Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

I am proud to be certified by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) as an Elite Cruise Counselor. The Cruise Counselor Certification Program is CLIA's most comprehensive training which requires agents to successfully complete a number of compulsory training courses and exams, attend cruise conferences, and conduct ship inspections. Anita Thompson, Attheta Travel, dba Cruise Holidays.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Port Intensive or Sea Intensive: Which Type of Cruise is For You?

When you think about cruising, do you picture yourself exploring a port of call, sunning on a beach or trying a new adventure like zip-lining or dog sledding? Or, do you picture yourself relaxing in a deck chair, sipping a cool drink in an on-deck hot tub, or watching as the ship’s head chef demonstrates how to whip up a delicious sauce?

Your answer may indicate the type of cruise you enjoy most: a port-intensive cruise that calls on a different location most days of the cruise, or a sea-intensive cruise that spends most days on the open water.

On a port-intensive cruise, the ship usually sails at night and arrives in a new port early each morning. You’ll have time to disembark and explore the port, shop for souvenirs or take an excursion designed to help you experience the attractions, scenery, food, wine or culture of the region you’re visiting.

Advantages of a port-intensive cruise include plenty to see and do, with no effort on your part to move between ports. Popular destinations that offer port-intensive cruises include Alaska; clusters of islands, such as Hawaii and various island groups in the Caribbean; and the Western Mediterranean, where distinctive port cities are a relatively short distance apart.

Port-intensive cruises are great for guests who like a lot of activity, but these cruises can leave less time to enjoy the amenities of the ship, which may include pools and water slides, games, sports, lectures, spas, shops and a variety of dining options and nightlife spots.

If exploring the ship appeals to you, a sea-intensive cruise provides plenty of time to enjoy the amenities and simply relax. Examples of sea-intensive cruises include trans-Atlantic sailings between New York and Southampton, England; cruises to the Hawaiian Islands that depart from the West Coast; and cruises that reposition ships, such as ships that sail from Alaska to the Caribbean at the end of summer.

Keep in mind that you can reduce the activity level of a port-intensive cruise by simply remaining on the ship while your fellow passengers go into port. But, you can’t do much to change the nature of a sea-intensive cruise – the captain can’t change course to visit the nearest port simply because you feel the need to get off the ship for awhile.

For more information about the type of cruise – as well as the destinations, ships and accommodations – that will suit you best, talk with your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert.