Planning a Cruise

A few things to consider when planning your cruise

Taking a cruise in the summer is an exciting way for travelers to visit various locations and only have to unpack once. While Caribbean cruises are one of the more popular routes, you may be interested in different cruising options. Here are three categories to consider when looking for cruise information.

Pick a Theme

For a long time, cruising was viewed as an adult-only activity. More and more cruise lines are offering family-friendly activities, including youth clubs, water parks, and entertainment designed just for kids. There are also theme cruises if you’re looking for an opportunity to sail with people who share interests with you. From your favorite author or entertainer to wine lovers cruises, religious themed cruises, and more – there is sure to be a cruise for everyone.

Choose Your Ship

Cruise ships can vary in size. The mainstream cruise liners and mega cruise ships can hold upwards of 1,000 passengers, and have a variety of entertainment options such as casinos, spas, restaurants, and nightclubs. Smaller ships hold just a few hundred people and offer a more intimate atmosphere. These cruises tend to travel to less tourist-focused destinations and cater to small theme cruises or conventions. River cruise ships are small enough to navigate narrow waterways, but offer ports that are further inland. Expedition cruises feature remote destinations for adventure travelers and are not as luxurious as some other cruise ships.

Select a Destination

With so many different kinds of cruise ships, cruising destinations are not limited to Caribbean islands and Mexico. Here are few destinations that you may not have previously considered:

• New England and Canada – Experience New York, Boston, Quebec, Halifax, and other coastal cities.
• Western Canada / United States – From Los Angeles to Vancouver, these cruises offer a chance to see sandy beaches and rocky shorelines without having to book separate hotel rooms.
• Panama Canal – Experience the canal that finally gave ships a short-cut around South America. See the sunrise over the Atlantic and set over the Pacific in one day!
• Scandinavia – See fjords of Norway under the midnight sun. Get a taste of the Viking lifestyle with a Scandinavian cruise.
• Hawaii – Unpack once, and visit several islands. Ideal for people who like snorkel, hike volcanoes, or play golf on several courses.
• Amazon River – Sail up the world’s widest river and see the rich animal life that can only be found in one of the world’s largest rainforests.

Lastly, cruising can be expensive. While many cruise agencies offer travel insurance during the booking process, travelers forget that they can shop around for a better, more affordable and more custom cruise insurance policy. Cruise Insurance benefits can include trip cancellation and interruption benefits, international medical coverage and more.

For more information on cruises, check out our Top 5 Cruise Travel Tips!

With so many options, where do you plan on cruising to this summer?

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.