The best thing about cruise vacations is how carefree they are. Packing? Checking flights and trains? Hotel reservations? Forget about it. On a cruise, your hotel accompanies you from place to place. You wake up in a new destination every day without lifting a finger. Someone else cooks all your meals. Evening entertainment is planned for you. And everywhere you look, you see sparkling blue ocean.
Sailing vacations strike a perfect balance of excitement and relaxation for many travelers. Maybe you can’t decide if you want to visit beaches in the Caribbean, islands in the Mediterranean, glaciers in Alaska, or tropical getaways in the South Pacific. With a cruise vacation, you can easily explore multiple regions in one trip.
This guide has everything you need to know before booking your next cruise vacation — from which destinations to choose to how to plan and pack. Here’s everything you need to know about sailing vacations.
Should You Go on a Cruise Vacation?
Prospective cruisers are often drawn to travel by sea for convenience and destination variety. Here are a few reasons you might enjoy cruising.
1. Pack Once, See Multiple Destinations
Let’s face it: traveling involves some cumbersome aspects. Packing up your belongings, hauling luggage from place to place, booking transportation, and keeping track of it all can quickly become overwhelming. When you’re cruising, most of the hard work is done for you. Simply board the ship and enjoy your cabin. Each day, you’ll wake up in a new location without ever worrying about trains, buses, and flights.
2. It’s All-Inclusive-ish
While cruises can vary significantly in price, most cruise fares include:
Your room on the ship
Meals in main dining rooms
Entertainment options
Pool areas
Transportation to ports of call
Sure, you’ll likely spend extra money on excursions, specialty drinks, and restaurants. But when everything is included in your nightly rate, it’s easy to stay under your budget.
3. There’s Something for Everyone
Whether you’re traveling with your spouse, family, friends, or solo, a cruise vacation has options for everyone. Ships are full of entertainment for all ages, from Broadway shows to water slides and gourmet dining.
How to Plan Your Cruise Vacation
Before you book your cruise fare, there are several factors to consider.
Pick Your Cruise Destinations
Typically, the cruise region you choose dictates your travel itinerary. Here are some of the most popular cruise vacations.
Caribbean
The Caribbean boasts year-round warmth, crystal-clear water, and relaxed island culture. Caribbean cruising is also one of the least expensive regions to cruise and is great for beginners.
Ideal for: First-time cruisers, beach-goers, winter getaway
During a Caribbean cruise, you may visit several ports on different islands each week. Common island activities include snorkeling, beaches with white sand, and trips to local markets.
Mediterranean
Mediterranean cruises offer stunning coastlines paired with rich history. Spend your morning touring ancient ruins and your evening dining alfresco by the sea.
Popular Mediterranean departures include:
Barcelona
Rome
Athens
Ideal for: Culture seekers, history buffs, foodies.
Popular Mediterranean ports of call typically include Italy, Greece, Spain, and France.
Alaska
An Alaska cruise is about as different as you can get from a tropical Caribbean cruise. Picture glaciers, whales, rugged mountains, and cozy little ports.
Ideal for: Nature enthusiasts, photographers
Cruises typically depart from:
Seattle
Vancouver
Canadian cruises give you front row seats to nature at its finest.
Northern Europe & Scandinavia
Northern Europe and Scandinavia sailings visit fjords, medieval cities, and everything in between.
Expect to visit places like:
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Ideal for: Off-the-beaten-path destinations, cooler climates, history.
South Pacific & Australia
Longer sailings may venture to tropical islands in Australia or French Polynesia.
Ideal for: Adventure-seekers and those tackling a travel bucket list.
Select Your Cruise Line
Think of cruise lines as brands with different personalities.
Family Cruising Lines
These ships focus on kid-friendly activities, water parks, and character experiences. Family friendly ships have tons of energy and kids running around everywhere.
Upscale Cruise Lines
Upscale lines offer world-class dining, luxury amenities, and intimate settings with fewer passengers.
Luxury Lines
Luxury cruise lines typically encompass:
All inclusive drinks
Excursions at your destination
Smaller ship sizes
Room service
Expect to pay a premium price for luxury lines, but services are more personalized.
Research different cruise lines to get a feel for the ship’s environment. Everyone travels differently, so you’ll want to make sure the cruise vibe fits your style.
Know Your Cabins
On a cruise ship, your cabin is your home away from home. But did you know that there are different kinds of cabins?
Interior Cabin
No window
Cheapest option
Best if you won’t be spending much time in your room
Oceanview Cabin
Window with views
Natural lighting
Balcony Cabin
Private deck area
Ideal for routes with beautiful scenery (Alaska, Mediterranean)
Suite
Spacious rooms
Luxurious perks
Early boarding
If you’re cruising for longer than four days, booking a balcony cabin will change your life.
Life Onboard
Wondering what you’ll actually do on a cruise? Let’s break down a few daily activities.
Sea Days
A sea day is when the cruise ship is sailing to your next destination without stopping.
Sea days are typically spent:
Relaxing by the pool
Taking cooking classes
Watching live shows
Getting a couples massage
Depending on your personality, sea days are perfect for resting and relaxing.
Port Days
On port days, you disembark the ship to visit a destination.
Options often include:
Booked excursions
Independent exploration
Beach days
Food tours
Visiting cultural landmarks
You typically have a few hours at each port before returning to the ship.
Excursions: Book Through Your Ship or DIY?
Every port has organized tours through your cruise line. Purchasing excursions through your ship comes with pros and cons.
Pros:
Return to the ship guaranteed
Booking is convenient
Structured itineraries
Cons:
More expensive
Typically larger groups
Island hopping and independent tours can save you money but you’ll have to plan accordingly. If you’re late, you could miss the ship departure!
Food on Cruises
Cruise food is one of my favorite parts of sailing vacations. On cruises, you can expect:
Included Dining
Main dining hall
Buffet
Casual eateries
International food, themed dinners, and endless desserts
Specialty Dining
La Cabina Steakhouse
Emerald Lounge Sushi
Taste of Italia
Chops Grille
Chef tasting menus
Expect food on cruises to continue to elevate, especially on higher-end ships.
Entertainment Aboard
Fun on ships has come a long way since sea voyages of the past. You can find:
Broadway-style shows
Stand-up comedy
Live bands
Outdoor movie nights
Casinos
Dance clubs
You’ll have plenty to do on your cruise vacation.
Pay extra for drinks, room service, internet, and excursions. Learn what your cruise fare includes before booking your vacation.
Best Time to Go on a Cruise
When you should cruise depends on your itinerary.
Caribbean: All seasons (outside of hurricane season if possible)
Mediterranean: Late May to early September
Alaska: Mid-May to Mid-September
Northern Europe: During summer
During “shoulder seasons,” you’ll typically find lower prices and less crowding.
Packing for Cruises
What you pack on your cruise depends on your destinations. However, here are a few packing tips for all sailors.
Pack Shoes You Can Walk Around In
Swimsuit
Dress clothes (depending on cruise, there are often formal nights)
Sunscreen
Jacket
Motion sickness medication
As always, remember your passport and visas when cruising.
Tips for Your First Cruise
Arrive at Port Early
If you are flying into your departure port (Miami, Barcelona, etc.) arrive one day early. You don’t want to miss the ship because of a flight delay.
Book Excursions Ahead of Time
Fill-up for popular shore excursions and specialty dining quickly.
Download the Daily Activity Schedule
Each night, you’ll receive the next day’s activities. Make sure to plan ahead by looking over the daily schedule.
Budget for Extras
Alcoholic drinks, excursions, and shopping can add up quickly on cruises.
Do Cruise Vacations Work for Every Traveler?
Cruises are ideal for travelers who:
Enjoy convenience
Want structure to their itinerary
Enjoy being around people
Love scenic ocean views
Don’t mind switching destinations
They may not be the best option if you:
Want to spend lots of time in one location
Experience severe motion sickness
Enjoy fully spontaneous itineraries
Dreaming of Your Cruise Vacation
There’s something magical about waking up in the middle of the ocean. Rolling over in bed, you open the curtains to find…water. Water as far as the eye can see. Sun streaming onto your balcony. Thank you, ocean.
Sunsets over the water are phenomenal at night. Morningtime in port equals fresh salty air and adventure.
Your Guide to Cruise Vacations
Vacations at sea are a wonderful way to see the world. Not only do you visit several destinations without the stress of constantly moving hotels, but you also experience transit time. Most hotels can’t replicate the boat’s dining, shows, pools, and casino (although many try! ).
If traveling by sea is new to you, start with popular regions like the Caribbean or Mediterranean. Choose a location you’ve been dying to visit and go from there. With the right planning, your cruise vacation could be one of your favorite journeys to date.
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