Cruise Vacations You May Have Overlooked
Cruises offer a unique departure from the ordinary travel options
. With alluring ports of call located across the globe, and off-boat excursions for nearly every type of passenger, taking a cruise could provide you and your family with one of your most memorable vacation experiences. And with cruise lines expanding their itineraries to previously unvisited ports of call, your potential destinations are increasing every day.When most people think of the traditional cruise, they typically imagine a trip to either the Caribbean or Alaska. Perhaps, if they can afford a little more, a beautiful trip down the French Riviera. But cruise-goers are not limited to these choices any longer! For less than what you might pay for round trip airfare to Europe alone, you could enjoy a luxurious cruise to Southeast Asia or South America, two exotic yet often overlooked destinations!
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is greatly underrated for its natural beauty, but heralded for its cuisine and exotic cultures. Travel agencies have seen interest in Southeast Asian cruises skyrocket in the past decade. These cruises typically last at least five days, and can extend to two weeks or longer. Popular ports of call in this region include Singapore, Phuket and Langkawi.
Singapore is a beautiful island city-state located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, 85 miles north of the equator. One of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia, Singapore draws over 10 million tourists a year. Visitors will want to visit Singapores Orchard Road District, a very famous shopping destination. Or visit two of Singapores state-of-the-art casinos, built in 2005 when gambling was legalized.
Phuket, which is coincidentally about the size of Singapore, is a southern province in Thailand, and its largest island. Phuket is popular for several attractions, namely its pristine beaches with the softest sand on earth, and its placement in the Top 5 of Fortune Magazines 2005 list of top retirement destinations. Also renowned for its cuisine and culture, Phuket is a predominantly Buddhist region with a wealth of history and architecture. The province is home to many beautiful Buddhist shrines.
Langkawi, in the state of Kedah, is an archipelago of 99 tiny islands off the northwest coast of Malaysia. Also known as the Jewel of Kedah, Langkawi boasts what have been called the best beaches in Malaysia, including Burau Bay and Pantai Cenang. Langkawi Island has also been given World Geopark status, as it is home to some of the most unique geological formations and rock fields on earth.
South America
Our neighboring continent, South America is renowned for its beautiful beaches, exotic nightlife, and dynamic urban cultures. At the same time, it is one of the most sought after wildlife destinations in the world, thanks to the majestic Amazon Rainforest. A very nice South American cruise could last at least fourteen days, and should include ports of call on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the continent, including Buenos Aires, Ushuaia and Santiago.
With a population of around 13 million, Buenos Aires is the capital of, and largest city in Argentina. Buenos Aires has experienced a sharp increase in tourism in recent years, enticing visitors from around the globe with world famous soccer matches, romantic tango lessons, lovely cafes and museums, and a wonderful blend of old and new architecture. Due to Argentinas favorable exchange rate, its shopping districts such as Alto Palermo, Paseo Alcorta, and Galerias Pacifico are international favorites.
Ushuaia is the capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego. It is commonly referred to as the southernmost city in the world. Ushuaia has always been a popular vacation spot for South Americans, particularly residents of Buenos Aires, but its international appeal has also grown over recent years. Its proximity to Antarctica and its resident killer whales, seals, and penguins make it a beloved stop for wildlife enthusiasts. And of course, it is home to Tierra del Fuego National Park, a unique region filled with beaches and glaciers alike.
Santiago is the capital and largest city in Chile, with a population of over 5.2 million. While in Santiago, you could enjoy one of two world famous symphony orchestras. Or, if you are a soccer fan, go out and root for Colo Colo, or the University of Chile, two of South Americas most famous football clubs. Santiago is also a popular destination for skiers, as it is nestled amid the Andes Mountains.
Maybe this brief overview helped to pique your interest in these two overlooked cruise destinations, or perhaps you already knew about the amazing culture, wildlife and other attractions that these locales have to offer. Either way, if you are a cruise enthusiast, remember to take some chances every once in a while and try a taste of the exotic. Thinking outside the box could lead to the vacation of a lifetime.
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