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Planning a vacation sometimes feels like a full-time job. Between arranging transportation, lodging, and activities, you may need to spend even more time preparing than enjoying the vacation! Fortunately, there are easier ways to go about it, and taking a cruise is one of the best ways to enjoy time away from work with your loved ones without adding much stress.
When you select a good cruise line, you’ll find that most or all of your lodging is arranged for you. These accommodations also include your dining and activities aboard the boat. However, some cruise lines are better than others, so how do you know which one to choose? Depending on what kind of vacation you’d like, there are several factors to consider.
Types of Cruises
The first thing you’ll need to decide is who the cruise is for. Are you a family of four, including your young kids? Are you a friend group of adults looking to enjoy time together? Are you planning a romantic getaway with your beloved? Or perhaps you’re looking for a solo cruise during which you can collect your thoughts and refresh yourself before you return to work.
Various cruise lines cater to each of these approaches, so once you know what kind of cruise you’d like, it narrows your decision down significantly. Given that there are dozens of cruise lines, each with a different reputation, limiting your selection to a handful is the essential first step in your process.
Generally, the largest names in the cruise industry, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, focus on the on-boat experience, leading their promotions with images of the endless variety of activities on their giant cruise ships. For people who enjoy large crowds (these ships generally hold several thousand people), constant activities, and an oceanic backdrop, the big names will serve you well. These companies have decades of experience and constantly renovate their ships with modern amenities.
In contrast to these lines, some large names such as Princess and Celebrity instead focus on a more relaxing atmosphere. There may still be hundreds or even thousands of people on the cruise with you, but the activities are far more subdued, with much more of the ship’s deck dedicated to relaxing, open-air environments. Rather than waterparks, you’ll find more pools. In the interior, you can enjoy top-notch dining and bar experiences that evoke a stylish, luxurious lifestyle.
One concern that many people have about cruises is the cost. Considering the breadth of amenities and the duration of your stay, you may see the bill steadily creeping up the longer you want to make your vacation. If you don’t need nearly so many of the “bells and whistles” of a Royal Caribbean or the spacious and “haute couture” accommodations of a Princess, consider Carnival. It focuses on a more casual experience and appeals to many people who like the idea of being on the open sea for a while without being too serious about it. For many, this is the ideal line to let loose a bit while keeping to a budget, which isn’t an option for the other lines.
Other Styles of Cruises
Another way to approach the cruise is the family vacation. Disney cruises, for example, are specifically designed to include kids in the mix, which is not a major consideration for the biggest cruise lines. As a result, you’ll find more family-friendly activities and casual dining fare alongside the class Disney brand characters and renowned customer service.
Some people prefer to mix an overseas vacation with a cruise, which opens up cruise lines limited to Australia and Europe, such as P&O, Aida, and Costa Cruises. These lines take advantage of smaller-sized boats and familiarity with the local sea lanes to give you an exceptional experience on the water. Naturally, flying internationally to your starting destination will increase the overall cost compared to staying domestic, but you can take advantage of that by staying a few extra nights on land in the host country before returning home.
Regardless of your vacation preference, there’s a cruise line that’s suited to you. Rather than just choosing the most popular line, decide the style of cruise you’d like and then select the most reliable provider. If you take this extra step, you’re sure to enjoy your time away from home much more than you would otherwise.