What's Your Cruise Personality?
More and more cruise lines are catering to a wider audience, from families with kids, to adults-only ships. But not every cruise line will be the right fit for you. Before choosing a cruise, considering your vacation personality can help direct you to the right fit.
1.The Adventurer
Cruises are not all about drinking by the
pool and over-indulging at the buffet. New and unique itineraries are popping
up every year to entice adventurers of all ages. For example, try the street
food in Tahiti, or go cliff diving in Australia. On board check out Zumba
classes or a silent disco. Cruise lines that might satisfy your inner adventurer
are Celebrity, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.
2.The Family-Friendly Traveler
Cruises have always traditionally included
families, but some cruise lines are more family-friendly than others. Some
things to consider when planning a family-focused cruise is the quality of the
kid's clubs on board. Most lines have kid's clubs that entertain children from
baby to teen, but some programs as more robust than others. Certain lines offer
24-hour babysitting services, outdoor children's areas, classes and more to
satisfy your little ones. Cruise lines that focus on family fun are Disney,
Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.
3.The Foodie
Cruises are not all about massive ocean
ships, and if you love exquisite cuisine then consider taking a river cruise.
On a river cruise you can get up close and personal with famous chefs, cooking
classes, and local cuisine. Some ships even offer excursions with the chef
to watch as he chooses fresh local produce for the day’s meals. River cruises
are expanding to more and more countries, but currently the most popular ones include
France, Italy and Vietnam. The best
cruise lines for your inner foodie include Crystal, Oceania and Celebrity.
4.The Explorer
Explorers will enjoy local street markets,
and locales off the beaten path. Destinations such as Antarctica and the
Galapagos provide unique experiences with exotic wildlife and panoramic natural
views. The Explorer could include families of all sizes, so consider if you will
be exploring alone, or with the fam. You’ll want to bring a camera (or two) in
order to capture all your experiences. Getting up close and personal as an Explorer
means you will want to consider lines such as AmaWaterways, Seabourn, Silversea
and Viking.
5.The Couple
Honeymooners and happy couples
looking for a getaway will find a ton of romantic options in cruising. Along
with all the regular fun things you can do on a cruise, you can also treat
yourselves to couple’s massages, romantic dinners, and dancing under the stars.
Consider cruising to Fiji, the Maldives or the Mediterranean for a romantic
backdrop to your vacation. As a couple focusing on your romance, you will want
to choose lines with pampering services and plenty of options for private time.
You might consider the cruise lines Avalon, Azamara, Celebrity or Crystal for
your romantic trip.
6.The Relaxer
If vacation to you is all about
plopping down with a good book and no interruptions, then you should be able to
find happiness on any cruise. While some cruise lines are more known for their rambunctious
activity, most have nooks and crannies where you can get away from the hustle
and bustle. However, if you want complete peace and quiet while you relax,
consider a cruise line that either doesn’t cater to children, or if you have
children, choose a line with an excellent children’s program so that you can
drop the kiddos off, and then start your relaxing time. Lines to consider for
relaxing might be Holland America, Princess and Regent Seven Seas.