A Passionate Traveler’s Look at Our New 2022-2023 Tropics & Exotics Cruises

Every year when spring is nearly here, we have the exciting project of preparing a new season of Tropics & Exotics voyages to share with all of you. It’s always an inspiring time for us as a team because it’s our first look at what awaits – new and different itineraries, thrilling destination experiences and future travel stories. As a passionate traveler myself, I love this time of year on a personal level because it reminds me of the amazing experiences I’ve had over the years and it sparks my wanderlust for where I’ll travel next. That’s particularly true this year, as I’m eager to plan future travels like many of you. Turning the pages of our newest brochure and browsing the latest tropical and exotic cruises – from Asia, Africa and the South Pacific to South America and the Caribbean – never fails to capture my imagination and transport me to where I might go next.

Adventures in Egypt
A few years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time in Egypt. I was very impressed by how the grandeur of the temples and everyday life were interwoven. It’s incredible how the Karnak and Luxor Temples are right in the middle of the city. I’d love to spend more time in the Valley of Kings near Luxor and visit some lesser known ruins. In particular, the hieroglyphs are fascinating, and I’ve been studying them in my spare time. It would be great fun and so rewarding to see that I understand the stories written in the tombs. I’d really enjoy the opportunity to see more of the neighboring countries – Jordan and, of course, Israel. I’m really looking forward to cruising this part of the world because it will check off one of my top 10 must-do travel experiences – sailing through the Suez Canal. It’s been a fantasy of mine for many years.

Likewise, I’m really drawn to our longer 2022-2023 voyages that explore this corner of the world. Nautica’s 40-day Far & Middle East Gems voyage, from Singapore to Istanbul, is top on the list because of the incredible blend of regions it offers, from Indonesia to India to the United Arab Emirates and Egypt up to the Holy Land with overnights in all of the star ports: Yangon, Mumbai, Luxor, Jerusalem and Istanbul. Nautica’s 20-day Holy Land Legacies and the 20-day Sands & Sculptures cruise are two other standout voyages that caught my eye with more focused explorations of Egypt, the UAE and Israel.

Enlightenment in Indonesia
Indonesia is another country that holds some magical memories for me…I traveled here during my first trip to Asia just after college. While visiting a college friend and her family, I had the opportunity explore the world’s largest Buddhist temple, Borobudur, located in Java. The temple was built during the 8th and 9th centuries AD during the reign of the Shailendra Dynasty. The temple was buried in ash, and then later rediscovered and restored. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Visiting the temple, you don’t realize that Borobudur was created in the form of a giant mandala, depicting the path of nirvana, but you do get a sense of the massive monument and its huge stone blocks, estimated to contain over 2 million of them. On circular platforms, there are 72 stupas each with a statue of Buddha inside. I was told that if you could reach inside and touch the Buddha, you would be enlightened. Even though we stretched and tried, we had no luck and I also think this is what they tell travelers to get a laugh.

Either way, Indonesia left an indelible mark on me and set the course for years of travel ahead. The people were so friendly, extremely intelligent and very curious. They often stopped to chat with me, asking me where I was from, what I thought of Indonesia and how was it different from where I lived. I look forward to having a chance to return to see how Java has changed and interacting with locals to get their perspective. Two of the exotic voyages that intrigued me are Regatta’s 35-day Far East to Down Under from Hong Kong to Sydney and Regatta’s 21-day Down Under Australia from Singapore to Sydney. They both include multiple calls on Indonesia, several desirable overnights and sail along Australia’s western and southern coasts, which would be a first for me.

The Caribbean Is Calling
A little bit closer to home, the Caribbean is a region that often gets overlooked by seasoned travelers. As a resident of Miami, it might be in my backyard, but it never gets old to me. Everyone who knows me, knows that the Caribbean is my playground – I love being on, in and under the water. And when I’m not working, I never miss a chance to go diving, snorkeling, lobstering, spearfishing – you name it – and I have a great passion for competitive sailing. From my perspective, what makes this season of Caribbean itineraries so special is how many of our voyages feature unique and less-traveled islands like Bonaire, Dominica and Guadeloupe. Marina’s 14-day Ultimate Caribbean cruise is one of my top choices – roundtrip from Miami, it hits alluring islands like Antigua, St. Lucia and Grenada plus includes off-the-beaten-path destinations such as Roseau, Kingstown and Îles de Saintes. Sirena’s 12-day Island Jubilee from Bridgetown to Miami is another tempting choice with a number of calls on less-visited islands such as Guadeloupe, Bonaire and Tobago. For me, it’s always pure bliss when you set sail in the Caribbean on a tropical cruise, but being able to still explore new islands and destinations makes it even more appealing.

For those seeking a longer winter getaway, Sirena’s 22-day Caribbean Wanderlust is an ideal holiday cruise with extensive explorations of the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. And for the ultimate snowbird escape, Riviera’s 77-day Silhouettes of Sunshine voyage is unbeatable, offering more than two-and-a-half months of enviable tropical sunshine and adventure in both the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

You can explore our complete 2022-2023 Tropics & Exotics Collection on our website now and start planning your next adventure. We’d love to know which tropical and exotic cruises make the top of your travel list – comment on our Facebook page with your favorites!

About Isabel Galvan, Senior Vice President of Marketing
Isabel Galvan is the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Oceania Cruises. She joined the brand in January 2014 from Regent Seven Seas Cruises. An avid world traveler, Galvan has held key marketing positions at many of the world's most respected luxury and expedition cruise lines. A native of Ohio, Galvan resides in Miami Beach, and is a competitive sailor, avid diver, and loves all activities on and in the water.