Best overall cruise itinerary from New York
Trade the soaring skyscrapers of New York City for coastal Canada, remote Greenland, and endless Icelandic summer days. This Viking itinerary makes two stops in Canada and two stops in Greenland before circumnavigating Iceland, beginning with the remote Westfjords and ending in Reykjavik. Sail the same seas as legendary Norse explorer Leif Erikkson (on a far more luxurious Viking ship) while learning about the American Revolution and Canadian exploration from the cruise line’s resident historian. Lounge by the pool, visit the spa, or look out for whales and puffins. Viking has several nearly identical ocean ships sailing this itinerary from New York—each can accommodate a maximum of 930 passengers, allowing them to dock in ports larger ships cannot access.
Best family cruise from New York
It’s impossible to get bored on the MSC Meraviglia. See six Broadway-caliber shows over a 7-night cruise, spend sea days at the thermal spa or lounging by the pool, go bowling, play arcade games, try out an F1 simulator, or work out in a state-of-the-art gym—the opportunities are endless. MSC’s Meraviglia sails from New York to Bermuda, Canada, New England, the Bahamas, and Florida and can accommodate up to 5,642 passengers across 2,214 staterooms. Choose among 23 dining venues and 20 bars and lounges, or try to eat your way through all of them. This is an Italian cruise line, and the pizza, focaccia, and gelato will remind you of that with every bite.
Best cruise from New York for solo travelers
On most cruise lines, traveling solo means paying up to double the fare for a cabin to yourself, but not on the Norwegian Prima. This ship has a special area set aside for solo travelers with 73 studio suites and a private common area for mingling. Each of the Norwegian Prima’s 95-square-foot studio suites comes with a full-size bed, en suite bathroom, and a vanity table. And while space inside these studios are tight, you’ll likely be so busy go-karting, lounging by the pool, taking in shows, and relaxing in hot tubs, it’s unlikely you’ll find yourself spending much time in the room beyond catching some shut eye. The Norwegian Prima sails to Bermuda and the Caribbean from New York and offers a transatlantic repositioning itinerary.Best transatlantic cruise from New York
Best transatlantic cruise from New York
On Holland America’s Volendam, embark on an unforgettable roundtrip journey from New York that includes a stop in the Azores and overnights in Rome, Cairo, and Istanbul. This 45-day journey on Holland America’s Volendam crosses the iconic Strait of Gibraltar and offers several sea days to enjoy the ship’s onboard amenities, which include a spa, swimming pools, and several restaurants. The Volendam accommodates just over 1,400 guests and is designed around grand public spaces. Dive deeper into destinations with regional cooking demonstrations as well as food and wine tastings. There’s no better way to travel in comfort and see the Statue of Liberty, Colosseum, Pyramids of Giza, and Hagia Sophia on a single trip.
Best Caribbean luxury cruise from New York
Sample the best of the Caribbean in just 15 days on the Seven Seas Grandeur, one of the most luxurious ships at sea. This Regent Seven Seas cruise visits Bermuda, St. Barts, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Bonaire, Curacao, and Aruba en route to Miami. This cruise line is a favorite among retired travelers, and the Seven Seas Grandeur is the line’s most luxurious ship. There are 746 suites, a spa, a teaching kitchen, a casino, and Broadway-caliber entertainment onboard. Regent Seven Seas’ specialty is all-inclusive luxury, and it means it. Shore excursions, alcohol, specialty restaurants, and laundry are included in cruise fares, which start at around $8,400 for this itinerary.
Best Bermuda cruise from New York
Escape New York City and head straight to the pink beaches and turquoise waters of Bermuda on the Celebrity Eclipse. Spend two full nights in Bermuda and several days at sea—plenty of time to enjoy everything the Celebrity Eclipse has to offer. Play basketball, go shopping or spend your time at the casino, pools or spa. Or eat and drink your way across more than a dozen bars and restaurants, including an interactive Le Petit Chef dining experience. These seven-night roundtrip sailings depart from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, making it especially easy to combine a visit to the Statue of Liberty with your cruise.
Best fall foliage cruise from New York
Hop on the Seabourn Quest in October for an unforgettable journey through the colors of autumn. Spend a gorgeous fall day in Central Park before setting sail from New York to Montréal by way of Martha’s Vineyard, Boston, Halifax, and Prince Edward Island on a 12-day itinerary along the eastern seaboard. This is a small ship that’s especially popular among North Americans, Europeans, and Australians, and a cruise line that’s beloved by foodies. Seabourn is known for its indulgent steaks, endless caviar, and partnership with award-winning chef Thomas Keller, who has a namesake restaurant on board.
Best Mediterranean cruise from New York
In just 16 nights, sail from Manhattan to Bermuda, Portugal, Spain, the south of France, and Italy on the Norwegian Escape, a ship that accommodates just over 4,000 passengers and is sure to offer something for everyone. The Norwegian Escape offers several restaurants and lounges on board as well as Broadway shows, five multistory waterslides, and the largest ropes course at sea. On its Mediterranean sailing, the cruise stops in Lisbon, Malaga, Barcelona, Cannes, and Rome.
This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
