Cruises for history lovers

by Simon Carter

Part of the charm of each destination you cruise through is getting to learn more about how their unique culture was shaped, how their traditions were formed, and how their history has impacted the present-day landscape.

If the past fascinates you as much as it fascinates us, then these itineraries are sure to pique your interest.

Legendary Rhine & Moselle

Exploring the locations that line the banks of the Rhine and Moselle rivers is like traversing the pages of a fairy tale. There are over 40 castles built from the Medieval era onwards to discover here, some in ruins and others lovingly restored in styles from the Romantic period. Monuments in the region, such as Trier’s Porta Nigra, can date back almost 2,000 years and still stand strong to this day. Even modern history prevails on this itinerary, with the Bundesbank Bunker being an intriguing relic of the Cold War, a non-descript subterranean bunker that once held over 15 billion Deutsche Marks of reserve German funds.

Vibrant Greece & Turkey

Widely considered to be the epicentre of the western world, Greece has more history than you could ever hope to explore. Many monuments in Athens, the heart of ancient Greece, continue to stand proudly, with the likes of Acropolis Hill and the Ancient Agora being wonderfully preserved for their age.

In Turkey, you’ll marvel at the east-meetswest vibe, where over 4,000 years of history have defined the landscape. Learn more about the Persian Wars that lasted for half a century, and witness what remains of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Secrets of the Douro

The Douro River was integral to the ancient settlers of the Iberian Peninsula, providing protection, a means of travel, and a much-needed water resource.

The Côa Valley is home to rock art close to 25,000 years old and showcases a captivating insight into the lives of early humans. What’s more, the art was only recently discovered in 1991, as part of a scrapped project to introduce a dam to the Côa Valley. Over 2,000 years old, the famed Douro Valley is also a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, and the oldest identified wine-growing region in the world.

Hidden Charms of the Caribbean

With many former colonies of the US, British, French, and Dutch (among others), hopping from island to island, you’ll see how each of these nations shaped the culture of the Caribbean and how each island has since forged its own identity.

Learn why Saint Barthélemy has a distinctly French flair to this day, and why cricket is so popular in the West Indies. And, of course, the Caribbean Sea was awash with fearsome pirates in the 17th and 18th centuries, with plenty of forts and naval museums on the islands displaying nautical memorabilia from devastating battles at sea.

Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong

Southeast Asia’s past is as tumultuous as it is fascinating, having fallen under Chinese empirical and French colonial rule, as well as surviving the Vietnamese-US war.

Today, the region has a balanced sense of tranquillity, combining ancient customs with the modern expectations of guests looking to explore both deep-rooted culture and contemporary attractions. Learn more about Buddhism in Southeast Asia while witnessing the awe-inspiring sunrise at Angkor Wat, following a sombre stop at Choeung Ek’s Killing Fields.