When you decide to take a cruise it is an exciting choice. But, it can also seem daunting because there are so many different types of cruises to choose from, and deciding which is best for you can seem very confusing. Here are a few cruise choices you may wish to take:
1. Mediterranean cruise
2. Caribbean cruise
3. an Alaskan cruise,
4. a cruise down the Amazon
5. a Panama Canal cruise
6. a Transatlantic ocean crossing
7. a cruise in the South Pacific
8. a Hawaiian Island cruise
9. River cruises (such as the fjords in Norway, down the Danube in Europe, along the Nile in Egypt, even down the Mississippi)
10. Polar cruises (to see the penguins) in the Antarctic
11. Russian waterways cruises
12. Galapagos Island cruises
13. New Zealand or Australia
Each has its own appeal, but each is also very different.
The first thing to consider in taking a cruise is the time of year you wish to travel. This can dictate the type of cruise available to you. For instance, some cruise ship lines do not offer cruises to the Mediterranean in the winter months, but transfer their ships to the warmer waters of the Caribbean, and vice versa. Or, Alaskan cruises can only run in certain months because of weather conditions. Transatlantic cruises (Transatlantic) take place only as the seasons change in order for cruise ship companies to reposition their ships to match the high seasons’ tourist industry.
You also have to decide on the length of your cruise. Many cruises are 7 nights in length, but there are also ones from 3-4 nights to over a month in length, and sometimes more. You may have a vacation time limit that dictates the length of your cruise, but you should also take into consideration if this is your first cruise. You may want to limit your cruise time to a 3-4 night or 7 night option to find out how you like cruising, or if you are prone to seasickness.
Knowing which ports you want to see can also determine which cruise is the right choice for you. Do you yearn to see the Bahamas or have you always dreamed of the Greek Islands? You can achieve your dreams by choosing the destinations you want most to see. And, you can experience various places on one vacation by taking a cruise.
You also need to consider how much time you wish to spend “at sea” or onboard the ship. On some cruises, such as a Transatlantic voyage, you are at sea for many days at a time without touching into a port. This could suit you if you don’t want the hassle of docking at different ports all the time. But, it can also prove to be a downside if you want a lot of variety on your vacation. Some cruises are very busy and dock at a different port every day. This hectic type of activity can be too much for some vacationers.
Your next choice in choosing a cruise is to decide on the cruise line and size of ship you want to take. Of course, one can dictate the other as some cruise lines have larger ships in their line than others. Some cruise lines may only have smaller vessels for smaller groups of people. Others offer huge ships to accommodate passengers in the thousands. It is up to you to decide whether you like a smaller ship with a more personal touch or the larger ships with more options and amenities onboard.
There are so many different types of cruises that cater to various personalities. You can also choose to take theme cruises, which specialize in a certain area, such as art collector’s cruises, golfer’s cruises or cooking cruises. There are some cruises that cater to families and children, some that stress the party atmosphere and others that are for adults
Finding a cruise to suit your individuality is an important factor in determining your overall cruise enjoyment. Read the many cruise brochures available, do some researching on-line and discuss with your travel agent which cruise would suit you best.
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