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Big vs. Small? Adventure vs. Traditional? Sun Seeker vs. Culture Buff? These are just some of the questions people need to ask themselves before they embark on a cruise.

Unfortunately, people who are new to cruising may not know enough to make the right decision. And that means they could end up on a cruise that’s wrong for their lifestyle, budget and personality.

So what are some of the choices that potential cruisers should be thinking about before they sign up for a vacation at sea?

Big vs. Small: There are small ships than carry a few hundred people, and mega-ships that hold as many as 5,000 people. Bigger ships offer more amenities and facilities – they have larger swimming pools, more bars and lounges, bigger theatres, better spas and casinos, and more choices for dining, entertainment and sports. Smaller ships are more intimate, easier to get around, can visit more unusual ports, take less time to disembark and offer a more traditional cruising experience. At the end of the small spectrum, there are sail ships that provide a relaxed-style of cruise to out-of-the-way islands and ports. And there are barge and river cruises that take people through canals and meandering rivers in places like England, France, Holland, Germany, Egypt and North America.

New vs. Old: A lot of ships have been built in the last 8 years, so most of the tonnage out there is either very new or recently renovated. Newer ships tend to have larger public areas and more deck space, and lots of innovative features like surf rider pools and rock climbing walls, themed bars and restaurants, flat-screen TVs in the cabins, outdoor movie screens, solariums, and even croquet courts on real grass! However, the newest ships (built in the last 2 years) usually charge a higher per diem rate. Older ships usually have larger cabins, more character, nicer profiles, and more traditional appointments. Unfortunately, there aren’t many old ships left, and some of the remaining classics will be taken out of service next year when new Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations come into effect. But if older ships appeal to you, the best place to find one is with tour operators like Saga Cruises and Thomson, or with some of the European-based lines like Fred Olsen.

Upscale vs. Economy: A small number of cruise lines such as Crystal, Regent, Seabourn, SeaDream, and Silversea offer ultra-deluxe ships, exceptional itineraries, gourmet cuisine and top-flight service. The per diem cost of these cruise lines usually runs between US$250 to $500 per person (double occupancy) for the cheapest cabin, and much more for suites. If you stay at the Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton on land, these ships are for you. However, if you’re looking for something more reasonably priced, there are plenty of cruise lines such as Cunard, Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Holland America that offer cruises in the premium and deluxe categories. There are also several budget lines like NCL, MSC, Costa and Carnival. The per diem fares on these types of ships range between US$50 and $120 per person (double occupancy) for the cheapest cabins.  

Adventure vs. Traditional: Most cruise ships travel to traditional destinations that are well known and relatively easy to get to and enjoy. However, a handful of ships offer more destination-oriented cruises to places like Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, Melanesia, the Amazon River, the Easter Islands, the Faroe Islands, the Norwegian fjords, Iceland and the Arctic. These cruises usually offer excursions on small zodiac rubber inflatable boats, emphasize environmentally friendly approaches to travel, and teach passengers about the culture and history of the places they visit. Some of the better adventure cruise ships include several from Lindblad Expeditions, Silversea’s Prince Albert II, Celebrity’s Xpedition, Hapag-Lloyd’s Hanseatic and Swan Hellenic’s Minerva.

Sun Seekers vs. Culture buffs: Some people go on a cruise to lie by the pool or beach, enjoy the lush scenery and sunshine, do some shopping, gamble in the casino, enjoy the Vegas-style revues, and stay up late in the disco. Others select a cruise that will take them to historic places where they can spend their days visiting great monuments, touring wonderful museums, tasting local cuisine and experiencing the native culture. The sun seekers will probably enjoy the Caribbean, South Pacific or the Mexican Riviera, while the culture buffs will be happier in places like Europe, the Mediterranean, South America, and Asia.

If it’s beginning to sound like there are as many types of cruises as there are personalities, you’re getting the picture. But if you’re still not sure what type of cruise would best suit you, just visit the Tripharbour.ca or Tripharbor.com community page and take the “My Cruise Personality Type” quiz.  If you’re lucky like me, you’ll discover that you have multiple cruise personalities, which means you’ll be justified in taking multiple cruises each year for the rest of your life!

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