I’m not suggesting that it’s time to begin disembarking from that great journey known as life. But the world is a large place, and I’m passing along my top six cruise itineraries, just in case you want make sure you don’t miss the highlights. Too many cruisers limit their focus to the Caribbean, Mexico and Alaska, simply because that’s where most of the ships go. But there are more spectacular sights to be seen in Europe, Hawaii, Asia and Antarctica. The regions on my list are best visited by ship or boat because you’ll see much more than you would by taking a land tour.

1. The Greek Islands/Turkey. Spectacular beauty and world-famous antiquities abound on a one-week cruise to Greece and Turkey. From Kusadasi, Turkey, it’s a short ride to the 2,000-year old city of Ephesus, where a two-story ancient library lies at the end of the main thoroughfare, still marked with chariot tracks. In Delos, a short hop from Mykonos, you’ll walk among the 7^th century BC ruins of what was once the capital of the ancient world. Santorini is my pick for the most spectacular Greek island. You’ll sail into the bay — a huge volcanic crater — then ascend 900 feet to the winding streets of Thira, a tiny terraced town overlooking the Capri-blue Mediterranean. Mykonos, once a sleepy village, is now ‘tres chic’ with Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Chanel among the shops. But there are still a few artisans worth visiting on the winding streets. There are lots of islands in the Aegean, and most ship itineraries will include a few other ones.

2. The Baltic. Every port in this varied region called the Baltic is loaded with history, pride and tradition. From the opulent palaces of the tsars in St. Petersburg to Stockholm’s breathtaking harbor and historic walking area and Copenhagen’s spectacular Tivoli Gardens, few cruising regions offer such diverse treasures. Best of all, most ships dock right in the center of town, allowing you to hop off and explore on your own. Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, St. Petersburg is among the most beautiful cities on earth. The baroque Winter Palace, now know as The Hermitage, is a museum with more than 1,000 rooms and 8,000 paintings. Catherine the Great’s palace has been restored to the most ornate house in Europe. Stockholm is built on 14 islands and boasts meandering streets lined with stores selling glass. Don’t miss Stockholm’s Wasa Museum, housing a royal flagship raised from the harbor after she sank in 1628. Copenhagen is chock full of attractions, including the Little Mermaid statue and the dazzling display of the Danish crown jewels at Rosenborg Castle. A stroll through Helsinki’s marketplace, next to the ship terminal, is a colorful way to start your day. The best attractions are a short ferry ride away, including the “Gibraltar of the North,” Suomenlinna Fortress, which has guarded the entrance to the city for 200 years.

3. Antarctica. My voyage to Antarctica was the best cruise of my life, a voyage to a place unlike any other on earth. Sailing through the perilous Drake’s Passage, we arrived in a magical region of icebergs a mile across, and each day we saw whales, elephant seals, albatross and millions of penguins. Excursions on zodiacs took us ashore to penguin rookeries of 300,000 birds. Among the passengers were scientists and experts who enriched our experience.

4. Asia. Few places are as exotic as Asia, with its bustling modern cities like Hong Kong and Singapore, its colorful markets, ancient temples and stunning landscapes. The most popular cruises visit Vietnam, Thailand, Burma and Malaysia, all with diverse ports ranging from busy cities to bucolic rural settings. Personally, I like to walk around Asian cities to savor their uniqueness, although most passengers opt for a guided tour when they don’t speak the local language.

5. Hawaii. What I discovered on a one-week cruise, sailing round-trip from Honolulu, was a tropical paradise with more natural beauty and diversity than I’d ever dreamed. On NCL’s seven-night itineraries I had long stretches of time to explore ports of call, plus two overnight stays in port. Each port was distinctive, and my shore-side activities ranged from going to the top of the world’s largest volcano to a high-speed zodiac ride along Kauai’s Napali coast, with hundreds of dolphins leaping around us as we navigated into caves and marveled at the sheer cliffs that line this part of the island. It’s a cinch to rent a car for a day and explore on your own, visiting world-class beaches, or national parks with rugged cliffs, and stopping at a few pineapple plantations and coffee farms.

6. The Panama Canal. The “path between the seas” is considered to be one of the greatest engineering projects ever undertaken. The 48-mile canal, which opened in 1914, accommodates 40 ships per day ranging from private yachts to large container ships. It is awesome to stand on deck as your cruise ship is raised and lowered in locks on the nine-hour journey between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans as you inch through the Panamanian jungle. While the full canal voyage between the Caribbean and Mexico is 14 days, you can also opt for a ten- or 11-night cruise sailing round-trip from Florida on Princess and Royal Caribbean.

What are YOUR nominations for the world’s best itineraries?

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