Travel Tips: Cruises & Cruise Lines
The snow is beginning to fall all across the northern hemisphere. While this can bring the to-be-expected winter blahs as well as the often-accompanied seasonal affective disorder (SAD), we can take comfort in the fact that cruise season is officially here! Time to take advantage of the opportunity for a few days of rest, relaxation and recreation in the sun, sand, surf and amazing cruise ships of our modern era.
If you’re a cruise newbie, welcome aboard! Let’s discuss the basics of what you need to know.
The first step is deciding on where you would like to travel to on your cruise. There are many destinations to choose from. Top cruise destinations include: The Bahamas, Mexico, The Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska, Transatlantic, Europe, and Hawaii. When it comes to cruises, there really is no bad destination. You simply can’t go wrong.
You can rest assured that all ages are welcome on cruises. From your littlest tot to the matriarchs and patriarchs of the family. All are invited to experience the fun and memories that cruises offer. There are some cruises which are nearly adult only for those adults and couples who wish a more tranquil cruise experience.
When it comes to cost, a cruise ship vacation minimum can average to around $500 per person per week. This is remarkable value given the locations and experiences offered. You can cut corners and expenses by booking early (at least 9 months in advance) or booking late (less than 2 months in advance), and by having more than 2 persons per cabin.
In terms of time frame for cruises, if your vacation/holiday time is less than a week, the Bahamas, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean are what you have available. Additionally, what’s known as a “cruise to nowhere” is also available to you. A “cruise to nowhere” allows passengers to cruise out at sea for a long weekend and then return to port. This gives passengers the experience of a weekend getaway on a cruise ship without actually traveling to anywhere.
If you have a full week of vacation/holiday time available to you, all of the Caribbean, and most of Europe, Alaska, Hawaii and the South Pacific are possible. Longer vacation/holiday time will open all seven continents to you.
