Best Maps for Cruising

by Christopher O'Keeffe July 07, 2026

A cruise itinerary is more than a sequence of ports printed in a brochure. A good map reveals the ocean, islands, coastlines, rivers and countries connecting those ports—and transforms a collection of shore visits into one coherent journey.

Cruising is one of the few forms of travel in which the route itself is as important as the destination.

A Mediterranean voyage may connect Barcelona, Marseille, Rome, Naples, Valletta, Dubrovnik, Athens and Istanbul. A South Pacific cruise may leave Sydney before crossing thousands of kilometres of ocean to New Caledonia, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti or Hawaii. An Alaskan itinerary may follow the protected waterways of the Inside Passage, while a river cruise might trace the Rhine between the Netherlands, France and Germany.

Yet cruise passengers are often given surprisingly little geographical context.

The cruise-line application may show the next port. The daily program may provide the arrival time. A small itinerary diagram may draw a curved line across the sea.

What these rarely show clearly is:

• how the complete voyage fits together;

• where one country ends and another begins;

• why the ship follows a particular sea corridor;

• how far apart the ports really are;

• which islands belong to which country;

• where major straits and maritime gateways lie;

• how the port relates to the city or wider region;

• which destinations could be explored independently before or after the cruise.

A well-chosen map provides that context.

It allows passengers to follow the voyage from the cabin, understand each arrival before stepping ashore and retain a meaningful physical record of the journey afterwards.

Explore the complete Mapworld cruising search results.

The search currently brings together cruise-passenger maps, island travel maps, regional maps, wall maps, nautical charts and small-craft cruising guides. This article filters that range to focus on products useful to passengers travelling with cruise lines rather than people navigating their own boats.

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Cruise Maps Are Not Nautical Charts

Before choosing a map, it is important to understand the distinction between a cruise travel map and a nautical chart.

A nautical chart is a technical navigation document showing information such as:

• water depths;

• hazards;

• navigational marks;

• channels;

• soundings;

• restricted areas;

• anchorages;

• maritime warnings.

These products are designed for mariners responsible for navigating a vessel.

A cruise passenger does not need to navigate the ship.

Instead, a passenger-focused cruise map is designed to explain:

• the complete itinerary;

• the relationship between ports;

• coastlines and island groups;

• countries and political boundaries;

• major cities;

• shore-excursion geography;

• transport routes beyond the port;

• cultural and natural attractions.

The maps recommended in this guide are therefore travel and geographic reference maps. They are intended to help passengers understand and follow the voyage, not to replace the professional navigation systems used by the ship’s bridge.

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The Best Maps for Cruising: Quick Recommendations

Cruise region or purpose	Best map
Best Mediterranean cruise map	Mediterranean Cruising ITMB Map
Best Eastern Mediterranean companion	Crete, Mykonos, Santorini & Eastern Mediterranean ITMB Map
Best Caribbean cruise map	Caribbean Cruising, Aruba, Bonaire & Curaçao ITMB Map
Best for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands	Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands ITMB Map
Best for Barbados and Saint Lucia	Barbados & St Lucia ITMB Map
Best for the Bahamas	Bahamas ITMB Map
Best broad South Pacific cruise map	South Pacific Cruising & Samoa ITMB Map
Best for New Caledonia and Oceania	New Caledonia & Oceania Cruising ITMB Map
Best for Tahiti and French Polynesia	Tahiti & Polynesia Pacific Cruising ITMB Map
Best for the Cook Islands	Cook Islands & East Pacific Cruising ITMB Map
Best for Fiji and Tonga	Fiji & Tonga ITMB Map
Best for the Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands & South Pacific ITMB Map
Best Alaska Inside Passage map	BC Coast & Alaska Inside Passage ITMB Map
Best broader Alaska reference	Alaska National Geographic Adventure Map
Best Gulf cruise map	Gulf Cruising & UAE ITMB Map
Best Rhine river-cruise map	Rhine River Cruising ITMB Map
Best Antarctic cruise map	Antarctica & Tierra del Fuego ITMB Map
Best Arctic cruise map	Spitzbergen–Svalbard ITMB Map
Best Galápagos cruise map	Galápagos Islands, Quito & Guayaquil ITMB Map
Best Nile cruise companion	Cairo & the Nile Delta ITMB Map
Best historical cruise wall map	World Cruise 1939 Wall Map
Best for recording a world cruise	A large laminated world wall map
Best onboard format	Folded or soft-laminated regional map
Best pre-cruise planning format	Laminated map with whiteboard marker and map dots

For most passengers, the ideal cruise map kit consists of:

1. one broad map showing the entire cruising region;

2. one or two detailed island, country or city maps for important ports;

3. the cruise line’s current itinerary and shore-excursion information;

4. downloaded offline maps for use ashore;

5. a laminated wall map at home for planning or recording the voyage.

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Why Carry a Paper Map on a Cruise?

Modern cruise ships provide sophisticated digital information.

Passengers may have access to:

• an interactive ship application;

• a live vessel-position screen;

• daily schedules;

• shore-excursion information;

• digital port guides;

• GPS positioning on a phone;

• online street maps;

• destination presentations.

These are useful, but they tend to divide the journey into small pieces.

One screen shows today’s port.

Another shows tomorrow’s excursion.

Another displays the ship as a dot surrounded by blue water.

A paper map restores the wider journey.

See the Entire Itinerary

A regional map allows passengers to see several days or weeks of travel at once.

This helps explain:

• why one sea day is required between particular ports;

• how the ship moves between island groups;

• where it crosses international boundaries;

• whether the voyage follows a coastline or crosses open water;

• how close one port lies to another country.

Prepare for Shore Days

A useful cruise map can reveal:

• whether the port is inside the destination city or some distance away;

• the surrounding road and railway network;

• nearby islands;

• the relationship between a port and inland attractions;

• whether an independent excursion is geographically realistic.

Remain Oriented Without Internet Access

International roaming, shipboard internet and local mobile access can be expensive or inconsistent.

A printed map:

• needs no signal;

• uses no battery;

• opens instantly;

• can remain on the cabin desk;

• can be shared easily between travelling companions.

Preserve the Journey

A laminated map can be marked with:

• embarkation and disembarkation ports;

• ports visited;

• sea days;

• cancelled or changed calls;

• memorable excursions;

• dates;

• photographs or notes added after returning home.

The map becomes part of the voyage rather than merely a tool used during it.

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1. Mediterranean Cruising ITMB Map

The Best Overall Map for a Mediterranean Cruise

The Mediterranean Cruising ITMB Map is the strongest starting point for passengers exploring the Mediterranean by cruise ship.

The Mediterranean is not a single destination. It is an interconnected maritime region containing:

• Southern Europe;

• North Africa;

• the Adriatic;

• the Aegean;

• the Tyrrhenian Sea;

• the Ionian Sea;

• the western Mediterranean;

• the eastern Mediterranean;

• the approaches to the Black Sea.

Major cruise ports shown include:

• Barcelona;

• Marseille;

• Venice;

• Dubrovnik;

• Istanbul;

• Athens;

• Valletta;

• Naples;

• Split;

• Kotor;

• Thessaloniki;

• numerous Greek-island ports.

The map also provides context for major geographic gateways such as Gibraltar and the Dardanelles, while highlighting coastlines, islands, cultural destinations and significant places of interest.

Why It Works So Well for Cruise Passengers

A Mediterranean itinerary can appear deceptively compact in a brochure.

On a proper map, passengers can see that a cruise may connect:

• Spain and France;

• mainland Italy and Sicily;

• the Adriatic coast;

• Greece and its island groups;

• Turkey;

• Malta;

• North Africa.

The map helps answer questions such as:

• Is the voyage primarily western or eastern Mediterranean?

• Does it enter the Adriatic?

• How far is Rome from the cruise port at Civitavecchia?

• Where does the Strait of Messina divide Sicily from mainland Italy?

• How does Kotor relate to Dubrovnik?

• Is Istanbul technically at the meeting point of Europe and Asia?

• Which Greek islands lie in the Cyclades?

Best For

Choose this map when the itinerary includes several of the following:

• Barcelona;

• Marseille;

• Monte Carlo;

• Genoa;

• Livorno;

• Civitavecchia;

• Naples;

• Sicily;

• Malta;

• Venice or Ravenna;

• Split;

• Dubrovnik;

• Kotor;

• Corfu;

• Athens;

• Mykonos;

• Santorini;

• Kusadasi;

• Istanbul.

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2. Crete, Mykonos & Santorini / Eastern Mediterranean ITMB Map

The Best Companion for a Greek-Island Cruise

The Crete, Mykonos & Santorini / Eastern Mediterranean ITMB Map is the strongest companion to a cruise centred on Greece and the Aegean.

One side provides detailed mapping of:

• Crete;

• Mykonos;

• Rinia;

• Santorini;

• Thirasia;

• the volcanic islets within the Santorini caldera.

The other provides broader Eastern Mediterranean context.

The map identifies:

• island roads;

• ports;

• ferry routes;

• towns;

• beaches;

• mountains;

• archaeological sites;

• harbours;

• surrounding island groups.

It is printed in a waterproof folded format, making it well suited to repeated use during shore days.

Why a Dedicated Greek-Island Map Matters

Cruise itineraries often group Mykonos, Santorini and Crete together, but each island is geographically and culturally distinct.

A dedicated map allows passengers to understand:

• where the tender or ship arrives;

• how far the principal towns lie from beaches or historic sites;

• the shape of the Santorini caldera;

• Crete’s much larger physical scale;

• why excursion distances vary greatly between islands.

Best Map Combination

For a Greek-island and Eastern Mediterranean voyage, carry:

• Mediterranean Cruising ITMB Map;

• Crete, Mykonos & Santorini ITMB Map;

• a city map of Athens or Istanbul where those cities form the beginning or end of the journey.

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3. Caribbean Cruising, Aruba, Bonaire & Curaçao ITMB Map

The Best Overall Map for a Caribbean Cruise

The Caribbean Cruising, Aruba, Bonaire & Curaçao ITMB Map combines broad Caribbean cruise geography with detailed maps of the ABC Islands.

The waterproof, tear-resistant map covers the Caribbean cruising region from:

• the Florida Keys and Bahamas;

• through the Greater and Lesser Antilles;

• south to Venezuela and Colombia;

• west towards Central America;

• east to Barbados.

It marks major cruise ports including:

• Nassau;

• Cozumel;

• Montego Bay;

• Bridgetown;

• Kingstown;

• Willemstad;

• Oranjestad;

• Kralendijk.

One side provides detailed topographic and travel mapping of:

• Aruba;

• Bonaire;

• Curaçao.

The maps show roads, resorts, beaches, cultural sites and diving areas.

Why It Is Especially Useful

The term Caribbean cruise may describe very different itineraries.

A voyage may be:

• Western Caribbean;

• Eastern Caribbean;

• Southern Caribbean;

• Bahamas-focused;

• centred on the Dutch Antilles;

• linked with the Panama Canal or Central America.

The regional side helps passengers understand which part of the Caribbean they are actually visiting.

Best For

Choose this map when the itinerary includes:

• Aruba;

• Bonaire;

• Curaçao;

• Barbados;

• Saint Lucia;

• Jamaica;

• the Bahamas;

• Cozumel;

• the Cayman Islands;

• Puerto Rico;

• the Virgin Islands;

• the southern Caribbean.

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4. Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands ITMB Map

The Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands ITMB Map is an excellent detailed companion for cruises calling at San Juan and the US Virgin Islands.

It is particularly relevant for ports and destinations including:

• San Juan;

• Saint Thomas;

• Saint John;

• Saint Croix;

• the wider Puerto Rican coast.

A regional Caribbean map explains the itinerary, while this map gives the greater detail needed to understand individual island geography.

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5. Barbados & St Lucia ITMB Map

The Barbados & St Lucia ITMB Map provides detailed coverage of two of the most popular ports in the eastern Caribbean.

It is useful for:

• understanding the relationship between Bridgetown and the rest of Barbados;

• planning island circuits;

• locating Castries, Soufrière and the Pitons;

• comparing organised shore excursions with independent touring;

• identifying beaches, roads and major attractions.

Use it with the broader Caribbean Cruising map when the voyage includes several islands.

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6. Bahamas ITMB Map

The Bahamas ITMB Map is the stronger choice for cruises concentrated on Nassau, the Out Islands or private-island calls within the Bahamian archipelago.

The Bahamas may appear close together on a world map, but the island chain extends across a large area.

A dedicated map helps distinguish:

• New Providence;

• Grand Bahama;

• the Abacos;

• Eleuthera;

• Exuma;

• the wider island groups.

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7. South Pacific Cruising & Samoa ITMB Map

The Best Broad Map for a South Pacific Cruise

The South Pacific Cruising & Samoa ITMB Map is one of the most cruise-specific products in the Mapworld range.

One side covers the broader South Pacific Ocean from:

• Hawaii;

• across the central Pacific;

• to Papua New Guinea and eastern Australia;

• south to New Zealand;

• east towards the Pitcairn Islands.

Generalised cruise routes are marked with red dashed lines.

The map also shows:

• Fiji;

• Tonga;

• Tahiti;

• the Cook Islands;

• New Caledonia;

• Kiribati;

• Samoa;

• major island groups;

• undersea relief and ocean trenches.

The reverse provides closer mapping of Samoa and American Samoa, including:

• Upolu;

• Savai‘i;

• Tutuila;

• Apia;

• Pago Pago;

• Fagatogo;

• roads;

• ports;

• airports.

Why It Is Valuable to Australian Cruisers

Many South Pacific itineraries begin in:

• Sydney;

• Brisbane;

• Melbourne;

• Auckland.

They may then call at island groups separated by vast stretches of ocean.

A regional map helps passengers understand:

• why several sea days may separate ports;

• where each island group lies;

• which destinations are independent countries and which are territories;

• how Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia differ geographically;

• how a voyage from Australia to Hawaii crosses a substantial part of the Pacific.

Best For

Choose this map when the itinerary includes combinations of:

• Samoa;

• American Samoa;

• Fiji;

• Tonga;

• New Caledonia;

• French Polynesia;

• Hawaii;

• New Zealand;

• the Cook Islands.

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8. New Caledonia & Oceania Cruising ITMB Map

The Best Map for New Caledonia and a Wider Oceania Voyage

The New Caledonia & Oceania Cruising ITMB Map combines detailed New Caledonian mapping with a broad overview of Oceania.

The regional side extends across a vast cruising area that includes:

• eastern Australia;

• New Zealand;

• New Caledonia;

• Fiji;

• Tonga;

• Samoa;

• the Cook Islands;

• French Polynesia;

• Hawaii;

• Guam;

• Micronesia;

• the Marshall Islands;

• Kiribati.

Major cruise routes, port cities and key maritime corridors are shown.

The detailed side covers:

• Grande Terre;

• Nouméa;

• Lifou;

• Maré;

• Ouvéa;

• Tiga;

• roads;

• resorts;

• towns;

• points of interest.

Best For

Choose this map when:

• Nouméa is a major port of call;

• the itinerary includes the Loyalty Islands;

• the cruise extends beyond New Caledonia;

• you want local detail and ocean-wide context on the same sheet;

• the voyage begins in eastern Australia.

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9. Tahiti & Polynesia Pacific Cruising ITMB Map

The Best Map for Tahiti and French Polynesian Cruising

The Tahiti & Polynesia Pacific Cruising ITMB Map combines a detailed map of Tahiti with an overview of the eastern South Pacific cruising region.

The Tahiti side shows:

• roads;

• settlements;

• coastlines;

• mountains;

• beaches;

• tourism infrastructure;

• the geography surrounding Papeete.

The cruising side provides the wider context needed to understand voyages connecting Tahiti with other Polynesian island groups.

Best For

Choose this map when the itinerary includes:

• Papeete;

• Moorea;

• Bora Bora;

• Raiatea;

• Huahine;

• the Society Islands;

• a longer cruise between French Polynesia and other Pacific islands.

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10. Cook Islands & East Pacific Cruising ITMB Map

The Best Map for Cook Islands Cruising

The Cook Islands & East Pacific Cruising ITMB Map combines detailed island mapping with an extensive East Pacific cruising overview.

Detailed Cook Islands coverage includes:

• Rarotonga;

• Aitutaki;

• Mangaia;

• Atiu;

• Mauke;

• Palmerston;

• Manihiki;

• Penrhyn;

• Avarua;

• Arutanga.

The reverse extends across the Pacific from the Solomon and Marshall Islands to:

• Hawaii;

• Tahiti;

• Easter Island;

• Fiji;

• Samoa;

• Tonga;

• New Caledonia;

• New Zealand.

Cruising lanes are shown across the basin, allowing passengers to follow multi-island and repositioning voyages.

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11. Fiji & Tonga ITMB Map

The Fiji & Tonga ITMB Map provides much greater island detail than a broad Pacific cruising map.

The Fiji side covers more than 300 islands and includes:

• Viti Levu;

• Vanua Levu;

• Suva;

• roads;

• ferry routes;

• airports;

• reefs;

• marine parks.

The Tonga side covers:

• Tongatapu;

• Ha‘apai;

• Vava‘u;

• Nuku‘alofa;

• outer islands;

• coastal and marine features.

It is particularly useful when Fiji or Tonga is the central destination rather than one brief call within a much longer voyage.

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12. Solomon Islands & South Pacific ITMB Map

The Solomon Islands & South Pacific ITMB Map combines detailed Solomon Islands mapping with a regional Pacific cruise overview.

The Solomon Islands side includes:

• Guadalcanal;

• Honiara;

• New Georgia;

• Choiseul;

• Santa Isabel;

• the Santa Cruz Islands;

• roads;

• ferry routes;

• airstrips;

• Second World War sites.

The reverse shows international cruise routes across the South Pacific, together with insets of Honolulu, Sydney and Brisbane and ocean-floor features that help explain Pacific island formation.

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Choosing Among the South Pacific Maps

Voyage	Strongest map
Broad Australia–Pacific cruise	South Pacific Cruising & Samoa
New Caledonia and nearby islands	New Caledonia & Oceania Cruising
Tahiti and French Polynesia	Tahiti & Polynesia Pacific Cruising
Cook Islands itinerary	Cook Islands & East Pacific Cruising
Fiji and Tonga	Fiji & Tonga
Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands & South Pacific
Multi-region Pacific voyage	Carry one broad cruising map and one detailed island map

The broad cruise map explains the voyage.

The island map explains the port day.

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13. BC Coast & Alaska Inside Passage ITMB Map

The Best Map for an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise

The BC Coast & Alaska Inside Passage ITMB Map is designed specifically around one of the world’s most celebrated cruise corridors.

It follows the coast from Seattle north through British Columbia and into Alaska, reaching Glacier Bay.

Coverage includes:

• Vancouver Island;

• the British Columbia coast;

• Haida Gwaii;

• coastal islands;

• fjords;

• ferry routes;

• cruise routes;

• port towns;

• national parks;

• the Alaska Inside Passage.

The map shows the principal routes used by cruise ships travelling north from Vancouver and Seattle.

Why the Inside Passage Needs a Map

The Inside Passage is not simply a line along the coast.

It is a complex protected waterway running through:

• islands;

• narrow channels;

• fjords;

• inlets;

• coastal mountain ranges.

A map allows passengers to understand why the ship may appear surrounded by land and why different itineraries call at different communities.

Common Ports and Regions

The map is useful for itineraries including:

• Vancouver;

• Victoria;

• Seattle;

• Ketchikan;

• Juneau;

• Skagway;

• Sitka;

• Glacier Bay;

• British Columbia’s coastal passages.

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14. Alaska National Geographic Adventure Map

The Alaska National Geographic Adventure Map provides broader state context for Alaska cruises.

It is useful when:

• Anchorage or Fairbanks is included before or after the cruise;

• the itinerary includes an overland land-tour component;

• Denali National Park is part of the holiday;

• passengers want to see how the southeast panhandle relates to the rest of Alaska.

Use it with the Inside Passage map for the strongest combination of regional cruise detail and complete-state geography.

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15. Gulf Cruising & UAE ITMB Map

The Best Map for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Oman Cruises

The Gulf Cruising & UAE ITMB Map is designed around cruise travel through the Gulf.

One side covers the maritime region from:

• Kuwait and Iraq;

• along the Iranian and Arabian coasts;

• through Bahrain and Qatar;

• to the United Arab Emirates;

• through the Strait of Hormuz;

• south towards Muscat.

Insets include:

• Manama;

• Doha.

The reverse provides a closer map of the United Arab Emirates and much of Oman, with city insets of:

• Dubai;

• Muscat.

The map is explicitly designed to help cruise passengers visualise routes, prepare for port days and understand the regional relationships between destinations. It is a travel reference map rather than a navigational chart.

Best For

Choose this map for voyages including:

• Dubai;

• Abu Dhabi;

• Doha;

• Bahrain;

• Sir Bani Yas Island;

• Khasab;

• Muscat;

• Gulf repositioning sectors.

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16. Rhine River Cruising ITMB Map

The Best Map for a Rhine River Cruise

The Rhine River Cruising ITMB Map is designed for passengers travelling through the cultural and geographic heart of Western Europe.

The double-sided map follows the Rhine corridor through the Netherlands and Germany, while also showing:

• Amsterdam;

• Cologne;

• Bonn;

• Koblenz;

• Rüdesheim;

• Frankfurt;

• roads;

• railway corridors;

• heritage sites;

• castles;

• vineyards;

• historic bridges;

• surrounding regional geography.

The generous unfolded size of approximately 1000 × 690 mm makes the river easier to follow than on a small itinerary diagram.

Why River Cruisers Benefit from a Map

On an ocean cruise, the ship may spend days beyond sight of land.

On a river cruise, the landscape is constantly visible.

A map helps identify:

• the towns passing outside the cabin;

• tributaries;

• regions and national boundaries;

• castles and vineyards;

• cities reached by coach from the river;

• how railways and roads parallel the waterway.

Best For

Choose it when cruising between combinations of:

• Amsterdam;

• Cologne;

• Koblenz;

• the Rhine Gorge;

• Rüdesheim;

• Mainz;

• Frankfurt;

• other Rhine corridor destinations.

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17. Cairo & the Nile Delta ITMB Map

The Best Geographic Companion for a Nile Cruise

The Cairo & the Nile Delta ITMB Map is useful for travellers combining Cairo with a Nile cruise.

The detailed Cairo side includes:

• Greater Cairo;

• the Metro network;

• Alexandria;

• the Giza pyramid complex;

• airport and regional context.

The reverse follows the Nile from the Delta south through the river valley towards Luxor and also shows:

• the Suez Canal;

• part of the Red Sea coast;

• the Sinai Peninsula;

• key archaeological and historic regions.

This map does not replace a detailed guide to Luxor, Aswan or individual archaeological sites, but it explains the river system that makes the entire journey possible.

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18. Antarctica & Tierra del Fuego ITMB Map

The Best Map for an Antarctic Expedition Cruise

The Antarctica & Tierra del Fuego ITMB Map provides the broad context needed for one of the world’s most geographically dramatic voyages.

One side maps the Antarctic continent, including:

• research stations;

• ice shelves;

• glaciers;

• major physical features;

• territorial claims.

The reverse covers Tierra del Fuego, the southern gateway used by many Antarctic expedition cruises.

This allows passengers to understand the relationship between:

• Ushuaia;

• Cape Horn;

• the Drake Passage;

• the Antarctic Peninsula;

• the wider Antarctic continent.
  

Why it matters

An Antarctic cruise itinerary often names landing sites and islands unfamiliar to most travellers.

A map provides the continental and oceanic context that a list of expedition stops cannot.

It also helps distinguish between:

• the Antarctic Peninsula;

• the South Shetland Islands;

• the complete Antarctic continent;

• southern South America.

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19. Spitzbergen–Svalbard ITMB Map

The Best Map for an Arctic Svalbard Cruise

The Spitzbergen–Svalbard ITMB Map is suited to expedition cruises through the Norwegian Arctic.

It helps passengers understand:

• the Svalbard archipelago;

• Spitsbergen;

• Longyearbyen;

• surrounding fjords;

• glaciers;

• remote islands;

• the archipelago’s position between mainland Norway and the North Pole.

It is particularly valuable where voyage plans are flexible and may change according to ice, wildlife and weather.

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20. Galápagos Islands, Quito & Guayaquil ITMB Map

The Best Map for a Galápagos Cruise

The Galápagos Islands, Quito & Guayaquil ITMB Map links the island cruise experience with the mainland Ecuadorian cities through which most passengers travel.

It provides:

• Galápagos island geography;

• visitor sites;

• island relationships;

• Quito mapping;

• Guayaquil mapping;

• mainland travel context.

The Ecuador & Galápagos National Geographic Adventure Map is a strong alternative when a more complete view of Ecuador and durable adventure mapping are preferred.

Best Galápagos Combination

Carry:

• the ITMB Galápagos, Quito and Guayaquil map for city and island detail;

• the National Geographic map when the journey also includes mainland Ecuador;

• the expedition operator’s current landing and wildlife information.

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Maps for World Cruises

A world cruise may cross several oceans and call at dozens of countries.

No single folded regional map can provide enough detail for every port.

The strongest solution is a layered system:

1. a large world map for the complete voyage;

2. cruising maps for major regions;

3. detailed country, island or city maps for important port calls.

Browse Mapworld’s extensive world wall map collection.

A large laminated world map can be used to mark:

• the departure port;

• every port of call;

• ocean crossings;

• the Panama or Suez Canal;

• the Equator;

• the International Date Line;

• overnight or multi-day port stays;

• the final voyage route.

Mapworld’s world-map collection includes Pacific-centred, Atlantic-centred, political, physical and large-format maps in sizes ranging from compact wall maps to room-scale statement pieces.

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World Cruise 1939 Wall Map

A Historical Map for Cruise and Maritime Enthusiasts

The World Cruise 1939 Wall Map is not a current cruise-planning map.

It is a historical voyage map tracing HMAS Perth from Sydney to Portsmouth and back to Sydney, with ports, dates and distances marked along the route.

Originally based on a voyage postcard, it provides:

• a complete historic world route;

• named ports of call;

• arrival and departure dates;

• mileage between stages;

• maritime imagery.

It is especially suited to:

• maritime-history enthusiasts;

• cruise travellers;

• naval collectors;

• travel-themed interiors;

• anyone interested in how long-distance voyages were recorded before digital tracking.

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Choosing Maps for a Cruise by Region

Western Mediterranean Cruise

Carry:

• Mediterranean Cruising ITMB Map;

• city maps for Barcelona, Rome or Venice where required;

• an Italy, France or Spain regional map for extended pre- or post-cruise travel.

Greek Islands and Eastern Mediterranean

Carry:

• Mediterranean Cruising ITMB Map;

• Crete, Mykonos & Santorini ITMB Map;

• city maps for Athens or Istanbul.

Caribbean Cruise

Carry:

• Caribbean Cruising, Aruba, Bonaire & Curaçao Map;

• Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands Map where relevant;

• Barbados & St Lucia Map where relevant;

• Bahamas Map for Bahamas-focused itineraries.

South Pacific Cruise from Australia

Carry:

• South Pacific Cruising & Samoa Map;

• New Caledonia & Oceania Cruising Map;

• a detailed Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti or Cook Islands map according to the itinerary.

Alaska Inside Passage

Carry:

• BC Coast & Alaska Inside Passage Map;

• Alaska National Geographic Map;

• maps of Vancouver, Seattle or Anchorage when pre- or post-cruise stays are included.

Gulf Cruise

Carry:

• Gulf Cruising & UAE Map;

• detailed maps of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar or Bahrain as required;

• current cruise-line and government destination information.

Rhine River Cruise

Carry:

• Rhine River Cruising ITMB Map;

• maps of Amsterdam, Cologne or Frankfurt if those cities include extended stays;

• a broader Europe map for regional context.

Antarctic Expedition Cruise

Carry:

• Antarctica & Tierra del Fuego ITMB Map;

• a map of Patagonia or southern South America where the journey includes an overland component;

• the expedition team’s current landing and ice information.

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Folded, Laminated or Wall Map?

Folded Paper Map

A folded paper map is best when:

• luggage space is limited;

• the map will be carried ashore;

• several regional maps are required;

• handwritten permanent notes are desired;

• lower cost is important.

Waterproof or Synthetic Map

A waterproof map is useful for:

• expedition cruising;

• tropical ports;

• tender transfers;

• Zodiac landings;

• outdoor shore excursions;

• repeated handling.

The Caribbean Cruising map is printed on waterproof stone paper, while several ITMB and National Geographic titles use waterproof or tear-resistant materials.

Professionally Laminated Map

Mapworld offers lamination on several folded ITMB titles.

The folded map is flattened and encapsulated in protective gloss laminate. Original crease lines may remain faintly visible.

A laminated map provides:

• a write-on, wipe-off surface;

• protection from spills;

• increased tear resistance;

• compatibility with removable map dots;

• a flat planning surface;

• suitability for framing or cabin use.

The South Pacific Cruising, New Caledonia, Cook Islands and Solomon Islands products are among the maps offered with optional professional lamination.

Wall Map

A wall map is best for:

• planning a world cruise;

• displaying a completed itinerary;

• travel agencies;

• cruise businesses;

• group planning;

• recording several voyages;

• creating a permanent home travel feature.

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How to Use a Map Before the Cruise

Mark Every Port

Place a removable map dot on:

• the embarkation port;

• every scheduled call;

• the disembarkation port;

• overnight ports;

• optional extension destinations.

Identify the Maritime Gateways

Look for important passages such as:

• the Strait of Gibraltar;

• the Dardanelles;

• the Bosporus;

• the Strait of Messina;

• the Strait of Hormuz;

• the Panama Canal;

• the Suez Canal;

• the Drake Passage;

• the Alaska Inside Passage.

These often explain the shape and timing of the itinerary.

Compare the Port with the Destination Name

Cruise itineraries frequently advertise the better-known destination rather than the actual port.

Examples may include:

• Rome through Civitavecchia;

• Florence through Livorno or La Spezia;

• Athens through Piraeus;

• Paris through Le Havre;

• London through Southampton, Dover or Tilbury.

A regional map prevents unrealistic assumptions about the time available ashore.

Plan Pre- and Post-Cruise Travel

Cruises often begin or end in cities worth exploring independently.

A map can help determine whether to add:

• Barcelona before a Mediterranean cruise;

• Rome after disembarking at Civitavecchia;

• Vancouver before an Alaska cruise;

• Buenos Aires before an Antarctic voyage;

• Cairo before a Nile cruise;

• Dubai before a Gulf sailing.

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How to Use a Map During the Cruise

Keep It Open in the Cabin

Place the map on the desk and mark the ship’s approximate position each day.

This creates a visible narrative of the voyage.

Review the Next Port the Evening Before

Identify:

• the port;

• the city centre;

• nearby islands;

• major roads;

• inland attractions;

• the direction of the next sailing.

Record Changes

Cruise itineraries can change because of:

• weather;

• port congestion;

• operational requirements;

• political conditions;

• swell or wind affecting tender operations;

• river levels;

• ice conditions.

A marked map can preserve the voyage that actually occurred rather than the itinerary originally advertised.

Use It During Destination Presentations

A paper map makes onboard lectures more meaningful because passengers can immediately place:

• historical events;

• geographic features;

• islands;

• countries;

• ocean currents;

• cultural regions.

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Maps for Travel Agencies and Cruise Businesses

Cruise maps are not useful only to individual passengers.

They are also valuable for:

• travel agencies;

• cruise specialists;

• tour operators;

• cruise-line sales offices;

• destination presenters;

• education programs;

• retirement and lifestyle communities;

• travel clubs.

A laminated regional or world map allows an adviser to explain:

• the difference between eastern and western Mediterranean itineraries;

• the scale of a South Pacific cruise;

• the distinction between Caribbean regions;

• how the Inside Passage works;

• where an expedition vessel enters Antarctica;

• how river-cruise routes connect European cities.

Mapworld has supplied maps and geographic products to Australian travel agencies, airlines, cruise businesses and tourism organisations for more than 30 years.

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Complete Mapworld Cruise-Passenger Map Directory

Dedicated Cruising Maps

• Mediterranean Cruising ITMB Map

• Caribbean Cruising, Aruba, Bonaire & Curaçao ITMB Map

• South Pacific Cruising & Samoa ITMB Map

• New Caledonia & Oceania Cruising ITMB Map

• Tahiti & Polynesia Pacific Cruising ITMB Map

• Cook Islands & East Pacific Cruising ITMB Map

• Gulf Cruising & UAE ITMB Map

• Rhine River Cruising ITMB Map

• BC Coast & Alaska Inside Passage ITMB Map

Mediterranean Companions

• Crete, Mykonos & Santorini / Eastern Mediterranean ITMB Map

• Sicily National Geographic Adventure Map

Caribbean Companions

• Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands ITMB Map

• Barbados & St Lucia ITMB Map

• Bahamas ITMB Map

• Caribbean National Geographic Wall Map

• Caribbean & Main Islands Wall Map

South Pacific Companions

• Fiji & Tonga ITMB Map

• Solomon Islands & South Pacific ITMB Map

• South Pacific Islands, Australia & New Zealand Wall Map

• Oceania National Geographic Atlas Wall Map

• Islands of the Pacific National Geographic Wall Map

Alaska and Arctic Maps

• BC Coast & Alaska Inside Passage ITMB Map

• Alaska National Geographic Adventure Map

• Spitzbergen–Svalbard ITMB Map

Expedition Cruise Maps

• Antarctica & Tierra del Fuego ITMB Map

• Galápagos Islands, Quito & Guayaquil ITMB Map

• Ecuador & Galápagos National Geographic Adventure Map

River and Inland Cruising

• Rhine River Cruising ITMB Map

• Cairo & the Nile Delta ITMB Map

World-Cruise and Display Maps

• World Cruise 1939 Wall Map

• Mapworld World Wall Map Collection

• All Mapworld Cruising Search Results

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Final Verdict

The best map for cruising depends on the voyage.

Best Mediterranean Cruise Map

The Mediterranean Cruising ITMB Map offers the strongest broad overview of Europe’s principal cruise region.

Best Caribbean Cruise Map

The Caribbean Cruising, Aruba, Bonaire & Curaçao ITMB Map combines region-wide cruise-port coverage with detailed maps of the ABC Islands.

Best South Pacific Cruise Map

The South Pacific Cruising & Samoa ITMB Map is the strongest broad map for passengers sailing from Australia or New Zealand into the Pacific islands.

Best Alaska Cruise Map

The BC Coast & Alaska Inside Passage ITMB Map explains the intricate coastal geography between Seattle, Vancouver and Glacier Bay.

Best Gulf Cruise Map

The Gulf Cruising & UAE ITMB Map provides the best overview of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

Best River-Cruise Map

The Rhine River Cruising ITMB Map follows one of Europe’s greatest river corridors while showing the cities, vineyards, castles, roads and railways surrounding it.

Best Antarctic Cruise Map

The Antarctica & Tierra del Fuego ITMB Map connects the Antarctic continent with the South American gateway through which many voyages begin.

Best World-Cruise Map

A large laminated world wall map is the strongest choice for following or recording a multi-month global itinerary.

Best Complete Cruise Map Kit

For a major voyage, carry:

• one cruise-region map;

• one detailed island or port-region map where required;

• downloaded offline city maps;

• the cruise line’s current itinerary;

• a wall map at home for planning and recording the journey.

A cruise ship can carry passengers effortlessly between countries, islands and continents.

A good map ensures that the geography does not pass unnoticed.

It reveals that every port belongs to a coastline, every island to an archipelago, every river to a landscape and every voyage to a much larger world.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best overall map for a Mediterranean cruise?

The Mediterranean Cruising ITMB Map is the strongest general option because it shows the complete region, major cruise ports, islands, coastlines and important maritime gateways.

What is the best map for a Greek-island cruise?

Use the Crete, Mykonos & Santorini / Eastern Mediterranean ITMB Map together with the broader Mediterranean Cruising map.

What is the best Caribbean cruise map?

The Caribbean Cruising, Aruba, Bonaire & Curaçao ITMB Map provides broad regional coverage and detailed maps of the three Dutch Caribbean islands.

What is the best map for an Alaska cruise?

The BC Coast & Alaska Inside Passage ITMB Map is the strongest cruise-specific choice. Add the Alaska National Geographic Map for complete state context.

What is the best map for a South Pacific cruise?

The South Pacific Cruising & Samoa ITMB Map provides the broadest cruise-focused overview. A New Caledonia, Fiji, Tahiti or Cook Islands map can be added according to the itinerary.

What is the best map for a Dubai cruise?

The Gulf Cruising & UAE ITMB Map covers Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Bahrain, the Strait of Hormuz and Muscat.

What is the best map for a Rhine river cruise?

The Rhine River Cruising ITMB Map follows the river corridor and places the ports, towns, castles, vineyards, roads and railways in context.

What is the best map for an Antarctic cruise?

The Antarctica & Tierra del Fuego ITMB Map shows the complete Antarctic continent and the southern South American gateway used by many expedition cruises.

What is the best map for a Galápagos cruise?

The Galápagos Islands, Quito & Guayaquil ITMB Map combines the island region with the two principal mainland gateway cities.

Are cruise maps nautical charts?

No. Cruise travel maps are designed for passengers and itinerary planning. They are not intended for navigating a ship.

Do cruise passengers need nautical charts?

No. The ship’s professional crew uses official navigation systems and charts. Passengers need geographic and travel maps rather than technical maritime charts.

Why carry a paper map when the cruise line has an application?

A paper map displays the complete voyage, requires no internet connection or power and is easier to share and annotate.

Can cruise maps be laminated?

Several ITMB maps can be professionally laminated by Mapworld. Laminated maps are durable, wipe clean and suitable for whiteboard markers and removable map dots.

Will fold lines remain visible after lamination?

A folded map must be flattened before encapsulation, so faint original crease lines may remain visible.

Can I mark my itinerary on a laminated map?

Yes. Use a suitable whiteboard marker or removable map dots to record ports, sea days and excursions.

What is the best map for recording a world cruise?

A large laminated world political map provides enough space to mark the complete route and individual ports.

Are waterproof maps useful on cruises?

They are particularly useful for tropical ports, expedition cruises, tender transfers and outdoor shore excursions.

Should I buy a map for every port?

Usually not. Begin with one regional cruise map, then add detailed maps only for important islands, cities or pre- and post-cruise stays.

Can these maps be used by travel agents?

Yes. Laminated cruise-region and world maps are useful for explaining itineraries, comparing cruise regions and presenting voyages to customers.

Does Mapworld sell maps for river cruises?

Yes. The Rhine River Cruising ITMB Map is a dedicated river-cruise product, while maps such as Cairo & the Nile Delta provide context for Nile journeys.

Does Mapworld sell historical cruise maps?

Yes. The World Cruise 1939 Wall Map traces a historic voyage from Sydney to Portsmouth and back.

Where can I buy cruise maps in Australia?

Mapworld stocks cruise-region, island, city, expedition and wall maps with Australia-wide delivery.

Written by Christopher O’Keeffe
Managing Director of Mapworld and specialist in maps, navigation and cartographic products.

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