About Cruise Ship Size

You can cruise on ships big or small – anything from a megaship that accommodates more than 7,000 passengers to a yacht-style ship that carries less than 100. So, before you make a cruise reservation, think about the size of the ship you’d like to sail on based on what you’re looking for from a cruise vacation.

In general, big ships offer more of everything: more cabin categories, pools, dining spots, entertainment, activities, shore excursions, and more. But, a big ship’s common spaces can be somewhat busy and noisy; or, threaded with lines waiting to enter a restaurant or theater, claim a poolside lounger, or disembark in a port of call.

Small ships don’t have the space to offer as many choices, but they often provide a higher level of service and a more personalized cruise experience. Seeing the same people every day makes it easier to get to know your fellow passengers, too.

Here are a few more things to think about before you answer the “big or small” question for yourself:

Dining. Dining options on small ships are fewer, but there’s often a greater focus on culinary quality. Large ships have more dining spots and may serve a greater variety of food, which can be helpful if you’re sailing with companions who have different food preferences.

Entertainment. As with dining, big ships have more options for onboard activities that appeal to all ages, as well as more pools, theaters, lounges, and special activities for kids. Small ships tend to focus on the region being explored, presenting informative talks about local culture and showcasing local performers.

Wayfinding. On a small ship with fewer decks, it may be quicker and easier to find your way around. On a large ship, you’ll have more places to go, but getting to the pools, gym, dining, and entertainment venues – not to mention getting on and off the ship – may take longer.

Ports. Big ships call on ports that can accommodate them, passing by those with smaller harbors or fewer facilities. Small ships can often take passengers to out-of-the-way places, which may prove to be the highlight of your cruise.

Finally, remember that your cruise ship choices aren’t limited to big or small; medium-sized ships often combine some of the best features of their bigger and smaller cousins. To decide what size of ship is best for your next cruise, talk with Anita.  your personal cruise expert.

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Cruising Japan

Japan is a nation of islands, which helps make it a fantastic cruise destination. The 14,000 islands of Japan stretch about 1,900 miles, from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the Philippine Sea in the south. While ships call on only a few of the islands, there are many reasons to cruise there, including:

The islands are beautiful. Japan is on the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire, and its volcanic islands are mountainous, heavily forested, and often edged by beaches. Japanese gardening is an art form, as is Japanese architecture; both are admired worldwide for their elegant simplicity.

The cities are energizing. Much of Japan’s population lives in bustling urban areas on the coastal plains of its major islands. Tokyo offers everything from gorgeous public gardens and museums to incredible shopping. Osaka features an iconic castle, neon-lighted Ferris wheels, and thousands of restaurants. It’s also the gateway to nearby Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital, with over 2,000 Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.

The food is delicious. If you enjoy tempura, sushi and sashimi, miso soup, and other Japanese dishes at home, you’ll love them in Japan. Japanese cuisine has a traditional emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients; careful use of proteins and fats; and seasoning that makes even staple foods, like rice and noodles, taste exotic. Japanese dining etiquette is interesting, too, with practices such as placing the most honored guest the furthest from the entrance to the dining room.

The culture is fascinating. Some of Japan’s most honored traditions are available for cruise ship visitors to experience. You can sit on a tatami mat for a gracious tea ceremony; meditate alongside a Buddhist monk; enjoy the music of a three-stringed shamisen played by a geisha; or take a relaxing soak in an onsen, a natural hot mineral spring.

Many popular cruise lines sail to Japan, including Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises, as well as luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and Silversea. Itineraries are often roundtrip from Yokohama, the cruise ship port for Tokyo.

When you talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor about itinerary options, discuss when to cruise, too. Japan’s cherry trees bloom in March and April, fall colors peak in October and November, and if you sail in winter you could enjoy a post-cruise stay at a Japanese ski resort.

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Tips for Holiday Season Cruises

If you already booked a cruise that will set sail during the upcoming winter holidays, we’re don’t need to convince you to sip a seasonal drink by the pool, enjoy holiday meals prepared by expert chefs (with no need for you to cook or clean up), and otherwise celebrate the season on the open sea. But, we can still offer a few tips for making the most of your time onboard.

Preparation for a lovely holiday cruise can begin before you leave home. Consider bringing along your most elegant (but still packable) outfit; you may wish to dress up for a holiday dinner or show. Even if you keep it casual, pack some fun accessories – maybe a Santa hat, holiday-themed jewelry, or some soft reindeer antlers for your head.

You can dress up your cabin, too, with a tiny Christmas tree, a small menorah, or some sparkly garland. But, be sure to sure to check your cruise line’s rules: for example, most do not allow decorations that have to be plugged in, candles with flames (battery-operated are usually okay), or door decorations that extend into the hallway space.

If you want to bring gifts to exchange with your cruise companions, don’t wrap them until you’re on the ship: wrapped packages are likely to be unwrapped at security checkpoints. So, bring a little wrapping paper, tape, and ribbon to make gifts look festive after you board. Or, keep your luggage light by purchasing gifts in the ports you visit. Of course, if your cruise is a holiday gift to your companions, there may be no need to give other gifts!

While you’re cruising, check the daily schedule for holiday movie screenings, sing-alongs, seasonal crafting sessions, holiday-themed games, and other delightful activities. If you enjoy attending religious services during the holidays, they will be on the daily schedule as well. And, don’t miss special events like Santa’s arrival, menorah-lighting ceremonies, the midnight countdown on New Year’s Eve, and other holiday traditions that create wonderful cruise memories.

Finally, consider presenting a small gift – say, some candy or a gift card – to your cabin attendant and other crew members who provide you with great service. They are sailing and working away from their homes during the holidays, and will surely appreciate a little holiday extra from you.

For more ideas about celebrating the holidays on the high seas, talk with Anita your professional travel advisor.

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If Your Luggage Doesn’t Board the Ship With You

After you spend time carefully packing for a cruise, it’s distressing if your luggage goes astray somewhere between your home and your cruise ship cabin. While we hope this never happens to you, you should know what to expect and what to do in this unfortunate situation.

To help avoid a lost luggage event, use at least one way to track your luggage. For example, download your airline’s mobile app and use its luggage-tracking feature. Many travelers also place small tracking devices in their luggage – these devices can share their exact location with your mobile device. And even when you use these precautions, be sure to pack an extra outfit – plus essential paperwork and prescription medication – in a carry-on bag that will stay with you.

After you fly to your departure city, If your luggage doesn’t appear on the baggage claim carousel, look around; airport staff may have set it aside. If not, go to the baggage service desk for the airline you arrived on and show your luggage claim tickets. If you put tracking devices in your luggage, open the tracking app and share that information with the baggage service representative, too.

If your luggage is on a different flight and will arrive before you board the ship, give the baggage service representative details on where to deliver it.

If your luggage won’t arrive before the ship departs, provide details about the cruise itinerary; hopefully, the airline can deliver your luggage to a port of call. Then, when you board the ship, visit the guest services desk and let the staff know you’re expecting your luggage to be delivered to the ship. Ask them if they can connect with the airline’s baggage service to keep tabs on the situation for you.

It doesn’t happen often, but if your luggage comes to the dock with you yet doesn’t show up in your cabin, visit guest services. If your luggage isn’t found onboard, ask for assistance such as free laundry services, complimentary t-shirts and toiletries, and discounts at onboard or onshore shops.

Sailing without your luggage is not ideal, but the airline, cruise line, or your travel insurance provider may cover at least some of the related costs. Be careful to keep any paperwork, emails, and texts you receive, as well as receipts for anything you buy to replace what was in your luggage. And, check in with Anita, your professional travel advisor for additional advice.

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Navigating Your Cruise Ship

Some cruise ships are as large and as populous as a small city, so knowing how to find your way around is important. Even on a smaller ship, the number of decks, elevators, and hallways can make things a little confusing. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources to help you get to where you want to be.

You can start by becoming familiar with the ship before you cruise. Most cruise lines provide online deck plans for their ships; if you prefer paper, your professional travel advisor can provide a deck plan brochure or printout. Use the deck plan to locate your cabin and see how you can get to the closest elevators, the pool, the dining room and buffet, the show lounge, etc. If the cruise line’s website includes photos of the ship, take a look at them so things will seem at least a little familiar when you get on board.

Once on the ship, take a little time to orient yourself and develop a sense of forward (toward the front of the ship) and aft (toward the back of the ship). If you have a keen sense of direction this may be easy, but don’t be surprised if it takes a little time.

Deck plans are often posted in cabins and near elevators and stairs. This signage is usually quite detailed, including cabin numbers and the names of restaurants, theaters, and other common spaces. There may be deck plans inside the elevators, too, to help you know which way to turn when the doors open.

You can also call up deck plans using the cruise line’s app on your mobile device; downloading and using the app will put lots of additional information about the ship, itinerary, and daily schedule at your fingertips, too.

Your ship may have wayfinding kiosks with screens that display deck plans and other maps (very helpful if you want to see the deck plans on a larger screen). If the kiosks are interactive, you can simply touch the venue you want to find or enter its name to make directions appear on the screen.

There’s one more reliable way to get just about anywhere on board – ask a member of the crew. They live on the ship for weeks or months at a time, are familiar with every inch of it, and will gladly direct you.

For more onboard navigation tips, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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Port Calls of the Caribbean

The Caribbean is balmy all year long, the water is beautifully blue, and the beaches are legendary. For these reasons, it’s one of the world’s most popular cruise destinations. If you haven’t already sailed there, here’s a quick introduction to the region and the places cruise ships call on.

The Caribbean Sea is defined by the Greater Antilles islands on the north, the Lesser Antilles islands on the East, the northern edge of South America on the south, and Central America – plus Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula – on the west.

Cruise destinations in the Greater Antilles include Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic (which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti), Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. The Greater Antilles, made mostly of continental rock, are known for mountainous beauty. Popular ports include San Juan, Puerto Rico (the departure port for some Caribbean cruises); Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Georgetown, Grand Cayman.

The Lesser Antilles is an arc of small islands that stretches from the U.S. Virgin Islands (at the northern end) to Trinidad and Tobago (at the southern end). Some are low-lying atolls, edged by coral reefs; and some are volcanic, with lovely peaks and valleys. Islands of the Lesser Antilles that are beloved by cruisers include St. Thomas, St. Maarten/St. Martin, St. Kitts, Dominica, Martinique, and St. Lucia.

Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries may call on some of the Lesser Antilles but often focus on one or more of the ABC islands – Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. While the ABCs are not far from the coast of Venezuela and South America, they are part of the Netherlands. Cruises that call on the ABCs often visit Barbados, which lies just outside the Caribbean.

Cruises of the Western Caribbean often call on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, where popular ports include Cancun, Cozumel, and Costa Maya. Some itineraries also visit islands off the coast of Belize and Honduras, including Ambergris Caye and Roatan, a popular destination for snorkeling and diving. Depending on the port of departure, Western Caribbean cruises may call on Jamaica and Grand Cayman, too.

We haven’t mentioned The Bahamas or the Turks and Caicos islands because they are geographically in the Atlantic, rather than the Caribbean; but, you’ll find these pretty islands on quite a few Caribbean itineraries, too.

For much more information about the many options for Caribbean cruising, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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Must-Try Dishes at Sea

On many cruise ships, food is a main attraction. Why? There are a few reasons:

·         Cruise ship food has a historic and justified reputation for being both plentiful and delicious.

·         On most ships, several dining venues are included in the fare, with specialty dining experiences available for a reasonable charge.

·         Most ships offer a choice of restaurants and cuisines to sample.

·         Cruise ship menus have shifted to a greater focus on healthy choices and fresh ingredients.

·         On some cruises, menus highlight the food of the region the ship is sailing in.

·         Cruise line chefs are used to accommodating special dietary needs.

So, what are some must-try dishes at sea? There are so many that it’s difficult to name just a few; and, what you’ll enjoy most depends on your personal taste. But, here are some favorites.

·         Clothesline Candied Bacon from Pinnacle Grill, Holland America Line. Chef David Burke’s appetizer involves a tiny clothesline and bacon bathed in a marinade that includes maple syrup, Dijon mustard and orange zest.

·         Lobster Pad Thai from Red Ginger, Oceania Cruises. A light, fragrant broth lets tender lobster meat and rice noodles shine; the galley will make it as mild or spicy as you like.

·         Cochinita Pibil from Los Lobos, Norwegian Cruise Line. Pork braised in bitter orange juice with annatto (achiote) seeds is a delight; and don’t miss the fresh guacamole prepared at tableside.

·         Pizza Margarita from Alfredo’s Pizzeria, Princess Cruises. Princess is known for some of the best pizza at sea, and Alfredo’s Neapolitan-style pizza starts with a made-from-scratch, hand-stretched crust.

·         Loup de Mer from Murano, Celebrity Cruises. Grilled Mediterranean sea bass with a sauce Nicoise (cherry tomatoes, olives, and capers) is a gift from the sea.

·         Any steak from Steakhouse at The Verandah, Cunard Line. Your server will show you the different cuts available before your selection is cooked as you like it; the result is so tender, you may not even need a knife.

·         Amalfi Lemon Meringue Cheesecake from Jamie’s Italian, Royal Caribbean. Creamy lemon cheesecake on top of lemon curd and topped with fluffy meringue – yes, please.

Keep in mind that cruise ship menus can change quickly. But, if you don’t find a favorite dish on the menu during your next cruise, there are sure to be many others that will provide a palate-pleasing, memorable meal. For more dining tips, ask Anita, your professional travel advisor, about their favorite dishes at sea.

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