7 Reasons Cruising Is a Great Way to See the World

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Once upon a time, taking a cruise was simply a means of island-hopping around the Caribbean. Today, however, cruising offers so much more than that one kind of getaway. In fact, many top cruise lines now offer itineraries to far-flung and exotic destinations like the French Riviera, the Amazon, and Africa. There are other advatnages, too: Cruising is one of the most cost-effective ways to travel to hard-to-reach locations and a great way to check off several places on your bucket list in one trip.

In recent years, high-end cruise lines have upped the industry standards with extravagant new vessels, drool-worthy destinations, and more authentic port excursions than ever before. Simply put, there's never been a better time to take a cruise. Not convinced? Here are seven reasons that prove our point.
1. YOU GET MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK



Cruising offers great value for vacationers because everything is consolidated into one price: accommodations, transportation, and meals—some packages even include airfare. And the all-inclusive nature of most cruises gives you an unbeatable deal, especially for families. You can have peace of mind and avoid worrying about what your vacation will cost at the end of the trip. Those looking for a little extra luxury always have the option to upgrade; for an additional cost, guests can eat in fine-dining restaurants, purchase top-shelf liquor packages, and purchase deluxe excursions in every port.

Azamara Club Cruises offers some of the best value in the industry. All guests receive complimentary bottled water, standard spirits (unlimited premium drink packages can be purchased for only $12.95 per person/per day), specialty coffees, sodas, and self-service laundry. Azamara also includes one “AzAmazing Evening” each cruise, which is a complimentary excursion for all passengers to encourage destination immersion. For a just a bit more, Regent Seven Seas Cruises also offers great value. Pricing includes airfare, ground transfers, shore excursions, specialty dining, unlimited beverages (including fine wines and premium spirits), and free, unlimited WiFi, so there are really no hidden costs.
2. YOU CAN BEGIN RELAXING AS SOON AS YOU BOOK


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Planning a vacation itinerary can be an additional source of stress. Cruising takes the guesswork out of the planning process—all you have to do is choose a cruise itinerary and which cabin you want and you’re off! Cruises offer guests agendas and tours that have been thoroughly prepared by experts, meaning you don’t have to spend hours researching what to do.
3. YOU ONLY NEED TO UNPACK ONCE



Forget lugging your suitcases through train stations and along cobblestone streets—on a cruise your stuff stays put, and all you have to worry about is what to wear. Cruising gives you a chance to truly turn your mind off—no unpacking and repacking as you coordinate travel between cities.
4. YOU'RE MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR VACATION TIME

In today’s economy, most of us have limited vacation time. Cruising helps maximize the time you spend actually vacationing. Instead of stressing about trains, planes, and automobiles, you can unwind on the ship as you’re carried off to the next destination in style. No missed connections, delays, or transportation woes, ensuring that you arrive at your destination rested and ready to enjoy.
5. YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THE DESTINATIONS



Travelers today seek authentic destination immersion—no one wants to feel like they only visited the “touristy” spots. While cruising in the past focused on flashy on-board amenities, today’s modern traveler is more concerned with what to see when leaving the ship. If you choose the right cruise line, you can indeed experience authenticity.
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For families, Disney Cruises offers unforgettable excursions with an emphasis on unique experiences. Disney’s “Port Adventures” allow guests to experience the magic each port has to offer, while catering to all ages. Azamara Club Cruises cater to a sophisticated, adult clientele who seek to maximize time exploring off the ship. Azamara offers classic shore excursions, called Land Discoveries, led by the world’s top tour providers, and Insider Access programs, which are small group experiences designed to provide cultural encounters in intimate settings. Azamara also offers overnight stays at ports of call and expertly curated tours that are best experienced at night—think guided walks around illuminated landmarks or an after-hours visit to a famous museum. Oceania Cruises also offers many overnight stays and late departures, allowing guests to experience each stop to its fullest.
6. YOU CAN GO EXOTIC WITHOUT A WORRY

Cruising is one of the easiest ways to see exotic foreign destinations. It removes obstacles that can often make international vacation planning complicated—you no longer need to worry about visas, customs, transportation, or language barriers. Cruises also offer seamless transportation from the ship to your destination, and English-speaking tour guides are always available on excursions. While cruising may be a bit less authentic than traveling on your own, its perks more than make up for it—especially for those who wouldn’t otherwise have the time or budget visit certain places.
7. YOU'LL SEE MORE OF THE WORLD



Why choose just one city on your bucket list? Cruising allows you to visit several destinations in one trip, albeit for a shorter period of time. While we’re not suggesting that you’ll have enough time to do everything during your limited stay, you can experience a taste, allowing you to make informed decisions of where you would like to return to for a longer period of time.Cruises today offer a wide selection of locations around the world including India, Vietnam, Russia, South Africa, and the Seychelles. Crystal Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises offer some of the best extended voyages, including unique trips from Africa to Asia as well as Africa to India. Because Azamara Club Cruises don’t repeat itineraries, the company allows cruisers to continue aboard the same ship.

Katie Lara is a freelance travel journalist and video host based in New York City. In addition to Fodor's, her writing and photographs have appeared in U.S. News and World Report, The Huffington Post, Forbesand Fox News. Keep up with Katie's adventures on her travel blogTravelingpanties, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.


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How to Choose the Right Cruise for You

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Cruising has become so much more than a means of island hopping around the Caribbean. These days, you can enjoy world-class dining, spas, zip lines, a meeting with Mickey Mouse, golf, or even a ride on a water coaster, all while on the ship! Due to a seemingly endless array of options, choosing the right cruise can make or break your vacation experience. With new cruises, itineraries, and amenities being unveiled all the time, finding the right cruise can seem like a daunting task—especially for first timers. Here are a few tips to help take out the guesswork and help you find the perfect cruise experience.
WHERE TO GO

First, consider where you want to go. The Caribbean is a popular destination for cruises, and there’s a reason why—it’s great for families, couples, and singles alike. Caribbean cruises are very relaxing because there isn’t a ton of pressure to get off the ship early to explore. If you’re someone who tends to get cabin fever or just likes to explore, you’ll want to choose an itinerary with plenty of time off of the ship in exciting ports like Europe, South America, or even Africa. Cruising removes obstacles that can make international vacation planning complicated, such as transportation and language barriers, making it one of the easiest ways to enjoy exotic foreign destinations.
WHEN TO GO


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Often vacations must be planned around school schedules and holidays, so you’ll want to choose a destination that has optimal weather for the time of year you can travel. For winter cruising, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Mexico are popular destinations, but South America and Southeast Asia also offer prime cruising weather for travelers looking for something more adventurous. In the summer, consider Alaska or Europe. The warm weather in these regions is worth the crowds you’ll likely experience. If you’re hoping to save money and avoid crowds for any destination, consider sailing during shoulder season when prices are lower but weather is still pretty reliable.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CABIN

If you’re someone who plans on spending a lot of time on the ship relaxing, you may want to splurge on a larger cabin. But if you plan to leave the ship and take advantage of excursions everyday, then you may wish to book a smaller room and save your budget for tours. Likewise, if you're an extremely social person and plan to spend a lot of time socializing, it may not be worth it to invest in a private balcony. It’s important, though, to be realistic about what you can tolerate. If you’re someone who will get seasick or claustrophobic without a window, an upgrade is mandatory. Otherwise, the money you’ll save will come at the cost of a pleasant vacation.
CONSIDER YOUR COMPANIONS

Next, you’ll want to consider who you’re traveling with. Are you traveling with your spouse for a romantic getaway, your children for a fun family vacation, or a multigenerational group looking to enjoy some memorable shared experiences together? If you’re with your entire brood, consider Disney Cruise Line, which specializes in entertaining the whole family. However, if you’re looking for a line that will whisk you away in an intimate and romantic setting, luxury lines like Azamara Club Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises offer exceptional style and some of the best value.
SIZE MATTERS
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Choosing ship size—mega ship or boutique vessel—has a huge impact on the cruise environment. Large cruises offer an exceptional array of entertainment options, dining venues, and amenities and are typically the way to go if you’re traveling with younger children or a large group looking for lively nightly activities. However, if you’re hoping for a more intimate, relaxing luxury experience with attentive service and a sophisticated ambiance, consider choosing a smaller luxury cruise.
CONSIDER HOW YOU WANT TO SPEND YOUR TIME

When you envision yourself aboard, are you unwinding by the pool or up early taking advantage of excursions offered in each destination? If you’re hoping to spend most of your time aboard, you’ll want to choose a boat with plenty of activities so you don’t go stir crazy.Royal Caribbean International caters to cruisers of all ages with on-board zip lines, bumper cars, rock climbing walls, and even ice-skating rinks. Their entertainment is also top of the line—Broadway-caliber shows and Mystery Dinner theaters will entertain families and couples alike. Likewise, Disney Cruise Line offers countless activities onboard—themed dinners, meet-and-greets with Disney characters and many kid-oriented pool and sports activities.

If you’re less concerned with flashy on-board amenities and more interested in what you’ll see when you leave the ship, consider choosing a cruise that specializes in destination immersion. Azamara Club Cruises caters to a sophisticated clientele whose priorities are to maximize time off the ship, with overnight stays at ports and late port departures. Likewise, Oceania Cruises also offers late port departures, which allow guests to experience each stop to its fullest.
GETTING THE MOST VALUE

Think about what you want out of your cruise experience and where you’ll end up spending the most money and then choose a cruise that offers the best value for that element. Food connoisseurs should look for a line with a heavy focus on culinary quality. Crystal Cruises offers cuisine crafted by celebrity chef, Nobu Matsuhisa, while Silversea Cruises offers the only Relais & Châteaux-affiliated restaurant on a cruise ship. If you value fine wine and spirits, consider choosing a cruise that offers all-inclusive packages that include alcoholic beverages in the cruise price. Azamara Club Cruises offers complimentary standard spirits, sodas, and specialty coffees, with unlimited premium packages available for only $12.95 per person/per day. Regent Seven Seas Cruises also offers unlimited beverages. If instead you hope to explore each destination, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers free, unlimited shore excursions in each port of call. And with the Insider Access program and AzAmazing Evening offers, the Azamara Club Cruises also provides quality destination immersions.

Katie Lara is a freelance travel journalist and video host based in New York City. In addition to Fodor's, her writing and photographs have appeared in U.S. News and World Report, The Huffington Post, Forbesand Fox News. Keep up with Katie's adventures on her travel blog Travelingpanties, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.


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