With cruising making a confident rebound and nearly every region on the planet once again open to cruise travellers, there are plenty of exciting new destinations to explore by ship. While some destinations are new to certain cruise lines, such as Greenland, the Greek island of Zakynthos and Kenya, other destinations are back on the cruising radar with all-new itineraries. Here we highlight the best new and improved cruise destinations that'll make you want plan your next trip. 

The Greek island of Kastellorizo has plenty of good looks to spare. Part of the Dodecanese, Kastellorizo lies roughly one mile off the Turkish coast. The setting for the 1991 Oscar-winning Italian movie Mediterraneo, Kastellorizo is blissfully uncrowded, home to traditional tavernas, sweeping pine forests and glimmering azure waters. New luxury cruise line Explora Journeys (a sister brand of MSC) will offer calls to Kastellorizo during its maiden Mediterranean season in 2023, making this less-travelled island one of the best new cruise destinations in the Mediterranean.

Kastellorizo’s harbour is one of the most picturesque in all of Greece, filled with pastel buildings occupied by gorgeous seafood restaurants, cafés and the odd gift shop. Pack a towel and relax on the nearby Mandraki Beach or wander Kastellorizo’s charming backstreets to admire Saint Merkourios Holy Orthodox Church and Saint George at Pigadi Orthodox Church. Afterwards, take a seat facing the bobbing fishing boats and indulge in soul-satisfying dishes of fresh grilled fish served right on the waterfront.

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The picturesque port of Saint-Pierre lies on the northwest coast of Martinique, one of four French overseas territories in the Caribbean. Martinique is the picture of perfection, with stretches of coastline lined with palm trees, velvety-soft beaches and glistening turquoise waters. Saint-Pierre’s hinterland is home to a volcanic landscape, filled with glorious green hills, sugarcane and banana plantations. The island’s coastal towns, including Saint-Pierre, offer a mix of culture, colonial-era architecture and relics from the island’s distant past.

Saint-Pierre hasn’t been visited by cruise ships before, but that’s about to change when Explora Journeys visits during its inaugural Caribbean programme in 2023. There’s plenty to do here, including visiting the Depaz distillery on the slopes of Mount Pelée to sip on a range of delicious rums. In Saint-Pierre, the Mémorial de la Catastrophe de 1902 is a must-visit, dedicated to those who lost their lives due to a devastating volcanic eruption in 1902.

Hurtigurten’s new far-flung voyages to West Africa shine a spotlight on Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and the Gambia with a range of itineraries in 2023 and 2024 departing from Senegal's capital, Dakar. A highlight is visiting the gorgeous Bissagos Islands, lying off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. Here you can witness hippos wallowing in Anôr Lagoon, explore pristine tropical shores and learn about the Bijagos people, who live in a matriarchal society where women manage matters of economy, politics and religion in the community.

The quaint capital of the Gambia, Banjul is nestled at the point where the Gambia River meets the Atlantic Ocean. For a hit of culture combined with shopping, visit the Gambia National Museum to explore the country’s best-kept archeological treasures, before visiting the labyrinth of stalls at Albert Market, a street bazaar overflowing with arts and crafts. For a lazy day on the beach, head to Cape Point, home to lofty palm trees and a couple of laid-back beach restaurants and bars.

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One of the world’s best new cruise destinations is in the Middle East. No, it's not Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi, but Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it’s officially recognised, is still largely unknown. That's set to change thanks to a programme called Vision2030, which is seeing the country opening up to leisure travellers. A selection of ports are now welcoming cruise ships on both the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. which has prompted MSC Cruises to offer an exciting programme of 2023 cruise calls.

On the Red Sea, Al Wadi is an untouched port that's closest to the city of AlUla, home of Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra. This archaeological showpiece offers well-preserved tombs and other relics dating from the Nabataean Kingdom. AlUla is also home to a green oasis, a vast, ochre-hued desert and an old town of mud brick houses. Nearby, marvel at the breathtaking Maraya concert hall, a hulking architectural cube designed to reflect the stunning desert landscape.

With a handful of calls scheduled for 2023, MSC Cruises is also putting Yanbu on the map. During MSC Bellissima’s winter season sailing from Jeddah, the ship will spend a night in Yanbu, ensuring you have plenty of time to get to know this ancient city, which lies on the old spice route. Archaeologist, army officer, diplomat and writer Colonel T.E. Lawrence – otherwise known as Lawrence of Arabia and famed for his role in the Great Arab Revolt – was based here.

In Yanbu you can wander its swathe of golden beach, dine on fresh-off-the-boat Red Sea fish and shop at the recently restored Souk Al Lail night market. Originally open late to serve the local fishermen, you could pick up an array of colourful spices, dates and green mulukhiyah (jute) leaves. For a more action-packed activity, hike the jagged-sharp peaks of the Jebel Jar Valley mountains, roughly a 45-minute drive north of the city. Yanbu is also known as the diving capital of Saudi Arabia, with extraordinary sights to explore underwater.

Cuba is back (but with some caveats) as one of the most exciting new cruise destinations. The country became big news in 2015, when American citizens were allowed to travel there for the first time in 50 years. Cue all the major cruise lines announcing voyages to the largest island in the Caribbean. Then, in June 2019, that all changed when US government policies once again prohibited Americans from travelling to Cuba. While travelling to the destination for tourism remains prohibited for US citizens, cruise lines based in other nations have added it to Caribbean voyages for 2023 and beyond. 

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Until March 2023, Tui-owned Marella Cruises is offering week-long Flavours of the Caribbean voyages on its Discovery 2 ship, departing from Jamaica. With an overnight stay in Havana, there’s plenty of time to check out the Cuban capital's best bits, including live music, cigar factories and Renaissance mansions. The itinerary will return in December 2023 and run until March 2024, so there's lots of opportunities to get your salsa moves on.

If you’re a fan of zesty lobster rolls and soothing beach coves, you’ll want to add Rockland, Maine, to your list of destinations to visit. You can cruise there from summer 2023 thanks to Celebrity Cruises’ Canada and New England voyages, departing between August and October. The timing of these cruises means you can also enjoy the region’s famous leaf-peeping season, when Mother Nature turns Maine’s rich foliage shades of maroon, crimson and gold. 

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This photogenic town is best known as one of the world’s biggest lobster-fishing ports, with plenty of seafood restaurants dotted around the harbour. A handful of museums include The Coastal Children's Museum, Maine Lighthouse Museum and the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, all located near the waterfront. If you’re feeling active, a glorious hike takes you from Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse around the harbour to Owls Head Lighthouse. From start to finish, it takes roughly 2.5 hours.

You can add India to your must-cruise list with Celebrity Cruises, which launched a new home port in Mumbai in 2023. Their brand-new Spice Route will see over 2,200 passengers board the Celebrity Millennium and follow a historical path from Mumbai and Goa before continuing onto Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Mumbai is one of the world’s most bustling (and colourful) cities, which you can best soak up with many popular shore excursions. Go on a heritage walk to discover the city's amazing architecture, visit an early morning flower market or admire the catch-of-the-days that come in at the Sassoon Docks. The Spice Route cruise launches in November 2023 and takes in eight ports, four sea days and one overnight crossing on this 12-night route.

Home to rare Viking remnants, tight-knit communities and quirky architecture, Greenland is bound to be the highlight of Celebrity Cruise’s combined Iceland and Greenland sailing. The inaugural programme offers two departure points – Cape Liberty, New Jersey and Reykjavík, Iceland – and launches in August 2023.

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You’ll be whisked away on the Celebrity Summit, which features a solarium, sunset bar and sky lounge, offering you the chance to admire the snow-capped mountain backdrops of your Arctic surroundings. The New Jersey route takes in two Canadian hotspots, Qaqortoq in Greenland and three points in Iceland, while the Reykjavík route follows a similar path in reverse, taking in Nanortalik in place of Qaqortoq and arriving into Boston, Massachusetts.

Celebrity Cruises have also opened Celukan Bawang in Bali, Indonesia as well as reopening their Benoa port, which they haven’t visited in over five years. One of their three new itineraries includes a 12-night sailing between Bali, Malaysia and Thailand from December 2023 onwards. 

Celukan Bawang is your gateway to exploring Indonesia's glorious northern islands, with black volcanic beaches, ancient Balinese temples and the chance to go snorkelling at Bali Barat National Park. Benoa, meanwhile, pulsates with a delicious culinary scene and opportunities to watch authentic Kecak fire dances. Hop on board either the Celebrity Solstice or Celebrity Millennium for the cruise of a lifetime.

With white pebbled shorelines, turquoise-blue waters and rugged clifftops, Zakynthos awaits your arrival this year. This Greek island paradise will be served by MSC Cruises from May 2023, with the MSC Lirica departing from Venice and including Zakynthos on their shorter routes (under seven nights).

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That’s not to say you’ll be missing out on anything; in seven nights, the cruise ship still serves the big-hitters of Dubrovnik, Croatia and Corfu, Greece, as well as pulling into a couple of lesser-known spots. You’ll also tick-off Bar, Montenegro and Bari, Italy, just a few of the dreamy European destinations you might not have considered before.

A six-hour flight away from the Seychelles, Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa is hoping to become the next rising star in the cruising world. Since late 2022, the refurbished cruise terminal has already welcomed three cruise ships, with three more planned to dock by the end of March 2023.

We're optimistic that Mombasa will become a popular stop-off point for cruisers, with the likes of Azamara, Seaborn and MSC serving the Kenyan city. Popular excursions in Mombasa include wandering around the Fort Jesus Museum, being wowed by the giraffes of Nguuni Nature Sanctuary and checking out Swahili architecture in the Old Town.

Follow the rhythm of the music on Royal Caribbean's brand-new cruise around the Caribbean, USA and Deep South tour. The 23-night cruise launches on 7 May and 13 August 2024, so there's more than enough time to get excited for its vast itinerary. Starting from New York City, passengers will take in Haiti and the Dominican Republic before flying onto Chicago, Illinois.

And that's where the fun really starts. For the next nine nights, you'll head out on a fully escorted 'Rhythms of the Road' land tour, taking in the likes of St. Louis in Missouri, Nashville in Tennessee and New Orleans in Louisiana. The cruising action takes place on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas, where you can watch 'Broadway at sea', enjoy outdoor film nights and cool off in several pools.

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