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There’s a lot more that goes into choosing a cruise than just picking your cabin. You can make or break your cruise simply because of which route you take. Do you want to spend most of your time on the ship? Do you want a cruise port with a vibrant nightlife? These are just a of couple questions you should ask. A few weeks ago I featured some of the best cruise routes in the world. Today is part two of that series.

Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is one of the most overlooked cruise routes in the world. While most travelers think of the Mediterranean Sea when it comes to European cruises, they often miss an exciting route in the Baltic Sea. Enjoy stops along some of Europe’s most beautiful port cities, including destinations in Sweden and Finland. Since the Baltic Sea is located so far north, you’ll have to take your cruise during the summer months between May and September.

Mexican Riviera. With miles and miles of sandy beaches, the Mexican Riviera is for the traveler who wants to beach hop via cruise ship. There are tons of great water sports when docking at some of the different beaches, such as snorkeling, diving, and sea kayaking. Not to mention the beautiful sunsets. Some of the ports you may stop at during your cruise include Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and on longer cruises, Acapulco. Since many of these ports are so close to each other, you can do a five-day cruise that has multiple stops, although I recommend at least a seven-day cruise.

South Pacific. As one of the top destinations in the world, it’s no surprise to see the South Pacific on this list. Why just visit one of the South Pacific islands like Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand, when you can stop at a few of them on a South Pacific cruise? Since it’s often a longer flight to New Zealand, I recommend giving yourself approximately two weeks, spending at least 10 of those days aboard the cruise. Some of the highlights of a South Pacific cruise can include snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, visiting the Komodo dragons of Komodo Island, and kayaking in Tahiti.

Panama Canal. If the Panama Canal is on your bucket list, then this is your chance to do it. Plus, when are you going to have the opportunity to be on the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean on one trip? One of the best parts about a Panama Canal cruise is that travelers have such a wide variety of options. On longer cruises, travelers can immerse themselves in multiple cultures, including Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. I recommend a two-week cruise to get the full Panama Canal experience. Some of the ports on your Panama Canal cruise may include Costa Rica, Colombia, Curacao, Panama City, and St. Maarten.

What’s your favorite cruise route in the world?