We are back from our trip to Fiji. It was totally awesome...
Jo & Marilyn
Cruising
by The Travel Group
More testimonials...

CRUISING MADE EASY!

Choosing a Cruise that’s right for you -

 
Not all cruises are the same but the jargon within the travel industry doesn’t do much to clarify the various types. Cruises are broken down into Luxury, Premium, Mainstream, and River yet within each of those categories there are huge variations of style, itineraries, and types of vessels. Let me try to wade through the confusion and help you choose the cruise that is perfect for you…
 
FLOATING RESORTS:   These are the mega ships of 1500 to 3500 passengers and they keep getting larger each year. The cabins range from basic to extremely luxurious while the entertainment could be anything from a quiet piano bar with great jazz to huge Broadway style productions. Activities onboard include golf, basketball, rock climbing, zip lining, ice skating, surf riding, ballroom dancing, spa pampering and much more. 
 
 
Who will like it? This type of cruising is for anyone who likes the resort style accommodations on land but would like to visit more than one destination on the same vacation without having to pack and unpack all the time.
 
Examples – Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Holland America Lines, Cunard Voyages, Costa, MSC, and Celebrity Cruise Lines
 
 
SMALL SHIP CRUISING: Some travelers prefer to be on smaller, more intimate vessels with a passenger limit of 100 to 1200 passengers. These usually have a swimming pool and spa facilities but the entertainment is more club style like you see in Las Vegas rather than the lavish Broadway productions. There are not as many lounges and bars onboard. The specialty of these cruise lines is their service! The crew will remember your preferences and bend over backwards to provide your favorite food or beverage. The linens and bathroom amenities are more luxurious than on the mega ships. Another huge attraction of the small ships is that they can get into ports that the big ones cannot.
 
Who will like it? This type of cruising will appeal to the person who likes the idea of being a traveler rather than a tourist. The smaller the ship, the more you get that private yacht experience.
 
Examples – Azamara Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Sea Dream, Silversea, The Yachts of Seabourn, Ponant Cruises, Voyages to Antiquity, Swan Hellenic, Ponant Cruises,   
 
 
SAILING VESSELS: These are also small but their attraction is the tall sails. The atmosphere onboard tends to be more casual with fewer facilities than the more luxury ships. Some of them even let passenger participate with the manning of the sails! It feels like you are aboard your own private yacht.
 
Who will like it? If you love the romance and beauty of the tall sails billowing in the breeze, this is the cruise style for you!   
 
Examples – Windstar Cruises, Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, Star Clipper Cruises
 
 
EXPEDITION BOATS: These exploration ships get into every nook and cranny in destinations like the Galapagos Islands, the Arctic, and Antarctica. They allow you to get up close and personal with the wildlife, fjords, and glaciers without overwhelming the fragile ecological environment. These are learning experiences led by professional, naturalist guides. The facilities range from minimalist to luxury but the attraction is more the experience.
 
Who will like it? Adventure travelers, wildlife enthusiasts, explorers, photographers or anyone who wants their vacation to be an educational experience will love this type of cruising.
 
Examples – Lindblad Expeditions (they partner with National Geographic), Quark Expeditions, Silversea Prince Albert II, Celebrity Xpedition, Galapagos Cruises, Polar Cruises, Hurtigruten, Hapag-Lloyd, Polar Star Expeditions, Cruise North Expeditions.  
 

Stay Tuned for more to come.... including River Cruising!

 

 

Choosing a Cruise that’s right for you

Not all cruises are the same but the jargon within the travel industry doesn't do much to clarify the various types. Cruises are broken down into Luxury, Premium, Mainstream, and River, yet within each of those categories there are huge variations of style, itineraries, and types of vessels.  Let me try to wade through the confusion and help you choose the cruise that is perfect for you....