Cruising your options? 10 types of cruises to choose from

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Cruising your options? 10 types of cruises to choose from

So, you want to go on a cruise but don’t know where to start. Cruises are a wonderful way to relax and disconnect from your routine. However, not all cruises are the same. The length, destination, amenities, and cost can vary depending on the type of cruise you choose. Here are some options to get you started.

Luxury/All-inclusive Cruises

As the name suggests, most amenities and experiences—even alcoholic beverages—are included in the price. The downside: these types of cruises can be expensive, so you’ll need to check whether the included services are things you’ll actually enjoy. The upside: they offer the perfect recipe for a relaxing trip. You won’t have to worry about carrying cash or constantly checking to see what you can or can’t do.

Big Ship/Mainstream Cruises

On the opposite side of the spectrum, mainstream cruise lines are a good entry point into the cruise world if you’re unsure about your preferences. Their prices tend to be more affordable, and you can pick and choose which experiences you’d like to pay extra for. One thing to consider: these ships are crowded. Cruises of this type carry, on average, 2,500 to 4,000 passengers, and sometimes even more, so it's important to consider that as a variable.

River Cruises

Not everyone enjoys the open sea, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy cruising. River cruises are much smaller than the mainstream ships, which means that they carry fewer passengers. Think of them as a guided tour, but on water: you can enjoy scenic views, relax, and take in the stops along the way.

Expedition Cruises

If what you are looking for is excitement and adrenaline, this type of cruise might be more up your alley. Relaxation and carefree tourism are not the goal here. Instead, expedition cruises focus on remote destinations and can range from adventurous to educational experiences, depending on your preferences. Given the remote and/or challenging nature of the destinations, these cruises tend to have more flexible itineraries to account for weather and wildlife conditions.

Safari Cruises

Who says you have to use a car to go on a safari? Safari cruises offer all the advantages of a river cruise, but they focus on experiencing wildlife. While a traditional safari involves arranging transportation, accommodations, meals, local guides, and more, safari cruises provide all of these in a single package.

Ocean Liners

Do you want to visit a different continent but don’t like flying? You might consider taking an ocean liner and enjoying the voyage. While these kinds of ships are mainly focused on speed, reliability, and travelling from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time, they are also designed for comfort and offer many of the amenities of a mainstream cruise.

Sightseeing cruises

Forget the wildlife and adrenaline, maybe what you want is to visit new places, experience other cultures, and relax. Sightseeing cruises often focus on maximizing the number of destinations you can visit in a short period of time. While this type of cruise is not for everyone, it’s a great way to get a general feel for a place or to explore different cities and countries you’ve never visited.

Family/Multi-Gen Cruises

Planning family vacations comes with its own challenges. Not all activities are child-friendly; parents want to relax, and individual preferences vary. Family and multi-generational cruises are one solution. They offer experiences for all ages, including kids’ clubs, teenage lounges, family-friendly activities, water parks, live shows, and port stops along the way.

Adult-only Cruises

Sometimes you need a child-free environment for a few days, and that’s perfectly fine. Adult-only cruises tend to cater to a more sophisticated experience, focusing on fine dining, spas, relaxing activities, cocktail lounges, and themed parties.

Themed/Specialty Cruises

Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you have to leave your special interests at home. Themed and specialty cruises offer immersive experiences centered on a particular topic, featuring experts, hands-on activities, tailored itineraries, and opportunities to mingle with like-minded travelers.