FEATURE STORY
Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze, a small all-suite ship
1 CHOOSE YOUR SHIP SIZE ...
Which sounds like a lovelier Sunday afternoon?
A: A bustling city street fair filled with craft vendors, music stages, food stands and rides.
B: A country drive with lunch, a little shopping and enjoying the locals in a quaint rural town.
If A: CONSIDER A MEGASHIP
Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas
WHY? The major cruise lines all sail these cities at sea. For example, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the world’s biggest cruise ship, carries up to 7,600 guests. “Big ships appeal to people who like lots of options when it comes to entertainment, dining and deck-top fun,” says Gene Sloan, cruise editor at the website The Points Guy. On the Norwegian Escape, there are 18 distinct dining options. On Carnival’s three newest ships, you’ll find a top-deck roller coaster. Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas boasts an intimidating 10-story-tall slide.
If B: CONSIDER A MEGASHIP
A Windstar ship in Mooréa
WHY? Even in the megaship age, there’s been a resurgence of small ship launches. These relatively intimate vessels—operated by such lines as Oceania and Explora Journeys—are usually more upscale, with larger cabins, more refined food and extra elbow room. They’ll also access more remote ports of call. “We love the attention from the crew on the smaller ones,” says Deb Susi, 65, of Columbus, Ohio. “We did a Tahiti trip on a 300-passenger Windstar ship and, boy, you really connect with the staff. The bartenders know you. You get to know other passengers.”
ALSO CONSIDER ...
Black tie or T-shirts? Both!
Not only do cruise ships come in all shapes and sizes, but the formality of a cruise line can vary widely, from the (almost) anything goes style of a long-weekend Carnival cruise to the dressy environment typical of the Cunard line, where smart attire is expected every night and formal wear is encouraged for “gala evenings” on at least two nights of each sailing.
Most cruise lines find a happy medium, with guidance usually outlined on their websites, and so the biggest hurdle for first-timers is often overpacking, as most cabins don’t have extensive closet or drawer space. Check if your ship has self-service laundry rooms—not all do—and otherwise, trust that no one will call the fashion police if you wear the same outfit to dinner twice.
2 CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION ...
In photos, what do you want to convey?
A: How chill my life is: Look at me relaxing by the pool, drink in hand.
B: How adventurous my life is: Look at me in my boots, conquering nature.
If A: CONSIDER A MAINSTREAM CRUISE ITINERARY
Norwegian Dawn
WHY? Travelers who want calm and predictability should look to popular routes—the Caribbean, Alaska or the Mediterranean. Enjoying the ship’s amenities, especially on sea days, is as important as the ports you visit. “It’s mostly the Caribbean for us,” says Lea Johnson, 63, of Fairfax Station, Virginia. “It’s easy. I don’t have to worry about making dinner reservations. Everything’s taken care of.”
If B: CONSIDER AN EXPEDITION CRUISE
An A&K cruise to Antarctica
WHY? This has been one of the fastest-growing segments of the industry over the past decade. These are immersive adventures to places that are difficult to get to, such as Antarctica, Greenland or the Galápagos Islands. You’ll likely sail on a small luxury line such as A&K, Atlas, Silversea or Seabourn. “Older adults usually have the time and money to take what are typically longer itineraries,” says Anne Kalosh, editor at the online publication Seatrade Cruise News.
3 CHOOSE YOUR COMPANY ...
You want to give your mental health a boost. Which would you be more likely to pursue?
A: Gather lots of family, fire up the grill and laugh away the blues.
B: Book a table for yourself and your amore at a favorite restaurant.
C: Head out on the open road (or into the wild) on your own.
If A: CONSIDER A CRUISE THAT CATERS TO MULTIGENERATIONAL GROUPS
Royal Caribbean’s SeaPlex activity space
WHY? Families have become a key market segment for the industry. So large ships are sure to offer activities throughout the day that appeal to different ages—waterslides, live game shows, go-kart tracks, bingo sessions and more. But it isn’t all fun and games. You’ll also find more refined options, like world-class spas, intimate dining venues, adults-only lounges with private cabanas, and Broadway-style shows that work for parents and grandparents. “Cruises are the best multigen vacations, especially lines like Royal Caribbean or Princess Cruises,” says Allison Amini, a San Diego–based travel adviser with Novel World Travel. “Their ships have something for spending time together as a family and apart as individuals. Onboard activities like scavenger hunts and mini golf are great for family bonding. But when everyone wants some alone time, grandma can head off to the spa while dad enjoys a dip in the adults-only pool and the children go to the kids’ club.”
If B: CONSIDER A SHIP FOR COUPLES
An A&K cruise in Japan
WHY? Luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and Silversea cater to those traveling without children, so you won’t find any kids’ clubs or waterslides here. Some cruise lines even prohibit teens and younger children from sailing, including Viking Cruises, which programs onboard entertainment and shore excursions for the 50-plus crowd, and Virgin Voyages, which aims for a playfully adult environment with such diversions as drag shows and tattoo parlors. “I just got off Virgin’s Scarlet Lady—what a hoot,” says cruiser Lea Johnson. “I wouldn’t take my 88-year-old mother, because I don’t think she’d enjoy the entertainment, but my friends and I are all in our 60s, and for my age group, it was fabulous.”
If C: CONSIDER A SOLO TRIP
Norwegian’s Mandara Spa
WHY? Historically, cruise lines haven’t catered to individual travelers, charging them a hefty premium to occupy a cabin meant for two. But that’s changing. “Norwegian Cruise Line made a big splash announcing nearly 1,000 new solo rooms across its 19-ship fleet,” says Seatrade Cruise News’ Kalosh. “Some of these ships have a studio lounge with key card access for solo guests only.”
ALSO CONSIDER ...
Where the buys are
Fare sales can pop up almost any time of year. But the trick to getting a good deal is understanding what a cruise to a given region or on a given cruise line typically sells for. So take some time to become an expert. The Points Guy’s Sloan advises tracking prices on cruise line websites to see if fares are rising or falling, and also watching for promotions, like cabin upgrades or “kids cruise free.” “Many lines will throw in free gratuities, Wi-Fi, onboard credits and the like to boost sales,” Sloan says. “Just know that they do these promotions all the time. If you’re not ready to book, you can wait a couple months or weeks until they run another.”
4 CHOOSE YOUR PACKAGE ...
Think about dining at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Did you like it?
A: It was a great deal. I could pay one price and load up my plate with what I wanted.
B: I would have rather just paid for the specific choices I made at the time.
If A: EXPLORE A CRUISE WITH AN ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE
Korean barbecue on a Virgin Voyages cruise
WHY? There’s no question that some cruise lines have earned a reputation for tacking on fees, charging extra for drinks, Wi-Fi access, shore excursions and more. But all-inclusive fares can prevent surprises. These are mostly in the luxury sector—Crystal, Regent, Seabourn and Silversea. “To me, the best part of all-inclusive pricing is not constantly having to worry about how much you’re spending on your vacation,” says travel adviser Amini. “Instead, you can sit back, relax and enjoy that second margarita, knowing everything’s already paid for.” Sandi Valente, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida– based travel adviser, notes that with the average cost of a cocktail at $12 to $15, for example, à la carte pricing can add up. “All-inclusive works for the person who likes a set budget and set dollar amount,” she says. “It’s not just alcohol. Most cruise lines don’t include things like smoothies, soft drinks or cappuccinos. It’s a mind game you have to break down.”
If B: CONSIDER A STANDARD CRUISE WITH PAY-AS-YOU-GO OPTIONS
Princess’ Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria
WHY? Those who carefully manage their budget could save money on a cruise. Although the math can be complicated—with port fees and taxes, automatic gratuities, shore excursions, the cost of every drink beyond coffee or water, and sometimes dining surcharges and other fees—you can come out ahead with careful planning. “We’ve done the booze package on a big cruise ship—and we drink,” says cruiser Deb Susi. “But we did an Excel spreadsheet after and found it would have been less expensive to sign for and pay for each drink.”
5 CHOOSE YOUR ROOM ...
When you open the curtains in the morning on vacation, which would you prefer to see?
A: Beautiful views of nature that you can savor over a cup of coffee.
B: The sight of your rental car, waiting to take you to your next adventure.
If A: CONSIDER SPLURGING ON A BALCONY CABIN
Silversea’s Silver Nova
WHY? It used to be that cruise ships offered mostly cramped cabins with a porthole (in industry parlance, an “oceanview cabin”). Now cabins may feature private verandas with fresh air and great views, but at a higher cost. These can be worth it if the cruise is through a scenic area. American Cruise Lines vessels, for example, travel on rivers and along the Alaskan coast. Silversea vessels are known for deluxe accommodations, including corner suites with wraparound balconies on two ships.
If B: CONSIDER A LIMITED-VIEW CABIN
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas
WHY? “My top tip for value is to save on the cabin and spend on excursions,” says Elaine Glusac, who writes the Frugal Traveler column for The New York Times. Cabins that have a limited view—or even no view at all—cost considerably less than those with an exterior balcony. “You can have a great cruise from an inside cabin,” says Glusac, “because you’re really only using it to shower, change and sleep, and they’re always the cheapest accommodations on ships.”
ALSO CONSIDER ...
How Long Should You Go?
The most common cruise itinerary is seven nights, a loop in which the ship returns to the same port from which it set sail. Some of the most popular trips from the U.S. are to the Caribbean and Mexico from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, to Mexico from Southern California, or to Alaska from Seattle. But shorter or longer trips are also available.
A THREE- TO FIVE-NIGHT CRUISE. Think of it as similar to a long weekend in Las Vegas. These cruises tend to appeal to more budget-focused passengers who are looking to pack a lot of partying into the trip.
A CRUISE THAT IS TWO WEEKS OR LONGER. These trips tend to appeal to vacationers who are interested in relaxation, because spending more days at sea typically allows you to unwind better. You also can reach more remote ports of call on longer cruises, or even take a long trip that goes through the Panama Canal.
David Swanson is a past president of the Society of American Travel Writers. He has sailed on more than 60 cruise ships and has covered the industry for such publications as National Geographic Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Cruise Critic and the Los Angeles Times.