World's most popular cruise destination has epic landscapes and Northern Lights

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Exploring the Norwegian Fjords came in third - with cruises being a great way to do so (Image: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines)
Exploring the Norwegian Fjords came in third - with cruises being a great way to do so (Image: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines)

The world's most popular cruise destination is one you could visit multiple times in one year and have a completely unique experience each time.

Norway has long been a firm favourite with those booking cruises, and this year it's set to be the most popular destination according to research from Your Co-op travel.

It's not surprising, considering it offers brilliant holidays year-round. In winter, best countries for seeing the Northern Lights, and considering this year is one of the best to see the Aurora it's sure to be a hit with those wanting to tick the natural phenomenon off the bucket list. Then there are the snow-capped Norwegian Fjords, the winter activities from husky sledding to snow shoe trails and the gorgeous scenery to explore.

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When temperatures heat up and summer comes around, those same Norwegian Fjords are transformed into a hiker's paradise from the lush green trails and forests that await to the picturesque fishing villages with colourful harbours and local restaurants serving up some mouthwatering delicacies.

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World's most popular cruise destination has epic landscapes and Northern LightsNorway is also one of the best destinations if you want to see the Northern Lights (AFP)

Norway has already been seeing a boost in popularity; according to the research, there was a 46% year on year increase in bookings in 2023 for cruise fans, and it's expected to see further bookings for 2024.

Still, it's not just Norway that's proving a hit. For those after winter sun, the Caribbean islands were a close second in terms of popularity. Meanwhile Brits who are looking for holidays a little closer to home have been booking cruises to the Canary Islands, which are also ideal for a spot of winter sun, not to mention the glorious hot and sunny weather that makes them so popular during the summer months too.

Cruise holidays themselves are set to enjoy a boom, with bookings for cruises having risen by 56% year on year in 2023. In fact, short-haul cruises have overtaken city breaks when it came to the most booked holiday types.

Natalie Quiney, Content and Ecommerce Manager, at Co-op Holidays, said that it was "unsurprising" to see cruises proving to be so popular with Brits, as they offer "a host of onboard amenities and the ease of discovering bucket list locations like the Norwegian Fjords or Caribbean islands", adding that "hopping on board a ship can be a great way to travel whether with friends or cross-generational family groups".

You can find out more on cooptravel.co.uk.

If you've never been on a cruise before, it's natural to have some questions around what a holiday entails. According to one expert, there are lots of misconceptions about cruises - so they've debunked some of the most common myths from the onboard crowds to seasickness.

Gordon Nardini, Head of Innovation at Ambassador Cruise Line, said that it's understandable to worry about getting seasick, but reassures that ships are designed to reduce the motion of the waves onboard. He added: "After a day or two, the majority of cruisers find their sea legs. Bodies are intelligent and extremely adaptable meaning they keep us feeling happy and ready-to-holiday when at sea. And, if worse comes to worse, all cruise ships should have a supply of seasickness remedies onboard…"

Julie Delahaye

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