Cruise captains name favorite ports and destinations
Mediterranean harbors dominated the selections, while a Caribbean port also earned recognition.
Cruise captains have highlighted destinations that hold personal or professional significance, with ports across the Mediterranean featuring prominently among their choices.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Captain Marco Nocera said the Mediterranean is especially meaningful to him, pointing to sunrise navigation through Kotor’s fjords and arrivals in Valletta. He also praised visits to the smaller ports of Izmir, Hvar and Gythion. Scarlet Lady Captain Bram Jacobsen of Virgin Voyages selected the Greek Isles as his favorite destination visited.
Windstar Cruises Captain Ricardo Pinzón said he continues to anticipate arrivals in Valletta, citing the narrow approach to Grand Harbour, its historic fortifications and the satisfaction of maneuvering alongside the city. Explora Journeys Captain Serena Melani highlighted the distinctive light in Lisbon and Tangier. She was the first captain to sail Explora II into both ports.
Personal connections shaped several other selections. Oceania Cruises Captain Leo Lujak chose his hometown of Dubrovnik as his favorite port, while Azamara Cruises Captain Dario Guerrieri named Porto Venere, where he grew up. Princess Cruises Captain Gennaro Arma described entering the Bay of Naples beneath Mount Vesuvius as an enduringly special experience.
Beyond the Mediterranean, Seabourn Ovation Captain David Bathgate of Seabourn Cruises listed Terre-de-Haut in Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe, among his favorite cruise ports.