Shore up or ship out?

By Rebecca Antioco

Is a cruise vacation right for you?

The popularity of ocean cruising can’t be denied. In 2009, the most recent year for which data is available, the industry boasted occupancy above 100% (full occupancy defined as two people per cabin), despite increasing the number of ships at sea and the number of berths available.

These days, with amenities like surf pools, demonstration kitchens, rock-climbing walls, golf simulators, ice-skating rinks, onboard movie theaters and planetariums, cruise-ship entertainment options extend far beyond trivia contests in the lounge and lessons on folding bath towels into animal shapes.

The options can be daunting, maybe even a little off-putting, especially if you’re looking for a week or so of relaxation, away from the fast pace and activity-a-minute nature of everyday life. Does that mean that a cruise isn’t the right choice for you? Maybe. Maybe not. There are as many types of cruises as there are travelers.

I talked to a AAA travel agent to get his take on a few scenarios that might have you thinking, “To cruise or not to cruise?”

Let’s say that you’ve got about two weeks to see Europe, and want to hit as many cities as possible.

In 12 days, a cruise ship can take you from Barcelona, visiting Monte Carlo, Rome, Pisa, a few cities in Greece, and Dubrovnik, Croatia before concluding in Venice, for example—and you only have to unpack once.

A popular option, particularly if you want to concentrate on one area, is a river cruise. These ships are smaller in size and allow you to explore, in-depth, the culture and history of a particular region. Most include city tours and other special excursions, and allow for exceptional amounts of free time to make the vacation your own.

On a river cruise from Amsterdam to Regensburg, Germany, I loved the fact that tour buses took us from the ship to the center of town and set us loose. We could take the included tour or go off on our own, returning at a designated time for a ride back to the ship. And the ship navigated the river at night, leaving days free for exploration and discovery.

Another bonus is that many river-cruise companies offer specials where single passengers can cruise at the double-occupancy rate.

One thing to keep in mind is that river cruises do cater to an older, adult crowd. Some companies, such as Tauck with their Bridges program, offer family vacation options, but most are best suited for children eight and older. For families with small children wanting to visit Europe, bigger cruise lines would probably be the best bet. Even Disney Cruise Line offers summer and fall itineraries to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

Your idea of relaxation is seven days of sand and surf.

Prefer the Caribbean? Remember that on a cruise, you’ll spend at least half the time at sea. So if you’re content with three days of beach and four of ocean breezes poolside onboard ship, you might be happy with a cruise. But if you want to feel the sand beneath your feet and wade in the salt water every day, an all-inclusive resort or independent vacation to an island paradise is probably a better choice.

You’re traveling with toddlers, Grandma, and everyone in between.

Every cruise line has a unique atmosphere and caters to a different clientele. A travel agent can really help find out what your group is like and make recommendations based on the personalities and generations involved.

Disney is obviously very family-centric. Carnival tends to host more of a party crowd. Holland America clientele skews a little older. Royal Caribbean boasts that it offers something for everyone, particularly now that it has the two biggest ships at sea, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. None are “better” than the others but, particularly when you are on an itinerary that features multiple days at sea, it’s important to research the best fit for your group.

A good kids’ program is key for anyone wanting a family vacation, but also needing a little quiet time for the adults.

One AAA member who recently traveled on Oasis of the Seas found plenty to do onboard, enjoying the specialty restaurants and employing the philosophy that, “You can experience a lot by just sitting back and looking.” She and her husband enjoyed the ship so much, and found so many options, they didn’t even disembark at two of the ports.

You want to experience Alaska.

Alaska is consistently ranked as a top cruise destination. I’ve personally done two Alaska cruises and found it to be an excellent way to see the Great Land. Most lines offer exciting excursions that allow you to go dog sledding, ice-hiking or zip-lining, or just take time to leisurely explore the port towns. And few things compare to the experience of witnessing a majestic glacier calving as you enjoy breakfast on your balcony.

There are other options for visiting Alaska, but you can’t see glaciers if you don’t get on a boat.

AAA Connection
AAA’s full-service travel agency offers a huge variety of cruises to all destinations and featuring numerous sizes of ship, from small-boat river cruising to luxury transatlantic sailings. Contact a AAA travel agent for current offers.

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