Northern Europe

There are many reasons to choose May cruises around Northern Europe and one of them is surely the accessibility; flights are frequent, accessible and take just an hour or two, depending on your starting point. But that’s not the main reason you should book May cruises here. No, this is a region which deserves a passionate discovery as it is filled with riches waiting to be uncovered. Whilst it might be closer to home, the diversity of the cultures you will find here is astonishing.

There is history throughout every nation that will astound you. Architecture that will impress even the most disinterested in buildings. There are landscapes which rival the most well-known places in the world with their ability to take your breath away. Religion, food, wine and more; there is so much to see here it is no wonder the luxury cruise lines have made it their business to define the very best itineraries here. You can choose to cruise with any one of the major elite ocean cruise lines as they all operate here at this time. Choose May cruises with Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, Azamara, or Oceania Cruises and you simply will not be disappointed.

On May cruises known as ‘Crests & Crown’ voyages with Regent, you will see a lesser-known side of Northern Europe as you explore the North Sea and parts of the British Isles you might not have really seen before. Heading conveniently from Southampton meaning there is no flight required (or baggage limitation enforced!), you’ll head as far north as the Orkney Islands and also have a stop in the beautiful Isle of Skye. You’ll keep circling round with stops including Greenock, Dublin, Belfast and Waterford, before you find yourself back in Southampton ready to disembark.

Alternatively, you could tour the Northern Gems with Seabourn and discover historic cities such as Rotterdam in the Netherlands where you’ll find Renaissance buildings and ancient Gothic churches as well as 20-th century marvels of architecture too. You’ll see Skagen and Oslo, where you’ll hear the legends of heroes, trolls and princesses who apparently roamed the countryside. Oslo is the gateway to some of the most scenic parts of the Norwegian Fjords which you’ll cruise and enjoy the stunning scenery which surrounds you. Gdansk, Hamburg, Amsterdam and even London are also on the list so you’ll have the opportunity to explore so much of Northern Europe, all in complete luxury on May cruises here.

Rivers of Europe

May cruises exploring the waterways of Europe is one of the most fascinating ways to see this continent as you won’t have to circumnavigate the coastline. Instead, you will be able to cut right through the heart of the countries you are visiting and, in many cases, you will see several on the same itinerary.

The luxury river cruising season in Europe only opens back up in April before it gets into full flow for May cruises. However, this month is still not quite peak season so you will find some great prices and won’t have to fight with too many crowds in the port towns along the itineraries of May cruises.

There are so many different types of itinerary to choose from that unless you have a very clear idea of where you want to travel, you may need a little help deciding. So you’d be doing the right thing talking to a Panache Cruises Connoisseur about your May cruises.

Not only do they have excellent knowledge of the cruise lines, with first-hand experience, they also know the destinations extremely well. This means that you will be guided to the best luxury river cruises in May to ensure you get the most out of it.

In terms of what you can see across this region, you’ll find all the luxury river cruise lines sail here for May cruises. So you can explore with AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Emerald Cruises, Riviera Travel, Scenic or Uniworld.

You could take a cruise along the River Seine, on which you’d be able to explore Paris, with all its romance, intrigue and delicious cuisine, before heading to through the country and seeing the Normandy Landing Beaches. An excursion to this moving part of France will allow you to learn more about what the Allied Forces went through in order to win the war.

Rivers of Africa

Africa is a continent with many different facets, all just waiting to be explored and the waterways which traverse certain parts are one of the best ways to see the heart of it on May cruises. There really are so many treasures to uncover that it’s certainly somewhere that should be visited many times to see it all so plan your cruises in May. If you would like to take a luxury river cruise in this area, you can opt to sail the stunning Nile in the north, or cruise the Chobe and the Zambezi further south.

A Nile River cruise will take you see some of the most ancient and enticing historical sites in the world. You may start in Luxor where the Temple of Karnak will dazzle you with its huge columns, avenues lined with stone sphinxes and cavernous halls that will take your breath away. You’ll see what was the ruling seat of power in Egypt for 1,350 when it was the ancient city of Thebes and will be able to explore the temples, monuments and tombs. Make time for bartering in the souks too!

You’ll see the wonder of modern engineering that is the Aswan High Dam and will also see the stunning Philae Temple complex and the Unfinished Obelisk and if you haven’t had quite enough time on the water, you can also take a ride in a felucca, which is a traditional Egyptian sailboat. If you take May cruises along the Chobe and the Zambezi, you’ll have a fundamentally different river cruising experience. Take a tour known as ‘Wildlife & the Falls’ with AmaWaterways and you’ll start in cosmopolitan and exciting Johannesburg. It will be their Autumn at this time of year so you won’t be into the depths of winter just yet, and you’ll have a good opportunity to see how the 10 million inhabitants of this city live. Touring it is best with a local expert guide on an organised tour which is exactly what river cruises offer, so your safety will be of paramount importance at all times.

You can explore the wildlife in the game reserves of Mpumalanga and tick this wonderful adventure off your list. Just speak to your Connoisseur at Panache Cruises who will be happy to ensure everything is included. You’ll enjoy several days on board your ship, able to watch the world sail by and see the sights of this continent before you arrive at Victoria Falls. This is one of nature’s most fabulous spectacles and are the largest waterfalls in the world in terms of volume, they straddle the banks of the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe's Matabeleland North province. Take a day trip to Zambia and perhaps take a trip on a steam train. There is so much to see here and a May cruises on the rivers will allow you to explore much more of it.

Asia

Diverse, exotic, exciting – these are just a few of the words that would be used to explain a continent so vast as Asia. And with its size and diversity, you can rest assured that you can have many different types of cruise experience if you choose cruises in May. There might be a little bit of rain on the horizon at this time of year but for the most part, the climate will be temperate and good for exploring the secret treasures and hidden wonders.

With so many countries to choose from for your May cruises, it would absolutely be advisable to seek the experience of a trusted expert who knows not only the cruise line, but understands how the destinations will be shown in the itineraries too – your Panache Cruises Connoisseur can help with this.

There are several cruise lines which specialise in this area May cruises, including Azamara and Oceania who offer itineraries including a 17-night Tokyo to Singapore Voyage and an 18-night Eastern Allure itinerary.

You’ll see the sights of modern, vibrant and interesting Tokyo where you cane at in some of the world’s best restaurants and use the most efficient transport system in the world. You must also be sure to use one of the unique vending machines, selling everything from necessities to luxuries.

Visit Osaka’s castle, a national treasure, indulge in some hardcore retail therapy and perhaps even head to Universal Studios Japan which is found here. The futuristic metropolis of Taipei with its neon-lit magic lighting your way to wander the night market where you can sample local seafood.