Every time you step on a cruise ship, a number of truly marvelous things happen. I always unpack my bags first and settle into the state room. Next, I explore the ship to select my favorite lounge and check out all the menus at the restaurants. I also look for the perfect place on the upper decks to watch as the coastline ebbs away to just a line on the horizon.
Big Ship Cruises
For many, their first cruise will be on a big ship. My first big ship voyage was on the very biggest at the time—Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Its passenger capacity of more than 6,000 set a record when she was launched back in 2009.The most significant advantage of a vessel this large is variety. For example, the Oasis has some 24 dining venues, from small specialty restaurants to a super-extensive buffet. Plus, five swimming pools, three waterslides, surf simulators, mini-golf, an ice rink, and even an aquatic theater where performers execute choreographed dives and other feats.
All those superlative amenities you hear about are almost always on large vessels. I’ll never forget the time I zip-lined across the top deck of the Oasis or drove a go cart on the track aboard the Norwegian Viva. Carnival has roller coasters and Disney ships offer water coasters, Broadway-caliber shows, and other huge attractions.
Small to Mid-Size
This is my sweet spot for an ocean ship—just under the thousand-guest mark. It’s still large enough to have choices when it comes to restaurants and bars, including speciality steakhouses and chef’s table tasting menus. Plus, they usually have multiple pools and hot tubs and features like 24-hour room service.River Cruises
Long and low enough to navigate below bridges, these sleek ships ply many waterways in Europe, as well as some in Asia and beyond. By far the most popular routes include the Rhine and the Danube. Other options include the Douro in Portugal, the Seine and Rhône in France, and the Mekong in Cambodia and Vietnam.
This will be a very different experience than anything on the ocean. River cruises usually host between 150 and 200 guests, so you’ll get to know your fellow cruisers.
They are also busy. A typical day will include a tour on shore in the morning, then lunch back on board while the ship shifts locations, followed by another tour in the afternoon. And then, sometimes, there’s a special event in the evening, like wine-tasting at a vineyard or dinner at a palace.
If you’re looking to sit by the pool with a drink, these may not be for you. But river cruises are a truly wonderful way to see a lot, easily. They’re like floating luxury hotels that can magically take you to a whole bunch of amazing places—cathedrals and castles and the cobblestones of old towns.
Expedition Cruises
Have you ever dreamed of visiting the penguins in Antarctica or the polar bears along the fjords of Greenland, or perhaps even the North Pole? Your vehicle to get there will almost certainly be an expedition ship.In the past, not so long ago, voyages to some of the world’s utmost locations were usually undertaken on retrofitted research ships built for purpose rather than comfort. These were rough-and-ready trips, often undertaken by only the most intrepid travelers who were willing to sleep in basic bunks, eat flavorless food, and sail with very few amenities in order to encounter the most remote places on earth.
Some expedition ships, like my first couple trips to Antarctica, are still like that. But in just the last few years, the expedition cruise market has changed dramatically. While expedition voyages have always been expensive, a number of new ships have transformed trips to these faraway destinations into a true luxury experience. Now, these vessels often feature huge suites, thermal spas, and even butler service. Some have helicopters ready to swoop over glaciers or submarines to take guests well below the surface—sometimes meeting up with very strange creatures rarely spotted by human eyes.
There are a few things to know. Most expedition vessels have hulls strengthened to push ice. The lower the polar class number, the stronger the hull. One is the strongest, but even seven can take you deep into first-year ice. Almost all of them are small, many with fewer than 200 guests, in part because of Antarctic regulations that allow only 100 people off the ship on land at any given time. And they will also have zodiacs—rigid, inflatable boats that will spirit you out for adventures.
Make sure your ship has good stabilizers, as the chances of encountering rough waters are very high. Decide on your preferred level of luxury. And look at the toys and decide how important they are to you. Expedition staff, who will serve as your guides and interpreters, can also make or break a voyage—read their bios online and decide who you’d like to lead you into the trip of a lifetime.
