10 bucket-list cruises with incredible land adventures

For some holidays, stepping aboard the ship is only one part of the adventure.

Travel agency Galaxy Cruises’ collection of cruise-and-stay holidays combines voyages with experiences that would justify travelling halfway around the world in their own right. Think searching for Bengal tigers in India, exploring the Sacred Valley in Peru and touring the Great Wall of China.

Flights, hotels and selected tours are included alongside each cruise, taking some of the work out of organising a complicated long-haul trip. These ten bucket-list cruises prove you do not have to wait until embarkation day for the adventure to begin.

There are bucket-list holidays and then there are holidays that appear to contain an entire lifetime’s worth of bucket-list moments.

This 24-night adventure begins with a seven-night escorted tour of China. Visit the Great Wall, explore Tiananmen Square and travel by bullet train to Xi’an to see the Terracotta Warriors. The tour continues to Chengdu, where two giant panda experiences are included.

After two nights in Hong Kong, board Norwegian Jade for an 11-night cruise through Taiwan and Japan. Calls include Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Kochi and Kyoto before the voyage reaches Tokyo.

The final experience is a Mount Fuji and Hakone day tour, complete with another journey aboard one of Japan’s bullet trains.

Machu Picchu may be the headline attraction, but it is only the beginning of this epic South American journey.

Start in Lima before flying to Cusco for an escorted tour through the Sacred Valley. A Vistadome train journey then reveals the scenery surrounding Machu Picchu, where a guided tour of the ancient Inca citadel is included.

After time in Santiago, the 15-night Norwegian Star cruise travels around the southern edge of South America. The itinerary visits Puerto Montt and Ushuaia before scenic cruising around Paradise Island and Elephant Island in Antarctica.

The ship then calls at the Falkland Islands, Puerto Madryn and Montevideo before arriving in Buenos Aires for a two-night stay and city tour.

Few cruise holidays begin at Elvis Presley’s Graceland and end amid the parades of Mardi Gras.

Spend two nights in Memphis, where a tour of Graceland is included, before riding the City of New Orleans train south through the American landscape. After a night in New Orleans, board Norwegian Getaway for a seven-night Caribbean cruise.

The ship visits Mexico, Honduras and Belize before returning to New Orleans. You will then have another three nights in the city during Mardi Gras, when marching bands, elaborate costumes and colourful floats fill the streets.

An optional three-night Nashville extension is also available for travellers who want to add another great American music city.

This unusual itinerary brings together two very different sides of Asia. Begin with two nights in Tokyo followed by a seven-night Diamond Princess cruise. Calls include Nagasaki, Seogwipo in South Korea, Kobe and Shimizu, one of the gateways to Mount Fuji.

The holiday then continues in India with a 12-night luxury escorted tour from Great Rail Journeys. Visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Jaipur’s Amber Fort and the sights of Delhi before searching for Bengal tigers during game drives in Ranthambore National Park.

Rail journeys include the Gatimaan Express, Shatabdi Express and the famous Himalayan Toy Train to Shimla. Accommodation on the tour is in four and five-star hotels, with breakfast and dinner included.

A long-haul adventure does not necessarily need to end with a long-haul flight home. Fly from the UK to Cape Town for a three-night stay and an included safari before joining Cunard’s Queen Anne. The 18-night voyage follows the western coast of Africa and crosses the Atlantic towards Europe.

Days at sea provide plenty of time to enjoy Queen Anne’s restaurants, pools and traditional Cunard atmosphere. The itinerary also includes calls at São Vicente in Cape Verde, Gran Canaria and Madeira.

The journey ends in Southampton, removing the need to fly home after the cruise.

Japan and Alaska may not be an obvious pairing, which is precisely what makes this 20-night holiday so interesting.

Two nights in Tokyo offer time to discover the Japanese capital before boarding Holland America Line’s Westerdam. After calling at Kushiro on Hokkaido, the ship crosses the North Pacific towards Alaska.

Kodiak introduces passengers to Alaska’s rugged scenery and abundant wildlife. The voyage continues to Sitka and Ketchikan before visiting Prince Rupert in British Columbia.

After disembarking, two nights in Vancouver provide time to explore the Canadian city before flying home.

This 31-night escape is for travellers who believe getting there should be as memorable as the destination.

Begin with two nights in Sydney before embarking Royal Princess. The ship visits the Bay of Islands and Auckland in New Zealand then continues into the South Pacific.

Calls at Suva and Apia are followed by Hawaii, where the itinerary visits Honolulu and Kailua-Kona. After crossing another stretch of the Pacific, the ship reaches San Diego and Los Angeles.

A two-night stay in Los Angeles completes a journey connecting Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii and California.

Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Hawaii come together on this 22-night Celebrity Edge holiday.

Two nights in Sydney give travellers time to see the harbour and city before the 15-night voyage begins. After visiting the Bay of Islands, Celebrity Edge crosses the International Date Line and sails into French Polynesia.

The itinerary calls at Raiatea, Papeete and Moorea, where volcanic mountains rise above lagoons in almost impossible shades of blue. The voyage finishes in Honolulu, followed by a two-night hotel stay.

Drinks and Wi-Fi are included onboard, adding extra value to this long-distance sailing.

This Southeast Asia cruise stands out for the amount of time it gives passengers in port. Begin with two nights in Singapore before joining Azamara Pursuit. The itinerary visits Kuala Lumpur and Penang then spends three days in Yangon, creating more time to explore than a conventional port call would allow.

The cruise continues to Phuket, Langkawi and Malacca before returning to Singapore. Azamara’s smaller ship and destination-focused style make the package particularly well suited to travellers who want to spend less time rushing back to the gangway.

Selected beer, wine and spirits, soft drinks, speciality coffees, gratuities and meals are included onboard.

Three nights in Bali ease travellers into this 23-night Southeast Asia holiday before Oceania Riviera sails from Benoa.

The itinerary begins by exploring Indonesia, with calls at Celukan Bawang, Surabaya and Semarang. It then continues to Vietnam and Cambodia, including an overnight visit to Ho Chi Minh City.

More extended calls follow in Bangkok and Singapore, alongside visits to Cam Ranh, Sihanoukville and Koh Samui. Two nights in Singapore after the cruise provide a final opportunity to explore before the flight home.

Meals, soft drinks, speciality coffees, internet, group fitness classes, laundry services and gratuities are included onboard.

What is a cruise-and-stay holiday?

A cruise-and-stay holiday combines a cruise with one or more nights on land. Some packages simply add a hotel before or after the sailing, while others include escorted tours, rail journeys, safaris and domestic flights.

Staying before the cruise can also reduce the pressure surrounding embarkation day, particularly when travelling long haul. More ambitious packages make it possible to explore inland destinations that cannot be reached during a normal port call.

What is included with a Galaxy Cruises holiday?

Inclusions vary between packages, but these featured holidays include UK flights, cruise accommodation, onboard meals, port taxes and ATOL protection.

Selected itineraries also include hotel stays, transfers, guided tours, rail journeys, drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities and shore excursion credit. Check the individual holiday carefully before booking to see exactly what is covered.

Are cruise-and-stay holidays worth it?

Cruise-and-stay packages can be particularly useful for complicated itineraries involving several flights, hotels, transfers and tours.

They also allow travellers to spend longer in embarkation and disembarkation cities rather than seeing them only on the journey between the airport and ship.

Prices, availability and advertised inclusions are correct at the time of writing but can change. Always check the complete package details before booking.