While many cruisers love to frequent familiar ports of call, you should consider making 2018 the year you travel beyond your comfort zone. With several new ships and new itineraries available, it’s now easier than ever to discover new destinations. Whether you cruise often or are thinking of taking a cruise for the first time, dare to try something different with one of our most unique cruise itineraries of the year.

Here are magical cruise itineraries for 2018.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise LineA digital rendering of the Haven Observation Lounge on Norwegian Bliss, which debuts in April. 

Norwegian’s new ship through Panama Canal

A Panama Canal cruise tops many cruisers’ bucket lists. While several ships make the crossing on a regular basis, you can go all out this year with the largest cruise ship to-date to pass through the locks. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, which debuts in April, offers two itineraries that pass through the Panama Canal departing from Miami on a 15-day voyage on May 10, 2018, and a 14-day voyage from Los Angeles departing Nov. 3. While making history, you can enjoy onboard amenities like go-karts, laser tag, waterslides and Norwegian’s freestyle dining and signature entertainment. Call a Cruiseable travel advocate for pricing and details at 1-877-322-3773.

Darragh Sherwin / Creative Commons BY-SAThe Four Courts on the River Liffey in Dublin. The Four Courts houses the Irish Supreme Court, High Court and the Central Criminal Court.

Celebrity Eclipse to Ireland & Iceland 

See lush green landscapes and explore the land of fire and ice when you depart on Celebrity Cruises’ 14-night Ireland and Iceland itinerary departing Aug. 18, 2018, on Celebrity Silhouette. Visit landmarks featured in popular movies and television shows such as “Game of Thrones,” relax in natural baths and hot springs, and marvel at many natural wonders all while you cruise in style. While itineraries vary slightly, you can enjoy stops in ports like Dublin, Belfast and Cork in Ireland as well as Reykjavik (some with an overnight stay) and Akureyri, Iceland. Prices start at $2,719 per person.

Empress of the Seas to Cuba

While most major cruise lines began sailing to Havana, Cuba, in 2017, Royal Caribbean will be adding additional stops on the island this year. Learn more about the music, art, food and people of this charming and historic Caribbean island, which we visited last year. Get engulfed in the Cuban flavor with the line’s Empress of the Seas 8-night Cuban Immersion cruise on Dec. 9, 2018, featuring stops in Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba for a culturally enriching cruise. This is one of the most comprehensive Cuba cruises offered by a mainstream cruise lines. Prices start at $548 per person. 

Courtesy of Lindblad ExpeditionsNational Geographic Quest in the Pacific Northwest in fall 2017. 

See Alaska’s wilderness on Quest

If you're looking for an intimate adventure cruise to Alaska, the 8-night Alaskan Wilderness cruise on the purpose-built National Geographic Quest is perfect for your 2018 voyage. This expedition ship accommodates only 100 guests, allowing it to navigate the Inside Passage's inner channels. Get an up-close and personal experience with the landscapes and wildlife as you cruise picturesque Southeastern Alaska sites such as Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm Fjord, Sitka and Juneau. This is truly a one-of-a-kind cruise experience. Various dates are available from May to September.

Copyright Ellen MillerPenguins on the shore of Antarctica seen during an expedition cruise.

Take that bucket list trip to Antarctica

While many travelers like to head south for a warm weather Caribbean or Bahamas cruise, why not head all the way south toward Antarctica? On Silver Cloud Expedition, you can explore the southernmost region of the globe in style. This luxury expedition ship, completely refurbished in 2017, is now equipped to handle the cold waters of an 10-night cruise to Antarctica cruise. Be among the few travelers lucky enough to navigate through the infamous Drake Passage as you spend several days afoot on the Antarctica continent among emperor penguins, orcas and walruses. Contact a Cruiseable travel advocate to fill you in on the details.

Courtesy of Cunard LineGet close-up views of the Manhattan skyline when Queen Mary 2 sails through New York Harbor.

Take a transatlantic cruise on QM2

Look to relive the golden age of cruising with the quintessential cruise experience of a transatlantic cruise on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. This 7-night cruise will depart from Southampton, England, immersing travelers in traditional British elegance, sophistication and maritime tradition. With no stops between the departure point and your final destination of New York City, your cruise will be filled with fine cuisine, enrichment lectures and history talks, moments at the spa and white glove service. Sailing dates are May 10-17, 2018, and prices start at $1,166 per person. This cruise also operates in the reverse direction, from New York to Southampton. 

Courtesy of SeaDream Yacht ClubSeaDream II's 112-passenger ship during a warm-weather sailing in the Caribbean.

See small Caribbean islands rebound

The two-ship boutique cruise line SeaDream Yacht Club is lining up 2018 itineraries in the Caribbean that should show how well the region is rebounding after last fall's twin hurricane gut punches. Many cruisers prefer the 112-passenger ships over the larger cruise lines because they can travel to small, out-of-the-way ports like the ones on a seven-night seven-day cruise on Sea Dream II, including San Juan, Puerto Rico; Cruz Bay, St. John; Charlestown, Nevis; South Friars Bay, St. Kitts; Gustavia, St. Barts; Sandy Ground, Anguilla, and White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands. Prices start at $3,199 per person. 

JD Lasica / Special to CruiseableWintergarden, the lounge on your Viking ocean ship where afternoon tea is served daily, sports a retractable roof.

Ready for a world cruise on Viking Sun?

Last, if you're indecisive and cannot pick the single itinerary that is right for you, why not go all out and cruise the entire globe? If you have the vacation time and funds, set out to see the world aboard a Viking Ocean world cruise. This ultimate 128-day cruise experience covers 21 countries and 44 ports as Viking Sun journeys from Miami to London. Even though this cruise doesn’t technically depart until the beginning of 2019, you better start saving your pennies now as this trip of a lifetime starts at $49,995 per person!

Interested in one of these cruises?

No matter what cruise you choose, make 2018 the year you broaden your horizons! If you're interested in any of the itineraries above, contact a Cruiseable travel consultant at no fee, either by email or phone 1-877-322-3773.