Wednesday, April 17, 2024

BEST Cruise Deals 2024 + 2025: Cheap & Discount Cruises

best cruise vacations

Yet another thrilling space for kids on board Utopia of the Seas℠ is the Wonder Playscape, which features slides, climbing walls, puzzles and other interactive features for kiddos. The space was completely reimagined for this ship, so you can expect surprises even if you've experienced the Wonder Playscape on board another ship in the past. If you and your fam want a little extra privacy and space, you can reserve one of the ship's casitas. Each of these poolside cabanas comes with exclusive attendant service, delivering snacks and sips directly to you.

Best for luxury lovers: Seabourn Odyssey

"I have outlawed the use of the word 'luxury' … I think we are elegant, we are … understated and hopefully timeless," he said at a naming celebration for seven new river boats in March 2019, according to cruising website QuirkyCruise.com. Here, average daily rates accounted for 60% of scores, while expert, traveler and health ratings accounted for the other 40%. Cruise lines with average daily rates of $300 or more did not qualify for this category. SeaDream Yacht Club has two Wine Voyages in 2023, which include vineyard visits in Greece, Italy, and Spain and a winemaker-hosted dinner on the 112-guest Seadream II. The highly regarded intimate-ship line wins frequent accolades from T+L readers for its on-board service and well-appointed vessels.

Wow-Worthy Evening Entertainment

There's a reason that nearly every single cruise line runs cruises to the sunny Eastern Caribbean Islands, including the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten/St. It's there you'll find that glorious turquoise-blue water and white-sand beaches -- like a postcard come to life. We particularly love the best beach in St. Thomas, Magen's Bay Beach, and Grace Bay Beach in Turks & Caicos. This itinerary might very well define the beaten path, but if you're seeking a tan, this is exactly where you belong. Luckily, Cruise Critic has sailed around the globe for you, and we've found the best cruise destinations for every type of passengers.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Deals Guide

best cruise vacations

More than any other region, the Eastern Mediterranean offers cruisers the chance to step back in time simply by stepping off their ship. It's impossible to choose since every island is fringed by talcum-soft sand and warm turquoise water and is home to lively beach bars offering music and tropical cocktails that will make your day in the sun all the more fun. Slated to launch in the spring, the 228-passenger Scenic Eclipse II will visit ports from Dublin to Lisbon, as well as both polar regions, in 2023 and 2024. The innovative vessel, which is similar in design to Scenic Eclipse, will have luxurious suites complete with butler service and all sorts of extras, including helicopters (plural) and a submarine. Windstar has a series of 2023 itineraries on the 156-cabin Star Pride and 171-suite Wind Surf that hit yachty Caribbean ports like Jost Van Dyke, in the British Virgin Islands, and Anguilla. The small-ship line, which is known for both its sleek “Star Plus Class” ships and its classic vessels with their dramatic sails, also has an array of itineraries along the coast of Australia and in the South Pacific.

Oceania Cruises’ Vista

The ice-skating shows are just as awe-inspiring, featuring a talented team of figure skaters that will wow you with their dizzying spins and graceful jumps. And of course, you can look forward to incredible Broadway-style musicals in the ship's main theater, performed every evening for your family's viewing pleasure. Choosing your cruise ship cabin or stateroom is an essential part of planning a dream cruise vacation. The right accommodation can enhance your cruise experience, providing you with a comfortable retreat after a day of adventure, but some choices may turn out to be an expensive mistake.

Best Cruise Destination for Wildlife: The Galapagos Islands

Windstar Cruises Will Add 2 New All-suite Ships to Its Fleet in 2025 and 2026 - Travel + Leisure

Windstar Cruises Will Add 2 New All-suite Ships to Its Fleet in 2025 and 2026.

Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 14:57:00 GMT [source]

Ponant's luxurious small ships sail to remote destinations like Antarctica, incorporating once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as eclipse spotting from the edge of the earth. The company also partners with Smithsonian and Disney on certain sailings. If you've read my previous reporting on cruises, you may remember that my favorite place to hang out on any cruise ship is poolside. So when I found out that Utopia of the Seas℠ offers one of the boldest pool scenes in the fleet, it quickly climbed the ranks on my "top ships" list. There are a whopping five pools on board — two resort-style and one with a sloping beach entry on the top deck. This is where families will find most of the action, including reggae bands and impromptu pool parties that guests of all ages will love.

Smaller cruise lines — with ships that fit hundreds rather than thousands of guests — dominated U.S. Silversea gives Antarctica travelers the option to skip two days of sailing the often-rocky Drake Passage. Instead, they can fly in comfort over the waters separating South America from the continent, then hop aboard the 127-suite Silver Cloud and 100-suite Silver Endeavour for trips along the frosty coastline. The Alaska trips on Ocean Victory, a fuel-efficient, 93-cabin ship from American Queen Voyages, come with the opportunity to kayak past glaciers and spot bald eagles and grizzlies. The vessel, which first debuted in 2021, represents an evolution in ship design for American Queen, with its cutting-edge X-Bow design (which helps reduce fuel burn) and chic suites, including many with private verandas.

AMAZING SEASONAL CRUISE DEALS

I went on an African safari by cruise ship. Not everything went as planned, but I would do it again - Cruise Blog

I went on an African safari by cruise ship. Not everything went as planned, but I would do it again.

Posted: Thu, 15 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Perhaps the most famous (or notorious) of Spain's Balearic Islands, Ibiza is a summertime party capital. Ships dock near Old Town Ibiza, which is home to Playa d'en Bossa, the pulsing heartbeat of the island's day-to-night party scene. Beach clubs mean that even during the day you'll have plenty of time to let loose to international DJs next to pools or right on the sand. With much of the world now accessible by cruise ship, it can be hard to pick exactly which destination is right for your vacation. Back on board, the creature comforts of the Sakara included plenty of outdoor space to connect with the ocean, a small infinity pool, a full-service spa and a large, elegant dining room and terrace. After departing from San Juan, the Sakara reached the Puerto Rican island of Culebra in a few hours, just 20 miles off the coast.

For example, cruises often begin in Istanbul, home to the 6th-century Hagia Sophia and the elaborate Blue Mosque, constructed between 1609 and 1616. Ports of call also in Turkey may include Kusadasi for the nearby Roman city of Ephesus and its wondrous Library of Celsus. In Greece, medieval and Venetian architecture are thoughtfully preserved in the islands of Rhodes and Corfu, respectively. Your cruise might end in Athens, site of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon and its antiquities. Though mass Covid-19 outbreaks early in the pandemic exposed health concerns surrounding cruising, a new survey indicates travelers may not abandon ship travel after all. Cruise Critic is an online cruise community with more than 650,000 ship reviews of 700 ships from experts and cruise aficionados.

And immerse yourself in the diverse cultures and untamed fauna that make each island so unique. A land of rugged mountains, coastal forests and diverse wildlife, Alaska is the ultimate cruise destination for intrepid explorers. Whether you're watching whales splash in the Pacific Ocean or gazing up at Hubbard Glacier, Alaska cruises are all about wild natural wonder. And if all that wasn’t enough, it’s hard to beat the thrill of sailing on a river that humans have masterfully navigated as early as 3,000 B.C.E. “Central and South America are roped into this itinerary seamlessly, hitting hot spots like Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, Lima in Peru, and both Cape Horn and Buenos Aires in Argentina. Pleasant under-the-radar ports of call are woven into this journey as well, like Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands; and even Chile's Amalia Glacier.

On an expedition cruise, generally roundtrip from Ushuaia, Argentina, you'll first have to cross the Drake Passage, a notoriously rough and windy body of water. Safely on the other side, you'll arrive at landing points in the South Shetland Islands along the Antarctic Peninsula. The fact that the region's top cruise ports are the birthplaces of foodie favorites such as paella, pizza, spaghetti alla carbonara and moules-frites makes a cruise here a delicious indulgence.

With its mountains and glaciers, eagles soaring above and whales surfacing from below -- taking in the scenery is the real reward a cruise in Alaska, no matter what the temperature. Denali National Park, White Pass Railroad and Mendenhall Glacier are a few of the most popular sites on these itineraries. Pack layers and a camera with a zoom lens; this is not the place to rely on your smartphone.

There's no cruise out there that packs more history into your journey than a Nile River sailing. The route from Luxor to Aswan contains so many ancient sites that you might end up with temple fatigue, while the upper portion of a Nile Cruise (out of Cairo) takes you right to the famous Pyramids of Giza. Expert guides make the experience worthwhile, and there's usually a refreshing glass of mint tea waiting for you when you return to your boat. When it comes to delicious local specialties and copas with class, it's hard to beat the ports found on a Western Mediterranean itinerary. All the walking you'll do at museums means you can indulge guilt-free, with a glass of local bubbly to buoy your spirits.

Those private verandas are highly desirable, with everyone seeking views of the wilderness, snow-capped peaks and glaciers. The line always stations one or two Quantum-class ships in Alaska for the season. Adults can linger in the glass-walled Solarium, relaxing in the indoor pools and whirlpools, while their kids zoom around the SeaPlex in bumper cars. However, the most exciting Japan itineraries I've spotted for 2023 are a couple of routes offered by Ponant's Le Soleal.

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