If a cruise has been on your bucket list, there’s no better time than now to make it happen. Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxing Caribbean getaway, an adventurous Alaskan exploration, or a cultural Mediterranean journey, the possibilities are endless. Start by choosing the type of cruise that best suits your style—be it a luxurious retreat, an action-packed family adventure, or a themed voyage that caters to your specific interests.
Next, select the cruise line that aligns with your preferences, from renowned luxury lines to family-friendly options or boutique cruises. Then, decide on the itinerary that excites you the most—whether it’s a short getaway or an extended exploration of far-off destinations. Finally, choose the timing that fits your schedule, whether you’re looking to sail during the peak season for ideal weather or prefer the quiet serenity of off-peak months. Whatever you decide, get ready to set sail on an unforgettable adventure!
River versus Ocean?
Cruises can be divided into two broad categories: river and ocean, with the second category further subdivided into big ship and expedition.
All About River Cruises
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River cruise ships are far smaller than their ocean-going sisters. These sleek, slender vessels ordinarily welcome between 100-200 guests who enjoy the luxurious comfort of suites featuring large windows or balconies. It’s all about the view because you are ordinarily so close to shore, you can wave to people as you sail by. Designed for navigating calm waters – and perfect for those who fear sea-sickness – these ships sail rivers in Europe, Asia, Egypt, South America and some parts of the U.S. Usually offering just one main dining room, some river ships also have small private dining areas and, weather permitting, an outdoor grill with seating on the top deck. All river ships feature a large lounge with a bar where guests gather for drinks before and after dinner, listen to the daily “port talks” led by the cruise director and enjoy evening entertainment.
River cruising is a great choice for those who are content with quieter evenings. Many ships bring local entertainers or guest lecturers on board for performances that take place in the lounge, as the ships have no theatre facilities, but there are none of the large scale shows you’ll find on larger ships. The trade-off is the immediacy of the shore access each day. Because river ships are small, they’re often able to dock close to the port town being visited so there’s no need to take a tender or even line up to disembark – you simply walk off. Though there are, of course, a myriad of shore excursions to choose from in each port, you could easily do your own walking tour.
All About Ocean Cruises
Photo: Scenic Eclipse
Ocean cruise ships are far larger, with some of the biggest accommodating almost 7,000 guests and featuring dozens of restaurants, theatres, cafés, shops and event spaces. The largest ships are more like floating resorts and the vessels themselves become the destination, regardless of the itinerary. You’ll find go-kart tracks, climbing walls, water parks with continuous surfing waves and multi-storey slides, ice skating rinks, giant outdoor movie screens, casinos, shopping promenades, glass-blowing studios, Broadway calibre productions and more. Even the smaller ocean-going ships offer a wide selection of onboard amenities that include casinos, spas, bars, pubs, pools and a range of dining and entertainment choices that begin in the early morning and run until long after midnight.
At the smaller end of the ocean-going category are the expedition ships whose size enables them to navigate in areas where their larger sisters can’t. Expedition ships accommodate smaller numbers of guests and offer far less variety in onboard dining and entertainment, but provide one huge trade off. These nimble ships sail to lesser-travelled destinations like the Antarctic, the Arctic and the Galapagos Islands, offering adventures you couldn’t have any other way. While there won’t be a Broadway show at night, or a go-kart track, you might find there’s a helicopter or a submarine onboard to take you on mind- bending explorations.
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So, what’s your type? The Romantic
If you’re looking to relight your fire as a couple, a river cruise holiday could be just the thing. Maybe you’ll opt for a slow-paced itinerary that meanders through European towns, stopping at different vineyards and wineries each day. The recipe for romance lies in the total self- indulgence of the service you’ll receive, leaving you endless time to reconnect.
If you choose an ocean cruise for your romance rekindling, one of the great treats will be the nightly excitement. You’ll not only have the luxury of choosing from a selection of restaurants but will also have a variety of free, live entertainment, ranging from musical revues to comedians, magicians, acrobats, singers, dancers and more. The lineup changes daily so you’ll feel as if you’re out on the town every night. Your days will be filled with either shore excursions in exciting ports or shipboard activities but either way, you’ll be spending time reconnecting and recharging your romantic batteries.
Expedition ships focus most attention on the daily shore excursions, which often involve wildlife viewing, SCUBA, snorkeling or hiking adventures. Night time entertainment is typically a presentation by an onboard expert who’ll explain what you’ve just seen or might hope to see. Because you’re usually up early, you’ll head to bed early too and so won’t miss the casino or show time. What you will experience is a renewed bonding that comes from sharing once-in-a-lifetime adventures together.
River Cruises: What to book for that romantic getaway
Photo: @emeraldcruises.global
Uniworld is known for luxury, elegant décor, personalized service, and all-inclusive amenities, while Viking River Cruises offers beautiful, understated ships, excellent service, and immersive cultural experiences. Be sure to ask about their optional romantic package, which includes a private dinner for two and a romantic balcony setup. AmaWaterways is famous for their relaxed, casual onboard atmosphere, but don’t be fooled. The focus is definitely on luxury, personal attention, gourmet dining and immersive shore excursions.
Tauck is a wonderful choice if you’re looking for all-inclusive amenities and personalized service, while Riverside Luxury Cruises, a newer player in the river cruising world, is very popular for their luxurious, modern ships, spacious suites, all-inclusive amenities and exceptional dining. Avalon Waterways offers three distinct types of shore excursions, each designed to cater to those looking for classic tours, cultural immersions and active adventures – a very popular innovation – while Emerald Cruises is well known for the boutique hotel experience available on their Star-Ships. Scenic Luxury Cruises, another great choice, is not only a favourite with those who appreciate attention to onboard guest comfort but is also well-known for its land-based tours.
So, what’s your type? The Family Fan
Best advice for cruising with families? Choose an ocean ship, with lots of opportunities for multi-gen fun. Many cruise lines cater to the younger set and you’ll find life-size (and larger!) mascots roaming the decks and also enjoy a wealth of kid-focused entertainment opportunities from cartoon movies by the pool, to mini golf courses on the top deck to animated wall art in the specialty restaurants and much more. Many ships offer babysitting and adjoining staterooms with large shared balconies, perfect for family gatherings. Bring the kids and Grandma and Grandpa too. While the littlest sailors will be keen on meeting Mickey or Shrek, teens will appreciate the climbing walls, basketball courts, swimming pools, and go cart tracks – and parents will love the all-inclusive food available in the main dining room, the pool side grill and the marketplace buffet area. There’s nothing more relaxing than knowing your kids can eat to their heart’s content, with no big bill waiting for you at the end. Best of all, you don’t need to hold the reins very tightly when your teenager is on a cruise. The ship is a well-enclosed area and the bars all check for ID.
Ocean Cruises: What to book to host that group get-together
Photo: Disney
Royal Caribbean is known for its grand-scale, innovative ships with plenty of activities for all ages, including water parks, zip lines, and rock climbing walls, as well as a variety of dining options and family-friendly shows, while Disney Cruise Lines is, of course, the classic choice for families. Their ships are designed with all ages in mind and offer plenty of non- family activities too, including adults-only pools and dining venues. Another popular choice for families, Carnival Cruise Line provides a staggering range of activities for all ages, from mini-golf and pools to water slides and arcades. Parents can also take advantage of the onboard kids’ clubs to free up some adult time. Norwegian Cruise Line’s laid-back atmosphere puts the focus on freestyle cruising with an emphasis on Broadway-style entertainment and activities ranging from water parks to ropes courses. Celebrity Cruises is a fabulous choice for entertainment lovers, offering outstanding theatre facilities while Oceania is a favourite with foodies who love its culinary offerings and the Culinary Center cooking classes on board.
So, what’s your type? The Reunion Master
A cruise can be a great way to gather relatives,friends, or a collection of couples while leaving that all-important bit of space in your togetherness. Each couple will have a stateroom to retreat to when they need alone time and, while you can certainly choose to sign up for all the same shore excursions, you won’t have to. Some members of your group may decide to stay onboard to loll by the pool, while others head off to explore. Perhaps you’ll all gather for dinners in the main dining room or maybe there will be nights when each couple will choose a specialty restaurant and have a dinner à deux. A cruise ship offers everything you need to keep a group happy together – and apart.
What to book for solo travellers
Maybe a solo cruise is your ultimate dream holiday – time for you and you alone. If so, there are lots of cruise lines ready to make that dream come true. Cunard Line, known for a more traditional cruising experience, offers a variety of single occupancy staterooms on their ships, a
dedicated single travellers’ lounge and organized meetups and activities for solo travellers, while Holland America Line, also has single occupancy staterooms on select ships, as well as “Solo Travelers’ Mixers.” Norwegian Cruise Lines is another solid choice, given that they offer “Studio” staterooms designed for solo occupancy as well as a dedicated Studio Lounge, and a variety of onboard activities and shore excursions. Royal Caribbean has single occupancy staterooms on select ships and also offers a solo traveller program with organized meetups and activities. If you’re looking for a truly luxurious solo sailing experience, Silversea offers single occupancy suites, organized meetups and activities combined with a high level of personal service and attention to detail.
Best Advice?
Whether you’re booking a first cruise or signing up for your 20th, the best advice is to have a conversation with a well-informed travel agent. There’s no charge to you and the suggestions you’ll receive about promotions, special deals, new itineraries, ship upgrades and more will be invaluable.
