Top 10 Trending Cruise Destinations This Summer

Interest in cruising is booming as ships return to operation, and new data from online cruise marketplace CruiseCompete shows that consumers are requesting quotes and booking a myriad of destinations around the world. Here's a look at the top 10 most popular places as of this summer.

The Hawaiian Islands, including ports like Oahu, Maui, Hilo, Kona and Kauai, are still very much in demand in the second half of 2021. The Aloha State rounds out the top 10 trending cruise destinations this summer, according to data from CruiseCompete.

Tahiti and the islands of the South Pacific are also speaking to eager cruise passengers. CruiseCompete's August 2021 CruiseTrends report found that the French Polynesian capital of Papeete is the second-most popular cruise departure port among luxury cruise passengers while Bora Bora is the most requested cruise port to visit among high-end guests.

Adventure seekers want to cruise too and while Antarctica offers quite a different experience compared to more traditional cruise destinations, there's no denying its stunning landscapes, remarkable wildlife and vast opportunities for bold and bucket-list experiences.

North America is the second-most requested cruise region among premium and river cruise passengers, CruiseCompete found. U.S. ports, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Port Canaveral in Florida, dominate the top departure ports for premium cruise customers. What's more, the United States is the most popular country to visit for river cruising and the third-most sought-after for premium guests, trailing only the Bahamas and Mexico.

Travelers are also showing plenty of interest in longer voyages that span a plethora of destinations in world cruises. After all, Regent Seven Seas Cruises' epic 132-night 2024 World Cruise traversing Central America, the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii, South Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Bermuda broke a booking record last month.

The Last Frontier has been top of mind for many travelers amid the pandemic, and it turns out that cruise passengers are also anxious to visit the 49th state. Alaskan ports such as Juneau and Ketchikan are among the most requested among premium cruise guests as of August 2021, and Seattle is the fourth-most popular cruise departure port as summer winds down.

Iceland has been a trendy destination in recent years and as an island country, it's uniquely suited to offer an exceptional cruise experience. Awe-inspiring natural wonders ranging from rejuvenating hot springs to sprawling fjords in addition to rich Viking history, culture and friendly locals are just some of the highlights that await cruise travelers.

While not a destination per se, oftentimes cruise passengers are more thrilled by the journey than the destination. Transoceanic sailings are trending this summer, with many travelers showing interest in comparing continents and following in the footsteps of famous explorers of centuries past.

Europe, specifically the Mediterranean, continues to be popular among cruise passengers. According to CruiseCompete's August 2021 CruiseTrends report, Europe is the most popular region for both luxury and river cruises. Meanwhile, the Mediterranean is the second-most sought-after region among luxury guests and the third-most-popular in the river category.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, a Caribbean cruise continues to be the most coveted. The Caribbean is the most requested region for premium cruise passengers as of August 2021 and the third-most among luxury travelers. Cozumel, Nassau and Royal Caribbean International's private island destination Perfect Day at CocoCay are the most popular cruise ports in the premium category.