When you decide to take a cruise, there are many decisions to make. Of course, the first decisions are about timing and cruise itinerary, but choosing the ship you travel on can be key in determining how well you enjoy your cruise vacation. Cruise ships come in many sizes, from large ones that carry thousands of passengers, to smaller ones that only accommodate 30-40 passengers. Different cruise ships also offer different amenities. And, there are many types of ships that cater to various types of people.
When you are trying to make the decision as to which cruise ship you will be traveling on, you need to examine your wishes and what you expect from your vacation. You need to know what ‘fun’ means to you. Some people will want an exciting, fun, party-style vacation while others may prefer a more tranquil, laid-back environment. There are different cruise lines that cater to each group so you need to do a little homework to find the one that would suit your wishes best.
The first thing you need to do before deciding on a ship is to examine the marketing of the cruise line you are considering. Does it advertise a fast-paced party atmosphere, or does its marketing campaign show a relaxed, more luxurious style? Does the ship cater to children or adults, or both? Does it have a set-dinner policy, or does it offer free-style dining? Which style would you be more comfortable in?
You also need to determine the size of the ship you want to travel on. Most cruise ships are large affairs that carry thousands of passengers. Sometimes on these ships, waiting times for embarkation or disembarking from the ship are long. Also, you may want a quieter atmosphere than that provided by a ship with many other vacationers. Alternately, if you want to meet new people and don’t mind crowds these larger ships are ideal. The larger ships also tend to come with a lower price for their cruise vacations.
Another thing to look for in determining the ship you travel on is the ship’s Registry, meaning the country that the ship line is from. Ships can have different Registry’s that dictate the style of cruising being offered. For example, the Costa cruise ships are of an Italian Registry and their overall presentation is geared more towards Italian cooking and decorating style.
Different ships also offer different amenities, so you need to look at the ones that are most appealing to you. For instance, does the ship you are considering have a movie theatre-you may wish to take in a first-run show or keep your children occupied with a movie? Does the ship offer workout rooms or spa facilities that may be important to you? Does the ship have an ice rink for skating (as some ships do!) or rock-climbing walls? How many pools does it have? There are many amenity options on different ships that could make your vacation extra-special.
Of course, you also need to look at the ship’s itinerary. Along with itinerary, you should examine which excursions are offered on your ship of choice. You need to make sure that the ship you are on travels to the ports that you wish to see. Or possibly, you may want to be at sea for extended periods. Some ships stop at a different port each day, while others, like trans-Atlantic crossings, go for days without seeing a port. Also some ships are so large that some smaller ports of call cannot accommodate them, or you may have to travel to those ports by tender.
Planning your cruise vacation and taking the time to properly research the ship you choose to travel on can be very rewarding in the end. Deciding on a ship and how well it matches what your dreams of a cruise entail can truly expand your cruise enjoyment. And, proper planning for your cruise can be part of your fun.
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