20 Great Cruises to Plan for in 2019

Cruising is one of the best ways to relax and see the world, but not every cruise is created equal. From great itineraries to once-in-a-lifetime themed experiences you'll never forget, these are the cruises you need to be on in 2019. Call your travel agent and book today!

CocoCay, Bahamas is Royal Caribbean's own personal private island, and they love sharing it with their guests. In 2019, their "Perfect Day" $200 million expansion will be completed, and the island will be even better. The company is promising a two-pronged approach with more "thrills" and more "chill."

Although Harmony of the Seas isn't the world's biggest cruise ship any more (it was when it debuted in 2016, and it's still close!), it's still an incredibly inclusive experience on the water, with epic adventures on every deck and around every turn. Now, add that ship to the previous slide with a stop at CocoCay and then an eco-adventure expired romp through Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica and Haiti and you have a trip you'll never forget.

There isn't much in this life that screams "glamor" like a transatlantic cruise on the Queen Mary 2, but when Cunard adds some of the world's more innovative designers and an itinerary packed with style, it's time to turn off the runway shows on TV and hit the high seas.

Channel your inner explorer and hop on this small-ship excursion up the Amazon River with Avalon Waterways. On the ship, everything is remarkably luxurious. Off the ship? You'll have a chance to hike through remote terrain and kayak in some of the world's most iconic waters.

New year, new you? How about you hop on the MSC Divina for a Caribbean cruise that won't only feed your body and your mind as well. A cruise that doesn't leave you looking to lose five pounds afterward? Count us in!

If vegan food and yoga at sea isn't your style, you can also go the opposite direction on the "Cooking at Sea Cruise 2019," which is headed to Cuba. Culinary-themed cruises still have all the service and excusions that normal cruises offer but the food is even that much better. Stop drooling, call your travel agent and book now.

River cruising has been one of the hottest travel trends of the past couple of years, and more and more types of travelers are finding new and expanded offerings all the time. This nine-night, all-LGBT cruise through Spain and Portugal with CroisiEurope is a fantastic example. A two-night stay during Madrid Pride is included.

Enjoy running? Want to take that love to new locations and see the world like never before? This cruise is for you! Run races in Honduras, Costa Maya, Cozumel and the Bahamas and even run a 5K onboard the all-new Symphony of the Seas!

New Orleans is a very underrated cruise port, but it's probably a bucket list destination for most travelers before they even get on the ship! Enjoy one of the best cities in the U.S., and then hit a 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise on the beautiful Norwegian Breakaway.

Speaking of bucket list destinations, Alaska is a beautiful place that everyone should see. Cruises to Alaska are growing in popularity every single year, and this trip from Holland America Line is an All-Lesbian adventure on the ms Amsterdam headed to some of the most scenic places on earth!

Perfect for history buffs! This 11-Day river cruise with Avalon Waterways starts in Paris and heads to Normandy for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. It then heads back to Paris and on to London and includes multiple nights guided stays in both iconic cities.

Sail like the Vikings did-well, maybe with a little more style-with Viking Ocean Cruises on their Vikings Shores and Fjords excursion. You'll hit Amsterdam, Denmark and Norway along the way and see some ancient and normally-hidden corners of the world. Add to the excitement with some wonderful pre and post-cruise excursion options including train rides and Iceland's Golden Circle.

Northern Europe's springtime is a site to behold, but this Uniworld cruise isn't just a time to stop and smell the ros...uh, tulips. This river cruise up through Belgium and The Netherlands is packed with natural beauty, UNESCO-designated historical windmills, art museums, 20th-century battlefields and so much more.

Egypt and Israel aren't the kinds of locations that cruisers first think of, but this 7-Day Cruise from Celestyal Cruises not only hits both of those locations but adds stops in Greece and Turkey as well. That's right; you'll leave from Greece in Europe, hit Africa and Asia before heading back to Europe-with a stop on the island nation of Cyprus for good measure.

While you're cruising the Mediterranean, you can also do so with some tremendous Christian-themed cruises that follow the footsteps and sailing routes of early Christian missionaries like Paul. Pilgrim Tours offers sailings of all different lengths and types.

Small-ship cruising is an entirely different experience from normal cruising, because not only is the sea-time experience differerent, but the smaller group sizes mean that the excusions are more intimate as well. This 20-day America's Gold Coast excursion with Seabourn will take what you think of an Alaskan cruise and amp up both the adventure and the luxury.

Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and features some of the best and most-scenic golfing the United States has to offer. Cruising and golfing don't normally go together, but the 2019 Hawaii Golf Cruise aboard Norwegian's Pride of America includes four rounds at PGA-caliber courses and so much more!

Ritz-Carlton has taken their iconic brand to the seas for an all-new cruising experience. Not only are the ships an elevated level of luxury not to be missed, but the smaller yachts can reach Caribbean locations other larger ships cannot.

Because of their all-inclusive nature, cruises are already a great value, but with enough luck and skill, this cruise could pay for itself! This Royal Caribbean group trip is for all levels of cruisers and all levels of poker players with everything from cash games and tournaments to classes and training.

This 10-night cruise with Azamara would be luxurious all on its own, but timed to hit Monte Carlo for the Grand Prix and Cannes for the Film Festival hits two of the world's most celebrated events! As if that weren't enough, the entire trip begins with three guided days in Rome with visits to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Cross off your entire 2019 bucket list at once!