If earlier cruises were considered a vacation for wealthy people, now we can choose between a vacation, say, in Italy, and a sea trip, because now it has become more affordable. And modern liners are equipped with roll stabilizers, itineraries are designed to avoid storms, and on board there is a lot of entertainment for the whole family, almost like in a Turkish hotel 🙂 So today on the Aves Travel blog we decided to talk about cruises and what connected with them.
What are the ships like?
The same case where size matters. The bigger the ship, the more opportunities it will offer you. A large liner is a good choice if you are planning, for example, a family cruise with children. At the same time, small liners usually have a more cozy and, so to speak, private atmosphere. And it’s also great for, say, a romantic getaway for two or a honeymoon.
As for accommodation conditions, be prepared for the fact that your cabin will be smaller than a room in a hotel of a similar “star rating”. But the interior and service will be at a higher level. Of course, every cabin has air conditioning and amenities.
We choose the time and route
At any time of the year, the choice of cruise programs is considerable, so you can go at any time. The Mediterranean is popular all year round, but the choice of programs will be greater in the summer. The seas and countries of northern Europe are offered in summer, and around the whole of Europe in September and May. Hawaii and the Caribbean can be visited in any month of the year, South America, New Zealand and Australia, the coast of Southeast Asia – in the winter months.
In addition, there are routes with a large number of excursions and visits to large cities, historical and cultural monuments. And there are cruises where, in addition to excursions, there is also a place for a beach holiday. In a word, everything is the same as with regular tours, only as part of a cruise.
How long is the cruise?
The most popular are “weekly” cruises lasting 7 nights (8 days). Also, there are often tours for 10, 12, 14 nights. The longest cruises are around the world, lasting from 90 to 180 days. The shortest are weekend walks lasting 2 days.
How much does a cruise cost?
The cost of the cruise depends on the duration, seasonality, route, ship class and selected cabin. Usually, cabins with a window are more expensive than internal ones, and a cabin with a balcony will cost even more. Similarly, the upper deck will be more expensive than the lower one, and cabins on the bow or stern are cheaper than central ones.
Onboard entertainment, meals, sports equipment, swimming pool, etc. are usually all included in the cost of the cruise. As a rule, the price does not include port fees, individual services (massage, dry cleaning, spa treatments, etc.), shore excursions. Alcoholic drinks can sometimes be included in the price, but it is better to clarify this issue.
Of course, peak season cruises are more expensive than low season cruises. You can also save money if you book in advance, at least 6-7 months in advance. And many cruise companies have a pricing scheme in which the first and second person in the cabin pay the full price, and all the others pay a reduced price. For those vacationing with family or company, this is a good way to save.
We do not advise you to wait for “hot” cruise tours until the last moment – this does not apply to sea voyages. What’s more: the closer the day of departure, the more expensive the tickets will be.
When booking, you should pay attention to additional services: airline tickets, insurance, transfer, visas, additional hotel accommodation. We also advise you to plan your arrival to the city of departure a day before the start of the cruise — so as not to be nervous in case the flight is delayed.
