All About Cruises

Tag: silversea

  • What are the Best All-Inclusive Cruise Lines?

    What are the Best All-Inclusive Cruise Lines?

    All-inclusive cruise lines are the pinnacle of simple travel. But which cruise lines can be categorized as all-inclusive? Although the phrase is tossed around a lot, the definition isn’t quite clear. Does all-inclusive really include everything? What about flights? Does your booking also pay for your hotels? Do you get an unlimited amount of free food?

    These questions bring us to the main point you should understand about all-inclusive cruises: each brand uses a different meaning for the term. That means that you need to pay close attention to what is actually included with your initial booking price. If you’re not careful, you may find that you incur extra costs that you weren’t accounting for.

    With that said, though, there is one cruise line that strives to be as close to truly all-inclusive as possible: Regent. Your booking price will get you pretty much everything — even round-trip flights. Shore excursions, dining, and wi-fi are some of the major perks of choosing a Regent cruise. Of course, these included options are hand-in-hand with a premium price. Regent is a luxury line, but they are also more expensive than some of their other competitors because of their incredibly convenient cruise packages. The only parts of the cruise that aren’t included in the price are the spa, some drink choices, and the most high-end shore excursions.

    If you’re looking for a more adventurous all-inclusive cruise line, Scenic should be your first choice. Known for exciting expeditions to far-flung locations, Scenic offers a huge list of amenities with the initial cost of booking. You’ll get wi-fi, flights within your country, excursions, and even a butler service in your cabin. The cruise line also has many ways for you to interact with the locations you’re visiting, with Zodiaks, kayaks, and e-bikes all being included in the price.

    Silversea, one of the finest luxury cruise lines, is another good option for those looking for an all-inclusive cruise. They have two different packages that allow you to choose how much you want included in your price. For those that prefer a lower initial price, the Port-to-Port package is perfect. It includes meals, wi-fi, and one shore excursion per port. The Door-to-Door package gives you all of that along with flights and travel to and from airports. It is certainly more expensive, but it’s really worth it if you want everything handled for you.

    Many other luxury cruise lines offer some kind of all-inclusive package. But these three cruise lines are among the best. If you want everything taken care of for you, booking with any of them will be a great choice!

  • Three Great Memorial Day Cruise Itineraries

    Three Great Memorial Day Cruise Itineraries

    2022 is moving quickly. Although it might seem far off, Memorial Day really is just right around the corner. If you don’t have plans already, why not consider going on a quick cruise vacation for Memorial Day? Pretty much every cruise line offers a great Memorial Day itinerary. Here are some of our picks for the coolest 2022 Memorial Day cruises.

    5 Night Canada Cruise by Royal Caribbean

    Everyone is going to be heading south for their Memorial Day cruise. Why not break the mold and go somewhere different? This 5-night cruise from Royal Caribbean might require you to take a little more time off work than usual Memorial Day festivities, but it’s definitely worth it. It departs from Cape Liberty, NJ on May 26th and returns to the same port on the 31st. Two of the days will be spent at sea while two others will be at very unique locations: Bar Harbor, Maine and Halifax, Nova Scotia. It may not be fun in the sun as you traditionally think of it, but this itinerary offers a different kind of quiet, solitary beauty. Booking starts at $370 for interior cabins; check the other details here.

    The Bahamas from Miami, FL by Carnival

    If you’re interested in a more traditional Memorial Day cruise, this classic itinerary from Carnival will serve you well. There are multiple dates, but the Friday through Monday itinerary departing on May 27th is a perfect Memorial Day getaway. The trip isn’t complicated: it departs from Miami on Friday, spends Saturday at sea, and then allows for a fun-filled day at Nassau in the Bahamas on Sunday. Finally, the ship returns back to Miami on Monday morning. It’s the perfect itinerary for those wanting to try out cruising for the first time or for someone who just wants a quick little vacation. It’s also highly affordable, with the Memorial Day weekend dates starting at just $154 per person. Carnival’s site has everything you need to know.

    Vancouver to Seward (Anchorage, Alaska) by Silversea

    Here’s something a little different. This luxury cruise departs from Canada on a journey to trace the southern border of Alaska, visiting iconic locations like Juneau and Ketchikan on the way. It’s a week-long adventure, so it’s not exactly just a Memorial Day weekend cruise, but you will get to celebrate the holiday while on the ship. It departs on May 26th and finishes up on June 2nd. Silversea is often considered the peak of cruising luxury, so definitely check this one out if you like to travel in the style. The all-inclusive price begins at $4900, but there are cheaper options if you pay for some things like airfare yourself. Read more here.

    There are few things that are more fun than celebrating a holiday on a cruise ship. Hopefully this inspires you to go on a Memorial Day trip!

  • Will Expedition Cruises Make a Healthy Recovery Post-Pandemic?

    Will Expedition Cruises Make a Healthy Recovery Post-Pandemic?

    The future of expedition cruises is uncertain. How will they fare once the pandemic is over? That’s a question that plenty of cruise lines are asking right now. Before the onset of COVID-19, it seemed like there was nowhere to go but up for expedition itineraries. But now, as you all know, everything in the industry has changed. Is the trajectory of this industry segment still the same, or has it taken a turn for the worse? Let’s look.

    Difficult logistics

    Many expedition cruise lines have had trouble finding their footing again. This is because of the difficult logistical issues that are now present in certain areas. For instance, cruising to Alaska restarted far later than most other locations in the U.S. This caused many expedition lines to take a serious hit. Similar issues have existed in certain South American countries, making Antarctic expeditions tricky as well. Expeditions are much more complex than regular cruises, and all of the logistics need to be perfect for them to work. While other companies could find work arounds, the same wasn’t true for expedition lines.

    A new outlook on cruising

    On the contrary, though, there are lots of positive signs that expeditions could gain a lot of popularity in the post-pandemic world. Many insiders within the industry are noting that there is a change in the general populace of cruise travelers. They are wanting more out of their vacations. The shock of the pandemic has made them realize that life is fragile. What better way to spend a fleeting life than going on trips of epic proportions? As Theresa Gatta, the Vice President of Sales for Ponant, noted: “People really want to travel in a purposeful and responsible way. They want a deeper destination of the destinations where they are travelling and there’s no better way to do it then on small ships.”

    The industry feels good

    There is perhaps no better sign of the future health of expedition cruises than the industry’s general feeling. And, luckily, that feeling is quite optimistic! The combination of travelers wanting purposeful itineraries and the safety of small ships has expedition cruise line officials feeling good. According to the SVP of Expeditions for Silversea, “there’s huge demand” for expeditions. He claims that they “see it from consumers, other operators and destinations.” That’s definitely a good omen.

    If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s that we can’t really predict the future of the cruise industry. But there are lots of factors at play that suggest that expeditions may actually have a lot of potential going forward.

  • Are Luxury Cruises Really Worth the Price?

    Are Luxury Cruises Really Worth the Price?

    Luxury cruises are some of the most desired trip options out there. But are they really worth the price? It’s no secret that luxury cruises are quite costly. If you’ve never been on one before, you might be wondering what that extra money really gets you. Here’s a look at the amenities that make luxury cruises so luxurious.

    Better accommodations

    The most affordable rooms on a popular Royal Caribbean itinerary cost only a fraction of what you need to pay for a room on a luxury cruise. Is there really that big of a difference in the accommodations? Actually, yes. The average room on a luxury cruise is far bigger and more comfortable than what you might be used to. Many luxury cruise lines skip interior rooms entirely and only offer oceanside and balcony rooms. They typically make sure that everything in the room is as magnificent as possible. It’s the small details that really add up: the curtains are better, the toiletries are fancier, and the lighting feels much more natural. Oh, and don’t even get us started on the bedding that is offered on luxury cruises. Seriously, the rooms on a regular cruise versus those found on a luxury cruise are like night and day.

    The extras that you get for free

    Yes, you are paying more for a luxury cruise than you would for other travel options. But, in some ways, you’re actually getting a good deal when you book one. The initial price is steep, but you end up getting a lot of things for free. If you’re someone who typically pays for extra amenities on a cruise, it’s possible a luxury cruise could even save you money. You’ll most likely get free drinks, free food at all restaurants, free shore excursions, and more.

    Exclusivity

    Let’s face it: one of the main draws of luxury cruises is that they are more exclusive. But that doesn’t mean that they are solely for bragging rights. Exclusivity can be a great thing while travelling. Luxury cruises let you avoid the crowds of other popular cruise lines, and you will likely go to destinations with fewer people. You will also be given access to exclusive events both on and off the boat while on luxury cruises.

    So, are luxury cruises really worth it? That’s hard to say. Every traveler will inevitably have a different opinion, but we believe that there are multiple reasons why luxury cruises can be a great choice.

  • Cruise Lines Seeing Massive Demand as Travel Restrictions Loosen

    Cruise Lines Seeing Massive Demand as Travel Restrictions Loosen

    Travel restrictions are loosening throughout the world right now in light of vaccine distribution, and cruise demand seems to be getting higher than it has ever been during the pandemic. Demand never quite reached the lows that many in the industry feared, but it still definitely decreased over the past year. Many cruise lines are now reporting significantly increased levels of booking, and that bodes quite well for the future!

    P&O is overwhelmed

    Being overwhelmed is generally not a good thing when it comes to business. But P&O was definitely happy when they reported on March 22nd that they were seeing an “overwhelming” number of bookings for their UK summer cruises. It was only recently announced that cruising would be returning to the UK in May, and P&O is capitalizing on that. Their cruises along the English coast went on sale on the morning of the 22nd, and the demand was immediately apparent. The President of the company said, “We always hoped that these domestic cruises would be popular, given the uncertainty around holidays abroad, but we have never before seen such significant and immediate demand and it certainly shows the effects of lockdown and everyone’s need for a holiday.”

    The summer season in the UK will be busy

    It’s not just P&O that is facing an unusually high level of demand. Ports around the UK are reporting that they are being inundated with calls from various cruise lines looking for places to stop their ships. The head of Cruise Liverpool said, “The phone is red-hot. We’ve had a huge number of inquiries. At the moment, we’ve got 120 ships scheduled to call this summer.” That’s a lot of ships! From this, it’s pretty clear that the UK summer cruise season is going to be incredibly busy. It seems that the demand for cruises never truly went away during quarantine; it only increased!

    Silversea’s world cruise is fully booked

    In case you needed more evidence that people are excited to cruise again now that vaccines have the potential to return a sense of normalcy to the world: Silversea’s world cruise in 2023 is already completely booked. The tickets were only available for a single day before all the spots on the vessel sold out. If you missed out on your chance to snag a ticket, hop onto Silversea’s waitlist as soon as possible. The company is already reporting that the demand for the waitlist is quite high!

    The past year has certainly been a whirlwind for the industry, so it’s reassuring to see how many people are still ready to cruise. Let’s hope that the industry makes a strong and safe return to form!

  • The World Cruises of 2022

    The World Cruises of 2022

    World cruises are, simply put, the ultimate cruise experience. Who doesn’t want to hop on a cruise ship and enjoy months upon months of nonstop travel bliss? They may not be realistic itineraries for everyone, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t all take a look at them and get inspiration for our own future trips. So whether you’re looking to spend a good chunk of next year on a cruise ship or you’re just simply interested in the details, let’s take a look at a few of the world cruises being offered in 2022.

    Holland America’s 2022 Grand World Voyage

    This cruise from Holland America is definitely one that should get you thinking about writing a world cruise onto your bucket list. The 128-day voyage takes you from one end of the earth all the way to the other. And yes, you are going to see some amazing things along the way. It departs from Fort Lauderdale on January 3rd, 2022 and returns there on May 12th, 2022. You’ll sail along the Amazon River in Brazil, spend a few days in Hawaii, and then head over to Japan. And you still have about three months left after that. Booking ends on June 1st, 2021; get more details here.

    2022 World Cruise on Silver Whisper

    Silversea’s 2022 world cruise is slightly longer than Holland America’s at 138 days. It also departs from Fort Lauderdale at the beginning of the year (January 5th, 2022, to be exact), but there is a key difference in that this is not a round trip. This cruise ends in Copenhagen. But the fact that it isn’t a round trip means that you will have even more time to explore the locations that you go to. In total, there are 69 ports across 32 countries. If you’re looking to visit some of the coolest locations on this humble planet, this could be a great way to do that. You can request a quote starting from $89,100 here.

    2022 Epic World Quest from Oceania

    Of all the cruises that we’ve looked at, this is definitely the one most deserving of the word “epic.” Dubbed a true circumnavigation, this cruise takes you to 44 countries over the course of 196 days. Yep, you read that right. You’ll get to visit Oceania, Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. Unfortunately for anyone reading this, this particular cruise is currently sold out. However, you can still apply to be on the waitlist if you’re hoping to grab a spot. You can do that over here.

    All of us may not be able to cruise the world over the course of 200 days, but smaller adventures are still very realistic for the average traveler. If you feel inspired by these itineraries, start shopping around for a cruise vacation of your own!

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