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I’ve been thinking about Cruises a LOT lately. I’ve never been on one but my aim is to try one out in 2016. SO I thought I’d do a bit of research and see what was out there. Turns out there are TONNES of different types of cruises to choose from. So how do you choose? Well, here’s a handy little guide, in association with Thomson Cruises, to choosing the perfect cruise!
Choosing a cruise vacation doesn’t have to be difficult, there are a few easy steps that will ensure that your next cruise not only fulfils all your requirements, but that it surprises you in all the right ways. If you’re starting to plan your next vacation and are considering embarking on a cruise (like me), then here are five great tips to help you choose the ultimate cruise that’s most suited to you.
1. Focus on All Your Ports of Call
When people book their holidays they often tend to focus on one specific destination, and that can be problematic when booking a cruise, as you will be visiting a number of great destinations over your travels. Be sure not to sacrifice your overall cruise experience to travel to one single destination, as that negates one of the great advantages of travelling by ocean liner, which is seeing multiple great spots. You can indeed have quality AND quantity when it comes to destinations on a cruise.
2. Look Into Your Ship’s Activities
Today’s cruise liners have more accommodations and luxuries than ever before, and these can include everything from spas to rock-climbing walls, and even a FLOW RIDER! I love those things (you should see me on a body board). But before you book your cruise be sure you know what type of activities and accommodations your boat carries. Some cruises tend to be specifically organized around themes, and may focus primarily on musical events, or family activities etc.
3. Research the Food Options
Whether you have special dietary requirements or not, a big part of the joy many people get from being on vacation is having access to delicious meals. Today’s cruises offer a large variety of cuisines, but they do tend to vary from ship-to-ship, and will also depend on the different destinations you happen to be visiting. To make sure you’ll enjoy the meals you have along the way, check and see what the different menus are on-board in advance.
4. Discover the On-Shore Activities
As previously mentioned, one of the great advantages to cruising is that you have the opportunity to travel to multiple destinations, each of which will have its own unique activities, sites, sounds, and tastes to offer. By researching the different local activities and cultural offerings in advance, you can decide if a destination is for you, depending on whether you enjoy relaxing on a beach or discovering important historical sites – or both!
5. Choose Your Style Wisely
Cruises can vary in style, from massive ocean liner style ships that hold thousands of people to smaller more intimate ships that hold anything from a few hundred people to less than one hundred. Depending on where you want to go, what type of activities you want to enjoy, and what form of intimacy best suits you, the style of cruise you want will vary. Be sure to research all options before booking.
Countless people have told me that going on a cruise is a great way to travel and see the world, I can’t wait to find out for myself. If you’re planning a cruise no doubt you’ll have an incredible time and by doing the proper research before booking you’re bound to set-sail on a magnificent holiday adventure. Take me with you??
*Images by aushiker and Prayitno / Thank you for (8 millions +) views used under Creative Commons License.
I’ve only been on one cruise in my life, but it was the best time ever! I can’t wait to go again 🙂
Yeah I really need to try it!! 🙂 there seems like there’s SO many options.
Mmm….have always rebelled at the idea of “being organized” i. e having limited time in ports etc. but having read your blog maybe I should reconsider???