I’m a big fan of cruises!
Many of my very first travel memories took place onboard one of these impressively large ships! I’ve cruised through port destinations all over the world, with several different cruise companies and I have to say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each and every one.
Every time I cruise, I leave my vacation with new merry memories, new great friends and several new desirable destinations under my belt!
These (not so) little floating cities are a ton of fun with anything and everything you could ever need in reach and onboard. Taking a cruise may have its advantages and disadvantages, but so does every method of travel. Cruises concentrate on the two pillars of comfort and convenience, making this type of vacation a great way to maximize your time and experience without a lot of planning hassle!
6 Reasons to Take a Cruise
- Cruises are a great way to see a lot in little time! On a cruise you’ll visit several ports in a given area, thoroughly covering that regions highlights. You’ll get to visit the best of the best.
- Cruises are super convenient! On a cruise you never have to worry about transportation from place to place, it’s all taken care of. It’s like your hotel has decided to pack up and come along for the ride! Plus, most of your travel takes place while you’re comfortably dreaming away.
- Cruises are customizable! With so many companies, destinations, lengths, prices, amenities and themes to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect cruise to meet your travel needs.
- Cruises are all inclusive! With the exception of alcohol, specialty restaurants and certain excursions, everything else on your cruise is included. That means transportation in between ports, three hearty meals a day, on board entertainment and activities, gym access, and so much more.
- Close quarters means new friends! I’ve never taken a cruise where I didn’t walk away with a few new friends. On a cruise your sharing close quarters with others and see the same people everyday on the ship, which makes for the perfect opportunity to meet new people.
- Family Friendly Fun! Most cruises have special programs in place for kids of all ages! Yeah that’s right- adults too. Parents can trust that their kids will be safe, close and in good hands while they sit back, relax and enjoy themselves onboard.
“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”
-Jacques Cousteau
Dream Cruise Destinations
Caribbean Sea
Perhaps the most stereotypical cruise experience possible, at least for those of us from the US, is a Caribbean Cruise. In the Caribbean Sea, ‘vacactioning’ is not something that happens just once or twice a year, it’s way of life and one they are openly willing to share. On a Caribbean cruise you have the opportunity to see and explore so many exotic island destinations and are never at a loss of fun shore excursions to choose from.
Whether you prefer lazily lounging on a catamaran cruise, diving or snorkeling through transparent turquoise waters, shopping til’ you drop, frying on the beach, hiking, biking, the list goes on and on. The Caribbean is truly a beach lover’s, sun dweller’s, endless summer paradise.
My first ever cruise experience was through the Caribbean and since then I’ve ended up taking two more. Even now, after 3 Caribbean cruises, I’m not sure I’ll ever get tired of all those sun-kissed island shores!
Check out the many exotic island ports of the Caribbean here.
Baltic Sea
When I was 13, my first trip abroad to Europe consisted of a 14-day cruise through the Baltic Sea with Celebrity Cruises. Cruising the Baltic was definitely a bit of an alternative cruise stretching beyond the beach, but it was an absolutely unbelievable experience and I got to meet people from all over the world! We departed from a port in Amsterdam and cruised from Oslo to Copenhagen, through Stockholm and Helsinki, made stops in St. Petersburg and Tallinn.
Cruising the Baltic Sea was a complete dream and the perfect introduction to Northern European life. Tall gorgeous blondes, stunning green parks, iconic architecture and rich Scandinavian culture. It’s a memory that will stand out in my mind for years to come.
Explore intriguing Baltic Cruise Ports here.
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean is home to so many European classics from the legendary Ancient Ruins of Athens and Roman Coliseum, to the bright picturesque Greek Isles and canals of Venice.
Lined with quaint cobblestone streets and boasting tons of yummy treats, the ports along the Mediterranean are without a doubt heaven on Earth for any cruise-goer.
This past summer, my family and I embarked on an 8-day cruise through this whimsical sea and it was an excellent introduction to the colorful cultures of the area. We were able to visit many remote islands that are otherwise too difficult or too expensive to travel to without ever going out of our way and take part in many different activities from food tours and sightseeing to photo tours and kayaking.
A Mediterranean Cruise makes for the perfect mix of sophisticated cities and laid back beach destinations. There is truly something for everyone! It’s the best of both worlds.
Find sample Mediterranean Cruise itineraries here.
My Cruise Bucket List
The South Pacific
Visiting the South Pacific has been on my travel bucket list for a longggg time now! This area is bursting to the brim with natural beauty and is full of drool-worthy destinations just begging to be explored. The stunning Sydney Harbor is itself enough reason to make the trip! Sydney’s Harbor is the perfect gateway to cruising around the gorgeous secluded islands dotting the South Pacific.
Imagine drifting off to dreamland in a port of Australia and waking up to find your dreams have come true.
Uncovering the secrets of hidden gem Mystery Island. Diving through colorful coral reefs in Champagne Bay. Peering through crystal clear waters at turtles in Isles of Pines.
The South Pacific is an enchanting paradise, relentlessly calling my name.
Click here to find dream cruises from Sydney
Alaska
The adventurer within me has always been intrigued by the mysterious state of Alaska. The Last Frontier is a vast land with so much to offer in the way of outdoor adventure, unique native culture and rugged natural beauty. It’s a place of true magic in the heart of the unspoiled wilderness.
Thrill-seekers flock to Alaska for activities like whale watching, salmon fishing, dogsledding and ice climbing while others go simply to take in breathtaking landscapes and awe-inspiring scenic wonders. With National Parks lining the coast featuring impressive glaciers, extraordinary fjords and sweeping snow capped mountains, Alaska is a seriously sought after destination for cruise goers.
Check out different ports of interest around Alaska here.
Have you ever taken a cruise? If not, would you like to give it a try? Which of these dream destinations would you choose?
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Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by cruiseagency.com.au/, but as always all opinions remain true and my own!
Welcome to Wanderful Wednesdays!
Consider yourself a wanderer?! Well then, this Blog Hop is for you!
Meet your hosts: Lauren of Lauren on Location, Van of Snow in Tromso, Isabel of The Sunny Side of This and Marcella of What a Wonderful World.
Here on Wanderful Wednesday we hope to promote an open and supportive community for like-minded bloggers- expats, travelers and all kinds of wanderers!
The linkup will take place every Wednesday at 8AM GMT.
Wanderful Wednesday Guidelines:
- Link up a wanderful travel related post below! One per blogger per week please!
- Spread the LOVE! Blog Hops are all about hopping around & getting to know others within the community! At the very least please try to comment on one other post before you go!
- Let’s get Social! Really liked a post you read? Don’t be shy! Share your favorites on Social Media! You can use the hashtag: #wanderfulwednesday
- Don’t forget to grab the button and link back to your wanderful hosts! Help us spread the word and let’s get others involved!
We’ll also be pinning our contributor’s posts to our new Pinterest Board!
This week on #WanderfulWednesday, I’m highlighting last week’s post “The Sweetness of Sharing in Split, Croatia” by Lauren at Global Locavore! This amazing post seriously captured the true essence of traveling and what it’s all about! It gave me goosebumps! If you haven’t already, be sure to go check out her post and spread the love!
Happy Hopping my Friends! 😀
This is such a great list! I’d love to do a Baltic cruise or a Mediterranean cruise. I’ve only ever done a cruise across the Atlantic from NYC to Southampton, England (and technically it was on the Queen Mary 2 which is still considered an ocean liner, not cruise). This October, I’m hopefully joining my family on their cruise from Miami to Cuba (and all around the island!)
Whoa both of those cruises sound amazing!! I’m dying to get to Cuba!! Can’t wait to follow along 😀
Thank you for sharing your favourite cruise memories, Lauren. I have gone on short cruises before but a few of the week-long cruises you highlighted do tempt me, particularly the Alaska one.
I would loveeee to cruise around Alaska! Hopefully one day I’ll have more than a week to do so 😀
Cruising must have given you your endless wanderlust, Lauren! Lovely to read about your cruising experiences. I used to write a lot about cruising when I worked at a national newspaper but have only been on one – a small luxury cruise around the Caribbean, which was glamorous and very enjoyable. I suspect I’d prefer the smaller cruise ships to the massive ones. I fancy cruising around the Norwegian fjords or the rivers of France. #wanderfulwednesday
I’ve never been on a smaller cruise, but I feel like that would be a great way to relax! Some of the bigger cruises can get a bit hectic and crowded, but they’re still a lot of fun 😀
We’ve been on several Caribbean cruises and really doesn’t get old! Our friends are cruising through the Baltics, and I’m so jealous of all the beautiful destinations that they’re visiting! I would also love to go on a Mediterranean cruise as well! It would be so convenient to visit all of those amazing destinations and not have to worry about traveling between them!
Exactly! That was the best part of cruising the Mediterranean! Getting to see all of the little islands that are so hard to get to otherwise 😀
Ive never been on a cruise, it’s on my bucket list, I’d love to take a cruise around the Mediterranean
It was a dreammmmm! 😀
a few years ago we went on a land and sea tour of alaska. i beg you, if you do an alaskan cruise, you must spring for the more expensive land portion too, in order to really get a feel for true alaska. i would LOVE to go on a meditteranean or a baltic cruise, something smaller, and in a river. thanks!
b
Ohhhhh I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a land and sea tour! Sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing 😀
I’ve never been on a cruise. I’d like to do fjords on a mini cruise or Caribbean islands
Fjords sounds lovely!
I recognize a few Santorini pictures from that Mediterranean cruise! Love that place. Never been on a cruise, but I’d really like to take an Alaskan one, too.
The only bad part of the cruise was how short my time was in Santorini. It was a nice preview, but I definitely have to go back! 😀
I went on a Baltic cruise from Stockholm to Riga once and it was awesome! Though I wouldn’t mind a cruise in the Carribean with some sunshine and actual warmth 😉
I did a Baltic cruise in the summer and for some reason expected it to basically be the Mediterranean or Caribbean… Well anyway packed that way .. I was pretty surprised at how cold it was haha .. For some reason cruises just feel like they should be warm! 😀
Hurrah this came at just the right time! I’m off on an Alaskan cruise this autumn and I’ve never been on a cruise before so I’m after allll the tips. And I’m getting so excited about it already! I can’t wait! Ok so next on my wishlist would be the Caribbean, or maybe the South Pacific. Hmm, somewhere beachy and warm basically!
Ahhh I’m so jealous! I can’t wait to hear all about it!! That’s so so exciting!
Love all of these! I’ve been on two cruises around the Med and loved them both, I think it’s a fun trip to take in a big group and means you travel with ease 🙂 I’d love to hop around the Caribbean, that’d be the ultimate dream!
Cruises are great with a group because you’re all stuck together haha .. Great bonding time!
I’d love to do the Baltics, the Med, or the South Pacific… all of those places sound incredible… but so does Alaska. I just don’t know if cruising would be my thing or not.
It’s definitely not for everyone! I think it’s best with a family, since traveling with kids and a big group is pretty difficult. On a cruise you don’t have to worry about packing everyone up in between destinations as the boat does all the moving for you! 😀
I have done several cruises (some better than others) and have thinking lately about the possibility of taking one soon. I am from Puerto Rico but I have not explored most of the islands in the area. I feel like a cruise is the perfect way to do that.
It definitely is! The best part is you wake up at a new island every day 😛
Cruises really are amazing in their concept! Hoping to do another holiday one during Christmas/NYE this year! Thanks for the link-up!
Oooooo nice! Where are you thinking of going?!
I’ve never done a cruise but I wouldn’t be opposed to doing one someday! Sometimes, you’re sick of planning and it’s nice to have all the work done for you haha. And I like that you travel while you sleep, so you don’t lose precious time getting somewhere. I’d love to do a Caribbean or Mediterranean one!
The Caribbean and Mediterranean are definitely dreamy destinations for a cruise! The perfect place to relax and not have to think about planning 😀
I’ve never been on a cruise and I’m not sure if they are my thing or not. My husband isn’t really interested in cruises. :-/ I’d go just to try it. If I did, I’d probably cruise the caribbean. It always looks so dreamy there! 🙂
Cruises definitely have their advantages and disadvantages, but it’s a great way to see a lot in a short time! I wouldn’t say it’s my absolute favorite way to travel, but it’s definitely worth a try!
I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise! I haven’t quite made it yet though. These all sound so dreamy and are all on my bucket list. I think I’d have to pick the Baltic Sea cruise as number 1!
The Baltic Cruise was seriously amazing, I’d highly suggest it 😀
Thank you so much Lauren for choosing to feature my post about Split, Croatia!! That made me so happy! 🙂
I’ve actually never taken a cruise, but I definitely agree with your bucket list – Alaska would be such a wonderful place to visit. The opportunities to photograph the scenery alone would be enough reason to visit. Do you have any cruise travel plans booked in the near future?
Of course Lauren! It was an amazing post! 😀
I don’t have any cruise journeys booked in the near future, but you never know when you’re going to find a good deal! You can get a great cruise last minute for a real steal! 🙂
I do love a good deal! I’ll let you know for sure. Have you heard of Fathom Cruises? I haven’t been but some friends of mine went and thought it was an interesting experience as it involves volunteering in the port cities.
I’ve never been on a cruise before but my fiancé and i are thinking of doing one for our honeymoon! Probably a caribbean one!
That would be a great way to relax, enjoy and not plan a thing- what honeymoons are for! 😀
The Alaska cruise sounds like my kind of thing! Great post, Lauren! I never gave cruises a thought but they looks like a lot of fun!
Thanks Isabel! They’re definitely a lot of fun 😀
I’ve never been on a cruise, but I love the sound of the Baltic one!