Choosing The Perfect Cruise
You can find three categories of cruiselines to choose from: Luxury Cruise Lines, Premium Cruiselines and Mainstream Cruise companies. All of which have a variety of ships to consider. Inside the three categories of cruise companies are the following forms of cruise ships: mega luxury cruise ships, large cruise ships, small luxury cruise ships, adventure cruise ships, sailing ships, river cruise boats and yachts.
So what is the difference of Luxury Cruise Lines, Premium Cruiselines and Mainstream Cruise lines? All of them provide great adventures on water, every one of them have much to their credit and a lot of them have a strong commitment for providing fantastic vacation experiences. Sometimes it's not the flavor with the cruise that counts but the tastes of the individual. Your tour operator can help you put together the perfect cruise vacation depending on your unique lifestyle.
Luxury Cruises
Aboard deluxe cruiselines such as Crystal Cruises, Radisson Seven Sea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Sea Dream Yahcht Club, Silverseas Cruises and Windstar Cruises are ocean liners that supply guests the ultimate cruise experience. The luxurious lines offer itineraries in several lengths and destinations. Many of these destinations are un-traveled by Premium or Mainstream cruise lines. These are high quality products at a high quality price. Many these cruise ships carry under 500 passengers.
An extra cruise is perfect for those seeking:
A formal, refined atmosphere, epicurean dining and private service, all with a bit of elegance.
Deluxe and spacious accommodations.
A select few of fellow passengers with one-on-one attention from your crew.
An Average of a fortnight or longer away.
Onboard scholars and lecturers providing in-depth information about certain topics.
These cruises typically focus on business oriented professionals whom are traveled.
Premium Cruises
Premium lines offer a high quality product in a more affordable price. The majority of these cruise ships carry less than 2000 passengers. Premium Cruise lines include such favorites as Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Hapag-Lloyd Cruiselines, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises and Peter Deilmann Cruises.
Reduced Cruise is perfect for those searching for:
A semi-formal yet relaxed atmosphere, great cuisine and personalized service
Above standard and spacious accommodations.
An average cruise of seven days or longer in length.
An active lifestyle.
These cruises frequently attract business oriented professionals, who will be well traveled.
Mainstream Cruise companies
These cruise lines provide a great product at the great price. Many are literally floating cities with parks, golfing, theaters, restaurants, salons and also rock climbing. Cruise Lines on this classification have something for everyone. They also carry the greatest number of passengers per available space. Mainstream Cruise lines include, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Disney Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, International, Lewis Cruises and Star Cruises. A number of these cruise ships can carry 3000 passengers. A mainstream cruise is perfect for those looking for:
Casual and active atmosphere with higher food, good service and a good price.
Fast paced entertainment and activities.
Standard accommodations.
These cruises attract many families in addition to passengers of any age group.
Now that we have seen the different Ocean Liners do not forget that many fun and exotic ports would be better accessed by river.
River cruise
Voyages along inland waterways are as varied and unique as earth itself. Anywhere there are large rivers and barges many times a river cruise operator. River cruise crafts are small compared to ocean-going cruise ships, typically holding 90-240 passengers (even though there are ships that take only 5 passengers and others can carry 1,000 passengers). Because of the smaller size and low draft, river cruise crafts can be where ocean cruise lines cannot, and sometimes where no other transport is a good idea: rivers are a very good way to reach some otherwise missed attractions. And they are great ways to combine land tours with cruising. During river cruises the countryside is often in view, so they are particularly relaxing to those preferring land nearby.
River cruises usually last from 7 to 15 days. Some river ships resemble five stars hotels, with sun decks, dining rooms, lounges, fitness facilities, private pools, casinos and other entertainment. Accommodation, meals onboard, entertainment and special attractions (holidays, festivals, contests, concerts, etc.) usually are included in the cruise price while bar expenses, sauna, massage, laundry and cleaning, and call calls are not. Most cruises have a variety of onboard and off board activities. Aforementioned include guided tours to historic and cultural sites, visiting local attractions, museums and galleries, and other points of interest. Guides give you a running commentary while sailing. Popular river cruises include trips across the Nile, the Mississippi, the Yangtze, the Mekong, the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine, or Volga.
There are several dozen river cruise companies each with 1 to 20 ships. River Cruise Tours are good for small group travelers and adventure seekers of all sorts. They are fantastic for smaller than average midsized groups who want to move away from the crowd with a private charter.
