The Best New Cruise Ships of 2023

Table Of Content

• Best Destination for Beach Lovers Runner-Up: Bermuda
• Alaska National Parks
• Doing Wine Country on Seadream II
• THE MOST EXCITING CRUISE DESTINATIONS
• Best cruise destination for travelers without a passport: Hawaii
• Shipwrecks, snorkelling and coral reefs: the Maldives by small-ship cruise
• Learn About Credit Cards
• The relationship between ship size and luxury

French luxury cruise line Ponant aims to make passengers feel as if they're traveling on their own private yachts. Guests enjoy Ladurée macarons, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, and luxurious Hermès bath products on board. Each of the company's ships features an onboard spa with massage cabins and either a Turkish bath or sauna.

Best Destination for Beach Lovers Runner-Up: Bermuda

Read on for everything you need to know to have the best family vacation on this latest addition to the Oasis Class. Bargain seekers should either book early for these accommodations or choose inside, outside or guarantee cabins (where you don't pick your room location) to save more. From coast to coast, Mexico is packed with incredible landscapes, flavorful food, and rich, vibrant history. Head west to the Mexican Riviera to explore deserts, go wine tasting and kayak through epic rock formations. Or take on the Yucatán in the east and soak up the sun on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Kobe is your access point for Kyoto, with its temples and gardens, while Shimizu is your gateway to scenic Mt. Fuji.

Alaska National Parks

Before booking, read reviews of the ship and specific cabins on websites such as Cruise Critic or watching YouTube reviews. Previous travelers can offer invaluable insight into noise levels, views, and overall satisfaction. Pioneered by Norwegian Cruise Line, solo traveler cabins are becoming more common across the industry. Whereas for many years solo cabins were usually interior grade, there are now oceanview and even balcony cabins available for solo travelers on some lines. Guests can explore the small fishing town of Petersburg or search for orca and humpback whales in Frederick Sound. Lindblad has special permits to bring passengers into the wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and the Tongass National Forest, beyond what the big ships can offer.

These Cruise Lines Have The Best Customer Service In 2024 - Forbes

These Cruise Lines Have The Best Customer Service In 2024.

Posted: Sat, 24 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Doing Wine Country on Seadream II

We're talking Hawaii, where a seven-night inter-island itinerary visiting four islands doesn't require that you have a passport. These itineraries are offered year-round aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America. Expedition cruises generally start at around $12,000 per person, although some major cruise lines offer scenic cruising in Antarctica — with no landings — for under $3,000 per person. The second is a moderate fitness level to be able to venture ashore in Zodiacs and explore the rugged landscape. Whether viewing regiments of gleaming icebergs from your ship's deck or photographing parades of waddling penguins against a surreal landscape of ice while ashore, the experience is like no other.

Whether you’re beach-hopping in the South Pacific, exploring ancient monasteries in Asia, scouting castles in Europe or cruising through glacier-dotted bays in Alaska — there’s no bolder way to see the world. Paul Gauguin Cruises operates just one ship, but it is exquisite, hosting 330 guests and sailing only in the South Pacific to destinations like Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. The ship is small enough to access private ports at remote beaches and take travelers well off the beaten path. Named the best small-ship ocean cruise line in T+L's 2022 World's Best Awards, Golden said the line is known for Tahitian-inspired massage techniques in the onboard spa and noted that cruisers particularly love the wonderful staff. “For the most part, luxury cruises appeal to a segment of travelers looking for similar experiences on land – more luxurious offerings, fewer crowds, and phenomenal activities.

Best cruise destination for travelers without a passport: Hawaii

When it comes to planning the ultimate getaway, there are so many reasons why cruise vacations rank among the most popular travel options. On a cruise vacation, all the planning is taken care of by the cruise line — from the destinations you sail to and the shore excursions available at each port, to a full range of entertainment and activities happening onboard every day. If you’re not a planner, or if the only things you’re looking to focus on during your getaway is savoring great food, relaxing, and soaking up the sights, cruise vacations are the way to go. A cruise vacation is also a great option if you’re traveling with the whole family, especially when you opt for a Royal Caribbean cruise. All of the ships in this cruise line’s fleet offer family-friendly experiences for guests of all ages. Even little ones will find plenty of ways to play with spaces and activities designed for tots to tweens.

Shipwrecks, snorkelling and coral reefs: the Maldives by small-ship cruise

Cruisers bringing babies along can take advantage of the Royal Babies and Tots℠ Nursery, offering care for the littlest guests for a fee. And if you're cruising with teens, they'll be happy to know this larger-than-life ship has a swanky cool hangout with daily programming (think disco parties and game nights) they can experience with others in their cohort. Solo travelers don't always have to pay double to cruise Alaska on their own. Several Norwegian Cruise Line ships feature cozy studio cabins designed and priced for one person, and the 4,004-passenger Norwegian Bliss offers 82 solo rooms on its round-trip Seattle cruises to Alaska.

13 ways to snag cruise ship suites for less - The Points Guy

13 ways to snag cruise ship suites for less.

Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 15:56:15 GMT [source]

Learn About Credit Cards

Virgin Island of St. John the following day, there were yachts and catamarans everywhere – and the Sakara fit right in. I was on the maiden voyage of the 360-foot Sakara, a December 2023 sailing with the added glamor of a Champagne christening in San Juan, Puerto Rico, led by the ship’s godmother Kelly Craighead. She is president of Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade organization. All onboard shows are complimentary — they're one of many things included in your cruise fare.

A highlight for many passengers is scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park. This 3.3-million-acre national park is home to more than 1,000 glaciers, including the accessible and photogenic Margerie Glacier, which extends 21 miles from the mountains to the bay. Have your camera ready to capture the action as huge chunks of Windex-blue ice calve off of its 250-foot-high face with a thunderous crack and crash into the frigid waters below. Most luxury cruise lines allow kids, though they often don't cater to them the way the larger lines do.

Experts onboard these sailings include naturalists, biologists and other scientists who are members of the expedition team. They lead the outdoor activities and provide passengers with a deeper insight into Alaska. Once guests finish communing with nature, they can indulge in gourmet cuisine in multiple restaurants, enjoy a complimentary cocktail or relax in an upscale spa.

One of the top reasons savvy travelers love cruising, though, is because of the incredible value it offers. With Royal Caribbean, your cruise fare includes access to most of the ship’s attractions, select dining venues and all of the entertainment onboard. If you want to make your experience even more all-inclusive, you can opt for beverage and specialty dining packages that cover drinks and dinner at some of the most exclusive restaurants in the fleet. On top of all that, the cruise line presents frequent limited-time offers and seasonal sales, making it easy to score big savings when booking your vacation. Whether you’re looking to book a short getaway or a longer adventure to far-flung destinations, Royal Caribbean makes it easy to save big on everything from your cruise fare to special experiences onboard and onshore. The first step to making sure you get the best deals is to join the cruise line’s email list.

Many cruise lines also call on Nassau in the Bahamas and their own Bahamian private islands, where beach days are sublime. Some longer itineraries (10 nights or more) also combine Eastern and Southern ports of call with less-visited islands such as St. Kitts and Antigua. It's hard to beat a cruise to the Bahamas when it comes to family cruising. For one thing, the island nation is a quick sail from Florida ports like Port Canaveral and Miami.