Cruising draws tens of millions of people in each year, and it’s easy to see why. The convenience of visiting so many different places without the hassles of transportation or having to unpack and pack multiple times. Today, cruise lines have immersive itineraries that bring you closer to the local culture, on and off the ships. Travelers will have access to guest speakers, local food and authentic entertainment onboard. Small ships bring cruisers closer to the action on land, and cultural excursions immerse cruisers to the local way of living. To top it off, cruises travel to way more destinations than just the Caribbean. The Mediterranean, Asia, South Pacific, Africa and Antarctica are all popular cruise locations. There are cruise lines for everyone, even travelers who don’t like cruising.
If you’re looking for a cruise line that focuses on local foods, small and tranquil ships with great customer service and port of calls that let you experience authentic activities, then we have the cruise line for you.
Azamara Club Cruises
Owned by the same family of brands as Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, Azamara boasts 3 ships that hold around 700 guests, giving you a more intimate onboard experience. Since their ships are way smaller than the big brands, Azamara can dock in small ports that bigger ships can’t get to. Once on land, travelers can take part in a wide variety of included activities, like Azamara’s Cruise Global, Connect Local shore excursions, Nights In Private Places and Azamazing evenings.
Even though the ships are smaller, you’ll still find many of the amenities of a larger cruise ship, which is perfect for travelers who don’t like cruising. Life on board included many Broadway level productions, local live music and entertainment, casinos and luxury shopping.
Crystal Cruises
Food is such an important factor when traveling and many travelers who don’t like cruising are hesitant about eating at a buffet for every meal. Today, many cruise lines have boutique, chef driven, 5 star dining. Crystal Cruises has a variety of culinary experiences that is known for impressing foodies.
World-renowned master chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa created signature dishes for Crystal Cruise guests to dine on at Silk Road and The Sushi Bar onboard. Nobu- trained chefs serve Miso Black Cod and Wagyu Beef.
Wine aficionados will love Crystal’s 14-seat Vintage room that serves some of the rarest wines in the world. Cruises can learn about the nuanced details of each vintage while in an exclusive setting.
Culinary expectations while traveling are high and Crystal Cruises raises the bar to provide the best possible dining experience.
SeaDream Yacht Club
If you’re looking for a small, luxurious exclusive cruising experience, SeaDream Yacht Club provides its passengers with a truly authentic yachting vacation. SeaDream’s motto, “It’s Yachting, Not Cruising”, defines their mission to provide their guests unpreceded luxury and service that isn’t found on a mega cruise ship.
With a maximum of 112 guests and an award-winning crew of 95, the crew to guest ratio provides each cruiser with expert attention to detail. Don’t be surprised if the bartender knows your name and your drink order, or if the waiter brings you your favorite dessert without asking.
SeaDream specializes in exclusive experiences for their guests, like their Signature Champagne & Caviar Splash, a gourmet, Caribbean beach side barbeque. They also host complimentary, shoreside crew-led activities, like hiking and walking tours through local towns, shopping the markets with the Chef, and to hidden mountain bike trails for private exploration.
Cruising is a popular way to see the world and is growing every year, even among travelers who don’t like cruising. Whether you’re interested in gourmet cuisine, personalized service or, an intimate onboard experience, there is a cruise out there for you. Cruise lines all have very different characteristics, so it’s important to find one that suits your personality and travel goals. Let your travel consultant know what it important to you when traveling and they can suggest the cruise line that is perfect for you.
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