Thinking of taking a cruise holiday? While amenities and entertainment on board are a big part of the fun, sometimes it’s pulling into port that really brings an enchanting touch of travel magnificence!

Here’s a collection of 8 stunning ports as suggested by our friends at InsureandGo that you should take a look at when planning your next cruise holiday.

This northwestern sound of the USA (in Washington state), is one of the prime places on the planet to see pods of killer whales, commonly known as orcas.

Occasionally, humpbacks and grey whales can be spotted in these waters as well, not to mention sea lions, seals and dolphins.

The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and the waters of Kaikoura, beneath which lie a huge trench full of whale-friendly nutrients, are two of the best destinations in the Southern Hemisphere for whale watching.

Sperm whales, which can be up to 15 metres long, can regularly be seen here. Orcas can also be spotted from March to December and humpbacks frequent the area in winter (June/July).

The gorgeous island of Madagascar is just a 9-hour flight from Perth, and in the waters off the eastern coast, humpbacks come to breed and frolic from June to September.

Blue whales are the biggest mammals in the world; they can grow up to 30 metres in length and their hearts are the size of a car. One of the best destinations to see this mammoth (and endangered) creature is in the Azores archipelago of Portugal, usually from April to May.

 

There’s something uniquely captivating about beluga whales. They’re not as big as their counterparts, but their white skins make them a spectacular sight. From June to September each year, over 50,000 belugas gather in the waters of Hudson Bay in northeastern Canada, and are easily spottable and hear-able (they’re very noisy).

You can partake in a boat tour or even treat yourself to a kayak with these grand creatures. Many popular tours depart from Churchill, Manitoba, but you can also find some that set out from towns in northern Quebec.

If you’re planning a whale operating tour or a cruise, then InsureandGo travel insurance may be for you. They offer tailored Cruise travel insurance for almost any cruise you choose. To find our more, click here or speak to one of their agents on 1300 552 701.As an added bonus, enter the promo code: cruise10 and save 10% off your next policy.

* Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited, ABN 49 000 525 637, issues InsureandGo Travel Insurance (the insurance). Please read the combined product disclosure statement and financial services guide available at www.insureandgo.com.au/policy-wordings.html to decide if the insurance is right for you.