Bucket list experiences you can tick off on a cruise holiday
Tuesday 18 February 2025
Embarking on a cruise holiday is more than just a relaxing journey across the waves; it’s a passport to once-in-a-lifetime adventures. From witnessing awe-inspiring natural wonders to world-famous landmarks, the right cruise itinerary can make your travel dreams come true.
Whether you crave ancient adventure, incredible culture or culinary delights, cruising offers you the chance to do it all in style – and you’ll only need to unpack once! In this article, we’ll guide you through ten bucket-list-worthy experiences you can tick off on a cruise. Are you ready to turn your travel dreams into realities? Let’s dive in…
Bucket list cruise experiences
1. Witness the Northern Lights
2. See the Pyramids of Giza
3. Snorkel amongst the reefs in the Caribbean
4. Stand in the arena of the Colosseum
5. Dine at a Michelin-star restaurant
6. Go whale watching
7. Observe a solar eclipse
8. Shop at a traditional festive market
9. Visit the Sistine Chapel
10. Hike a volcano
Witness the Northern Lights
Witnessing the Aurora Borealis dancing across the Arctic skies remains one of nature’s most spellbinding sights. With ribbons of green, blue and pink weaving across the night sky, you’ll be mesmerised. This incredible light show has captivated travellers for generations and has earned a rightful place on many bucket lists.
A cruise through the Norwegian Fjords offers the ultimate Northern Lights experience. Our carefully planned itineraries will position you in the heart of Arctic Norway during peak season, giving you the best opportunity to see these elusive lights. Far from city lights and surrounded by snow-capped peaks, you’ll be able to see this phenomenon in its purest form. Each evening brings a new opportunity to witness the aurora, making a Northern Lights cruise the most captivating way to experience this Arctic wonder.
We spoke to Archana from Travel Else Write, who explained her relief at seeing the Northern Lights: “Experiencing the Northern Lights is a bucket-list pursuit that I wholeheartedly recommend. After three failed attempts since 2017, I finally struck gold on my fourth try. I witnessed the vibrant, dancing Aurora Borealis illuminate the Arctic sky for not just one but seven nights in Greenland and Iceland. God has a funny way of clearing his backlog. However, choosing the right time and place was crucial to my success. Through careful planning and a bit of luck, this natural marvel can leave you with lasting memories.”
READ MORE: Introducing Alta: Norway's ultimate Northern Lights destination
See the Pyramids of Giza
Standing before the Pyramids of Giza lets you witness for yourself humanity’s most enduring piece of architecture. These colossal monuments have commanded wonder for over four millennia, rising from the golden Egyptian sands. As the only remaining wonder of the ancient world, they represent a bucket list dream for travellers worldwide.
A Mediterranean cruise can help you bring this to life. Docking at Alexandria opens the gateway to Cairo, where the Great Pyramid and its companions await you. Feel yourself journey through time as you experience these architectural marvels and the entire plateau of Giza.
READ MORE: Lesser-known cruise destinations
Snorkel amongst the reefs in the Caribbean
Beneath the Caribbean Sea’s sparkling surface is a wonderland waiting to be explored. With schools of tropical fish, brightly coloured coral reefs, gliding rays and turtles, there is no shortage of things to experience. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or love to swim, a dip in the Caribbean Sea is a chance to swim in the world’s most spectacular aquarium.
A Caribbean cruise will deliver you to some of the world’s most pristine reefs and secluded beaches. Hopping between these tropical islands, you’ll be able to spend your days with your toes in the sand and head under the waves, watching the world swim by.
READ MORE: 10 facts you didn't know about the Caribbean
Stand in the arena of the Colosseum
Imagine standing where the gladiators once battled, your footsteps echoing through history in Rome’s mighty Colosseum. For history lovers, visiting the Colosseum is a prominent bucket list desire. For over two millennia, this architectural marvel has stood proud in Rome, its ancient walls etched with countless stories of triumph and spectacle.
From the port of Civitavecchia, you can venture into the heart of the Eternal City to experience this legendary amphitheatre for yourself. The Colosseum remains Rome’s most iconic monument and continues to capture millions. Here, history isn’t only preserved; it comes alive with each step.
We spoke to Sarah from Our Little Lifestyle, who told us: “The Colosseum is one of those places you have to experience at least once in your lifetime. Standing in the arenas, you can't help but feel the history and imagine what it must have been like during the height of ancient Rome—it's definitely a bucket list destination worth checking off when in Rome.”
Dine at a Michelin-star restaurant
Are you passionate about fine dining? A Michelin-star restaurant should top your culinary – and travel! – wish list. These prestigious establishments represent the pinnacle of global gastronomy, where world-renowned chefs transform local ingredients into extraordinary dining experiences.
During your cruise holiday, you will be able to discover each port’s finest culinary offerings through its Michelin-starred restaurants. Whether you choose an intimate one-star venue or an acclaimed three-star establishment, you’re sure to enjoy impeccable service and innovative cuisine. When you dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, every dish tells a story, and you’ll not only have a delicious meal but also make new memories.
Go whale watching
Being able to say that you have seen a whale in its natural habitat is a statement not many can make but it is the ultimate bucket list experience. Whether you are cruising the shores of Portugal or the cold waters on a cruise to Iceland or Norway, spotting a whale or another sea animal, like sea lions, dolphins and turtles, is a mesmerising experience.
Here at Ambassador, we partner with Orca, a charity dedicated to studying and protecting whales, dolphins and porpoises in UK and European waters. On our Orca cruises, we place two conservationists to talk to guests about the importance of anti-whaling and to offer you insights and guidance on the best ways to spot these magical animals.
The calm Norwegian Fjords and Iceland are ideal locations to spot whales, especially during summer. The large creatures visit the waters between May and September to feed on the rich nutrients.
Observe a solar eclipse
Have you ever looked at the sky and marvelled at the beauty that lies above? Well, every 10 years, those in the right place are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a solar eclipse, and our new solar eclipse cruises for 2026 are your perfect opportunity to get the best view of this jaw-dropping spectacle.
On the 12th of August 2026, the moon will directly pass between the Earth and the sun, casting darkness over parts of North America, Europe and Greenland. The solar eclipse will only be visible across a slight stretch of the Northern Hemisphere, so ensuring you’re in the right place at the right time is essential. Consider our solar eclipse cruises for the best possible chance of catching this rare sight.
Shop at a traditional festive market
What better time to explore some of the world's best markets than at Christmas? Attending and visiting a festive market is an activity on many people's bucket lists. Christmas markets are the perfect place to get the festive feelings flowing, enjoy warming and delicious foods, drink delectable wines, ciders and hot chocolates, and laugh and chuckle on fairground rides.
The blog Backpacks and Bubbly speak about visiting Bruges at Christmas on their website, describing why it is so magical: “Bruges is one of the absolute dreamiest cities in Europe at any time of year, but Christmas truly makes this whole town feel like a storybook. I absolutely adored Bruges and cannot recommend visiting enough. Bruges is filled with charming alleys and picturesque buildings, and during Christmas, everything is decorated! Two of the main squares become markets, but buildings, streets and shops everywhere are decked out for Christmas.”
A festive market cruise is one of the top ways to visit bucket list cruise destinations and ensures you’re visiting all the best traditional markets in Europe. Whether it’s the quaint and picturesque riverside markets in Bruges or the bustling markets in Amsterdam or Hamburg, you’ll be able to mark the holidays memorably.
READ MORE: Europe's Christmas markets
Visit the Sistine Chapel
Do you know what the smallest country in the world is? Well, if you didn’t, you may be surprised to hear it is Vatican City in Rome. Vatican City is where you’ll find the awe-inspiring and breathtaking Sistine Chapel, part of the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope.
The Sistine Chapel was constructed between 1473 and 1481 by Pope Sixtus IV, whom the chapel was named after. The ceilings and the walls are a spectacle, with iconic frescos painted by Michelangelo in the 15th century. For those of all faiths or none, a visit here can be impactful as the room falls silent to marvel at this incredible artwork and architecture.
Visiting Vatican City can take a few hours to a whole day and is the perfect way to tick off this item from your bucket list on a port day in Rome.
Hike a volcano
What better bucket list activity than hiking a volcano? If you’re lucky enough to visit a country with a safe volcano to hike, then there is no better way to experience the might and magnificence of the country than by climbing it.
On our Canary Islands cruise, you’ll be able to experience Mount Teide's might, which towers 3,715 m above sea level and is the highest point in Spain. Whether you want to hike the volcano itself or the surrounding national park, you’ll find plenty of routes to enjoy. If the thought of climbing the volcano isn’t for you, then a cable car can take you from the base to the summit, offering panoramic views as you travel the heights.
READ MORE: How to spend your stopover in Tenerife, Canary Islands
Travelling is an excellent way to make your dreams come true and make your bucket list experiences a reality. What better way to do that than on a bucket list cruise in 2025 with Ambassador? Our cruises can take you to some of the most awe-inspiring and breathtaking destinations worldwide.
For more travel articles and inspiration, then make sure you explore our blog.
