Cruises

Cruising with families is a fun and effortless experience thanks to the many cruise lines that cater to all age groups and have special extras planned for younger guests. A popular vacation option for parents with young children, cruises also offer unique solutions for those wondering where to hold their next family reunion.

One great benefit of family cruise vacations is the ability to visit many destinations without constantly packing and unpacking, or piling into the car for long stretches at a time. Once you’re onboard, you don’t need to worry about a thing. Just relax and enjoy!

Many family-friendly cruise lines offer various age-appropriate, supervised children’s and teen’s activities and clubs. Babies are treated like royalty in Royal Caribbean International’s Royal Babies program. Here, 6 – 18-month-olds can join in the fun with activities developed by the childhood experts, Fisher-Price®. Kids love Carnival Cruise Lines’ Camp Carnival for its enthusiastic counselors, interactive programs and good old-fashioned fun. And teens let loose with Celebrity Cruises’ Admiral T’s program. Dancing, karaoke, fitness programs and video games are just some of the ways these young guests enjoy their vacations.

Activities for the entire family abound on today’s modern cruises. Norwegian Cruise Line’s open decks feature fun ranging from a soaring rock-climbing wall and full-size tennis courts to sparkling pools with thrilling water slides.

Cruise vacations can also make for a most memorable new tradition: Holidays-at-Sea. Cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, offer special holiday menus, family activities, holiday-themed fun and even religious services.

A small number of cruise lines cater exclusively to gay and lesbian travelers. While some welcome men and others women, cruise lines like Atlantis Cruises & RSVP Vacations offer cruises for both. Families are also welcome on specific gay-friendly cruises.

GLBT cruises are perfect getaways for travelers looking to relax, have a great time and meet new people. An incredible amount of onboard activities and entertainment awaits travelers on GLBT cruises. The fleet of RSVP Vacations’ ships feature expansive fitness facilities, sparkling pools, bars and lounges, entertainment stages and luxurious spas.

Atlantis Cruises are known for their legendary nightlife, with never ending dance parties and shows that feature top comedic, singing and dancing acts.

Cruises can be incredibly romantic vacations for couples. Whether you’re interested in a wedding, honeymoon, vow renewal or simply a beautiful vacation with your sweetie, taking to the high seas can be the perfect choice for you.

While any of the major cruise lines offer plenty of opportunities for fun and romance, there are those who cater specifically to couples by indulging twosomes in tons of special extras.

Princess Cruises helps make your special cruise even more romantic with indulgent add-ons. Swoon-worthy special occasion packages include a bottle of champagne waiting in your stateroom, spa treatments, canapés or petit fours in your stateroom and more. Choose a room with a balcony and you can indulge in a lobster dinner overlooking the sparkling seas, right from the privacy of your balcony.

Norwegian Cruise Lines serve up romance right in your stateroom with couple’s massages that come to you. Cruise with Holland America and take a gourmet culinary lesson together. And on a Carnival Cruise, nightly live entertainment and Broadway-worthy stage shows abound.

Singles heading out on cruises might have different expectations. There are those who welcome meeting other singles and there are those who prefer solo, quiet journeys.

Holland America goes out of its way to make singles cruisers happy and comfortable. Join in the solo travelers welcome at the start of your cruise. The Single Partners Program features dance partner pairings, dining with other solo cruises at your request and many activities perfect for making new friends. Chose to room with another solo traveler, or indulge in a stateroom all to yourself.

Princess Cruises also has an extensive program for singles cruisers. Special singles events let you easily meet your shipmates. And once you book your cruise, you’ll have access to an online community where you can chat with other singles cruisers before your ship departs.

Experienced travelers will find camaraderie, great times and amazing experiences while vacationing with fellow mature travelers. Cunard is one such cruise line that welcomes mature travelers. Enrichment and lecture programs let guests exercise their minds while onboard. Favorites include the Book Club, workshops on oceanography, a theatre class and more.

Heart-healthy and delicious dining options are readily available on many cruise lines. In addition to Holland America’s Health Conscious dining option, as part of the As You Wish™ Dining program, guests are welcome to request any dietary needs, such as: vegetarian, diabetic, gluten-free and kosher meals.

Differently-abled guests and guests with medical needs will find Celebrity Cruises quite accommodating. Those will mobility disabilities will be able to board early, have access to scooters while onboard and can take advantage of hydraulic lifts into the sauna/pool on select ships. Deaf/hard of hearing guests as well as visually impaired gusts will also find that every attention to detail has been made to assure a comfortable, enjoyable travel experience.

An effortless and visually appealing way to visit a variety of global destinations is with a world cruise. World cruises afford you the opportunity to take in many cultures, historic sites and beautiful views without having to constantly pack and unpack and board numerous flights.

Cunard’s luxury cruises can include three-month journeys that take you from America to the Caribbean, then to Mexico, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Europe and beyond. The itineraries and shore excursions are as extensive and unique as the destinations you will visit.

Princess Cruises’ fleet of ships that travel the world are well equipped with every creature comfort and amenity available. Brimming with entertainment, spacious surroundings and indulgent dining options, you’ll feel at home during your world journey.

World cruises are largely dependent on time and money. The length of the voyage and numerous ports of call mean this vacation option is reserved for a select group of cruise travelers. If time and budget allow, a world cruise can easily be your vacation of a lifetime.

There’s experience quite like that of a luxury cruise. The finest bed linens, most exquisite gourmet dining options, white-glove service and the absolute best amenities available – it’s all waiting for you onboard.

Luxury cruise discussions would be missing something without the mention of Cunard’s ultra-luxurious cruise ships and top-notch amenities. Elegant ballroom dances feature guests dressed to the nines in tuxedos and gorgeous gowns. Several bars, clubs and lounges serve up fine wines and enchanting entertainment. Incredible culinary creations are presented to you by waiters expertly trained in Cunard White Star Service.

Azamara Cruises also take pride in impeccable guest services and luxury amenities. Boasting one staff member per two guests, you will undoubtedly be well taken care of on Azamara Cruises. In-room spa treatments bring a bit of luxury and relaxation right to you and the onboard Wellness Consultant is available to meet with. Acupuncture at Sea is another ultra-luxurious way to melt stress away.

When budget is no option, these cruises are waiting to treat you like royalty and wrap you in luxury and comfort.

Perfect for travelers looking to cruise but who have limited time on their hands and a pretty tight budget, “cruises to nowhere,” are gaining popularity.

Typically one or two nights in length, these cruises leave the dock and sail the waters without reaching another port of call. It’s a great way to try out a cruise line, so to speak.

Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line are just two of the major cruise lines that offer these fun, quick getaways-at-sea.

Meals, snacks, room service, onboard activities and entertainment – nearly everything is included with the price of your stateroom. Water, iced tea, coffee and juice are usually complimentary as well, but certain soft drinks and beverages served at the bar (soda, beer, wine, mixed drinks, etc.) will cost extra (but are conveniently charged to your room). Gift shop purchases, babysitting, salon services, spa treatments, casino gambling can also be billed to your room.

Spa appointments should be booked right away. Optional shore excursions can be booked onboard, but we highly recommend booking them ahead of time (most cruise lines have online shore excursion booking capabilities). Activities and availability sell out quickly.

Cruises are popular among travelers who enjoy good food, and offer a variety of dining options. Most ships offer a buffet and a dining room, as well as several specialty restaurants. Snacks and room service are often available 24-hours a day. While cruises are known as a place to indulge, onboard dining also accommodates passengers who follow particular diets. Low sodium, low fat, vegetarian and kosher cuisine are readily available. If you have particular dietary needs, it's a good idea to speak with your Vacation Expert to ensure that the cruise you book can accommodate them.

For dinner in the main dining room, there is typically an early sitting around 6:30 p.m. and a later sitting around 8:30 p.m. You will be able to request your seating and dining time preference in advance.

Depending on your cruise line, gratuities may be factored in to your itemized bill at the end of the cruise, or may be left to your discretion. For the latter, the accepted practice is to tip your dining room waiter, busboy, and cabin steward roughly $3 per person, per day. You should pay all gratuities in cash at the end of your cruise. Bar drinks are the exception: They include gratuity on the bill when you are served.

Pack like you would for a typical resort vacation. Cruise vacations are generally casual by day whether you're on the ship or ashore. Dinner attire can vary by ship and occasion, with some evenings being casual and others requiring more formal attire. Appropriate formal attire consists a dark suit for men and a cocktail dress for women, though many passengers opt to dress it up a notch, with a tuxedo or a gown. Casual dining options are available every night, and if you want to dress up, but don't want to pack your formal attire for vacation, you might be able to rent a tux on board.

Casual attire should be appropriate for the climate of your destination. If you have any questions about what to pack, ask your Vacation Expert.

All bags should have the cruise line luggage tags attached before you leave home. If you have a pre-cruise hotel booked, attach the tags before leaving the hotel for the cruise ship. Pre-registering online lets you avoid lines at the pier.

Required travel documentation can vary depending on the type of cruise and the destination. Typically, US citizens are required to present a valid passport accompanied by a government-issued photo ID, though some cruises that depart and return to the same port in the US may only require a certified birth certificate. Your Vacation Expert will be able to explain documentation requirements and answer any questions you have.

It's a good idea to leave a copy of all your travel documents – including your complete itinerary, your passport or birth certificate, and photo ID – with a with a friend or family member.

Modern technology has made ship-to-shore communication easier than ever (so you won't need to know Morse Code to communicate with the mainland – though we'll be thoroughly impressed if you do). Cell phone service can be spotty at times (and may incur roaming fees depending on your carrier and plan), but cruise ships have phone numbers that can be used to reach you if someone back home needs to contact you immediately. In addition, most ships offer wired/wireless internet connection, as well as 24-hour internet cafes/business centers. Some ships even offer laptops for rent.

All modern ships have state-of-the-art motion stabilizers to reduce movement. In most cases, you will feel no motion at all. The size of the ship can also be a factor. If you want the best location for stability, you should go to a lower deck. The higher you go, the more movement you'll feel. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring along medication or request it from the ship's medical staff onboard.

Cruise lines take every precaution to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers, and work hard to accommodate and assist those with special needs. Every ship is equipped with medical facilities and a fully trained medical staff. If you have any special medical or physical needs, be sure to let your Vacation Expert know beforehand, as they can help arrange any appropriate assistance you require beforehand.

Because cruises are generally non-refundable after final payment, you may want to inquire about travel insurance. Insurance can protect your vacation investment against cancellation penalties in the event you need to cancel. It also provides important medical and baggage protection. Depending on your itinerary, your Vacation Experts recommend an appropriate form of travel insurance.

Please know that cruise lines reserve the right to change or alter itineraries without notice and in most cases, without compensation. Also know that these are rare occurrences, and that decisions are always made with the passenger's best interests in mind.