For many vacationers, cruises represent the ultimate getaway. Offering a unique combination of relaxation, adventure, and luxury, cruises continue to capture the hearts of avid travelers worldwide. Whether you’re setting sail for tropical paradises, scenic coastlines, or culturally rich destinations, cruising offers an all-in-one experience you won’t soon forget.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the favorite cruise options, helping you pinpoint the dream voyage that fits your travel style.
Why Cruises Make for the Perfect Vacation
What makes cruises so appealing for millions of travelers each year? Simply put, they offer a travel experience like no other. Here are a few reasons why cruises are universally adored:
Convenience: Imagine unpacking your suitcase just once but waking up in different destinations every day. With cruises, your floating hotel takes care of the travel logistics.
All-Inclusive Options: Many cruises include accommodations, meals, entertainment, and more, so you can budget your trip without surprises.
Variety: Whether you crave adventure, culture, or relaxation, there’s a cruise itinerary to match your interests.
Onboard Entertainment: From live shows to swimming pools and fine dining, cruise ships are packed with amenities to keep you entertained throughout your journey.
Family-Friendly Fun: Many cruises cater to family travelers, with kids’ clubs, teen activities, and even special character meet-and-greets.
With so many benefits, it’s no wonder cruises continue to rank among the top vacation choices for travelers. But with hundreds of options to choose from, how do you find the perfect one?
Top Cruise Destinations
Not all cruises are created equal, as every destination offers its own charm. Here are some of the most popular locales that cruise-goers rave about:
The Caribbean
If shimmering turquoise waters and powder-soft beaches call to you, the Caribbean is a sure bet. Caribbean cruises are beloved for their stunning vistas, sunny weather, and laid-back ambiance. Explore destinations like:
Jamaica: Known for its reggae beats and lush rainforests.
The Bahamas: Perfect for snorkeling, shopping, and enjoying luxurious resorts.
St. Lucia: Famous for its soaring Piton mountains and romantic vibe.
With plentiful activities like snorkeling, zip-lining, and island tours, there’s always something exciting to do in the Caribbean. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, you’ll find it here.
Alaska
For travelers who love a mix of rugged natural beauty and awe-inspiring wildlife, Alaska cruises are a dream come true. These cruises often feature breathtaking glacier views, opportunities to spot whales and bears, and rich local history. Highlights include:
Glacier Bay National Park: Marvel at the towering glaciers as they calve into the icy waters.
Ketchikan: Known for its Native American totem poles and vibrant art scene.
Juneau: Alaska’s capital is a gateway to everything from hiking trails to whale-watching tours.
Alaska cruises also provide a chance to slow down and immerse yourself in nature’s grandeur, far from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The Mediterranean
For those seeking cultural enrichment and historical exploration, the Mediterranean delivers in spades. From the ancient ruins of Greece to the romantic canals of Venice, this region is a treasure trove of beauty and history. Popular stops include:
Barcelona, Spain: Explore Gaudi’s architecture and savor tapas in this lively city.
Athens, Greece: Dive into history at the Acropolis and Parthenon.
Rome, Italy: The Eternal City offers iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and Vatican City.
Cruises to the Mediterranean are perfect for those who love sophisticated cuisine, ancient history, and stunning landscapes.
Cruise Types to Match Every Traveler
Cruises cater to virtually every type of traveler. Depending on your interests and travel goals, here are some options to consider:
Luxury Cruises
If you’re looking for a premium experience, luxury cruises deliver world-class amenities, personalized service, and gourmet dining
Royal Caribbean has just confirmed that the Grandeur of the Seas will not be sold.
Built in 1996, the Grandeur, or Lady G as some passengers call her, was planned to be sold to Pullmantur in April of 2021. Since Pullmantur has closed up shop, Royal has decided to keep the Grandeur of the Seas in service.
The Vision Class ship has been calling the port of Baltimore home for many years, currently running Caribbean cruises. We don’t know if she will remain in Baltimore, since she was scheduled to be replaced by sister ship Enchantment of the Seas next year.
No new future sailing dates has been added yet, the last date for the Grandeur is still March 26, 2021. We hope to see new dates added soon!
In October, St Kitts and Nevis will be reopening and allowing international travel, including cruise ships. This means that international flights and ships with international passengers can resume operations here. It’s great news for the cruise industry in the US.
The government is working with agencies to make sure the opening of borders will happen safely to make sure there is no risk of COVID-19 outbreaks. Thus far, St Kitts has no cases of the virus.
Royal Caribbean has already been approved to dock two of their ships at Zante, which will allow 140 crew members to disembark, though they will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
There will be strict health measures in place when the cruise ships eventually return to Basseterre, St Kitts. Even when the borders reopen, it’s not likely too many US ships will be headed there, however; as most cruise lines have suspended operations until at least November. However, UK’s Fred Olsen Cruise Line is now featuring St Kitts in their 2021 and 2022 itineraries.
Unfortunately, most other Caribbean destinations are banning cruises until 2021, but we hope this announcement will help get the balls rolling for caribbean cruises to slowly start opening up again. This is definitely a step in the right direction!
Have you ever been to St Kitts and Nevis? What are your favorite Caribbean destinations?
More good news from MSC Cruises this week as they have successfully floated out the MSC Seashore. This means the ship has left it’s dry dock and will be headed to a wet dock to finish construction, mostly fitting out the interior spaces.
The MSC Seashore is going to hold 4540 passengers and around 1400 crew members. It’s the longest in MSC’s fleet at 1,112 feet and also the biggest cruise ship ever built in Italy. It’s the next evolution of the MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview.
She will have a wide range of accommodations, featuring more suites than her sister ships. There will be 28 terraced suites, two of them with private whirlpools. The MSC Yacht Club will have 2 new stateroom categories that offer 41 Deluxe Grand Suites and two Owners Suites that will also have whirlpools.
The MSC Seashore will also be great for families and groups, having modular staterooms that you can connect to accommodate six to ten people, also including 75 total accessible staterooms that are larger and more spacious.
She will also offer two brand new restaurants and five specialty restaurants with waterfront seating along the ship’s boardwalk so guests can dine al fresco. Also included will be a two-deck aft lounge, bigger casino and 20 different bars, lounges and cafes. The ship features a new aft pool design, larger indoor pool and an interactive waterpark for guests of all ages. The kids clubs will be in separate areas of the shop so younger and older children will have their own areas.
The MSC Seashore will have her inaugural season in the Western Mediterranean along with other Seaside class ships, starting in the summer of 2021, offering cruises out of Genoa and stopping in Naples, Valletta, Barcelona and Marseille. After that, she will head to Miamin in November of 2021 and offer 7-night Caribbean itineraries including stops at MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
The world is full of incredible destinations worth exploring. Like misty rainforests teeming with wildlife. Secluded coves lapped by crystal clear waters. And dazzling coral reefs bursting with color. Book your future getaway now and save up to $350 when you sail in 2021. You’ll also enjoy 60% off your second guest, and bring the whole family because kids sail free*.
If you need to change your plans, that’s okay - Royal Caribbean's Cruise With Confidence policy allows you to cancel your booking up to 48 hours before you sail, and their Best Price Guarantee ensures you’ll always get the best deal. Come Seek the Royal Caribbean®.
This sale is valid on new bookings only. If you are interested in booking a Royal Caribbean cruise and taking advantage of this deal, contact us now! Hurry, this offer is only available until August 23.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
