For a break that offers spectacular scenery for every minute of your holiday, there is perhaps nothing quite like a cruise holiday . By taking in any of the following places on a voyage you are almost guaranteed to see wonderful sights both from your vessel and on land when you call into port.
Norwegian fjords
One cruise destination you might find to be particularly scenic is the Norwegian fjords. Located to the extreme north of the country, going on a cruise through the region will allow you to see some fantastic natural landscapes, ranging from pristine glaciers and waterfalls to lakes and mountains.
Of course, the fjords themselves are likely to be of great interest. You'll be surrounded by several of the dramatic narrow inlets during the course of your voyage and depending on which company you book with, there may even be the chance to see Sognefjord, the country's largest fjord, which stretches some 127 miles inland.
But there is much more to see than just natural splendours during your voyage as your cruise is likely to call in at Bergen . As Norway 's second biggest city and the gateway to the fjords, here you'll be able to take in several examples of medieval architecture.
You may also stop off at Tromso, a city that is known as the Paris of the north, and Trondheim , the first Viking capital of Norway , which is famous for its numerous wooden buildings.
Cruises here tend to run between February and October in order to avoid the extreme cold that sets in during the winter. However, the best time to visit could be during the summer months and you'll find that the evenings stay lighter for far longer than you're used to back home, so there's plenty of opportunities to see the natural landscapes in all their glory.
If you decide to holiday in midsummer, by travelling beyond the fjords and crossing the Arctic Circle you'll come to Hammerfest, the northernmost town in the entire world, and get the chance to experience the breathtaking Northern Lights.
Alaska
You'll also be able to witness spectacular fjords and snow-capped mountains while cruising through Alaska . The US state shares similar latitudes with northern Norway , so it should perhaps come as little surprise that icebergs and glaciers are just some of the natural attractions for you to discover.
From the comfort of your cruise ship, you may also find you come across a diverse range of wildlife, including dolphins, humpback whales and sea lions, so this could be the perfect trip if you're something of a nature enthusiast.
Holland America Line runs dozens of cruises in the region that make their way through the Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to nine tidewater glaciers and various species of wildlife, including moose and orca whales.
But if you're keen to get back to civilisation during your cruise, don't worry. The Voyage of the Glaciers route operated by Princess Cruises stops off at Juneau , the state capital, and Skagway , a city that experienced a significant gold rush in the late 19th century.
Given its extreme northerly location, however, the Alaskan cruise season is fairly short and only runs from May to mid-September, so it may be advisable to book your cruise during the height of summer.
Egyptian Nile
Exploring the Nile on a cruise will also enable you to view amazing sights and while it is one of the longest rivers in the world, it is most likely to be the section of the waterway running through Egypt that really appeals to you.
Starting from Aswan and travelling northwards up the Nile, you'll get the chance to see several pyramids and other buildings that date back thousands of years, including the incredibly well-preserved temple at Edfu, which is dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus.
Many cruises stop off at Luxor , where you'll be able to go on an excursion to the Valley of Kings . While this complex is home to hundreds of tombs of Egyptian leaders and nobility, its most famous crypt is most probably that belonging to the boy king Tutankhamen.
You may even get the chance to visit Cairo on your cruise and just to the south-east of the Egyptian capital you'll come to Giza , the location of the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx and other iconic ancient architecture.
One of the many routes that will take you here is Comsos' Glories of the Nile expedition and while you'll be able to journey up the river all year round, it is perhaps best to do so in the spring or autumn when it is not too hot.
Caribbean
For beautiful scenery there is perhaps nowhere quite like the Caribbean , so when your ship calls at a port during a cruise here, you may feel like you have found a tropical paradise.
The choice of destinations you can take in is vast, although many itineraries choose to go through the eastern islands.
As such, you may end up calling at Barbados . Spending time here allows you to see some spectacular sights, including Harrison 's Cave, a beautiful crystallised limestone cavern full of amazing stalactites and stalagmites. You could also see Welchman Hall Gully, a park home to a number of tropical plants and green monkeys.
Antigua and St Lucia are just some of the islands you can visit during a cruise, so there should always be something waiting just around the corner for you to explore.
While it is possible to go on cruises here in every month of the year, it is probably best to visit between October and March in order to avoid the hurricane season.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Royal Caribbean operates in the region and by taking the company's Southern Caribbean cruise you can call in at the River Antoine Estate in Grenada , home to the oldest functioning waterwheel in the western world.
Mediterranean
A little closer to home, voyaging through the Mediterranean will allow you to take in some fantastic sights.
You can choose to sail from Southampton, although many holidays see you fly from the UK and join the ship at your departure port in continental cities such as Athens and Venice .
Book a West Mediterranean cruise with P&O and you'll stop at the beautiful Croatian city of Dubrovnik . Here, you can visit the world's oldest pharmacy, believed to be built in 1391, and the Old Town district, home to ancient cobbled streets and a pretty harbour.
This cruise also calls at Naples , where you'll be able to see the medieval Sant Elmo castle, and Rhodes which is home to the 14th century Palace of the Grand Masters.
Book a cruise to any of the above scenic destinations and you'll have the chance to take in jaw-dropping sights both on land excursions and from your boat, while making full use of the luxurious facilities onboard your vessel.
