By admin
There are many different types of cruises. There are cruises that are intimate 20 person sailing, and there are cruises that can hold thousands of people. There are cruises that sail for 3 days, and there are cruises that sail for 14 days. So how does one choose which type of cruise to sail? The answer is, it depends on what the cruiser is looking for.
If this is the first time a prospective cruiser has sailed, then that cruiser would be best off sailing on a 3 day cruise and choose a large ship. The advantage of this, is that the larger ships have stabilizers which help keep the ship from rocking on rough seas. A three day cruise will also determine whether the cruiser is sea worthy.
If this is a romantic cruise, and the couple is sea worthy, then a smaller ship would be the best bet. These usually only have adults. If this is a family vacation, then the larger ships would be advantageous. Children will never be bored on these large ships. They come equipped with many amenities. There are swimming pools, ice skating rinks, work out rooms, children’s activities, mini golf to name a few.
Now that the type of ship has been determined, how does one determine where to sail. If this is a first time cruise, or a cruiser is prone to sea sickness. a cruise to Alaska would be excellent. Ships sail the inside passage, where calm waters prevail. A romantic destination would be the Caribbean.
A sailing chose may also include what type of shore excursions are available. All cruises include these at an extra charge. If a cruiser wants to see a glacier, then the Caribbean would not be the right cruise. Likewise, if a cruiser wants to go snorkeling, then an Alaskan cruise would not be the right choice.
These are some helpful hints to get a cruiser started in deciding which type of cruise is the right fit. Whichever cruise is decided, the cruiser will have an adventure never to be forgotten.
Filed in: Cruises, Ships, Tips and Preparation
By admin
The purpose of a cruise ship is to focus completely on holidays on the water and provide recreation, food, and opportunities for relaxation. The cruise industry is expanding all the time with more and more people are taking advantage of good deals on ocean cruises all around the world. Cruise ships are becoming more specialized and this has a big influence on the design, including size, functionality, aesthetics, and even the material from which some areas of the ship is made.
There are four general types of ships that cruise companies employ for different styles of ocean cruises.
Contemporary Ships
Cruise ships that fall under this type usually run cruises that are low to medium in price. These ships are large, often referred to as “mega-ships”, with the capacity to accommodate upwards of 3,000 passengers. These ships are gaudy but modern and brimming with amenities like many different bars and restaurants, spas and gyms, and enormous facilities for children. They may have different types of entertainment for a variety of age groups.
Premium Ships
Premium ships can be medium to large and even include the mega-ship category. But they generally take a smaller number of passengers so the cruises are less crowded. Quality of food tends to be better and they can often provide a wider choice of destination.
Budget Ships
These tend to be the older, smaller ships and some people refer to cruises on these ships as “cheerful and cheap”. Both entertainment and food are more old fashioned than on the Premium or Contemporary ships and the other amenities like gyms, spas, and children’s areas are much more basic. The usual destinations for the budget ships are the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Luxury Ships
These ships provide a much more lavish cruise experience. They serve gourmet-quality food in elegant restaurants with great service everywhere on the ship. Tips for staff, alcoholic beverages, and shore excursions are often included in the price of the cruise. The ship itself, including the cabins, are much more elegant. Most cabins are suites and are usually “outside” cabins, often with a private balcony. The ships are smaller and can access smaller, more unusual ports than the big mega-ships, making destinations options broader.
Filed in: Ships