Cruise Vacations
Cruising is a great way to visit multiple destinations in one trip without the hassle of visiting an airport at every stop. Meals and entertainment are just steps away from your cabin door, and when get off the ship at port, no need to worry about rideshares or gps because your on-shore adventure is pre-planned and transportation is arranged for you. There are lots of fun activities for everyone in the family on a cruise vacation, so you can do as much or as little as you want.
Family Cruises
When you think about cruising with kids, Disney Cruise lines is the obvious choice, however Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival Cruise lines also have ships that feature awesome waterparks, amusement rides, and kids clubs to keep the children of all ages, entertained all day long. Disney will stand out the due to their character interactions. On a Disney cruise your family can interact with live characters and participate in brand-themed activities and entertainment which also includes your favorite Pixar and Marvel characters.
Couples and Adults Cruises
An adults-only vacation on cruise lines such as Virgin Voyages, Viking, and P&O Cruises can come with a premium price tag, but there are still plenty of options for those seeking an adult experience on a standard cruise line. All ships typically have designated areas that are exclusively for adults, even Disney. But for travelers seeking a more sophisticated atmosphere overall, Princess, Holland America, and Celebrity cater to the needs and preferences of adult travelers with more entertainment geared towards an of-age audience.
Solo Cruising
Cruising solo can be more expensive, as cabin pricing is typically based on double occupancy, similar to hotels. As for the traveling experience, solo travelers will enjoy the adult-oriented atmosphere on Holland America, Princess, and Celebrity cruise lines. When it comes to pricing, outside of any special pricing situations, Princess is often considered the best value for solo cruisers, thanks to their pricing structure that is based more on a per-person basis.
Cruise Without a Passport
Cruising is a great way to visit international destinations without a passport. Currently you can travel on closed-loop cruises, meaning the cruise must depart and arrive back at the SAME American port within the western hemisphere, with just proof of US citizenship such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) combined with a government-issued birth certificate.
You can read more on the topic on the US Customs and Border Protection website:
Extra Charges on the Cruise
Cruise vacations include many amenities and activities in the price of the ticket, such as accommodations, meals, entertainment, and use of onboard facilities like swimming pools and fitness centers. However, there are some extra costs associated with a cruise vacation, such as:
Gratuities: Most cruise lines charge a mandatory extra $10-20 per day above the cost of your fare, which covers tips for your cabin steward, dining room staff, and other service personnel. Virgin Voyages and Viking include gratuities in their base fare.
Beverages: Carbonated and alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and cocktails will cost extra. Most cruise lines allow you to bring on board with you a bottle of wine, and a 6-pack of soda or bottled water. Glasses of water, coffee, tea, and some juices are included.
Internet access: Most cruise lines do not offer free Wi-Fi. Generally costing around $10-15 per day, but most ships do have free internet cafes.
Spa treatments: Cruise ships have full-service spas offering a wide range of services, at an extra cost. Group fitness classes generally cost extra, but usage of the fitness center is usually included with your fare.
Specialty dining: There will be several restaurants, grills, and cafes with a vast array of food options on the cruise ship. However there are some specialty restaurants and specialty items on the menus that charge an extra fee.
Shore excursions: You are welcome to de-board at every port and go off exploring on your own for free. If you want to participate in organized tours and activities when the ship is in port, it will cost extra.
Each cruise line offers packages that often include gratuities, wi-fi, and drinks at a bundled price.
Book a Cruise
Overall cruising is a great value and a really fun and carefree way to travel. Most cruise vacations allow payments with a small deposit. Lay-Away a Cruise Today!