Cruise Types Archives - Page 11 of 11

Cruise Lines That Offer Small Group Tours and Excursions

When adventuring on a cruise, it’s fun to take part in local experiences while you’re spending time at port. By doing this, you’ll get a good look at the area and learn a lot more about local life as you travel to new places. As you begin to consider which cruise to book for your next trip, it may be a better option to book with a cruise line that offers small group tours and excursions. This will provide a more personalized travel experience and allow you to fully absorb the information and experience. Keep reading to see which cruises provide tours like this:

Celebrity Cruises

When sailing with Celebrity Cruises, travelers have the opportunity to book Celebrity Discoveries, which are local, culturally focused tours and experiences. These excursions are made for smaller groups and offer more personalization. These tours are a great way to experience a destination from the eyes of a local.

Seadream Yacht Club

For those who prefer smaller ships and fewer crowds, taking a cruise with Seadream Yacht Club is a must. Their small luxury yachts sail with a small number of guests to keep all experiences more intimate and enjoyable. Their Yachting Land Adventures are planned for small groups to help travelers truly experience the local destination.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is yet another cruise line that likes to keep its excursion and tour groups small. Their Small Group Excursions are limited to 25 guests or fewer. They offer these tours in hopes to help travelers better connect with the destinations that they visit.

Holland America

Holland America also offers excursions and tours that are planned for smaller group sizes. When you begin to consider your activity and tour options, look out for the journeys that are specifically marked as a small group tour. In addition to providing these experiences, Holland America prides itself in giving back to the local communities that they visit.

Windstar Cruises

Cruising with Windstar Cruises is another excellent option if you prefer a more intimate travel experience. They set sail on small luxury cruise ships, and make sure to book only a limited amount of travelers for group excursions. Windstar Cruises also makes it a point to visit smaller ports, for a unique less-traveled experience.

These are some of the best cruise lines that offer intimate, smaller tour experiences. Now you know which cruise line to book with for your upcoming trip!

Gourmet Dining on Cruises in Africa

Whether you’re exploring the diverse landscapes and deserts or beautiful vineyards of Africa, you’ll find several cruise ships that have some unique dining experiences. Most of the cruises depart and return to Cape Town and some are as long as 14 days. This gives you plenty of opportunities to enjoy onboard activities and amazing dining experiences during your voyage. Here are some of our best dining picks for cruises in Africa.

Oceania Nautica

The Nautica cruise ship is famous for its open dining concepts and you can enjoy 5-star experiences in some of the most beautiful dining rooms at sea. Enjoy a sumptuous meal in The Grand Dining Room where the tables are set with bone china and Riedel crystal glasses. This is also the place to enjoy healthy fare from Canyon Ranch Spa Cuisine and nightly specials prepared by the chef. Head to The Bistro for family recipes and global flavors with the Taste of the World selections.

Regent Seven Seas Voyager

Another ship that boasts 5-star dining experiences is from Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The Compass Rose and Chartreuse are the fine dining destinations on board, but you can also enjoy an intimate and glamorous dining experience at the Prime 7 steakhouse. Enjoy Pan-Asian dishes and a dramatic setting inside the Pacific Rim. Elegant breakfast and brunch offerings are available at La Veranda. Enjoy an Italian menu and specialty wine at Sette Mari at La Veranda, the perfect spot to enjoy views of the water while you dine.

Crystal Symphony

Whether you’re going on a 50-night adventure from Cape Town to Europe or another adventure around Africa, enjoy the VIP experience aboard the Crystal Symphony cruise ship. Waterside is the main dining room on the ship and offers fresh takes on classic dishes. You can enjoy a celebrity-chef prepared meal at Umi Uma, formerly the Silk Road restaurant. If it’s date night, be sure to settle in at Prego for the sophisticated ambiance and gourmet cuisine.

Norwegian Adds New Turkey Itineraries

Dreaming of sailing the Black Sea or visiting the only city that straddles two continents, Europe and Asia? If you’re considering a cruise to Turkey, you’re in luck. After almost three years of pulling out of the region, Norwegian recently announced 12 sailings to the Eastern Mediterranean this year and an additional 20 in 2020.

The Norwegian Jade and the Norwegian Spirit will both be calling to Kusadasi, Turkey in November and December of this year respectively.

Thanks to a bevy of upgrades, Norwegian Jade’s modern décor, and design coupled with refurbished staterooms, makes for the perfect home base while exploring the Mediterranean. With 16 fabulous dining options onboard – from a 24-hour pub to Asian fusion options – epicureans can bask in a bevy of worldly cuisine. While at sea, the entertainment options are endless. An award-winning casino not only features your favorite gaming options but also hosts on board tournaments. Taking exclusivity to the next level, The Haven features the ships most luxurious accommodations. Located on the top of the ship, each suite boasts 24-hour butler service, concierge service and private sundecks. With options for every guest, The Haven’s 3-bedroom garden villa sleeps 8 and features a living room, dining room and a private garden with a hot tub, ensuring each guest has their own space. The 440 sq. ft Haven Courtyard Penthouse with balcony sleeps three and includes a luxury bath and shower, living area dining area and private balcony.

Norwegian Spirit will be sailing its 13-Day Italy, Greece and Israel: Mediterranean Wonders from Rome itinerary on December 2 and will be calling to Kusadasi on December 6, 2019. She will return to the port on February 13, 2020, as part of her 21-day Arabian Odyssey: Greece, Israel, Egypt and Abu Dhabi from Rome leaving on February 10.

If you choose The Norwegian Spirit and are looking for prime accommodations, the Aft-Facing Owner’s suite with a large balcony employs 605 sq. ft of space. Great for two guests, the suite includes a living room, dining room, walk-in closet and of course incredible ocean views and butler service. Aside from the dining options, guests can sit back and relax enjoying the sights of the sea and sky at the Galaxy of the Stars Observation lounge, join in the ship’s signature soiree – the White-Hot Party – and sing along with the performers at the Stardust Theater. Enjoy pampering at the ships Mandara spa or relax by the Tivoli pool, soaking in hot Norwegian spirit, as you sail to far off places.

Scenic Kicks Offers Early-Bird Fares 2024 – Scenic Eclipse

Scenic is kicking off the 2024 Wave Season with multiple offers. Guests wanting to be one of the first to experience the world’s first Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse (pictured below), enjoy early-bird fares – up to 10% off regular fares – on 13 different itineraries between September 2024 and July 2024. Including the Scenic Eclipse “Panama & Columbia Discovery” itinerary, just named by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the world’s best cruises for 2024. They also receive deposit protection at no charge, an early payment discount of up to $1,000 per couple, and free airport transfers to and from their homes on itineraries longer than 10 days. Free round-trip air is being offered on the 15-day “South America to Canary Islands” transatlantic sailing. Scenic Eclipse offers are on new bookings made by February 28, 2024 and space available.

Those wishing to explore Europe’s rivers in 2024 on one of Scenic’s luxury Space-Ships can “Choose Your Savings” – a new program that offers a choice of either free round-trip airfare, up to $1,500 per person fare savings, or a two-category balcony suite upgrade on any of many European river itineraries. Bookings on “Choose Your Savings” must be made by Feb. 15, 2024.

The Scenic Eclipse, is a “6-star” ultra-luxury mega yacht, carrying just 228 guests, (200 in the polar regions of Arctic and Antarctica). By marrying luxury, discovery and safety with world-class innovation, Scenic guests can explore above and beyond what was previously possible from a cruise ship. The itineraries in the Wave Season offer cover much of the world. From an incredible 21-day Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands adventure to a relaxing away-from-the-world 14-day Transatlantic crossing to 11-day discover your roots in the British Isles to a five-day Argentina & Brazil exploration.

The ship has 10 dining options, a 5,900ft² Spa Sanctuary, staterooms that range in size from the generous 345ft² Verandah Suites to the 2,660ft² two-bedroom Penthouse Suite, eight spacious bars and lounges offering unlimited complimentary beverages, butler service, and numerous pools. A six-passenger helicopter and six-passenger submarine take guests far beyond the environs of a normal cruise.

Guests interested in seeing Europe from its many rivers get to choose both their savings offer and their itinerary: eight-day Rhine Highlights or Gems of Danube itineraries; 15-day Jewels of Europe, sailing on the Rhine, Main and Danube; 11-day Unforgettable Douro (Portugal); 11-day Normandy & Gems of the Seine, sailing from Paris to Honfleur; and 14-day Spectacular South of France Paris to Nice exploration. Each itinerary offers its own slew of included tours and Scenic Enrich events – from a concert at Palais Lichtenstein in Vienna to a French extravaganza in Lyon, that includes the can-can and other great performances – all exclusive to Scenic.

The 5-star Scenic sips offer all-inclusive luxury experiences – from private butler service and unlimited complimentary beverages and spirits including mini-bar re-stocked daily, to full-size private balcony staterooms – all making use of Scenic’s unique Sun Lounge technology – where the walkout open-air balcony can convert to an all-weather lounge with a push of a button, expanding the living area of the stateroom.

As with all Scenic river cruises, guests will never have to reach for the wallet or purse as everything (except a haircut or massage) is included: tips and gratuities, all meals in any of the multiple dining options, all drinks, expert local guides, transfers, all Scenic Freechoice activities that allow for a more personalized vacation, plus Scenic Enrich events. Brochures can also be downloaded directly from the website.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, wwww.scenicusa.com