3 Types of Cruises to Consider for Your Next Family Vacation
With the growing popularity of cruise travel, there are many choices when deciding what kind of cruise to take, including ocean, river, and expedition. All three offer you a different experience and appeal to different people. There is no right or wrong choice. Let's take a look at these three different types of cruise travel to help you to decide whic hone is best for you and your family.
Ocean Cruises
Ocean cruises generally sail around the coastlines of different countries, occasionally stopping at some of them. An ocean cruise ship typically has 3,000 to 4.000 passengers on board at a time, while some ships can even accommodate up to 6,000 passengers. Ocean cruise ships are essentially floating resorts with all the amenities you expect from a five-star hotel and more.
When it comes to an ocean cruise, you have a few different options. You can opt for a mainstream ship with all the standard resort features, a mega cruise ship that is among the most sophisticated vessels in the world, or you can go for a luxury cruise ship if you're looking for a longer itinerary, more intimate experience and more exotic destinations around the world.
The Caribbean is the most popular region for an ocean cruise. You can do many sailings out of the Caribbean, many of which sail from Miami, Port Canaveral, or other ports within the US. One of the most popular is the Eastern Caribbean cruise which goes through the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and the Dominican Republic.
Europe also has some exciting locations for an ocean cruise, with the most popular one being the one from Venice to Athens that gives you the chance to see the Greek islands, the ancient ruins of Olympia, and the medieval warrens of Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Kotor.
An ocean cruise is a great way to spend your family vacation. It gives you and your family the chance to kick up your feet and enjoy your holiday without worrying about anything. All you have to do after your cruise has been booked it is show up. Everything else is taken care of by the cruise line. Plus, with tons and tons of fun activities on the ship, you can rest assured that you will not feel bored for a second.
River Cruises
A river cruise takes you along inland waterways stopping at several ports throughout each passage. It lasts somewhere between a week and ten days and carries anywhere between 100 to 250 passengers. Danube, Rhine, Volga, and Yangtze are some of the most famous rivers worldwide for river cruises.
Commonly used ships for river cruises include the iconic paddle wheeler, steamship replica, and mega-yacht.
One of the most popular destinations for a river cruise is the Rhine. The Rhine is a 900-mile long river that starts in Switzerland and eventually falls into the North Sea and passes through six countries, including Austria, France, and Germany.
Another popular location for a river cruise is the Danube River. The Danube is around 1,800 miles long and passes through eight countries, including Ukraine, Romania, and Moldavia. The most popular stretch lies between Germany and Hungary.
River cruising gives you the chance to travel in small ships and see different parts of the world. It allows the opportunity for you and your kids to learn about different cultures with special language lessons, arts and crafts, and other activities.
Most importantly, you get the chance to try different regional cuisines and drinks.
Expedition Cruises
An expedition cruise is a small ship cruise with similarities to a traditional cruise. However, more focus is on the destination rather than the activities on the ship. Unlike a conventional cruise where you get to chill by the pool while sipping slowly on your margaritas, expedition cruises are all about exploring untapped lands and enjoying what nature has to offer in some of the more remote locations.
The types of ships used for expedition cruises are small and fit around 200 passengers at a time. Some of them also have reinforced hulls that allow them to sail through icy water.
One of the most popular locations for an expedition cruise is the Kimberley Coast, which takes you through the mind-boggling canyons, beautiful waterfalls, and fascinating wilderness of Northwestern Australia. Another location is the Galapagos, where you get the chance to see unique wildlife in one of the most pristine and best-protected parts of the world. You can also take an expedition cruise through Antarctica.
An expedition cruise offers you a chance to experience what this truly diverse world offers apart from the popular tourist destinations. It allows you to discover some of the remotest regions and explore the breathtaking wonders of nature up close.
There is truly a cruise to fit every family and travel style. Ready for an expedition voyage for your next adventure? Let's chat!