 |
When most people think of a cruise, mass market lines such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean immediately come to mind. However, there are a number of other available cruise options. The luxury tier of cruises includes lines such as Cunard (Queen Mary 2), Regent (formerly Radisson Seven Seas), Crystal, Windstar, Oceania, Seabourn and Silversea. You can also purchase accommodations on the residential cruise line, Residensea. For a different type of cruise experience, you can sail on riverboats in countries throughout the world. Viking Cruise Line and Peter Deilmann offer river cruises. Scaling it down from the river cruise, you can cruise on river/canal barges in Europe. Abercrombie & Kent along with French Country Waterways offer these options.
|
 In the adventure travel arena, you can take expedition cruises visiting such areas as Antarctica, the Amazon, and the Galapagos. Lindblad Expeditions, Zegrahm Expeditions and National Geographic offer these types of experiences. Yacht experiences are offered through Sea Dream Yacht Club and American Safari Cruises. As you can see, the waterways of the world offer many different types of experiences.
Advantages of Cruises
- Inclusive Pricing - Your accommodations, all food and all entertainment are included in the cost of your cruise.
- Unpack Once - Your ship is your floating resort. While visiting multiple places, you only unpack once and travel in style.
- Security & Familiarity - Cruising allows you to visit foreign destinations in a controlled environment. Sightseeing excursions are organized by the cruise line. At the end of the day you come back to your ship and to dining options you are familiar with.
- Good Value for the Money - With the cruise lines inclusive pricing, it is one of the best vacation values for the money. Travelers who can travel at "off-peak" times can get additional savings.
- Stress-Free -- When I'm on a ship, I feel I can truly escape everyday life. Someone else is taking care of my every need.
Cruise Destinations
The top cruise destinations for Americans are as follows:
 Caribbean & Bahamas - Eastern, Western & Southern Caribbean itineraries - The Caribbean cruising season runs all year; however, many cruise lines move ships out of the area to Alaska, Bermuda & Europe for the summer months. The Bahamas could be a little cool during the winter months. Most of these cruises depart from a port city in Florida; however, in recent years other cities such as New York, Baltimore, New Orleans and Galveston have begun to offer Caribbean sailings. -
 Alaska - Inside Passage & Glacier itineraries - Many cruise lines offer cruisetour options visiting the interior of Alaska. The Alaska cruising season runs from May-September. These cruises usually depart from Vancouver or a port city near Anchorage, Alaska.
 Hawaii - Inter-Island Cruises of the Hawaiian Islands - This cruising season goes all year; however, many ships only offer a few sailings per year of this area. Norwegian Cruise Line is currently the only cruise line offering year-round 7-night sailings of the Hawaiian Islands. You can depart from either Oahu or Maui. Most of the other major cruise lines will offer only a few sailing dates in early spring and late fall. This timing coincides with when the ships are leaving the Caribbean area for Alaska in the summer and returning to the Caribbean in the fall from Alaska. These sailings are usually 10 or 11 nights in length. They will be "one-way" sailings to/from Hawaii from the West Coast. -
 Bermuda - These cruises are usually one-stop cruises to the island of Bermuda. Some cruise lines include a stop to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket off the Massachusetts coast. Many confuse Bermuda with the Bahamas. Bermuda is located in the Atlantic Ocean around the same latitude of North Carolina. Due to its more northerly location, it is not a year-round destination. Bermuda cruises are offered from May-September or October. These cruises usually depart from the New England area. - Canada/New England - These itineraries are offered in the summer and fall. They will depart from a New England/Northeast port and may go as far as Montreal. They range from a few nights to 14 nights. The longer 14 night departures will begin or end in New England and sail to/from Montreal.
 Panama Canal - Partial & Full Transit Itineraries - Some cruise lines may offer these cruises most of the year. For others, they will only offer a few sailings per year as the ships are on their way to/from Alaska for the summer season. All the ships going to Alaska from the Caribbean will sail through the Panama Canal. These itineraries usually range from 10 nights to 14 nights depending upon whether a partial or full transit is booked. Partial transits depart and return to a Florida port and are 10 or 11 nights in length. The ship will only pass through the first set of locks of the Canal and will turn around in Gatun Lake going out the same way it came in. Full transits depart from one place and end up in another and are 14 nights in length. On these itineraries, the ship will depart from somewhere in Florida, make a full transit of the Canal, and end up in Acapulco or somewhere on the West Coast or vice versa. It is important to note that even if you book a partial transit itinerary, you will still have the ability to fully transit the Canal on a shore excursion. Panama is not that wide across and passengers can easily be transported from the Pacific Ocean side back to the  ship on the other side. - Europe - Mediterranean, Northern Europe, British Isles & Scandinavian Capitals - The European cruising season extends from May-September or October. Itineraries vary in length from a few short 3-4 night options to 14 night options. Departure points vary according to itinerary selected. The focus on European itineraries tends to be more on cities and culture and less beach-oriented.
Exotic Cruises
 Cruises sail all regions of the world. You can sail the islands of the South Pacific, Australia & New Zealand, the Far East, the coasts of Africa and her islands, and such remote destinations as the Galapagos Islands and Antartica. The ultimate cruise experience is the "World Cruise". These cruises can be quite lengthy; however, they can also be sold in segments. Crystal Cruise Line's World Cruise 2007 is 109 nights; however, you can also book any one of 7 segments ranging in length from 12-18 nights.
Repostioning Cruises
 Repositioning cruises are offered when the ships are moving from one area to another. These are cruises that will only be offered a few times per year and are often priced very economically. These cruises vary in length depending on destinations; however, they are usually 6 nights or longer. Some examples would include Europe to the Caribbean, the Northeast to the Caribbean and some Panama Canal sailings.
Themed Cruises
Many cruise lines offer themed cruises. Some of these may include Big Band Music, Food & Wine, Fitness, Film & Theatre. Others might feature prominent personalities from sports and music. Enrichment programs are offered on some ships that will feature prominent personalities. Crystal Cruise Lines has offered sailings featuring Marvin Hamlisch, Linda Ellerbee and James Carville & Mary Matalin.
River Cruises
 A river barge in Europe is much different than what Americans tend to think of as a barge. We think of a large freight carrier. The river barge in Europe is a very small vessel carrying anywhere from 6-15 guests. These barges offer luxurious accommodations, are noted for their cuisine and allow you to really immerse yourselves in the regions in which they travel. They are very slow-moving so you don't cover many miles. You might sail a few hours per day and you have the ability of walking or biking alongside the barge. Evenings are spent in local towns.
Travel Experts of Toledo - 6711 Monroe Street - Sylvania Ohio, 43560 - 419-882-1257
|
