Posted on 10/28/2016

Setting sail on your first cruise is unlike any other kind of vacation experience, no matter if you’re taking the entire family on an adventure through the sparkling Caribbean or cruising one of Europe’s most romantic river settings with your main squeeze.

No matter which style of cruise you choose, you can rest assured knowing you’re in for the time of your life and receiving one of the best vacation values dollar for dollar. All you have to do is board the ship, unpack once, and then do nothing but enjoy your cruise and all the unforgettable ports of call you’ll experience — it’s that simple!

Sailing the Ocean Blue

Ocean cruises are great for travelers of all types and ages, and particularly ideal for anyone who enjoys a lively atmosphere paired with a lengthy list of onboard activities to choose from. Ocean ships are downright comfortable for sailing long distances, such as in the Caribbean, Alaska or Asia. The vast majority of ocean cruise ships can be quite large, carrying approximately anywhere from 2,000 to over 6,000 passengers; and one cruise line can have a range of ship sizes in its fleet.

Organized Programs

Ocean ships appeal to all kinds of travelers as their many organized programs offer a wide range of activities for nearly every interest. If you want to get out and be active, you can participate in pool games, basketball and volleyball tournaments, improve your golf swing, or take dance classes. Indoors, you might prefer attending a history lecture, cooking demonstrations, or try your luck in the casino. Entertainment during the day can range from musical performances by the pool to afternoon shows such as movies, comedy improve, or even ice skating! Ships also offer a great selection of children’s and teen programs and activities to keep everyone in your brood well entertained and happy. Kids of all ages will love playing outside on the rock-climbing walls, rope courses, and mini-golf courses. Some ships even have on board surfing and circus lesson fun.

Rest and Relaxation

During the day, guests also have more relaxing options to choose from like shopping at the onboard boutiques, searching for a great read in the ship’s library, and enjoying a well-needed message or body treatment at the spa — not to mention the many venues for delicious round-the-clock dining, drinking, and snacking. Of course if you want burn off some of those calories, most of today’s ships have fully-equipped, state-of-theart fitness centers, exercise and yoga classes.

Night Life

After dark, most ships take on a cool Vegas vibe. This is when the casinos are at their very best and most exciting, so why not try your luck at the slot machines or a few hands of poker or blackjack? Throughout the evening and well into the night, the lounges feature nightly live bands and cabaret singers for your dancing or listening pleasure. Piano bars, complete with sing-alongs, are popular hotspots where you sit back and relax with a cocktail. And if you still have some energy and want to keep the party
going, the disco is always hopping late into the night.

World Class Entertainment

One special entertainment hallmark of ocean cruise ships are their theaters which are home to a variety and ever-changing lineup of Broadway and Vegas-style shows. These shows typically are featured on several different nights during each cruise, so you have a selection of dates and times to choose from. On other nights, you can expect the theaters to feature singers, comedians, and magicians. If you have little ones, cruises in the Caribbean and Bahamas offer great itineraries for families. Itineraries in the Mediterranean and Alaska are prime for couples new to cruising.

Start your cruise vacation today!