Tips to choose the Right Cruise .....
A cruise is a great way to see a few destinations without the hassle of unpacking many times. It also represents great value as it includes your accommodation, transport, meals and a range of onboard activities and entertainment. (Some of the luxury cruise lines even include unlimited beverages including fine wines and premium spirits).
Important things to consider when choosing a cruise are:-
Itinerary - Some ocean cruises have lots of days at sea, where others like Eastern or Western Mediterranean cruises will stop in a different port every day.
Baltic cruises are very popular way to see Scandinavia, Northern Europe and Russia.
Destination - Think of a part of the world you'd like to visit, and there should be a cruise ship (or many) that go there.
Many of my clients like to choose an itinerary that they would not necessarily do by land - for example South America, Antarctic or there are some wonderful itineraries taking in parts of the Indian Sub-continent and Africa.
Adventure cruises are a great way to experience some of the more remote regions on the planet and venture away from crowds - places like Alaska , Arctic, Galapagos Islands, Papua New Guinea and East Timor or Western Australia's Kimberley Coast.
River or Ocean cruise ? - There are some great River cruise options - Vietnam/Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma), India and Europe.
The size of the ship - Some cater to a mere 50 passengers whilst some of the super cruise liners cater to 3000+ passengers - they are literally floating resorts. We generally put ships into 3 categories depending on size:
Boutique and Small Ships 50 - 600 passengers
Mid-Sized Ships 600 - 1600 passengers
Large Resort Ships 1600 - 6000 passengers
Category - Then within each category there are ships from 2 star - 5 star plus luxury.
Cabins / Suites - Ships offer a range of cabin styles, and it is really worth the extra for a balcony cabin - as there is nothing more special than arriving into a port with spectacular views from your own balcony.
When booking your cruise - I will show you the cruise plan or map - and help you choose the right cabin/suite and deck.
Formal or informal - Some cruise lines will have more formal nights, where others have a more relaxed casual feel.
Shore excursions - These are important to look at when choosing a cruise - some cruise lines include shore excursions whilst most have numerous options in each port at an additional cost. Shore excursions can range from magical experiences just for the 2 of you, to group walks around historical towns, gourmet experiences or thrilling active adventures.
Other things to consider are -
What type of onboard activities you would like?
The style of food and dining options onboard.
Families - A cruise can be a great holiday for families - some cruise lines cater to families better than others - with kids clubs, youth program's etc. Chat to me if you would like to consider a cruise for your family's next holiday.
A cruise does not need to fill your entire holiday - I can plan great pre and post accommodation and touring.
MTA is a member of Cruiseco - Cruise Specialists . And as part of the exclusive Virtuoso network - we have access to Virtuoso Voyager Club benefits on selected cruises with Crystal, Silversea, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas and Paul Gauguin.
With over 12,000 cruises to choose from, the decision of 'which Cruise ' can be hard - as your MTA Cruise Expert, I can help you pick the cruise that's right for you.