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Tips While Cruising the Open Sea

Cruises have drastically changed over the past 30 years, so travelers that haven’t been for a while are in for a big surprise. No longer do gray-haired grandmas crowd the bingo hall, no, these days it’s much more up-scale than that. Every cruise line worth its sea salt features fine dining, Las Vegas style stage shows, and wet and wild theme park thrills. It is a common conception that most cruise lines offer exquisite buffets full of the most rich and divine food and desserts you’ve ever eaten, but this isn’t all there is to look forward to.

These days it is important to pay special attention to which cruise line you pick, and sometimes even the specific ship. This decision depends as much upon your budget as your expectations, and these days cruising is often very kind to your budget. Long gone are the days when only the rich and famous are able to step onboard a fancy cruise line- there are many hot deals for cruises, you just have to search. Although our ugly economy has taxed us in many areas, traveling is one area that it has helped us get a bargain, especially if you wait until the last minute to book your cruise.

How Do I Pick the Right Cruise?

Once you’ve decided to actually go on a cruise, the first question you may ask yourself is “Where do we go?” It doesn’t do much good to ask others where they have loved going on a cruise, because their perception of something wonderful and glorious, might turn out to be overcrowded and too touristy for you. One of the best cruise lines that offers the most intensive look at some of the world’s greatest cities is Oceania Cruises. They have picked the right destinations and know exactly what their customer base wants to experience while on a cruise. The best ports of call are on their list and they give you plenty of time to explore each one.

Where Should We Stay?

Another question to consider is whether to pay for a cabin on the deck or an interior one, which are cheaper. Some people suggest picking an interior cabin, for one it doesn’t cost as much, and for another you won’t be spending much time in the cabin anyways. There are plenty of excursions to be enjoyed and lounge chairs to be sat upon. On the other hand, when it’s time to relax and rest, it’s important to be able to do so, and this will create a better overall cruise experience for you. If you are looking for the best rooms overall, you’ll find them aboard the Regent Seven Seas cruise ships. Aboard these ships, all the suites contain residential-style decor, flat-panel televisions, and large living areas for entertaining and in-room dining. Each room averages to be about 350 square feet.

What Kinds of Excursions Does the Cruise Offer?

Even if you are traveling on the best cruise line, it is important to get off the ship at least once to enjoy one of many incredible on-shore excursions. These activities range from simple shopping trips in nearby towns to heart-pounding helicopter tours. One cruise line that is known for offering incredible excursions is Crystal Cruises. It’s been said that this cruise line leaves “its competitors in the dust”, compared to other cruise lines that offer excursions. The cruise line employees are eager to arrange personal excursions for you and will do so for passengers of every persuasion. Some travlers might just want a sedentary voyage of walking around town, and some may want to experience more adventure by possibly staying overnight on a glacier or windsurfing in Turkey.

More so today, adventure cruises are gaining popularity. These adventurous cruises range from deep-sea diving in the Caribbean, to swimming with sharks in South Africa, to retracing Darwin’s steps in the Galapagos. Lindblad Expeditions is a cruise line that is known for its great adventure cruises and will definitely make the hairs on the back of your neck stand straight up. Although this is a small collection of cruise ships, no espense is spared when they take you to far away destinations in comfort, like Antarctica, the Arctic, Africa and the Indian Ocean.

Which Cruise Line Should I Take My Family On?

Cruises are also popular among families. There are two good reasons for this: there is plenty to keep the kids busy, and your toddlers are enclosed so they can’t get lost, at least not very easily. One of the best cruise lines for families is undoubtedly Disney Cruise lines. This company operates two nearly identical liners- Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. This is the best pick for families of all ages because Disney truly knows how to bring out the magic in your vacation. What is wonderful abou Disney is that they have activities for all ages. The kids can play in a supervised play area, there is a waterpark, and the parents can send their kids off to be supervised while they enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the spa. Disney truly is an all-inclusive cruise line.

What Are Your Expectations?

When considering cruise popularity, generally it is determined by a number of factors, including how convenient it is to reach the cruise line from your home, whether you have a young family, your age bracket, whether it is your first time, or whether you are single or married.  So, it is important to ask yourself what your expectations are for a cruise before making a decision on which company to travel with. You may be looking for black-tie glamour, informal luxury, traveling only with people your age, entertainment, the beautiful surroundings and nature, or a good deal of activity.

After you have determined what your main goal is in traveling with a cruise line, you are ready to book that dream vacation. It is quite convenient to take a vacation where all your food is taken care of, the activities are already planned, and entertainment is already provided. Now all you have to do is hop on board. The ship is waiting for you and you won’t be disappointed by what it has to offer.