River Ship Line #: Grand Circle Cruise Line
Grand Circle Cruise Line might not have the largest followingyou probably haven’t heard of it, have you?but it certainly has a loyal one. Known for its immersive itineraries, this smaller cruise line is part of tour operator Grand Circle Travel, but it does have its own fleet of six river ships. Five of them sail in Europe, while the sixth, appropriately named Nefertiti, sails Egypt’s Nile.
How Can I Get A Cheap Cruise
Use them all, and youll be ready to pounce on that cheap cruise when the right promotion comes along. Tweet Your Way to Savings. Send Deals to Your Inbox. Bundle It Up. Book Ahead for High-Season Cruising. Monitor Prices. Ask for a Price Drop When Fares Change. Book at the Last Minute. Go for the Cabin Guarantee.
What About The Summer
In the summer, expect higher humidity, hotter temperatures, and more chances of rainfall. Beach days will be welcomed as the temperature and humidity levels can be quite high, and the pool deck will be a very popular spot on the ship.
Looking at a weather forecast in the summer can initially be a bit disappointing, as you will often see that the forecast shows rain every day. However, usually the rain does not last the entire day, and often lasts only an hour or so.
With kids out of school in the summer, you should expect to see more families onboard. Summer can be a great time for families to cruise because they do not have to rely on a school schedule, giving them more flexibility in cruise itinerary and length.
One advantage of cruising in the summer is that the ocean temperatures tend to be warmer than in the winter. While the water in the Caribbean usually stays quite comfortable, the water temperature can get chilly in more northerly Caribbean destinations during the winter. This is something that you will not have to worry about by selecting a cruise in the summer.
Another advantage of cruising in the summer months is that daylight hours are longer. Whereas in the winter it may get dark around 5:30PM, in the summertime, sunset may not be until 7 or 8PM, depending on where in the Caribbean you are sailing.
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Passengers Stuck At Sea After Norwegian Cancels Caribbean Cruise Mid Voyage Due To Covid
Norwegian Cruise Line canceled its Caribbean trip mid voyage due to Covid-19, leaving travelers stuck at sea until the ship returns to New York.
The Norwegian Gem was on a 10-day sail but it was canceled and the ship docked in Philipsburg, St. Martin.
As we continue to navigate the fluid public health environment, while focusing on delivering a safe experience for all on board, we made the difficult decision to cancel Norwegian Gems current Caribbean sailing, due to Covid-related circumstances,” a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise said.
It’s not clear what exactly led to the cancellation. The spokesperson said the ship would return to New York “shortly” but did not provide a date.
Aimee Focaraccio told USA Today that she boarded the ship on Sunday for her birthday cruise. But what was supposed to be a fun celebration has now turned into a “nightmare,” she said.
“I really cant imagine four more sea days back to back without much to do, she said, calling it “extremely unsettling.”
Peace Of Mind A 24/7 Travel Concierge Financial Recourse And More
OK, thats definitely more than one thing. Fortunately, all of these essentials can be handled by a travel insurance plan. You get the peace of mind that if one of the multitude of events that can negatively impact your travel plans actually happens, you have a back-up plan. If you opt for travel insurance through Allianz Global Assistance, you also get access to 24/7 assistance to help troubleshoot everything from finding an English-speaking pharmacy at one of your ships ports of call to checking the references of a third-party snorkeling excursion provider. Insurance plans are known for financial protection, such as reimbursement for that new bathing suit you had to buy when the airline lost your luggage. If a shore excursion such as a whale-watching tour is cancelled for a covered reason, that could be eligible for reimbursement, too. Of course, conditions apply and always be sure to read a travel insurance plans details. Before you continue scanning the list of cruise essentials, take a moment and find the right Allianz Global Assistance travel insurance plan for your cruise and budget.
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Best For Active Cruisers
Royal Caribbean: Who says cruises are nothing but lounging by the pool and not moving for a week? With Royal Caribbean, you’ll find high-energy activities like ice skating, rock climbing, ziplining, surfing, skydiving, water slides, mini-golf, bumper cars, arcades, trapeze lessons and escape rooms around every turn, in addition to entertainment that incorporates acrobats, high-divers and Broadway performances.
Norwegian: Although Royal Caribbean was first to debut Broadway shows at sea, NCL also has several on its list of production shows. But, if theater isn’t enough to get your blood pumping, the line’s other amenities include virtual-reality gaming, laser tag, escape rooms, go-karts, ropes courses, mini-golf, rock climbing, bowling and water slides.
Carnival: Carnival is a nice mix of both active and relaxed casual the “come as you are” onboard ambiance has little pretense. Active cruisers will love line dancing, water slides, mini-golf, ropes courses and the line’s latest additions: SkyRide, a pedal-powered recumbent bike-style pod suspended above the outdoor decks, and BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea.
Compare: Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian Cruises
Best And Worst Times To Cruise The Caribbean
The best time to cruise to the Caribbean depends on personal preferences for weather, prices and crowds. But some months are better than others, especially spring to early summer.
But for the most part, the best time to cruise the Caribbean is January through April during the dry season, especially in April when temperatures are warmer. The worst time is September and October during the peak months of the Caribbean hurricane season.
May is a brief rainy season for some destinations. June through August are popular with families on summer break. June is the best time to cruise the Caribbean in the summer because it has lower risk of rain than July or August.
The weather is a major factor because rainfall is often quite heavy in the Caribbean during certain times of the year.
It is especially true during the Caribbean hurricane season, which lasts from the beginning of June to the end of November. During that period, total rainfall rises until it reaches a high point in September and October. As a result, both months are the least popular times of the year to vacation in the Caribbean.
Temperatures also are a factor to consider. People who love beaches may find that winter in the Caribbean brings cooler seawater, especially in more northern destinations.
During the summer, people who dont like humidity and temperatures higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit will find some destinations uncomfortably hot.
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Best For Transatlantic Cruises: Cunard
Why we rate it If youre going to cross the Atlantic, a bucket-list entry for many, youll want a ship thats built for the job. Cunards Queen Mary 2 is the only scheduled transatlantic service, sailing regularly between Southampton and New York. The ship is like a city at sea, with glittering black-tie balls, the cosy Golden Lion pub which we reckon to be the best at sea elegant cocktail lounges, a spotless spa and a programme bursting with fascinating lectures and activities. There wont be a dull moment, although many find the seven-day crossing to be a welcome break to sit back, relax and leave the world behind.Whats included? Meals and entertainment come as part of the cost including Cunards famous afternoon tea. Youll pay extra for bar drinks, speciality dining, crew tips and some classes in the gym.Price £-£££, depending on the class of travel you choose. A crossing can cost under £1,000 including the one-way flight, or considerably more if you book a swanky Queens Grill cabin.
Large Ship #: Msc Cruises
Nearly half of MSCs fleetnamely those ships in the Musica and Fantasia classesfalls into the large cruise category, with most of its newer builds firmly taking a bigger is better stance. The eight large vessels primarily sail in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, though they do offer itineraries in North and South America, Asia, and Northern Europe, too. The family-friendly ships skew toward the upscale side, and theyre known for their incredibly international crowds.
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Small Ship Line #1: Sea Cloud Cruises
Germany’s Sea Cloud Cruises has three elegant windjammers: Sea Cloud,Sea Cloud II, and Sea Cloud Spirit, which accommodate 64, 94, and 136 passengers, respectively. These sailing yachts primarily split their time between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, though they’ll occasionally explore the Panama Canal and Northern Europe, too. The oldest ship in the fleet is Sea Cloud, built in 1931 for an American heiressat the time, it was the largest private yacht in the world. It later served the United States in World War II before ultimately returning to pleasure sailings.
Best For Lgbtq: Celebrity Cruises
Why we rate it Celebrity Cruises has always promoted itself as LGBTQ+-friendly and its elegant, modern ships attract a diverse mix of passengers many of them being first-time cruisers who feel immediately comfortable in the inclusive environment the company has created. Both staff ashore and crew onboard undergo diversity and unconscious-bias training. Youll find diversity is celebrated on board and not couched in euphemisms, as it is on some more traditional lines and each cruise has an LGBTQ+ welcome party. Celebrity was also the first line to offer legal same-sex marriages at sea.Whats included Celebritys new Always Included is a real winner. Drinks, crew tips and wi-fi are included on every cruise, as well as dining in a variety of restaurants. Youll pay extra for speciality dining, some gym classes, shore excursions and premium drinks.Price ££
Cunard sail regularly between Southampton and New York
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Small Ship Line #: Quasar Expeditions
The first luxury line to sail the Galápagos, Quasar Expeditions is best known for its in-depth trips aboard its two intimate ships that carry fewer than 32 passengers each. Yet note the street cred of said ships: One of the two, the Grace, is the former yacht of Princess Grace of Monaco. The other, the Evolution, will allow you to retrace Darwin’s footsteps in the Galápagos. Book the Baltra Island itinerary, where you’ll work your way from San Cristóbal Island to Baltra, and explore all the central and southern islands of the archipelago in between.
Best For Solo Travellers: Saga
Why we rate it More than 20 per cent of cabins on Sagas smart, modern ships are allocated to singles and each one has a private balcony. Solo travellers are always made welcome on this over-50s line, with a singles mingle and a lunch for solos on each cruise. You can request to share a table in any of the restaurants with other guests, and can even ask to buddy-up with other singles on shore excursions. Whats more, there are gentleman dance hosts to dance with those, solo or otherwise, who enjoy a spin at the ships ballroom sessions. A chauffeur service between home and the port adds extra reassurance to single travellers concerned about getting luggage on and off public transport on their own.Whats included Where to start? All dining, drinks, all entertainment, crew tips, wi-fi, chauffeur to and from the port, selected shore excursions and travel insurance.Price ££
Celebrity Edges Rooftop Garden
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What Is The Least Visited Hawaiian Island
LANAI ISLAND THE PLACE TO RELAX Lanai entices the sophisticated traveller with a handful of exclusive luxury resorts and championship golf courses. Its the least visited Hawaiian Island, small in size and slow in pace those that travel to Lanai, by air or on the ferry from Maui, are forced to rest and relax.
Best For Active Families: Royal Caribbean
Why we rate it Royal Caribbeans huge, activity-packed cruise ships have come a long way since the time when scaling a climbing wall was the height of exoticism. Active families will be blown away by Royals contemporary ships, which are filled with thrills zip-lining, surf simulators and skydiving simulators being the big-hitters. Youll also find state-of-the-art production shows and gently exhale some serene, adults-only spaces.Whats included A range of restaurants, entertainment and kids clubs. Expect to get your wallet out for bar drinks, crew tips, wi-fi, speciality dining, shore excursions and some of the activities.Price ££
Silverseas Silver Cloud in Poolepynten, Svalbard
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Featured June Cruises To Alaska
Experience the wonders of Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier on the gorgeous Celebrity Solstice on a to Alaska. This popular itinerary sails roundtrip from Seattle, Washington.
Along the way, youll stop in the Alaskan port towns of Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. As you sail through Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier, relax on your private veranda and admire the stunning landscapes.
Medium Ship Line #1: Azamara
Though Azamaras three 700-passenger ships are lovely, with top-quality dining and plenty of on-board activities to fill days at sea, passengers choose this cruise line for the experience at its destinations, which span all seven continents. Azamara not only offers personalized shore excursions , they also do a number of overnights, allowing guests to explore more destinations farther inland. The overnights also allow passengers to experience an evening out on the town in port cities, if they so choose.
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Cruising On The Comeback
Though mass Covid-19 outbreaks early in the pandemic exposed health concerns surrounding cruising, a new survey indicates travelers may not abandon ship travel after all.
Before the pandemic, 2% of prior cruisers said they wouldn’t cruise again, while as of August 2021, 4% said the same, according to an ongoing survey conducted by U.S. News & Report.
The pandemic hasn’t scared off non-cruisers either. Pre-pandemic, 62% of people who had never cruised indicated they wanted to try it. Now, 61% of people say the same.
Sentiments may be softening with time too. Before the pandemic, about 10% of people that had never cruised said they “never” would. According to the survey, this number rose to 17% in June 2021, but fell to 14% by August.
What Is The Best Cruise Line For Your Money
Ocean cruises are one of the best ways to explore multiple Caribbean islands or the Pacific Northwest without the hassles of booking numerous flights, hotel rooms and rental cars. With so many cruise lines to choose from, finding the best cruise for your money can be challenging.
People stand in line as they prepare to board the Celebrity Edge cruise ship in Fort Lauderdale, … Florida, on June 26, 2021. – Celebrity Edge is the first major cruise ship to restart operations from a US port since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown cruise travel.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is the best overall value for many itineraries. Their fares are competitively priced and are some of the cheapest fares starting as low as $225 per night.
Booking a cheap cruise doesnt mean youre automatically going to have a no-frills voyage or be on a party boat where the celebration never ends, even when youre trying to rest. This cruise line has a reputation for having a good mixture of solo travelers, families and retirees. There are also many on-ship amenities for entertainment, relaxation and dining.
Families are more likely to find childrens programs without the steep cost of a Disney cruise. While the experience isnt the same, children and parents will likely still have a great time. Booking a suite can also be a good option if you have a bigger travel budget but dont want to splurge for a luxury liner.
Carnival
Norwegian Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Princess
Holland America Line
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Large Ship Line #: Princess Cruises
Part of the Carnival family, Princess Cruises has a fun claim to famethe TV show The Love Boat was set on its Pacific Princess ship. If youve never seen an episode, youre in luck, as one of the onboard TV channels airs reruns around the clock. But you wont want to stay cooped up in your stateroom when you discover all the activities on board its 14 ships. Its special Seawitch craft beer program sees the cruise line partner with breweries around the world, while Discovery at SEA offers a series of activities based on TV shows from the Discovery, Inc. family of networks, including Animal Planet, the Discovery Channel, and the Science Channel. In 2020, Princess Cruises newest ship, the Enchanted Princess, set sail, and its next ship, Discovery Princess, is scheduled to launch in the spring of 2022.
Best For River Cruises: Avalon Waterways
Why we rate it River cruises have a reputation for being staid, but Avalons contemporary Suite Ships and the activities they offer will quickly convince you otherwise. Most choose the Rhine or the Danube for their first river cruise, as both offer striking scenery and a number of big-name cities . Avalons excursions include hiking, kayaking and cycling tours, while dining on board is open-seating something thats a rarity on river cruises. Theres a focus on local and healthy cuisine, with Avalon Fresh items on each menu created by Austrias Wrenkh brothers two leading chefs in the healthy-eating movement.Whats included Pretty much everything all meals, drinks with meals , excursions, crew tips, fitness classes and activities on board. Bar drinks are extra.Price ££
Saga Cruises Spirit of Adventure
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