Cruise Vacations

Cruise vacations are growing in popularity and offer a fun alternative to your common vacation. Whether you are looking for a family vacation or a vacation for just yourself, there is a cruise just for you. Vacation cruises have grow in popularity over the past decade. These days a potential cruise-goer has many options with different cruiselines and themes from which to choose their ideal cruise. The popular cruiselines which have been around for years are still there: Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Princess and Holland America, However, now there are also more specialty cruiselines from which to choose, including: Windstar Cruises which specializes in "bearfoot" cruises on true sail boats with huge towering sails, Disney Cruises which specialize in family oriented cruises, and Crystal which specializes in elegant five-star cruise experiences.



Many of todays cruises are based upon cruise themes. A cruise theme gives the cruise-goer an idea of the overall type of cruise experienced they should expect. Popular cruise themes can include: family cruises, singles cruises for those individuals without a partner and looking for a good time, adventure cruises for those wanting more than rest and relaxation, luxury, and romance just to name a few.

Many cruise lines now offer a family cruise theme. These cruises will cater to all age groups with activities available for everyone. A family cruise is a great alternative to the old family driving vacation. With a family cruise usually airfare, the cruise, meals, and activities are all included in the up-front price. Once you get there you can make the most of what you want by joining in on the activities offered or laying around and resting.

Luxury cruises are broken into two very different cruiselines: Crystal and Windstar. Many cruiselines will offer "luxury" cruises; however, these two cruiselines really specialize in luxury cruises, they just largely differ in how you experience the luxury. You can compare Crystal to a five-star hotel on the water. Crystal will cater to your needs and offer a elegant cruise experience. Windstar will also provide a luxury cruise experience; however, the difference is that Windstar offers the experience onboard a true large-mass sail boat with hardwood decks. Windstar offers a atmosphere and ambience like no other. Also when comparing the size of ships and total occupancy, Windstar cruises generally have many less passengers than other cruiselines; however, most luxury cruises will have a better passenger to staff ratio. Generally the passenger to staff ratio on a luxury cruise is 2 to 1.

No matter what theme you choose, cruises are a great alternative to the normal vacation. There are literally hundreds of websites dedicated to information about cruises - do some research and consider a cruise vacation for yourself or your family.

If you have any thoughts, comments, experiences, or other which you can share, please post them below.

Comments from Marc in Missouri, US
     Posted on: 04-24-2006
     Rating: Positive

My wife and I have been waiting to take a cruise; however, we cannot make a decision on where to cruise. We think taking an Alaskan cruise would be very exciting and beuatiful, but at the same time a Caribbean cruise should be great too. Then we have heard a lot about the Windstar Bearfoot cruises (I think that is what they are called).

Anyway, if anyone has any great experiences, or terrible experiences, share them so I can make a better informed decision at some time.

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Comments from Christine in San Fran, CA
     Posted on: 05-09-2006
     Rating: Positive

I highly recommend a cruise, however, Alaska is boring. I suggest a European cruise including Italy and Greece. We went on a Holland America cruise and it was great. Alaska may be fun for the 65+ crowd, but if you are up for more adventure, try Europe.

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