Picking the right cruise can be a challenge, if only because there are so many good choices out there. But with a little research, you can find a cruise that will be affordable, fun, and uniquely suited to you and your family. Consider these eight cruise "personalities" to decide if one is right for you.
1. The Wedding Vow Renewers
Whether it's grandma and grandpa reaffirming their commitment or a first-time wedding with the grandchildren, choose a real-life Love Boat. Princess Cruise’s “Tie the Knot At Sea” wedding program is available on 17 of the company's ships. The captain can preside over the ceremony in the on-board wedding chapel.
Prime Ports: Experience a “weddingmoon” while sailing to the Alaskan glaciers, Tahiti’s beaches, and mystical Asia.
2. We Are Family: Time for a Reunion
There’s nothing like an on-board family reunion to reconnect the whole clan. A midsize ship like the Azamara Journey keeps the event intimate, and guests can have special gatherings, like meet-and-greets and private dinners in specialty restaurants such as the Prime C steakhouse, tailored to fit their needs.
Prime Ports: A Mexico voyage takes you to Mazatlan, Loreto, and Cabo San Lucas.
3. Adventure Seekers
Lindblad Expeditions’ small ships offer itineraries chock-full of exploratory excursions. The line is associated with National Geographic, which means access to some of the world’s top naturalists, who conduct pretrip seminars detailing upcoming adventures via kayaks and Zodiac landing crafts.
Prime Ports: See enormous tortoises and blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos, howler monkeys and tree sloths in Costa Rica, and whales off Alaska and Baja California.
4. Traveling With Teens in Tow
Entertaining the teen crowd can be challenging, and not every cruise is up to the task. Royal Caribbean and its mega-ships provide a bevy of options for young adults. The Allure of the Seas features a bona-fide zipline, FlowRider, H20 Zone water park, teen club and Cupcake Cafe. Plus, shopping on the Boardwalk provides a great way to indulge in some retail therapy. You won't hear a single "I'm bored" uttered the whole vacation.
Prime Ports: Western Caribbean cruises visit Falmouth, Jamaica; Cozumel, Mexico; and the cruise line’s private island, Labadee, Haiti.
5. History Buffs
An intimate, slow-moving river-canal cruise via Avalon Waterways is a cozy alternative to a big ocean liner. Travelers will find whirlpools on deck, a well-stocked library, educational talks, and local entertainers who come on board to share their culture. Bonus: The newer ship offers all-suite rooms with floor-to-ceiling panoramic views; some have balconies as well. You’ll find this line is best for families with adult "kids" who can appreciate a modest-luxury experience.
Prime Ports: Traverse Europe’s calm, inland waterways inaccessible by other forms of transport, and explore the ancient cities, medieval castles, and churches in France, Germany, and Holland with ease.
6. Special-Needs Seniors or Children
Ships built in the last few years feature better-equipped cabins and facilities for the physically challenged. Holland America stands out, with staterooms outfitted with wide-entry doors and bathrooms with grab bars, benches, and hand-held shower nozzles in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. There are Braille dinner menus, and assisted devices in showrooms and theaters guarantee entertainment enjoyment for all. The line even offers wheelchairs and oxygen.
Prime Ports: No worries about being stuck on board while everyone catches the aloha spirit in Hawaii’s Hilo, Honolulu, and Lahaina ports. Holland America also has some lift-tender systems, so those in wheelchairs can get ashore without hassles.
7. Babies on Board
According to the Cruise Lines International Association, 25 percent of cruisers sail with young children. Naturally, a ship like the new Disney Dream takes good care of tiny tots at the It's a Small World Nursery, designed for kids aged 3 months to 3 years. While the little ones have story, game, and nap time with trained counselors, adults can steal away to the adults-only facilities.
Prime Ports: From Port Canaveral, you’ll take a trip to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
8. The Gourmands
Forget boring buffets — dine in style on the many specialty venues aboard the Celebrity Eclipse. Don’t miss the out-of-the-ordinary Qsine restaurant, where iPad touch-screen tablets are used to order wine, sushi lollipops, poached Tiger shrimp, and lobster-escargot fritters from the whimsical menu.
Prime Ports: Take a transatlantic sailing from Southampton, England; France; Spain; the Azores, and Miami.
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