Ocean Cruising is perhaps the most popular type of cruising that most people know. (Although River Cruises are becoming a huge draw!) Sailing away on the beautiful ocean, staterooms with lovely people who make your bed every day, fabulous food, and new destinations every couple of days. It can be as relaxing or as adventurous as you wish. There are ships that cater romance, nature, adventure, fun, families, luxury and even food!
Some ship are so large that resemble small cities. Some of them, such as the Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas, even have a lush Central Park area with lush vegetation! You might find kid’s play areas, several pools, glitzy Broadway shows, ice skating rinks, and even zip lines. You will find many different types of places to eat. From burgers and fries to 5-star restaurants and everything in between.
Other ships are smaller and focus on connecting with nature by getting where big ships cannot go. Luxury focuses ships are also smaller and want their guests to feel pampered and relaxed.
With ocean cruises, you can go days without seeing land, and ports of call and excursions tend to be exotic and high-adventure.
The larger cruise ships offer plenty of options for many ages, from young kids to octogenarians, and they are often more able to accommodate a wide variety of special health needs. For this reason, they tend to make the best option for multi-generational family gatherings that include young children. For the traveler who is into high-octane adventure, ocean cruises provide a wide variety of activities onboard, as well as exotic and more daring day excursions. If you prefer to relax and be pampered, the spas on the ocean cruises are top-notch with massage, acupuncture, hair salons, and even specialty water therapies are found on some ships.
While ocean cruises have a lower sticker price per person than a river cruise, you are often charged extra for alcohol and other amenities. I have found the food and drinks provided with the cruise are just fine for me, but others want to have a more inclusive experience.
The other big concern we hear is being afraid of the side-to-side motion of an ocean cruise. While it is true there will sometimes be rough water, the ships have fancy electronics that do an amazing job of minimizing the possible motions. (If you are very sensitive to motion sickness perhaps a River Cruise might be a better option for you.)
When you’re getting ready to plan your next on-the-water trip, here are a few questions to consider:
- How many people are traveling? What are their ages?
- What time of the year do you want to travel?
- Do you need the amenities of a mega-ship — spas, gyms, a dozen restaurants, and many activities? Or are you looking for something calmer, more intimate, and easy paced?
- Are you seeking authentic intercultural experiences? Or do you prefer more familiar settings?
We had a wonderful 40th Wedding Anniversary celebrating on the NCL Escape. The recommendations for the drink and internet package was perfect. We appreciate the personalized attention, checking in along the way and wonderful knowledge helping us book such a grand vacation!! Highly recommend “Born for Travel”.
Scott & Sherry B.
THE BORN FOR TRAVEL DIFFERENCE
Do you feel overwhelmed by the planning process of your next vacation? Do you wish you could simplify your travel planning and design your dream trip without any hassle or stress? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need the team at Born for Travel, the agency that helps you Simplify, Design, and Reconnect. We are experts in the destinations we book and we know how to simplify the planning process for you. We will help you design your perfect trip, from choosing the best value, destination, and location, to providing support and assistance before, during, and after your trip. We want you to have a memorable and enjoyable vacation that will reconnect you with what matters most to you. Don’t let travel planning overwhelm you. Let us show you why we are Born for Travel.