With so many ships, destinations and travel styles on offer, booking a cruise can be overwhelming. Whether you choose to sail the Caribbean on a luxury cruise, glide along tranquil European rivers or navigate the icy Norwegian Fjords, there’s a cruise tailored for you.
With so many ships, destinations and travel styles on offer, booking a cruise can be overwhelming. Whether you choose to sail the Caribbean on a luxury cruise, glide along tranquil European rivers or navigate the icy Norwegian Fjords, there’s a cruise tailored for you.
In this guide, we’ll break down the different options available so you can easily compare your choices and find the holiday that matches your pace and budget.
No two cruise holidays are the same, as cruise lines design their ships and itineraries around very distinct travel styles. Traditional ocean cruises are high-energy resorts at sea with endless entertainment, varied dining options and port calls in diverse locations. On the other hand, river cruises offer intimate, slow-paced journeys directly into the historic hearts of cities and scenic valleys.
If you’re looking to find the perfect cruise for your first cruise holiday, then be sure to check out our guide and explore the options Odysia Cruise offers.
An ocean cruise is typically the first thing that springs to mind when thinking about cruises. They take place on ships built to provide all the amenities of a holiday while traversing the open sea – they’ll also dock at several ports, allowing you to disembark and explore a different stunning location every time.
You’ll want for nothing on an ocean cruise; on board you could find everything from live entertainment and water parks to world-class spas, incredible restaurants and a wealth of other amenities. These cruises are best for travellers who want their ship to be just as much of a destination as the places they visit.
If you’re seeking more refinement, luxury cruises offer the traditional ocean voyage experience on a smaller, more exclusive scale. Unlike mega-resort ships, luxury cruise lines, like Regent Seven Seas or Seabourn Cruises, offer a six-star experience with higher crew-to-guest ratios, opulent suites, fine dining and personalised service. The smaller ship footprints also allow these ships to dock at boutique ports and unique destinations that giant ocean liners cannot reach.
All-inclusive cruises allow you to holiday with complete peace of mind – no thinking about carrying around your purse or sticking to a budget; everything is covered. With an all-inclusive package, your fare covers far more than just your cabin and main meals; think drinks, speciality dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi and sometimes excursions all bundled into one price. Read our blog, Which Cruise Lines Are All In on All-Inclusive Cruising? to discover which cruise line is right for you.
Family cruises are designed to keep every generation entertained under one roof. They’ll offer all the essentials of a traditional cruise with more child-friendly amenities, such as age-specific kids’ clubs, activities and family suite options. While the children engage in supervised activities, parents and grandparents can enjoy adult-only quiet zones, fine dining, or spa treatments. Planning a getaway with the kids? Read our guide to find out what age is best for a first family cruise.
Open-sea travel isn’t for everyone; river cruises offer a slower-paced voyage on inland waterways, like the Seine, Rhine or Danube. River cruise ships are also much smaller and offer a more intimate experience; they can carry as few as a dozen passengers up to 200.
A typical river cruise can last up to a week or more, depending on the location, destination and stops. You will sail smoothly past rolling vineyards and fairytale castles, often docking right in the town centre. That means you can walk straight off the gangway and start exploring on foot without long transfers or tender boats.
For the thrill-seekers, budding historians and nature lovers, expedition cruises are designed to put exploration above shipboard entertainment. You can expect Zodiac boat excursions led by marine biologists, geologists and naturalists to remote corners of the world, such as Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos or remote Amazonian tributaries.
Wondering whether to choose a short or long cruise? Mini cruises are best for those wanting a quick getaway. They typically last between two and five nights and give you the full onboard experience in a compact timeframe, allowing you to test your sea legs before committing to a longer voyage. They’re best for short trips and weekend breaks around Europe, whether that’s the sunny Mediterranean, the British Isles, or Northern Europe.
Want to skip the transit time and jump straight into sunny weather? A fly cruise combines return flights with your sea voyage. Instead of departing from a local port, you will fly directly to a destination hub, such as Barbados, Miami or Venice, where your ship is ready and waiting. This allows you to spend more time exploring warmer climates or distant regions right from day one. Read our blog to discover all you need to know about fly cruises.
No matter how you like to travel, finding the right holiday comes down to choosing the style of cruise that fits your unique pace, preferences and passions. Odysia Cruise takes the guesswork out of booking with our incredible deals on various types of cruises. Explore our latest cruise offers today or get in touch with the Odysia Cruise team to plan your next journey at sea.
