Destinations New to cruising Fly-cruises

Ports to fly for

Considering a fly cruise but unsure where to set your sights? Combining a Cunard cruise with a flight opens up a whole new dimension of discovery. You just need to decide which corner of the world you’d like to explore.

4 min 02 Sep 2025

Cristina Azorin

Cunard writer

Tempted by our fly-cruise ports?

To inspire you in your search, we’ve shortlisted six standout ports that feature on our fly cruise itineraries. Whether you’re seeking sunshine or snow, adventure or abandon, you can easily enjoy any of these six destinations, simply by adding a flight to your Cunard cruise.

Valletta, Malta

Though it may be small in stature, Malta’s UNESCO-listed capital, Valletta, is bursting with cinematic charm. Conveniently compact, but big on things to do, it’s a city where every corner tells a story. Make your way to the Upper Barrakka Gardens at midday to witness the traditional canon firing. Step inside the WWII tunnels where military manoeuvres were masterminded, and drink-in the sweeping views to the Three Cities across the Grand Harbour.

Valletta is also home to Fort Ricasoli, which eagled-eyed fans may recognise as the Gate of the Red Keep in the TV series Game of Thrones. One of the city’s most breathtaking landmarks – and an unmissable sight in Valletta – however, is St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Built after the Great Siege in 1865, the cathedral is considered an exemplary example of Baroque style. Entering inside, rewards you with a chance to see Caravaggio’s masterpiece, The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, the only painting to bear the artist’s signature.

If a port call in Valletta appeals, take a look at our fly-cruises sailing from Civitavecchia, Trieste, or Barcelona.

Castries, St Lucia

If you’re seeking tropical abandon, look no further than Castries on the Caribbean Island of St Lucia. Blessed with powder white sands, crystal clear sea, and seemingly limitless canopies of green trees, the splendour of the scenery alone is worth boarding a flight for. To the north of the city you’ll find Vigie Beach, a palm-lined enclave of pristine sand that’s perfect for a day of soaking up the sun’s rays in peace and tranquillity.

The city’s namesake Castries Market, by contrast, is a colourful spectacle of spices, souvenirs, and street food, sprawling with stalls selling native produce and handicrafts. A hub of local life, a visit to this island institution is one your senses won’t soon forget. Alternatively, why not pass your time ashore amongst the exotic plant life of Diamond Botanic Gardens? With beds of colourful flowers, shaded walking paths, and mineral baths once used by 18^th century soldiers, this natural haven in Soufrière is nothing short of a sensory paradise.

Cunard cruises to St Lucia depart from our US homeports of Miami, New York, and Seattle.

Juneau, Alaska

What makes Juneau such a must-visit? For one, even though it’s Alaska’s state capital, the city is unreachable by road, meaning you can only get there by ship or airplane. Nestled amidst mountains, rainforests, and glaciers, its location is also spectacular – paving the way for some incredible, once-in-a-lifetime, experiences.

Among these is a guided tour of Glacier Gardens. Set within Tongass National Forest, the gardens are famous for their ‘upside down trees’ – an otherworldly collection of towering floral sculptures. Juneau is also the jumping off point for whale watching expeditions as well as tours to the iconic ice giant that is the Mendenhall Glacier. Downtown, South Franklin Street offers a mix of cafés, shops and galleries that are a joy to dip in and out of.

Juneau features on our Alaska itineraries, sailing select months of the year on board Queen Elizabeth from Seattle.

Barcelona, Spain

Home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites – seven of which are the work of legendary architect, Antoni Gaudí – Barcelona has long been celebrated for its visionary style. Stepping ashore, you’ll find no shortage of sights to feast your eyes on. From the iconic Nou Camp – home of Barcelona’s formidable football team – to the Sagrada Familia – arguably Gaudí’s most famous building – the city is an architectural revelation.

Barcelona is also blessed with its own beach – the golden sanded Barceloneta, located just metres from the main pedestrianised avenue of La Ramblas. If the alfresco bars and restaurants here aren’t enough to tempt you, the postcard-sized tapas bars inside the city’s La Boqueria food market are sure to test your resolve. Join the locals for a lunchtime bite (Barcelonians take their midday meal at 2pm) or explore the choices nestled in the narrow alleyways of the Barri Gótic – Barcelona’s oldest neighbourhood.

Barcelona can be explored by taking one of our Mediterranean or Greek Island cruises. If you’d like a longer stay in the city, opt for one of our sailings embarking in Barcelona and ask our cruise advisors about adding a hotel to your booking. Alternatively, visit the city on a port call on one of our fly-cruises originating in Istanbul or Trieste.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Iconic stretches of white sand. Restaurant-lined beaches that offer a perfect vantage point for people watching. Guided hikes that lead you to the circumference of craters. Honolulu has so much to offer visiting cruise guests. Gain insight into the events of WWII at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial or embark on a self-guided tour or Iolani Palace, the only royal residence in the whole of the United States and one-time home of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Serious shoppers may wish to make a beeline for Ala Moana Center, which claims the crown of being the largest open-air shopping mall in the world. With everything from luxury brands to local boutiques, a quick browse can easily escalate into a few hours of retail therapy. Honolulu also offers a vibrant food scene that blends Hawaiian, Asian, and Polynesian influences. It’s the perfect place to try Poke for the first time – a Hawaiian staple consisting of cubed raw fish, seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil.

Think you can see yourself sitting in the sun at one of Honolulu’s beachfront diners? Take a look at our cruises sailing from Los Angeles, New York, or San Francisco.

Bridgetown, Barbados

Bridgetown is home to the Caribbean’s only historical World Heritage Site, an area known as the Historic Garrisons. A former military barracks, the site features an historic horse racing track as well as the house where former US President George Washington once stayed. Barbados is also the perfect island to learn more about the Caribbean’s rum making trade, which you can dive into at Mount Gay Rum Visitor Centre – the world’s oldest rum distillery (and yes, samples are included).

If taking advantage of the chance to shop duty-free appeals, be sure to set an hour or so aside to stroll down Broad Street – the hub of Bridgetown’s main shopping district. Of course, it’s impossible to reference Barbados without paying tribute to the island’s beaches – this is the Caribbean after all. While you’ll have your pick in Barbados, one of the most beautiful by far is Carlisle Bay. Hailed for its consistently clear waters and spotless white sands, whiling away a few hours here is like stepping inside a postcard.

You can discover the delights of Bridgetown for yourself on our cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York, and Seattle. Just use the filters on our website to choose your embarkation port and remember to select Bridgetown as a port that must be included on your itinerary.

Tempted by our fly-cruise ports?

More information about the destinations featured in this article can be found in our port guides, or, if you’re wondering what a fly-cruise with Cunard includes, our fly-cruise guide takes just a few minutes to read and goes into more detail about the Cunard fly-cruise experience.