Let’s set sail… small ship, large ship, river cruises & more
Hello, Leila here! I understand that when some of you hear the term "cruise," you might cringe at the thought of overcrowded ships, poor food, and cramped cabins. However, that's a misconception! In reality, the cruise experience has evolved, and I firmly believe there is a cruise line that caters to everyone's preferences. You just need the knowledge and experience to choose the right one (thankfully you’re in the right place to get this assistance!)
I admit it. I hated cruising too.
But I had based this dislike on what I experienced as a child cruising in the late 80s/early 90s. This was when Disney was just testing the water (pun intended) and hadn’t launched their own brand yet. You may recall the Big Red Boat - yeah, that’s what we did. And it was a Big Red Boo. The best thing I remember about it was the midnight chocolate buffet.
Wow, how things have improved! Cruising has become one of my favorite ways to travel.
Why I love cruising?
It’s so easy. Often we can drive to the ship (being in Florida we have LOTS of options). Even when we have to take a flight, it's still a pleasure to reach the ship and get comfortable in your floating hotel.
Food & Drink options have become fresher, healthier, and more elevated. Oftentimes, food and drinks are included in the vacation cost so you can sit back and indulge without worrying about the bill. There still might be buffets but the options have expanded and change daily.
Staterooms are spacious with private balconies - sure, you can still sail in a tiny cabin with no natural light but who wants to do that on vacation (not me…)
Ports of call allow you to explore for the day - this can be a good way to scout out places for future vacations. The trend is also to spend more time in the ports - many cruise lines will now overnight in at least one port so you can explore at night and not have to rush back to the ship (this is more common on the smaller ships)
Activities and entertainment - there’s so much variety that there is something for everyone - fitness and wellness classes, cooking demos, art/craft activities, trivia, live music and more. Just want to sit back and relax? That’s fine too - ships these days are designed so you can do that too.
But - warning - not all ships are the same. Nor are all ships in the same brand the same.
Each has their own personality and vibe, and if you pick the wrong one you could have a lousy vacation.
But fear not - this is why you would want to work with an experienced travel advisor who will ask the right questions and who has the knowledge and expertise to pair you with the right options for you. They’ll also steer you away from options that would be a terrible match.