There are many reasons why you might go on a cruise.

You might go for a break, for a change of scene or a change of climate. But for me as a music lover, one of the best reasons of all is to go for a song. In other words, choose a cruise that allows you to celebrate a tune that’s special to you.

These days almost every cruise you can think of includes a location in its itinerary that has been immortalised in song. So you won’t be spoilt for choice.

To get you started here are 12 favourites that might inspire you to take a cruise.

1. The White Cliffs of Dover, Vera Lynn

First recorded in 1942, this song still brings a tear to many an eye. But perhaps not always for the right reasons.

Last year, however, it helped Dame Vera to top the UK album chart and so become, at 92, the oldest person to achieve such a feat. Incredibly, that also makes her the most recent chart topper in my list.

Dover is a fine place to start and finish your holiday. If you want to celebrate Vera’s historic song on board ship, you’ll find a cruise from Dover offers plenty of great cruise options.

2. Fog on the Tyne, Gazza

After a rare good performance from England in the 1990 World Cup, one of the heroes of the tournament, Paul Gascoigne, tried to become a pop star by rapping his way through this Lindisfarne ditty. It reached number 2.

As a musical performance it’s hardly outstanding, but when placed alongside efforts by other footballers, I reckon the midfielder didn’t do such a terrible job.

If you’re from the Northeast, you may feel motivated by Gazza’s rendition of this unofficial Geordie national anthem to take one of these cruises from Newcastle.

3. Rotterdam, Beautiful South

A backhanded tribute to one of the world’s less exciting locations, Rotterdam took the band to number 5 in the UK in 1996. It’s a catchy song and if it means something to you, you may want to visit the port that made it all possible.

A great way to do that would be to pick one of these Virgin fly cruise packages.

4. Back in the USSR, The Beatles

Since the fall of the Soviet Union Paul McCartney’s tongue-in-cheek homage to the Beach Boys is sounding a bit dated. But if it happens to be your special song, there’s no reason why you can’t fire it up on your portable media player as you cruise into St Petersburg.

This 12-night Baltic Cruise makes it easy for you to do that, taking you not just to Russia, but also to Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Finland and Estonia.

5. Barcelona, Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé

Originally written for the 1992 summer Olympics, this rousing tune is the result of the unlikely pairing of a pop star and an op star. On its release it immediately struck a chord with music lovers around the world.

Sadly, Freddie died before he could perform it at the opening ceremony for the games. But it still sounds as powerful today as it did all those years ago.

As you pull out of Barcelona in a cruise ship I can think of few things more uplifting than listening to the Queen front man and Spanish diva belting this out. The only question is, which of these Barcelona fly cruise packages will you choose to accompany the song.

6. Fairytale of New York, Pogues

Not necessarily something you’d want to hear in the middle of June. However, if you’re in New York in December, perhaps on a Christmas shopping trip, this is a must for your playlist.

Featuring the distinctive vocal talents of Shane MacGowan and the late Kirsty MacColl, Fairytale is regularly voted the best Xmas number one of all time.

But if you’re going to make this work, you’ve got to time it right. This 9-night Norwegian Jewel cruise which runs from 12-19 December 2010 and starts and finishes in New York seems a good choice.

7. New Orleans, The Blues Brothers

If you’ve seen the film, you’ll doubtless have been wowed by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi’s delivery of this R&B classic. Well it’s always worth hearing again and where better to do so than in the great Louisiana city itself.

And the good news is should you be planning a pilgrimage to the city to commemorate the song, there are plenty of tempting New Orleans cruise options to choose from.

8. Fake Tales of San Francisco, Arctic Monkeys

Over the years California’s fourth most populous city has been a source of inspiration for many a pop lyricist.

However, if the Arctics’ Indie Rock isn’t your thing, you may still be drawn to this West Coast port by Tony Bennett’s ‘I left my heart in San Francisco’ or Scott McKenzie’s ‘San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)’.

Whatever your preference, this selection of cruises leaving from San Francisco offers some compelling reasons for taking a trip to the city of the Golden Gate Bridge.

9. Montego Bay, Bobby Bloom

You’d have to be of a certain age to remember this catchy pop calypso. Back in 1970 it enjoyed huge chart success.

Montego Bay in Jamaica makes a fantastic gateway to the Caribbean. Here are a couple of Caribbean cruises in December and January that will allow you to escape the British winter, while celebrating Mr Bloom’s unforgettable hit.

10. Copacabana, Barry Manilow

Love him or loathe him, Barry Manilow certainly has a loyal following, many of whom will remember this 1978 hit with affection. If you’re a true fan, you’ll want to experience Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro at first hand.

And while you’re there, you might also like to wander along to nearby Ipanema beach, which inspired the 1962 hit song ‘Girl from Ipanema’, sung by Astrud Gilberto.

If you decide to book one of these cruises from Rio de Janeiro, make sure you put both of these songs on your iPod.

11. Turning Japanese, The Vapors

This English band had a lot of success in 1980 with their quirky ode to a girl from the land of the rising sun. Even in 2010 it still holds up as a fine piece of upbeat new wave pop.

Take it with you on a trip to Japan and you’ll smile every time you play it. Now all you’ve got to do is to find the best way to get there. Here is just one of the many options available for a Japanese cruise.

12. Temma Harbour, Mary Hopkin

As far as I am aware this is the only song about Tasmania to ever make the UK charts. Some might say it’s a bit lightweight and saccharine, but even so it seems to capture the spirit of a holiday romance in an exotic location.

If you fancy experiencing some of that romantic southern hemisphere magic, you might want to try this 18-night cruise on the ms Volendam. Besides visiting cities in Australia and New Zealand you’ll also call in on the Tasmanian port of Burnie.

Over to you

So, out of the scores of songs which mention famous holiday destinations, these are just a few of my choices. But how about you?

What music do you like to take with you on a cruise? What are the special songs in your life that perhaps remind you of a favourite location?

Why not share your thoughts with the rest of the cruising community by leaving a comment below.

Bruce Beckett

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