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Skip to content Menu Go to Home Page * News * Credit Cards * CARD TYPE * Best overall * Travel * Airlines * Rewards * Business * Cash back * All credit cards * CARD ISSUER * American Express * Chase * Capital One * Citi * Bank of America * All issuers * COBRANDED CARDS * American Airlines * Delta Air Lines * Hilton * Marriott * Southwest Airlines * United Airlines * All cobranded cards * LEARN ABOUT CREDIT CARDS * Beginners guide * Credit score * Credit utilization * Credit card reviews * Points + Miles * CREDIT CARD REWARD PROGRAMS * American Express Membership Rewards * Capital One Rewards * Chase Ultimate Rewards * Citi ThankYou Rewards * All credit card programs * AIRLINE REWARD PROGRAMS * American AAdvantage * Delta SkyMiles * Southwest Rapid Rewards * United MileagePlus * All airline programs * HOTEL REWARD PROGRAMS * Hilton Honors * Marriott Bonvoy * World of Hyatt * IHG One Rewards * All hotel programs * LEARN ABOUT REWARD PROGRAMS * Beginners guide to points and miles * TPG points valuations * Award vs. cash calculator * Travel * AIRLINES * Airline news * Airline reviews * Airline deals * All airline stories * HOTELS * Hotel news * Hotel reviews * Hotel deals * All hotel stories * CRUISES * All cruise stories * RESOURCES * Family travel * Road trips * Travel gear * Travel advisories * Travel tips * Tools * TPG APP Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. * TPG POINTS VALUATION See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty program’s currency, based on redemption values. * AWARD VS. CASH CALCULATOR Check here before booking an award fare. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. * CARDMATCH Find the right card for you. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it won’t affect your credit score. SUBSCRIBE Advertiser disclosure Search The Points Guy SUBSCRIBE Advertiser disclosure ADVERTISEMENT Guide THE 6 BEST 2023 CRUISE ITINERARIES TO BOOK RIGHT NOW Ashley Kosciolek Ashley Kosciolek Senior Cruise Writer In addition to cruising, Ashley is obsessed with reading, lawn gnomes, pizza, cats, CrossFit, SEO and proper grammar. Dec. 28, 2022 • 9 min read Jump to section * Facebook * Twitter * LinkedIn * Copy URL * Email This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. How does a cruise to Arabia sound? Or what about the longest U.S. river cruise ever to set sail? With ships traveling all over the globe, it can be difficult to choose the destination that's right for you, especially when there are so many bucket list-worthy options. That's why I've rounded up some of 2023's most exciting itineraries. From interesting new routes to tried-and-true ones that now have new ships, this list will prime your sense of wanderlust for both far-flung destinations and places close to home as we head into the new year. Prepare to be inspired. Note: All prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. Fares do not include taxes and fees. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. JAPAN ON PONANT'S LE SOLEAL Cherry blossoms in Osaka, Japan. YOSHIYUKI KANEKO/EYEEM/GETTY IMAGES After nearly three years of shutdowns and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan finally reopened to travelers in November 2022. That includes cruise passengers, and several lines — including Holland America Line and Celebrity Cruises (which is offering special "Spice Route" voyages that include Japan) — are returning. However, the most exciting Japan itineraries I've spotted for 2023 are a couple of routes offered by Ponant's Le Soleal. Not only is the line the first expedition ship to take passengers to Japan's southern islands, but its itineraries are also Japan-focused routes that don't include other countries like the ones offered by Holland America and Celebrity. Details: The first route is an eight-day voyage, March 24-31, 2023, offering visits to traditional villages of the Okinawa archipelago and the Ryukyu Islands, as well as Ishigaki and Kume. Prices start at $6,000 per person for an ocean-view cabin. The second route is an eight-day sailing from Osaka to Fukuoka, May 15-22, 2023, taking passengers to stops in the Seto Inland Sea, the oldest sea route in Japan. Fares start from $7,310 per person for an ocean-view room. More information on Ponant's Asia voyages can be found on the line's website. WEST AFRICA ON HURTIGRUTEN'S SPITSBERGEN Deserted beach on the island of Orango, Guinea-Bissau. TIAGO_FERNANDEZ/GETTY IMAGES In a first for Hurtigruten, the line is offering a selection of sailings around the west coast of Africa, including the islands of Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau's Bissagos Islands, which are made up of more than 80 beachy islands and islets, only about 20 of which are populated year-round. Daily Newsletter Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts Email address Sign up By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time. Cape Verde voyages are rare, making this ideal for anyone wishing to check the country off their bucket list. Plus, with Hurtigruten's rapid expansion beyond its traditional Norway offerings and into expedition cruising, you can be one of the first to try out this first-for-the-line itinerary, which will be available four times in late 2023 (and into early 2024), departing from Dakar, Senegal. Details: These 13-day sailings on Hurtigruten's Spitsbergen depart from Dakar in November and December 2023 and January 2024. Prices start at $5,974 per person for an inside cabin. More information can be found on Hurtigruten Expeditions' website. OHIO AND MISSISSIPPI RIVERS ON AMERICAN QUEEN VOYAGES' AMERICAN COUNTESS American Countess. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY It's no secret that American Queen Voyages has been sailing U.S. rivers for years. But what makes this particular itinerary special is that it will be the line's longest ever. The 23-day cruises, which include travel on both the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, will be offered on the line's newest ship, the 245-passenger American Countess. The vessel will feature stops in some of America's most notable small towns, including La Crosse, Wisconsin; Dubuque, Bettendorf and Burlington, Iowa; Hannibal, St. Louis, Kimmswick and Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Paducah, Henderson, Owensboro, Brandenburg, Louisville and Maysville, Kentucky; Madison, Indiana; Point Pleasant, West Virginia; and Cincinnati and Marietta, Ohio. Details: The first voyage is set to begin in Red Wing, Minnesota (near Minneapolis), on July 24, 2023, and end in Pittsburgh on Aug. 15, 2023. The reverse itinerary will begin on Aug. 15, 2023, when the ship reaches Pittsburgh. Prices start from $10,599 per person for an inside cabin. You can find more details on the line's website. THE MIDDLE EAST ON WINDSTAR'S STAR LEGEND Dubai, United Arab Emirates. JORG GREUEL/GETTY IMAGES If you're looking for a cruise destination that's a bit more far-flung, Windstar Cruises is offering Red Sea and Persian Gulf sailings in the Middle East — a first for the line, which will sail its newly stretched Star Legend in the region, beginning in fall 2023. The line will offer four different itineraries, but my favorite is the 10-day Persian Gulf option from Dubai to Muscat, Oman, which includes calls on places like Ras Al-Khaimah and Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and Khasab, Oman. The ship will also visit the UAE's island of Sir Bani Yas, which is known for nature and wildlife conservation. The sailings include overnights in Doha and Abu Dhabi, too. Details: This itinerary is offered 11 times, beginning in November 2023 and running into early 2024. Fares start from $3,499 per person for ocean-view accommodations. CARIBBEAN AND BAHAMAS ON MSC MERAVIGLIA AND CARNIVAL VENEZIA FROM NYC A view of three of Half Moon Cay's five exclusive Beach Villas from the water. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY Although Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries aren't a new thing from New York, two cruise lines will have a new presence there starting in 2023: Carnival Cruise Line with Carnival Venezia, which will begin sailing from Manhattan in June, and MSC Cruises with MSC Meraviglia, which will be based at Brooklyn's Red Hook terminal beginning in April. The itineraries are fairly standard at first glance, but what's key here is that, for the first time, the lines' private islands — in this case, Carnival's Half Moon Cay and MSC's Ocean Cay Marine Reserve — will be accessible via sailings traveling round-trip from New York. Details: Between April and December 2023, MSC Meraviglia is offering 11 seven-night sailings calling on Port Canaveral (near Orlando), and Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, both in the Bahamas. Prices start from $399 per person for an inside cabin. More info can be found on the MSC Cruises website. From June through December, Carnival Venezia will sail one eight-day Bahamas voyage that includes Nassau, Freeport and Half Moon Cay, with prices starting from $484 per person for an inside cabin. During that time, the vessel is also scheduled to run five eight-day Eastern Caribbean cruises calling on Amber Cove, Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay, with fares starting at $684 per person for an inside cabin. For additional details, visit the Carnival website. AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND ON DISNEY WONDER AND VIRGIN VOYAGES' RESILIENT LADY Cityscape image of Sydney, Australia, with Harbor Bridge and Sydney skyline. PRASIT PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES With Australia and New Zealand finally picking up steam again post-shutdown, it's not surprising that some cruise lines are sending ships to the region for the first time in 2023. Beginning in November, Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wonder will sail 14 two- to six-night voyages from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne — calling on places like Hobart and Eden in Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; and Noumea, New Caledonia — through the end of the year, offering Disney fans another option in terms of destination. Plus, starting in December 2023, Virgin Voyages' brand-new Resilient Lady will offer five two- to 14-night sailings from Melbourne, providing locals with a more modern ship. (It's rare for the Australian market to see brand-new vessels.) Voyages include stops in Hobart, Burnie or both Tasmanian ports. On the two-week sailing, ports also include Sydney, as well as Picton, Napier, Tauranga and Auckland in New Zealand. Details: Disney Wonder's per-person fares for inside cabins start at $946 for two nights, $1,604 for three nights, $2,000 for four nights, $2,118 for five nights and $4,078 for six nights. For more information, visit the Disney Cruise Line website. Virgin Voyages' per-person prices for interior accommodations start from $245 for two nights, $613 for five nights, $753 for six nights and $2,240 for 14 nights. Check out the Virgin Voyages website for more details on these cruises. Have cruise questions? TPG has answers: * Banned items: What not to pack for a cruise * Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships? * What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships? * What are the largest cruise ships in the world? * What is a gentleman host on a cruise? * What is the Jones Act and how does it affect cruise ships? * What is a lido deck on a cruise ship? * What's a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money? * What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler? Featured image by ULRICH HOLLMANN/GETTY IMAGES Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. TOP OFFERS FROM OUR PARTNERS How we choose HOW WE CHOSE THESE CARDS Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. If anyone on our team wouldn’t recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldn’t recommend it on The Points Guy either. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. * Learn Moreabout Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardTerms Apply BEST FOR BEGINNERS Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card 60,000 bonus points * Learn Moreabout The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply Best luxury travel rewards card The Platinum Card® from American Express Earn 80,000 points * Learn Moreabout Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply See rates & fees Best card for premium perks while traveling Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 miles * Learn Moreabout IHG One Rewards Premier Credit CardTerms Apply Best card for IHG stays IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card 140,000 bonus points 80,000 * Learn Moreabout Alaska Airlines Visa® credit cardTerms Apply Best for Alaska Airlines loyalists Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card Limited Time Online Offer - 60,000 Bonus Miles See all best card offers ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT TOP OFFERS FROM OUR PARTNERS How we choose HOW WE CHOSE THESE CARDS Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. If anyone on our team wouldn’t recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldn’t recommend it on The Points Guy either. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. * Learn Moreabout Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardTerms Apply BEST FOR BEGINNERS Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card 60,000 bonus points * Learn Moreabout The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply Best luxury travel rewards card The Platinum Card® from American Express Earn 80,000 points * Learn Moreabout Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply See rates & fees Best card for premium perks while traveling Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 miles * Learn Moreabout IHG One Rewards Premier Credit CardTerms Apply Best card for IHG stays IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card 140,000 bonus points 80,000 * Learn Moreabout Alaska Airlines Visa® credit cardTerms Apply Best for Alaska Airlines loyalists Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card Limited Time Online Offer - 60,000 Bonus Miles See all best card offers Related stories News How Venture X saved me over $6,000 on a summer trip to France Guide 11 best hotels near Dollywood News Have a few extra miles lying around? Help us help Miles4Migrants Deals Still on sale: Apple AirTag 4-pack on sale for 1 of the lowest prices of the year — but act fast TPG FEATURED CARD Best card for premium perks while traveling CAPITAL ONE VENTURE X REWARDS CREDIT CARD Apply for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees TPG Editor‘s Rating Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. 4.5 / 5 Go to review Apply Now Apply for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card at Capital One's secure site REWARDS 2 - 10X miles details 10 Miles10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel5 Miles5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel2 Miles2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day INTRO OFFER Earn 75,000 miles details Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel ANNUAL FEE $395 RECOMMENDED CREDIT 740-850 Excellent more info Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. WHY WE CHOSE IT The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on a $300 annual credit toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges. Pros & Cons PROS * Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months. * A $300 in annual credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel. * 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary. CONS * The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that. * If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you. More Details * Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel * Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options * Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary * Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel * Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases * Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network * Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs * Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more * Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Apply Now Apply for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card at Capital One's secure site Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees Best card for premium perks while traveling CAPITAL ONE VENTURE X REWARDS CREDIT CARD TPG Editor‘s Rating Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. 4.5 / 5 Go to review REWARDS RATE 10 Miles10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel5 Miles5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel2 Miles2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day * INTRO OFFER OPEN INTRO BONUS EARN 75,000 BONUS MILES WHEN YOU SPEND $4,000 ON PURCHASES IN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS FROM ACCOUNT OPENING, EQUAL TO $750 IN TRAVEL Earn 75,000 miles * ANNUAL FEE $395 * RECOMMENDED CREDIT OPEN CREDIT SCORE DESCRIPTION CREDIT RANGES ARE A VARIATION OF FICO© SCORE 8, ONE OF MANY TYPES OF CREDIT SCORES LENDERS MAY USE WHEN CONSIDERING YOUR CREDIT CARD APPLICATION. 740-850 Excellent WHY WE CHOSE IT The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on a $300 annual credit toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges. View More Pros & ConsMore Details PROS * Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months. * A $300 in annual credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel. * 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary. CONS * The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that. * If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you. * Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel * Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options * Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary * Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel * Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases * Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network * Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs * Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more * Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® MAXIMIZE YOUR TRAVEL * Facebook * Instagram * YouTube * Twitter * TikTok SIGN UP FOR OUR DAILY NEWSLETTER FOR THE LATEST NEWS, DEALS AND TIPS. 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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Copyright © 2023 The Points Guy, LLC. All rights reserved. A Red Ventures company. We use cookies and similar technologies to understand how you use our services, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. By clicking "Accept All", you accept all cookies. By clicking "Reject All", you reject all cookies except Strictly Necessary cookies. To manage your cookies and learn more about our use of cookies click “Cookie Settings”.Learn more. Cookie Settings Reject All Accept All