When I talk to people about cruising, I’m always surprised that they don’t realize that cruising is so much more than one type of Caribbean vacation. Cruising is, of course, a great way to explore the Caribbean – but cruising can be a great way to see even more of the world.
In fact, a cold weather cruise can be a lovely (and cozy) way to see landscapes that you can’t access by land. When I sailed into Glacier Bay, Alaska, with my family, I will never forget stepping out onto our balcony the first time. The air smelled so clean and crystal clear – I had never experienced anything like it. The water was so still it reflected the sky and the glaciers behind it, with chunks of ice floating by on a sunny, weirdly almost warm day. It felt like being on another planet.
That was one of many amazing and beautiful memories created on that trip. And that’s why I love cruising as a way to see the world. You can see so much, and you only need to unpack once! (And here are a few more photos from my trip to Alaska!)
Your room goes with you!
When people get excited about a trip, especially somewhere like Europe, they usually want to see everything. Then they start mapping out the trains, the transfers, and the hotel changes every couple of days, and realize how much coordination and work it takes. Some people love that – but many get overwhelmed and crave more ease.
On a cruise, you unpack once, and the ship does the moving. You wake up somewhere new, go explore, and come back to the same bed. That leaves your energy for the good stuff, like whale watching in Iceland and watching humpbacks swim right alongside our boat. Or, waking up well-rested and ready to go for a day tour of Istanbul.
A short port day is plenty with the right plan
With just one day and so much to see in Athens, I hired a private guide. We went to all of the “must-sees” and she also took me to places most tourists never find. And at the end of the day, her restaurant recommendation was not on any “Top 10” list I would have found online – but it was one of the best meals I’ve had to date.
Large ocean cruise ships not for you? River cruising may be the answer
River Cruising adds a whole new variety of places you can reach without having to repack every few days. If you don’t think a large ocean cruise ship is for you – river cruises are a fantastic alternative. They offer a very relaxed and unique experience with smaller ships that have great gathering spots to make new friends, or quietly enjoy the scenery. And another bonus – many river cruises include shore excursions in the cruise fare. So, while you can research things to do on your own in each port – you also have a built-in schedule already created for you.
Where do you want to go?
When I start planning with someone, I ask: when you get home and picture telling people about this trip, what are you talking about? The answer tells me what matters most, and we build everything around it. And for the people who have maybe been putting off that big trip until now and want to see a whole lot of the world in one trip – building that trip around a cruise is a perfect way to see a lot and still come home feeling refreshed.
Thinking about trying a cruise and don’t know where to start? Let’s talk!