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Where will 2025 take you?

From sunny escapes to city breaks, here’s a look at what’s on the horizon for the year ahead.

6 min 30 Dec 2024

Editorial Team

Author

A new year is a clean slate – 365 days await, each one brimming with possibility. And we hope you plan to spend at least a few of them with us.

 

In 2025, our ships will spend nearly 1,400 days in port and visit 185 different ports of call*. So whatever type of traveller you are, there’s a perfect holiday for you. Want to explore somewhere new? We’ve got a strong line-up of ship maiden calls, such as Azura in Kotor, Montenegro and Britannia in Belfast, and we’ll be returning to destinations we haven’t visited in a few years, including Newcastle, where we last stopped in 2011, and Hammerfest in Norway, where we haven’t been since 2012. Prefer to spend more time with an old favourite? The countries we’ll visit most in 2025 are Norway, Spain and Portugal, with the most-visited ports being Tenerife and Lanzarote in the Canary Islands; Cadiz in Spain; Madeira in Portugal and Haugesund in Norway.

 

With so many options to choose from, here are five of our favourite destinations to help inspire your 2025 travel list. 

1. Take it easy in Tortola

In Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), you’ll be met with warm sunshine and an equally warm welcome. Guests on Iona can experience that warmth on a 35-night transatlantic cruise in January, which marks the very first time that Iona will visit the Caribbean. And she’ll be making it a family affair, with sister ship Arvia by her side: in Tortola, the two ships will meet in the same port for the first time ever.

 

Whether you’re seeking laid-back lounging or a bit of adventure, Tortola hits the spot – the peaceful shores and a lush, mountainous interior offer a variety of landscapes to enjoy. The idyllic little island has its fair share of white-sand beaches. Our favourites include Cane Garden Bay, a favourite with locals for swimming, chilling and cocktails; Apple Bay, a sweeping stretch beloved of surfers; and secluded Long Bay with its perfect crescent of pure sand and crystal-clear sea. Alternatively, spend the day at The Baths at Virgin Gorda. Swimming amongst the island’s grottoes, boulders and tranquil labyrinth of natural tunnels, arches and tidal pools, all nestled among powdery white sands, is an unforgettable experience.

 

If you prefer an immersion in lush tropical flora, head for Sage Mountain National Park. Take the trail through 6m-high fern trees to the highest point of the ridge. Your reward? Spectacular views of Tortola and other BVI islands rising from the sparkling Caribbean Sea.

 

View cruises to Tortola here.

2. Visit bio-diverse Bonaire

Britannia starts the year taking it easy in the Caribbean. And what more idyllic spot than nature-lover’s paradise Bonaire?

 

Having embraced pioneering ecological conservation since the 1960s, Bonaire is today blessed with limpid seas, pristine coral reefs, healthy mangrove forests, secluded beaches and diverse flora and fauna. From birdwatching and hiking to kayaking and biking, eco-adventures connecting you to nature abound. Snorkelling is a key draw. Protected reefs lie close to the shoreline with clear, warm waters and colourful coral – look out for turtles, octopus, rays, tropical fish and seahorses. The uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire is a particularly idyllic snorkelling spot.

 

To connect with locals, head for the lively, candy-coloured capital city of Kralendijk for a warm welcome, colourful food, crafts and shopping. Bonaire was once a Dutch colony and this history is evident in the city’s architecture, particularly in Kaya Grandi, the city’s main street.

 

View cruises to Bonaire here.

 

After her winter in the Caribbean, Britannia will start gearing up for her big birthday celebration in June – our flagship turns ten, and she’s celebrating with a 14-night cruise around the British Isles.

Sea turtle with diver

3. Make time for Toulon

In 2025, Arvia adds a new destination to her Mediterranean itinerary: the pretty port of Toulon, France, a seaside city and a gateway to the lush region of Provence. The Côte d’Azur’s glitzy stars such as Nice, Cannes, Antibes and Saint-Tropez are tantalising options. However, it’s worth taking time to explore Toulon itself. Colourful local pointu fishing boats bob in the waters a short walk from the centre of town. Stroll along the harbour and, once you’ve worked up an appetite, find a shaded table at one of the many cafés. The Romanesque cathedral and the daily fruit, vegetable and flower market are well worth investigating, too.

 

Also within easy reach of the port is the creative district of Rue des Arts, with its mix of neighbourhood galleries, art shops and artists’ studios. You’ll find plenty of appealing little bars and places to eat. Keep an eye out for la cade on the menu, a local delicacy made of chickpea flour and cooked in a pizza oven. Treat yourself to a chilled glass of rosé – the region’s go-to tipple. The cable car is also a fun option, whisking you to the summit of Mont Faron in six minutes. Here, you can sample its small selection of restaurants or simply enjoy the dazzling Mediterranean vistas.

 

Beach time is essential, of course. Toulon’s beaches are some of the best in Provence, and are easy to access from the port area, with some less than a half hour’s walk away. Among the most popular are les Plages du Mourillon, a collection of five Blue Flag-certified beaches based around the well-considered ‘Pavillon Bleu’. A day at the beach couldn’t be easier with connecting pathways, lawns, play areas and plenty of bars and restaurants to refuel.

 

View cruises to Toulon here.

France, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur, Var, Toulon, plages du Mourillon, plage du Lido

4. Explore Motril and more

It’s always exciting when we visit a new destination for the first time. In 2025, we’ll be making a maiden call to the port of Motril, Spain, on both Arcadia and Aurora.

 

The Costa Tropical may not be as well-known as other Spanish destinations, but this sunny stretch of coastline is a delight to explore. Motril offers cultural and architectural attractions, a lively fishing port and several local beaches. It was home to rum distilleries and sugarcane fields centuries back and the Ron Montero distillery and the Preindustrial Sugar Cane Museum give interesting insight. For tasty treats, look out for the beloved quisquilla de Motril, a small, sweet shrimp found only on this coast. Try them with local wines like Calvente or Fontedei, produced at a kilometre above sea level.

 

Beyond Motril, you’ll find an array of unique attractions. Granada is a highlight – you can feel centuries of history as you stroll through the city’s barrios. Overlooking the city, the mesmerising Alhambra Palace beckons. The Moorish ‘Palace of the Sultans’ and UNESCO World Heritage site is a true cultural wonder, so book tickets well in advance if going independently – or make life easier with a shore experience.

 

View cruises to Mortil here.

Walkway lined with palm trees that gives access to the Poniente beach of Motril, Costa Tropical de Granada.

5. Find adventure in Flåm

Iona has been a fixture the Norwegian fjords since she started sailing in 2021. By the end of 2025, she’ll have reached nearly 100 calls to the ports of Haugesund, Olden and Stavanger. This year also marks her return to the tiny town of Flåm, a port that she last visited in 2022.

 

The tiny village of Flåm is famous for its stupendous setting at the head of magnificent Sognefjord and its incredible scenic railway. Just arriving at this gateway to adventure is a memorable experience – you cruise up the world’s longest and deepest fjord, surrounded by snow-topped mountains and dramatic waterfalls.

 

This is a truly beautiful corner of the world, with picture-perfect landscapes at every turn. There are lots of ways to experience it. Take an exhilarating RIB ride across the glassy Aurlandsfjord; cruise by catamaran across salmon-rich Nærøyfjord; hit the hiking and mountain-biking trails (there’s something for all abilities). Or you may prefer to take it all in as you fly down the Flåm zipline, starting 820m above sea level at Vatnahalsen.

 

Riding the magnificent Flåm Railway, which rises 867m above sea level in just under 20km, is a must. On the way, you’ll see the mighty Kjosfossen waterfall, verdant hillsides dotted with farms, craggy cliff faces and shimmering green lakes. Another panoramic spot is the Stegastein viewpoint near Aurland, which has a pine and steel platform jutting out from the mountain 650m above beautiful Aurlandsfjord.

 

View cruises to Flåm here.

View from the most beautiful train journey Flamsbana between Flam and Myrdal in Aurland in Western Norway

Feeling inspired?

Book your 2025 getaway here.