Cruises
What do you think of when you think about a cruise? If you have never been on a cruise, you may be surprised by what all it includes! Your experience will vary depending on if it is a river cruise down a river, a smaller specialty trip cruise, or one designed for the ocean as a massive floating resort.
We have a confession: We did not start cruising until recently.
Say What??? For years we refused to go on cruises because of the negative news and fear of being claustrophobic and sea sick. But now that we have cruised, we have a different perspective. First, cruises are just as much about the cruise as it is about the destination. And, second, cruises provide the same level of entertainment and fine gastronomy as the upscale resorts we vacation at.
Many larger ships offer casinos, live entertainment and music shows, basketball courts, video arcades, water slides, mini-golf, putting greens, multiple pools and movie theaters! Royal Caribbean offers a surfing simulator, and others offer ice skating rinks, bumper cars, ziplines and simulated sky diving!
All-Inclusive. Meals and food are included with your trip, and you will have access to specialty themed restaurants as well as at least one buffet. Food is available 24/7 including room service. You could spend your entire trip on board, enjoying the views and all the activities without getting bored. But these ships will dock at multiple ports of interest where you can either go on an excursion, or just walk around the town enjoying the local culture.
Picking a cruise is no different than picking a resort. Start with the experience you want, the vibe you want, the type of travelers you want to be around, and pick an itinerary that you want to be on. Just like resort brands, each cruise line has a different personality and caters to a different traveler, so unless you understand these differences, find a travel agent to guide you so that your experience is what you want.
Types of Cruises. There are 2 basic types of cruises. River Cruise and Ocean Cruise.
The ships on river cruises are smaller, in both size and number of guests, with the largest allowing a few hundred guests. River cruises focus is more on exploring towns and cities along the river, often with sailing at night so you have new ports every day. Another difference is that entertainment is low-key and the overall experience more intimate.
The ships on ocean cruises are much larger, with the largest carrying over 5,000 passengers and a length of 1/4 mile. Entertainment is constant and the larger ships offer casinos, live entertainment and music shows, basketball courts, video arcades, water slides, mini-golf, putting greens, multiple pools and movie theaters! Royal Caribbean offers a surfing simulator, and others offer ice skating rinks, bumper cars, ziplines and simulated sky diving!
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If you know you love cruises already, check out just some of the great deals available for cruises right now, or Young At Heart Destinations book your next trip!