14 best cruises setting sail in 2015

Already famous for its fleet of river boats, Viking Cruises is inaugurating its first ocean-bound cruise in 2015, the Viking Star.

The new Viking Star's Viking Homelands cruise will take in northern European ports such as Tallin, Helsinki, Bergen and Stockholm.

Alaskan Dream Cruises' Baranof Dream will offer shore excursions that push deeper into the Alaskan wilderness with smaller excursion boats.

Windstar Cruises' Star Breeze can hold up to 212 guests. One of its most exciting 2015 routes will be the 10-day Sicilian Splendor, taking in Rome, Catania, Velleta, Gozo, Trapani, Sorrento and Capri.

The Norwegian Escape will be the largest ship on the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. Its most popular route is predicted to be the Eastern Caribbean itinerary, sailing from Miami.

To fulfill all your Arctic fantasies, Crystal Cruises will be offering a 32-day Northwest passage cruise from Alaska to new York, via Nunavut, Greenland and the fjords of Baffin Island on the Crystal Serenity.

This is one cruise that's about more than consuming calories. Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony will give passengers a chance to work off those calories with a 90-minute running excursion in St. Petersburg.

"Australia and New Zealand cruises are becoming more popular," says cruise travel expert Sean Keddy. Azamara's new 14-day Bali & Great Barrier Reef Voyage is a fine indicator of that trend.

Starting in October, cruisers can take in Egypt from the River Nile with the elegant all-suite River Tosca, part of the Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.

Royal Caribbean's biggest hype-maker, the Quantum of the Seas will operate out of Shanghai from June. The hi-tech ship will cruise to Asian destinations such as Fukuoka, Japan and Busan, South Korea.

Wendy Wu's 12-day Irrawaddy Voyager will take in Kyauk Myaung, where Myanmar's 50-gallon water pots can be seen, as well as Bagan.

Compagnie du Ponant is introducing its newest luxury expedition-style small ship, Le Lyrial, in spring 2015. Itineraries include a seven-night Dubrovnik to Athens cruise.

Japan is one of the trending destinations going into 2015. Among the ships getting in on the north Pacific action is Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess.

CroisiEurope's new Loire Princesse uses paddle wheel technology to navigate shallow waters, making it the first ever overnight cruise to sail the Loire River.

P & O's Cookery Club on its new Britannia vessel will allow guests to hone their culinary skills, learning from the world's top chefs while sailing the Caribbean, Baltic region, Europe or Mediterranean.

To create its cookery school, P & O enlisted celebrity chefs such as Marco Pierre White to lead workshops on Britannia's 2015 cruises.

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• CroisiEurope's Loire Princesse will be the first overnight cruise on the Loire River


• Viking Cruises is set to introduce its first ocean-bound ship, the Viking Star


• P & O Britannia will be the first brand to offer a culinary school aboard a British ship


• Cruisers can take in Egypt from the River Nile aboard the all-suite River Tosca

(CNN) -- It's going to be a big year for travelers who love cruising.

Not only will 2015 see the launch of a number of spectacular new cruise ships, but the opening of new routes will make some of the world's most remote places significantly more accessible.

We asked some of the travel world's top cruise experts to share their picks for the hottest cruise itineraries of 2015 and the ships that will be sailing them.

A smaller boat lets travelers get closer to Alaskan wildlife.

Alaskan Dream Cruises

In 2015, cruise ships will be pushing deeper into the wilderness than ever before, and this particular sailing offers some great wildlife-spotting opportunities on a smaller boat.

"This Alaskan Dream Cruises sailing includes complimentary shore excursions designed to showcase true Alaskan adventures and the native heritage," says Annie Scrivanich, senior vice president of Cruise Specialists.

"Departures coincide with seasonal changes and animal migrations for the best weather and animal viewing opportunities. If you're only going to visit Alaska once, this itinerary is your best bet."

Alaskan Dream Cruises: Baranof Dream , +1 855 747 8100, from $4,399 per person

Windstar Cruises: Star Breeze

The latest addition to Windstar Cruises' fleet, Star Breeze has fans of European cruises particularly jazzed.

Among the top picks is the 10-day Sicilian Splendors cruise, which takes in Rome, Catania, Valletta, Gozo, Trapani, Sorrento and Capri.

"We're all very excited about the new Windstar Star Breeze," says Scrivanich.

"This new power yacht holds a maximum of 212 guests and provides new opportunities for those looking for a European cruise on a smaller ship."

Windstar Cruises: Star Breeze , +1 206 733 3005, from $4,449 per person

MORE: 2015: The year ahead in aviation

Viking Cruises: Viking Star

This Viking Cruises tour takes in the best of Europe's northern cities, including Bergen, Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Tallinn, Gdansk, Berlin, Copenhagen and Stavanger.

But it's the boat that experts are most excited about, as it will be Viking Cruises' first ocean-going ship.

The 47,800 gross tonne ship will have 464 cabins and accommodate 928 guests

"I'm really looking forward to Viking Cruises' Viking Star, which sets sail in 2015," says cruise journalist and Telegraph Travel cruise specialist Jane Archer.

"It's a brand new ship and the mockups look amazing."

Other itineraries available on the Viking Star include Mediterranean and western European tours.

Viking Cruises: Viking Star , 0800 298 9700, from $4,703 per person

Enroute to Japan, it's only fitting Diamond Princess offers a sushi bar.

Princess Cruises: Japan Getaway

Fancy checking out Japan but short on time?

Then consider stepping aboard one of the many cruise ships heading there in 2015.

"Japan is one to watch for 2015 and into 2016," predicts cruise journalist Archer.

"A lot of people want to visit but are nervous because of the language, food and very different culture.

"Having a cruise ship for a base helps to give confidence and means they can visit several ports on one holiday."

Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess ship has two Japan Getaway itineraries on offer in 2015.

There's a 16-day Grand Japan and Taiwan tour setting sail in May, followed by an 11-day tour of Japan, China and Southeast Asia that hits the seas in September.

Princess Cruises: Diamond Princess , +1 852 2952 8088, from $861 per person

Royal Caribbean: Quantum of the Seas

Next year, some of the biggest cruise operators will be making an extra effort to entice Asian passengers onto their ships.

This includes Royal Caribbean, which is sending its newest and most hi-tech ship, Quantum of the Seas, to China.

"Asia continues to grow as an emerging market cruise lines want to invest in, especially in 2015," says Michelle Fee, chief executive of Cruise Planners.

"The new Quantum of the Seas will be based in Shanghai, as part of an effort to introduce the Asian traveler to cruising."

The ship's five-night Fukuoka and Busan cruise departs Shanghai on August 3, 2015, and takes in Fukuoka, Japan and Busan, South Korea before heading pack to its starting port.

Royal Caribbean: Quantum of the Seas , +1 305 341 0204, from $2,548 per person

MORE: Skydiving and robot bartenders: The world's 'most hi-tech' cruise ship

Compagnie du Ponant: Le Lyrial

This exciting cruise itinerary makes the cut in part because the mode of transport is so fantastic.

"Compagnie du Ponant is introducing its newest luxury expedition ship, Le Lyrial, in spring 2015," reveals Richard West, founder of Explorcruises.com.

"It's exciting because it's a truly luxurious expedition-style small ship".

The Athens to Dubrovnik itinerary is a seven-night cruise that sets sail in August, taking in the highlights of the Croatian coast before heading to Greece.

Compagnie du Ponant: Le Lyrial , +33 4 88 66 64 00, from $4,160 per person

Uniworld River Cruise: Splendors of Egypt and the Nile

Cruise companies pulled out of Egypt en masse due to the recent turmoil, but in 2015, it will be possible to cruise the Nile once again.

"Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has re-launched a sailing along Egypt's great Nile River on board the elegant, all-suite River Tosca, with cruises starting in October 2015," says Fee of Cruise Planners.

"Egypt is an awe-inspiring destination and travelers can experience its culture on a 12-day program with luxury accommodation."

Uniworld River Cruise: River Tosca , +1 818 382 7820, from $5,136 per person

P&O Britannia

Here's one for those who consider themselves a bit of a foodie.

P & O's Cookery Club, on its new Britannia ship, allows guests to hone their culinary skills alongside some of the world's top chefs.

"P&O Cruises' culinary offerings on-board their new ship Britannia are particularly exciting," says Adam Coulter, editor of Cruise Critic.

"The line has enlisted the help of a number of celebrity chefs to create the first cookery school on-board a British ship."

Chefs leading workshops will include Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochar and wine guru Olly Smith.

The vessel will spend its first year touring waters around the Caribbean, Baltic and Mediterranean.

Pocruises.com , prices TBA

MORE: 11 hotels opening in 2015 we can't wait to check into

Bagan, Myanmar will be a popular destination for river cruises in 2015.

Wendy Wu Tours: Irrawaddy Voyager

"In 2015 we'll see more luxury ships are moving into Burma [Myanmar]," says Peter Lynch, editor of website Cruise Passenger.

"It's a country filled with wonderful people and astonishing historic sites."

One such cruise is Wendy Wu's 12-day Irrawaddy Voyager sailing, which takes in Kyauk Myaung, where traditional Myanmar 50 gallon water pots can be seen, the magnificent wooden Bagaya Monastery and the U Bein Bridge (the world's longest teak wood bridge) as well as Bagan, where there are 2,000 Buddhist structures scattered across a vast plain.

Wendy Wu Tours: Irrawaddy Voyager , +44 207 939 1200, from $3,654 per person

Norwegian Cruise Lines: Norwegian Escape

"Norwegian Cruise Lines are launching the Norwegian Escape in 2015, which was named by consumers via a Facebook contest, so travelers are already invested in it," says Cruise Planners' Fee.

"The Norwegian Escape will be the largest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Lines fleet and features The Haven, which is almost like a separate ship, with luxury suites, private dining and more."

One of the most popular cruise routes is predicted to be its Eastern Caribbean itinerary, which sails out of Miami.

Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Escape , +44 845 201 8900, from $782 per person

CroisiEurope: Loire cruise

Cruise fans have been eagerly awaiting this particular outing because the boat will use paddle wheel technology to allow it to navigate the shallow waters of the Loire, and overnight cruises along the river haven't been possible until now.

"I'm especially excited about the new Loire cruises because it's a river which has yet to be explored," says Cruise Passenger's Lynch.

"Paddle ships will allow this to be done for the first time in 2015."

CroisiEurope: Loire Princesse , +33 388 762 199, from $1,570 per person

Crystal Symphony was designed with a focus on fitness and wellness.

Crystal Cruises: Best of the Baltic

Proving that cruises are no longer just about eating a lot of food and not doing very much, Crystal Cruises is just one operator offering passengers the chance to work off those calories -- in this case, with a 90-minute run around St. Petersburg during its "Best of the Baltic" cruise from Stockholm to Copenhagen.

"There is a growing focus on fitness and wellness, both through facilities on board and excursions ashore, such as Crystal Cruises' excursions for runners," says Edwina Lonsdale, chief executive of Mundy Cruising.

Crystal Cruises: Crystal Symphony , +1 310 785 9300, from $3,845 per person

MORE: 10 top destinations to visit in 2015

Azamara Club Cruises: Bali & Great Barrier Reef

The introduction of this new 14-night cruise of Bali and the Great Barrier Reef is another indicator of a cruise trend we'll see in 2015.

"Australia and New Zealand cruises are becoming more popular," says Sean Keddy, cruise expert at travel agency Love Holidays.

"I suspect this is mainly due to an increased interest from the local markets, but this does allow passengers from Europe and the U.S. more choice and competitive pricing."

Azamara Club Cruises: Azamara Quest , +1 305 341 0206, from $4,277 per person

Crystal Cruises: Northwest Passage

Sometimes tropical destinations just don't do it for would-be cruisers. For those who have some cash to splash, there's Crystal Cruises' new 32-day Northwest Passage cruise, which will set sail in 2016.

It starts in Alaska and finishes in New York, getting there via Nunavut, Greenland and Maine.

"For those interested in a genuine Alaska cruise experience, this itinerary offers a great blend of scenic highlights, wildlife viewing opportunities, off-the-beaten-track excursions and unique ports of call," says Scrivanich of Cruise Specialists.

Crystal Cruises: Crystal Serenity , +1 310 785 9300, from $22,865 per person

Protesters return, despite mayor's plea

• NEW: Eric Garner's daughter: Gunman ignored protesters' peaceful message


• Protesters in New York chant, "How do you spell racist? N-Y-P-D"


• Demonstration against racism and police violence packs sidewalks


• Mayor, who's called for a pause in protests, leads moment of silence for slain officers

New York (CNN) -- A protest against racism and police violence packed sidewalks in New York on Tuesday, despite calls from the city's mayor for a pause in demonstrations.

As they marched past shops on the city's storied Fifth Avenue, some protesters chanted "Hey-hey, ho-ho. These racist cops have got to go" and "How do you spell racist? N-Y-P-D."; others carried signs saying "Jail killer cops" and "Stop the war on Black America."

Mayor Bill de Blasio had asked for the demonstrations to stop until after funerals for two police officers who were slain over the weekend in Brooklyn.

But organizers of Tuesday's protest said there was no reason to "give in to hysteria" and call off the march.

NYC mayor pleads for calm in the streets

Giuliani: Garner, Brown committed crimes

De Blasio: This was an attack on all of us

Cops remembered as loving family members

At first, marchers stayed on the sidewalks as a large police presence, with officers -- some wearing riot helmets and face shields -- keeping protesters from impeding holiday traffic.

Eventually, the demonstration spilled into the streets.

The protest came hours after a moment of silence at New York's City Hall at 2:47 p.m., three days to the minute since a gunman ambushed New York Police Department Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu.

"There's a lot of pain right now that we have to work our way through," de Blasio said. "We have to keep working to bring police and community together. We have to put the divisions of the past behind us."

The mayor repeated his calls for the city to focus on the families of the fallen officers.

"Please embrace those around you as a symbol of our belief that we will move forward together," he said after marking the moment when two officers were shot in an ambush.

Buildings and landmarks on the New York skyline -- including the Empire State and Chrysler buildings, One World Trade Center and 30 Rockefeller Plaza -- were set to dim their lights for five minutes Tuesday night in honor of slain officers.

Mourners flock to memorial

De Blasio and his wife were among the mourners who stopped Tuesday by a memorial at the site where the officers were killed, looking at flowers and an American flag hanging on the wall of a building.

Also drawn to the street memorial: the daughter of Eric Garner.

"It was important to me, because in the case of my dad, people came out and they supported us. I just felt really saddened by it, because a young kid lost their father like I did," Emerald Garner told CNN's "AC360."

Protesters have been pushing for a peaceful response, she said.

And pushing for change, she said, doesn't mean they're anti-police.

"Not all cops are bad," she said. "We've just got to salute the good ones and weed out the bad ones."

The gunman who killed the officers ignored their message and "took it upon himself to take negative actions," she said.

"It's ugly and it's very tragic," Garner said. "I don't want anybody to die. There shouldn't be any more bloodshed. Nobody needs to lose their life in a senseless way."

The backlash

De Blasio has come under fire since the shooting, facing criticism that he's fanned tensions between the public and police.

Authorities haven't established the gunman's motive, but they've noted that Ismaaiyl Brinsley, 28, broadcast his plans to kill police on social media.

And in some of his posts, investigators have said, he mentioned the controversial cases of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, African-American men who were killed by police.

Since Saturday's shooting, critics have taken aim at de Blasio's earlier comments supporting protesters who've voiced their concerns about the case of Garner, a 43-year-old who died in July after police in Staten Island placed him in what appeared to be a chokehold.

A wave of protests erupted in New York City -- and nationwide -- after the officer involved was not indicted.

The head of New York's police union said de Blasio had "blood on his hands." And, in the aftermath of Saturday's shootings, video showed officers turning their backs on the mayor as he walked through a hospital.

Organizers of Tuesday's protest in New York accused some leaders of manipulating the situation.

"This is a misguided response to the current situation and is meant to chill the expression of free speech rights," the ANSWER Coalition said in a statement. "Representatives of police unions are taking advantage of and seizing upon the actions of a lone, troubled individual who shot his ex-girlfriend and then killed two police officers in Brooklyn to smear, discredit and end the broad social movement that has demanded accountability, an end to police misconduct and police violence."

Police seeking help

Police are asking the public's help to piece together how the gunman who killed the two officers spent two hours before the slayings.

Cop's widow: We will get through this

Ramos 'will always be loved and missed'

Shooter's ex remains hospitalized

Brinsley, who ranted against the government and law enforcement on social media, ambushed and shot to death Ramos and Liu as they sat in their patrol car at about 2:45 p.m. Saturday in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Police have said Brinsley started his day in Baltimore, where he shot and seriously wounded his ex-girlfriend at her apartment in the early morning and then took a Bolt bus to New York.

Police Commissioner William Bratton told reporters that investigators believe the gunman acted alone, but he said that police still need a full understanding of Brinsley's actions.

"We owe it to the families to find out what happened," Bratton said. "That's why we're seeking to build this case up, so we know going forward exactly who talked to this man."

CNN's Miguel Marquez and Martin Savidge reported from New York. CNN's Catherine E. Shoichet wrote the story in Atlanta. CNN's Ashley Fantz, Shimon Prokupecz, Martin Savidge, Holly Yan, Joe Sutton, Alexandra Field, Ray Sanchez, Rick Martin, Alexandra Jaffe, Elise Miller, Daniel Verello and Andy Rose contributed to this report.