You might think all cruises are the same. After all, a cruise means ships, floating parties, and retirees, right? Wrong! In fact, cruising styles and types can vary dramatically by the destination, itinerary, and type of vessel. Exploring different styles of cruising opens lots of different ways to see the world. Did you know that expedition cruising, river cruising, and ocean cruising are three very different – but all very popular – options on the market?
Whether you’re navigating the far reaches of the Arctic in search of glaciers and whales, winding through Europe’s charming towns on a river, or stopping off at paradise islands and glittering port cities in exotic new spots, there’s a cruise that suits every traveller.
Here’s a look at the various cruising styles available and how Flight Centre can help you choose the best fit.
Expedition Cruising: Adventure Without Sacrifice
Expedition cruises are perfect for travellers who want to venture off the beaten path without giving up creature comforts. Hurtigruten is one of the most well-known expedition cruise operators, and their ships can navigate remote destinations like Antarctica, the Arctic, or the Amazon rainforest, allowing you to see some of the world’s most fascinating places up close. You can usually do some incredible activities too; think kayaking in Antarctica, hiking in the jungle, scuba diving in remote spots, or having close-up wildlife encounters. Or you could opt for an incredible Alaskan cruise with Seabourn. Northern lights, anyone?
Sometimes, there are even onboard experts—like naturalists, historians, and other specialists—to enrich the experience by sharing their knowledge of the areas you visit. While the focus is on exploring and learning, expedition cruises also offer comfortable accommodations and good food, so you get the best of both worlds. Finding adventure doesn’t have to mean giving up relaxation or mod-cons!
River Cruising: Easy Access to Local Culture
River cruises offer you an intimate way to see smaller towns and cities by cruising along rivers like the Danube, Rhine, or Mekong. European river cruises – like the ones offered by Uniworld – are particularly popular around Christmas, where you can enjoy Christmas markets and gorgeous snowy towns. These cruises can dock close to the centre of towns and cities, giving passengers the chance to stroll through historic streets, visit museums, or enjoy local cuisine. With Avalon cruises, you have a choice of excursions separated into active, discovery, and classic – and many of them are included in your rate too!
With much smaller ships and fewer passengers than ocean cruises, river cruises tend to have a much more relaxed atmosphere and can help you explore lesser-known cities than some of the ocean cruises. Days are filled with shore excursions to charming towns, vineyards, and museums, while evenings are for dining and chatting with fellow travellers – it’s easy to make friends and connections when there are only a couple of hundred of you onboard.
Ocean Cruising: Classic Comforts on the High Seas
Ocean cruising is the most popular type of cruising and probably the one that instantly springs to mind when you think of a cruise. These giant ships (Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas holds over 7000 passengers!) are like floating resorts with entertainment, dining, and leisure options for all ages. Itineraries can take you to tropical islands in the Caribbean, ancient ruins in the Mediterranean, or cosmopolitan cities in Asia – just not through narrow rivers or tight spots that the smaller expedition and river vessels can navigate.
You can spend your days exploring at the different ports or take full advantage of all the amenities onboard – like theatres, shows, bars, restaurants, kids clubs, spas, pools, and more. Ocean cruises provide a flexible way to keep everyone happy with plenty of onboard activities and exciting shore excursions. For ultimate flexibility, Norwegian’s ‘freestyle cruising’ concept is hard to beat.
Navigate Your Perfect Cruise with Flight Centre
Finding the right cruise can be challenging with so many options available. The travel experts at Flight Centre are here to help you navigate these choices. They can match you with the best cruise based on your interests, travel style, and destinations you want to explore – whether that means a quiet river cruise with your parents, a daring expedition option with your fun-loving partner, or an ocean cruise for the entire family. Whatever type of cruise holiday you choose, you’ll find a journey filled with new sights, experiences, and relaxation.
