At Paramount Cruises we love helping our customers tick off their bucket list destinations whilst on their cruise holidays. Many of these itineraries often feature UNESCO World Heritage Sites, places which have been deemed as having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance. Currently there are 1,154 World Heritage Sites (897 cultural, 218 natural, and 39 mixed properties) scattered across 167 different countries of the world. We’ve narrowed down our list to just 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites which you can visit on your next cruise holiday, however there are many more which you can tick off your list once you’ve completed this one.
Old City of Dubrovnik, Croatia
Also known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, Dubrovnik has long been at the top of most cruise passengers’ Mediterranean bucket list. Perfectly perched on the Dalmatian coast, the Old City of Dubrovnik was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. During the Balkan conflict of the early 1990s many of the city’s beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains were sadly damaged, however, they are now the focus of major restoration works coordinated by UNESCO.
How to visit Dubrovnik by cruise
Resilient Lady – Departs 22nd September 2023 – 9 nights – Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems with Athens stay
Pitons Management Area, Saint Lucia
The southern shores of the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia are dominated by the Pitons, two volcanic spires rising side by side from the sea. Gros Piton, the larger of the two spires is nearly 800 metres high, whilst the smaller of the two, aptly named Petit Piton is 743 metres high. They are part of a volcanic complex which includes a geothermal field with sulphurous fumaroles and hot springs. The area is covered with lush vegetation whilst the sea below is home to thriving coral reefs home to an abundance of fish species.
How to visit Saint Lucia by cruise
Celebrity Silhouette – Departs 18th Nov 2023 – 13 nights – All-Inclusive Southern Caribbean with Miami Beach stay
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Made up of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, the Great Barrier Reef stretches for over 2,300 kilometres making it the world’s largest coral reef system. If you’re cruising north from Sydney towards Port Douglas you’ll be sailing past this incredible marine landscape, with Airlie Beach one of the ports of call offering numerous excursions to this UNESCO World Heritage site as well as tours of the lush Whitsunday Islands.
How to visit the Great Barrier Reef by cruise
Celebrity Edge – Departs 9th Jan 2024 – 27 nights – Ultimate All-Inc Australia & New Zealand Adventure
Petra, Jordan
If you’re sailing from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal you’ll no doubt stop at the port of Aqaba in Jordan, the gateway to the ancient city of Petra. Situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, Petra has long been Jordan’s most famous site. Petra is also known as the “Red Rose City” as the city was half built, half-carved into the pink stone walls of the gorge within which it sits, you’ll soon realise why so many visitors flock to what is one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites.
How to visit Petra by cruise
Resilient Lady – Departs 22nd April 2024 – 19 nights – Modern Dubai to Ancient Athens
Mount Etna, Italy
As you sail towards the Sicilian city of Messina, the shadow of Mount Etna looms ominously in the distance. It is one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe, in fact, because it continues to erupt it also continues to grow, having gained nearly 30 metres in the last year alone. Whilst Etna is indeed one of the world’s most active volcanoes, excursions here are very safe, with visitors flocking to experience the vast craters dotted around the mountain. It was rightfully added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in June 2013.
How to visit Mount Etna by cruise
Norwegian Breakaway – Departs 01st September 2023 – 12 nights – Rome stay & All-Inc Greece, Malta and Italy
Giant’s Causeway, N. Ireland
If your cruise stops in Belfast you’ll no doubt want to take an excursion to witness the natural wonder that is the Giant’s Causeway. This unique formation of rocks consists of over 40,000 basalt columns stacked next to each other in a multitude of heights emerging from the sea. Legend has it that the causeway was built by a giant to cross the sea to Scotland where he would meet a Scottish giant for a duel. Whether you believe in the myths or not we’re sure you’ll be mesmerised by this stunning landscape.
How to visit the Giant’s Causeway by cruise
Norwegian Star – Departs 11th May 2023 – 10 nights – British Isles & Ireland from Southampton
Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore
Not to be confused with the equally spectacular Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Botanic Gardens was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015, it is the first and only tropical botanic garden to make the list. This amazing cultural landscape includes a rich variety of historic features, plantings and buildings that showcase the development of the garden ever since its creation in 1859. The best thing about visiting the gardens is that entry is free of charge!
How to visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens by cruise
Holland America Westerdam – Departs 21st November 2023 – 19 nights – Ultimate All-Inc Indonesian Discovery with Singapore Stay
Works of Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona, Spain
It wouldn’t be far fetched to describe Barcelona as Europe’s most beautiful open-air art gallery, whether you’re strolling down Passeig de Gracia admiring the facade of Casa Batlló, or spending a lazy afternoon wandering around Park Güell, the work’s of legendary architect Antoni Gaudi are waiting to be discovered. Whilst seven buildings officially make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site listing, Gaudi’s influence spreads throughout the city.
How to visit Barcelona by cruise
Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady – Departs 15th September 2022 – 9 nights – French Daze & Ibiza Nights with Barcelona Stay
Ephesus, Turkey
History lovers will be in awe during a call to the port of Kusadasi in Turkey. Most excursions will take you inland to the ruins of Ephesus, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. Sadly nowadays little remains of this incredible building, however, excavations have revealed spectacular monuments dating back to Roman times including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre.
How to visit Ephesus by cruise
Celestyal Crystal – Departs 17th September 2023 – 10 nights – Greek Isles Cruises & All-Inclusive Halkidiki stay
Statue of Liberty, New York, United Staes
Sailing to New York is always a memorable experience and cruise passengers receive a warm welcome from the imposing Statue of Liberty, standing proudly at the entrance to New York Harbour. Inaugurated in 1886, this colossus structure stands at nearly 100 metres tall and was originally a gift from the people of France on the 100th anniversary of America’s independence.
How to visit New York by cruise
Cunard Queen Mary 2 – Departs 15th December 2023 – 12 nights – Luxury Transatlantic & Xmas in New York
