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Summer cruises remain the most popular with both singles and families. The kids are out of school, and most people just enjoy taking their vacation time when the weather is fine.

Fortunately, there are hundreds of options. You’ll spend months just researching which of many excellent voyages you want to enjoy first.

Many people sail from San Diego to Baja Mexico, or from Vancouver to Alaska. But once you’ve done those short trips, you may want something a little more unusual.

There are dozens of small ship cruises around the Adriatic and Mediterranean that you should investigate. The south of France has long been a popular embarkation point, but there are others.

You can visit Venice or Dubrovnik. You can take in little known islands like Hvar and Cres and many more with unpronounceable names by any English speaker.

You can sail from and around the Norwegian Fjords when those far northern latitudes are warmest and ice floes at their lowest. Departures from Helsinki are ideal for seeing them. But you can also see Iceland, the Shetland Islands and many other interesting places that are out of the way.

One cruise sails on a 245 passenger vessel that has been recently renovated. The Finnish crew will be happy to show you some local dances and feed you Nordic cuisine such as smoked salmon and native desserts.

Ever wonder why Iceland is green and Greenland is icy? Well, you can find out by taking a voyage to Reykjavik, Iceland or Svalbard, Greenland. You’ll see Arctic wildlife you only get a glimpse of in documentaries.

Polar bears, musk oxen, caribou and even lemmings are part of the tour. These two-week voyages with onshore excursions are a nature lover’s dream vacation.

Prefer someplace a little warmer? How about a trip to explore Mayan culture? Some Mexican cruises offer trips inland to investigate the ruins and offer tour guides who look like they may be descendants of the original natives.

The Yucatan Peninsula is not only one of the most interesting places on Earth, it has some of the most beautiful beaches, too.

Trips to Belize, Panama or Peru, and other parts south are among the options, as well. You can see genuine rainforests and walk around the villages on an onshore excursion. Or, you can enjoy snorkeling in the warm waters and see hundreds of tropical fish, then hop back on board for a great dinner.

Want a European trip that is a little different from the usual? Try an expedition to the Azores. Off the coast of Portugal, Saõ Miguel, Ponta Delgada and other islands in the mid-Atlantic archipelago are just waiting to be explored.

You’ll have a chance to go whale and dolphin watching or visit exotic bird sanctuaries. Then all aboard again for outstanding eating and entertainment that evening.

Maybe you’ve seen Great Britain by land. How about exploring it from the sea? The UK has an enormous amount of shoreline and there are cruises that will take you around Scotland, England and Ireland.

With onshore excursions to ancient Celtic and Nordic monuments, you’ll get a glimpse of life as it was on these islands thousands of years ago.

Wherever your heart and imagination take you, plan well in advance and book early. Summer cruises fill up fast for those that offer the best accommodations at the lowest prices.

Bon voyage!