly-cruise is definitely the way to go for those who want to get more out of their travels! While the luxuries of the cruise experience are definitely a pull-factor, the flexibility you get in deciding where to travel pre- and post-cruise is the best part of doing a fly-cruise.
Also read: 7 Best Cruise Experiences For The Discerning Traveller
