August 28, 2022

Watching whales swim in their natural environment can be an exceptional experience. Many travelers choose to book a whale watching tour when they visit a new place. But, did you know that several cruises offer this activity as an excursion? This is an incredible way to see have fun and experience wildlife on your next cruise. Check out some of the best cruises with whale watching excursions.

Whale Watch in Alaska with Crystal Cruises

Alaska is a breathtaking destination and the perfect place to cruise. On the Fjord Explorer luxury cruise, you’ll witness impressive nature and wildlife up close as you make your way from Vancouver through Alaska. Plan to cruise the Inside Passage and Hubbard Glacier on this journey. We recommend the Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest excursion. You’ll hop on a jet boat and see whales, sea otters, and other sea life.

See Humpbacks in Hawaii with Holland America

On the 16-Day Circle Hawaii cruise with Holland America, you’ll visit some of the best sights in Hawaii on the roundtrip Vancouver journey. Part of your adventure will take you to gorgeous Lahaina in West Maui, where you can take part in a Deluxe Whale Watching experience. Learn all about humpback whales from onboard naturalists and see the creatures up close. The best time to book this cruise is November through May as you’ll have a better chance of seeing the whales.

Explore the East Coast of the US and Canada with Silversea

Silversea is another excellent cruise line to consider. On the Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale cruise, you’ll enjoy 16 days of adventure as you make your way to some of the coolest destinations. While exploring Canada’s Bonaventure Island, be sure to go whale watching. The area is known for its Humpback, Minke, and Right whales. This cruise will give you the chance to see a lot of wildlife.

Go Orca Whale Watching in Canada with Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises has many wonderful cruise adventures that take travelers to Canada, but their Vancouver to Los Angeles cruise is a great option. You’ll head from Vancouver to Alaska and then explore parts of Canada, and finally the US. While in Victoria, whale watching is a must.

These are our favorite luxury cruises with whale watching excursion opportunities. Don’t miss the chance to see these beautiful sea creatures up close on your next cruise.

Vacationing with extended family or even planning a destination family reunion is a great way to bring loved ones together. But finding a trip pleasing to everyone can be an insurmountable task. Enter cruises. A cruise vacation takes hotel accommodations, dining, entertainment, and multiple destinations and places them in a perfectly presented package pleasing to most everyone. Here’s what you need to know when planning a cruise with extended family.

Appoint a Group Leader

Appoint a leader for your group in order to streamline communication, field questions and act as a point of contact to the cruise specialist. Having one person acting as a liaison between the specialist and the group avoids confusion.

Decide on the Length of Your Cruise

The first thing you need to determine is the length of your cruise and embarkation point. Consider where a majority of the group is located. If most people live within driving distance of the embarkation point, a short 3-4-day cruise is an option. However, if family members will be traveling far or flying to the port, it becomes worthwhile to book a longer cruise, around 7-10 days. Sometimes getting away for a week is a challenge, in that case, a short cruise is better than nothing!

Sand or Sightseeing?

Consider the demographics of the group. If there are a lot of children, a Caribbean cruise keeps the little ones entertained while adults relax on sandy beaches. Alternatively, if there are more adults and older children traveling, Mediterranean or European cruises boast an array of art and cultural opportunities.

Ask About Group Discounts

Many cruise companies offer incentives or discounts when booking a cruise. For instance, Royal Caribbean offers a cruise credit for every eight staterooms (with a minimum of 16 guests) that sail in your group. Celebrity Cruises features group discounts and points that can earn your group onboard amenities while still offering payment flexibility. Each person can pay individually or as a group. Your assigned Celebrity Group Planner handles the details.

Customize Your Group Cruise

Celebrity does a great job of helping you customize your group cruise by arranging private shore excursions, cocktail hours or other events just for your group. Most cruise companies will offer this service, just check with your cruise agent.

Cabins

Depending on the size of the cabin and price range you choose, options range from staterooms to suites. Within each category, there are different options as well. For example, some suites offer amenities such as butler service, concierge services, and fully stocked mini bars. Most cruise lines make group bookings simple. Cruise lines such as Carnival and Celebrity allow guests to book multiple staterooms at the same time easy and ensures that cabins are close together.

Dining

Many ships will accommodate dinner arrangements based on the needs of your group. Whether you prefer to dine at the same time or in different groups, cruise specialists can assist you in setting up your preferences. Royal Caribbean lets you choose table allocations 50 days prior to sailing so your group leader can assign seats in advance.

Cruises are a great way to spend quality time with extended family. With the perfect amount of group time, individual time and even alone time along with a vast range of entertainment and dining options, there is perhaps no better vacation for family reunions or multigenerational travel.

Day: August 28, 2022

The Best Cruises with Whale Watching Excursions