Cruises are hot again! There is nothing like being out in the sea, lounging with your favorite cocktail in hand as your ship bobs around from one world-class destination to the next. Imagine yourself lazing about by the pool or lounging on the uppermost deck as you glide effortlessly through the open seas with the most amazing panoramic front seat view.
One of the best things about cruises is that you can get away stress-free- everything is handled for you and all you have to do is chill and relax. Everything that you need to have a great vacation is usually bundled up into one affordable fare. And based on the cruise line that you choose, prices can be as low as $100 each night. If you have been on a cruise before, then you know what we are talking about.
If you are a first-timer though, the wide array of choices available might just be a little overwhelming. You see, cruise ships have gone through a revolution of sorts. Gone are the days when cruise ships were associated primarily with retirees. The industry has evolved over the years to give you more options than ever.
Because competition is fiercer than ever, cruise ships are going above and beyond to make themselves as well as your cruise ship experience better. Every ship that launches must stand out from the previous one which means bigger ships, out-of-this-world amenities, and an insane amount of onboard activities to keep you busy.
No matter what thrills you seek, you will find all manner of things. Think hit Broadway musicals, robots that mix your drinks, as well as crazy adventures such as surf simulators, humongous water slides, skydiving, and more.
But which cruise is the best? To make sure that you have the best time at the high seas, here are 5 cool cruises that you should consider this year:
The Royal Caribbean
If you want to sail to the Caribbean, no other cruise line does it better than the Royal Caribbean. There is so much to see and do onboard- think high octane activities like bumper car tracks and insane surf simulators. There is so much to do in the Royal Caribbean’s floating cities that it can be easy to miss out on all the cool stuff.
To make sure that this does not happen though, stateroom attendants in every ship deliver the cruise compass that contains a daily guide on all the exciting stuff that will be featured that day. Aside from all the fun entertainment, you will also be very impressed with the cabins available. What’s so great about the Royal Caribbean is that these fun offerings are also available off the ship in the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas known as Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The Carnival Vista casino cruise
Want to sail away to exotic destinations while you gamble the days away? Then a casino cruise is your best bet with the Carnival Vista casino cruise being one of the best. Cruise ship casinos have grown in popularity in the past few years for several reasons. Firstly, most cruise ships can sail on international waters where there are no rules or regulations on gambling.
This means that gamblers are not subjected to the same regulations as land-based or even online casinos. Secondly, when you are stuck at sea floating from one port to the next, there are few better things to spend your hard-earned money on. Boasting low entry game table minimums, exciting tournaments, and slots, cruise ship casinos like Carnival Vista casino cruise offer cruise gets a warm and friendly environment where interactions can occur.
According to Kate Huber at NJGamblingFun.com,’’ The Carnival Vista casino cruise, in particular, has really taken the time to understand the wants and needs of the guests. It is this attention to detail that sets them apart from typical casinos’’. Based entirely on how much you play, the perks and comps for guests include everything from ‘Drink On Us’ cards to free photo coupons.
The Seabourn Ovation
If you are in the market for ultra-luxury, then the cruise that you should consider this year is the Seabourn Ovation. Hop on board for seven to twenty-one days of pure wonder as you float through the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea, and anywhere else you wish to explore in Europe. This cruise is in a class of its own focusing primarily on luxury.
When onboard, guests can expect 24-hour room service, an onboard casino, a vibrant nightlife and more. There are several exciting restaurants on board too including Thomas Keller’s The Grill. The top-level sundeck features private cabanas where you can sip cocktails crafted by the best mixologists in the field. To make your stay even more comfortable, all the rooms come with private verandas with the largest room containing a private solarium.
Abercrombie & Kent
If you like the idea of vacationing on a cruise ship but are turned off by the idea of crowds, then Abercrombie & Kent are perfect for you. Abercrombie & Kent is known for its smaller, boutique cruise ships that make sure that there are never more than 25 passengers onboard. This means that you will have direct access to the staff members, which translates to unrivaled customer service.
When you are onboard one of the Abercrombie & Kent you can be sure that your needs will be fully met. Whether you are taking an expedition cruise to Antarctica or a barge cruise on the Nile, Abercrombie & Kent cruises have a level of understated luxury that resembles a stay at a chic laid back boutique.
Abercrombie & Kent cruise ships traverse all corners of the globe and unlike other cruises; it does so in an innovative and exploratory way. Expect trips and safaris to destinations such as Africa, Machu Picchu, and New Guinea, just to name a few. And if you are looking for a younger crowd to travel with, the average age of Abercrombie & Kent guests tends to be between 30 and 50. As such, anticipate spirited crowds and lively cocktail hours throughout.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises have a reputation for radical activities and exceptional excursions. Sailing through all 7 continents, you can choose any one of its 17 cruise ships for your travels. As well as the impressive itinerary, you can also expect immersive experiences on and off the ships. Case in point, the cruise line has partnered u with Discovery and Animal Planet to offer some of the most exciting shore excursions available.
Learn how to stargaze from an expert atop the uppermost deck, swim with the sharks in Hawaii or feed the sloths in Costa Rica. You will not find such unique offerings anywhere else expect on the Princess Cruises.
Final Thoughts
If you feel overwhelmed by all the cruise options available, don’t be. The good news is that there is a cruise ship to suit every personality. Whether you are planning on traveling solo or with your family, you can have your pick of the litter based on your preferences and of course, budget.