Tip #1 :: Choosing the perfect cruise line

The first of the Cruise Tips I have for you is in choosing a cruise line. Why? Because they all differ in personality. If you stop to consider what vibe suits you best you will be guaranteed a great time because it will fit your personality.

It has to be said that all of the cruise lines try and provide something to please everyone. But trust me when I tell you :: it is possible to wind up on a cruise ship with food that you’re not happy with, entertainment that doesn’t suit you and people with whom you have nothing in common. There’s nothing worse.

And that’s why my number one cruise tip is to choose your cruise line first. And I always advised that you do your research well in advance. I’ve taken four different cruise lines over the last 30+ years and these are the ones I am sharing with you ::

Carnival 

Known as the “Fun Ships” Carnival seems to be especially focused on pleasing the party-goers, singles and families with children and they make it more affordable so the cost fits into the budget of this demographic. And with the fun also comes a lot of noise. Yes, Carnival ships can get loud. But if you’re all about the fun, that will be perfect for you. They provide a party atmosphere out by the pool all day and night.

Carnival sails to :: Alaska, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, Transatlantic and Transpacific.

Carnival’s main dining room food quality is fine and it is all included in the price of your cruise so if you don’t like something you can always ask for something else. It’s a lot of fun when you go with a large group to dine together every night. And if you are traveling as a couple you can eat at your own table or ask to be seated with a larger group for dinner. It’s a great way to meet new people. But just remember you will be dining with these same people every night.

There are lots of other food venues on board that are included in the price of your cruise as well such as the ever popular Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint, 24-hour pizza on the Lido deck and many others. When we traveled with our family we spent a lot of time on the Lido deck because who doesn’t like fresh, homemade pizza? They provide lots of choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Royal Caribbean

The cost of an RCCL cruise won’t break your bank depending, of course, on what type of cabin you choose and if you opt out of the specialty dining venues they offer. Their large ships never seem crowded no matter where you go even though their largest ship accommodates 6600 passengers and 3000 crew members.

RCCL sails to :: Alaska, Arabian Gulf, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada/NE, Caribbean, Europe, Pacific Northwest, Panama, South Pacific, Transatlantic and Transpacific.

The entertainment on board is fabulous – their broadway productions are magnificent. The main dining room food quality is good. Their specialty dining restaurants are great.

Celebrity

Celebrity sails to :: Alaska, Asia, Australia/NZ, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Dubai, Europe, Galapagos, Hawaii, Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, Transatlantic and Transpacific.

With moderate cruise pricing they also offer good main dining room food quality. I would rate them a notch above Royal Caribbean for their food. And their itineraries are pretty spectacular.

They have a tendency to cater to the the older British crowd out of the UK (we left out of Southampton) where the entertainment is also focused on the Brits. That’s what we discovered at least. But it’s party time almost anywhere else.

We took Celebrity Equinox out of Istanbul when they still included that port. Since the US Embassy bombing in Ankara in 2003 cruise lines have removed Turkey from their itinerary altogether. But this was truly the best cruise I’ve ever taken. Istanbul to Barcelona and 12 stops in between. I would do it again in a heartbeat. And Celebrity was the perfect cruise line for it.

Norwegian

Norwegian sails to :: Africa, Alaska, Asia, Austrialia/NZ, Bahamas, Canada/NE, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Pacific Coast, Panama, South America and Transatlantic.

The Norwegian cabins have a tendency to be a bit smaller than the average cruise ship but you won’t be able to tell. We couldn’t. Their main dining room food quality is better than average as is their on board entertainment. They have really stepped up their game when it comes to on board entertainment. Their ship Norwegian Bliss even has a race track!

I loved cruising with Norwegian – we’ve taken the Escape and the Epic and they were both fabulous!

So there you have the run down on four of the top cruise lines IMHO and the ones I personally have experience with. I have enjoyed each one and they each have their strengths so it just depends on what you are looking for in a cruise. But wait, I have more cruise tips for you ::

Tip #2 :: Choosing the perfect ship

Choosing a ship is my next priority and one of the most important of my cruise tips for you. It’s probably because I’ve had so many to compare that I am more persnickety about the ship I want to take on my next cruise. Once you’ve sailed a few times you realize what you like and what you don’t like so my opinions come from my experience ::

SIZE / AGE

I have found that the size and age of the ship is the number one priority for me. Yes, destinations are important too but if the itinerary is great and the ship is old and doesn’t have all the amenities I like having then it makes for a dull time while at sea. The newer ships tend to be not only larger but also have better amenities onboard to make the cruise much more fun.

The smaller ships can get to places the larger ships can’t such as rivers and canals. But they are also not as stable as the larger ships so you will feel the movement of the waves a lot more. And I find that they also target an older crowd with less amenities than do the larger ships.

CLASS

The class of the ship also determines how much will be available to you while you are onboard. The higher the class the more expensive but also the more comfortable and luxurious your experience will be. Many times the class will also determine the ship’s age.

AMENITIES

Amenities are important if you are going to spend any time at sea at all. For instance, depending on the destination, on a 7-day cruise you could be spending half of the time at sea. And if your options only include a crowded pool outside or crowded restaurants inside you may not enjoy your cruise as much as a larger ship. Consider how much you would be willing to spend to upgrade your class of ship so that amenities are plenty.

Tip #3 :: Choosing the perfect itinerary

It almost isn’t as important to me to choose the specific itinerary because once you decide what kind of cruise you want there are so many different ports you have to choose from each hold something special and many different options. I’ve been to the same ports two or more times and I always find new places to explore so consider this as another one of my important cruise tips ::

DESTINATIONS

Whether you want to spend your port time in the water or on a beach or taking land excursions, choosing your destination is very important. Take time to explore all the different options, there are many!

TIME OF YEAR

Just as above and of course very important when considering a cruise, you will want to keep the time of year in mind. Before June and after September you can expect cooler weather and even some rain and the ocean water tends to be colder in places like Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. I don’t think a little rain is always a bad thing, especially in places like Pompeii or Athens where the heat can be overwhelming. But just consider that when choosing the time of year for your cruise.

PORTS

Consider the location you will be sailing out of. West Coast, East Coast or even a destination port. Because that can be really fun!

LENGTH OF CRUISE

Cruise length ranges anywhere from 3 days to 21 days on a regular cruise itinerary so one of my tips is to consider length. It all depends on where you want to go and what your budget is. Personally I have taken so many cruises that a 3-day cruise seems just too short. Sometimes even 7 days isn’t long enough for me anymore. My personal preference is a 14-day cruise or longer. And I love Europe and the Mediterranean so that time frame is perfect for those destinations.

Also consider how much time you prefer to be at sea as opposed to stopping at ports. There are lots of activities on board a larger ship in case you are spending several days at sea. But if you’re an adventurer you may opt for a cruise that includes several ports. There is no wrong or right. The choice is yours. But one of my tips for choosing a cruise is to consider how much time you want to be at sea.

EXCURSIONS

You can choose and reserve your cruise excursions when you are onboard your ship but one of my tips would be not to waste your precious vacation time doing this. There are always very long lines for Guest Services because other people haven’t planned ahead and booked online. I suggest you do all of your research prior to your cruise and book your excursions well ahead of time. You will have more choice before they are sold out and you can enjoy your cruise time doing fun things on board.

Another one of my tips is to spend time doing some research and trying to find reputable cruise excursions by companies who are not necessarily affiliated with your cruise line. Chances are your excursion will be cheaper and many times you can find a better choice for you and your friends/family. Make sure you do careful research on the company offering excursions. Although there are many reputable ones, there are also some that are not. Cruisecritic.com is a valuable forum resource where you can get others’ recommendations of excursions you are thinking of booking. My personal preference is finding local companies to those offered by the cruise line. It is their business to show you a great time and get you back to the ship in plenty of time. We have experienced some fantastic excursions by researching those with rave reviews and high ratings found on cruisecritic.com and tripadvisor.com.

Tip #4 :: Choosing the perfect cabin

When it comes to a cabin it really is a personal preference. When I cruise I like my cabin to feel like I’m at home so another one of my tips is to consider what kind of cabin you’d like. I prefer a higher middle deck and I prefer a balcony because of the views and the fresh sea air. But if you’re not picky and you want to keep your budget to a minimum you may opt for an inside cabin. Again, the choice is yours ::

LOCATION

The location of your cabin may be important to you if you have a tendency to have motion sickness. Low and middle is my recommendation if the “sway” of the ship will hinder your ability to have a good time and/or sleep.

If motion sickness is not a problem, consider the area of the ship you will be spending a lot of your time. Go online and check out the map of your ship. If you like to go to the pool, try and get a room nearer to that side of the ship so it will be easy and less time-consuming getting to and from your room. If you want a great view of the sunrise, sunset or land check out the route of the ship to see what side of the ship will give you the best views.

TYPE

There are several choices of cabins available depending on your budget and your preferences. Inside cabins are the cheapest rooms available but you will not have a view and they have a tendency to feel smaller and closed in without windows. The cabin choices go up from there all the way to outside and balconies and suites. Think about what’s important to you when traveling and make sure to choose something that will be comfortable for you. This is definitely one of my best cruise tips. Don’t just go for cheap :: the difference is only dollars so be sure you get what you will be comfortable in.

CLASS

There are also different classes of cabins, some that come with concierge and/or butler service. If that is important to you make sure to look into how much extra it will cost and if it makes sense for your budget.

Tip #5 :: Choosing the perfect embarkation location

I really enjoy taking my time and arriving at my cruise port at least a day early. Sometimes I even arrive 3-5 days early especially if it’s a location I’ve never been to before. And there’s also the option of lengthening your vacation by staying longer. One thing I’d love to do is take back-to-back cruises but I have yet to experience that so I can’t give you input on that. So here is what I recommend ::

CITY

When choosing a cruise take into consideration where you will be embarking. The port city may be near other things you are interesting in doing or seeing. Some cruises will embark in one city and disembark in another city. That might be an option. But be sure you check to see which itineraries offer what you prefer.

PROXIMITY

How far is your cruise port from where you live? Take into consideration the cost for your flights and/or other transportation you will need to pay for before even getting onto your cruise ship. And if you are driving make sure you check out where is the best place to park your car for the time you’re gone. They do have parking at the port but from what I hear it is much more expensive than the off-site parking lots, some of which provide shuttles to the port.

Tip #6 :: Planning fun before and after

Once you have chosen your cruise line, destination, ship, destination, cabin and embarkation point you can start researching and planning your time before and after your cruise. This is one of my favorite cruise tips! Take your time :: it’s your vacation so make it last as long as you can!

LODGING

It is good to stay in lodging that is in close proximity to the port, dining options and with other interesting places within a short drive or walking distance to enjoy. Whether you choose a hotel, resort or AirBnb is up to you. Many hotels offer shuttle service to the port or you can take an Uber if they don’t. If you’re near by it won’t cost much.

OUTINGS

Try to find some great things to do that are not far from your hotel. Having a pool at the hotel is always a great way to start relaxing. I chose an Escape Room for us to experience prior to our cruise out of Miami. It was a lot of fun. We also ate at some great restaurants nearby that feature Latin food to get us in the vacation mood.

When we traveled to Istanbul to start on our 14-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise we arrived 4 days early to explore Istanbul itself. And when we disembarked in Barcelona we spent several days there as well. It is so much fun to take advantage of the cities in which you’ve never been before. I mean, who knows if you’ll ever have the chance to return? May as well take advantage of being there if you have the time, right?

I hope some of my cruising tips will give you food for thought as you begin planning! I’m so excited for you because whether this is your first time or you’re a veteran cruiser, I know you will have an absolutely fabulous time!

Let me know if cruising is in your plans for the near future and if some of my tips have helped you to decide some of the details!

Bon Voyage!

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We received a suggestion on our daily itinerary that it would behoove us to wake up early to witness our entrance. OK. Not wanting to miss anything that’s exactly what I did. I woke up early and just as the sun was coming up I went on deck to see what all the fuss was about.

We entered the Bay of Kotor at sunrise. And then there it was :: the most glorious 60-minute entrance to a city I’ve ever experienced! Kotor itself is surrounded by high mountains and old fortifications :: breathtaking beauty to say the least! Throughout our entrance I found myself without words as the sun came up on the mountainous fjords and water surrounding us. Quiet majesty. What a wonderful surprise to find out that the Bay of Kotor is known as one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

We sailed by a manmade isle called Our Lady of the Rocks on our way into through the bay, jutting out majestically in the middle of the water, boasting a remarkable church which takes up the entire isle. This was definitely a first for me.

Once in Kotor we climbed the 1,355 steps along the ridges of the Castle of San Giovanni also known as St. John’s Fortress (7EU to scale the walls), opening up to unrivaled views over the Bay of Kotor. The castle itself wasn’t overly impressive but the vistas were absolutely breathtaking and absolutely worth taking the time to see.

Tips ::
1. Start early in the day, the sun will come up behind you
2. Bring plenty of water, you will need it, especially on a hot day
3. Be prepared to spend about 2 hours on your climb

Kotor’s main square has a selection of restaurants which give you a perfect view for taking in the beautiful views and architecture surrounding you. And it just so happens to be a great place for people watching. I sat for a while enjoying a refreshing drink (at much more reasonable pricing here than in Dubrovnik) under the shady awning of one such restaurant.

Then… I was blessed with yet another surprise :: I got to witness a Montenegrin wedding procession! The timing was perfect; it was really special to see.

This is Cathedral of Saint Tryphon which was consecrated in 1166 :: older than most, it holds a treasury of great value. This is also one of the largest and most ornate buildings in Kotor in Romanesque-style architecture.

St. Luke’s Church was constructed in 1195 as a Catholic church but it is told that from 1657 until 1812 Catholic and Orthodox altars stood side by side with each faith taking turns holding services here. It was then gifted to the Orthodox Church.

This is St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church of Kotor. It is said that this is the most import orthodox church in Kotor but I was unable to find any other information about it than that.

I’ll end my commentary here only to say that the atmospheric back-streets and cafes are truly something to behold. I found myself walking for several hours along these narrow paths and emotionally enveloped myself into the Montenegrin culture by taking in as many details as I possibly could. I’ll let you enjoy the remaining images of Kotor I captured ::

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I can’t decide if sailing into Kotor through the beautiful fjords was more captivating than the alluring ancient town itself. And although it is small Kotor really packs a punch with photographic opportunities around every corner.

And although Kotor is but a tiny coastal town, this city is no less than a walled jewel and truly left an impression on my soul. And come to find out Kotor is one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It all makes sense to me now.

I would highly recommend a stop in Kotor if you plan to be in or near the Adriatic Sea. You will thank me when you do.

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We traveled by train from the cruise port to Riomaggiore, the first and most southern of the Cinque Terre.

Riomaggiore

As we entered Riomaggiore we walked through a tunnel lined with hand-painted tile and artwork. It was really a beautiful way to enter the Five Villages for my first time. I’d seen pictures and was instantly drawn to Cinque Terre but in all fairness you have to physically visit it to experience the true magnitude of its beauty.

We spent most of our time wandering the streets of Riomaggiore. What a beautiful town, even in the rain.

We had originally planned to walk the trails from one town to the other however the paths were wet, unstable and partially closed due to the rains so we opted to take the train between towns. It was actually very easy to navigate, much easier than I had anticipated. And it probably was a better option, giving us time to wander without worrying about the time so much. By train it only took about 5 minutes before we arrived in Manarola.

Manarola

Another beautiful town I was instantly drawn to Manarola’s cliff walls that were naturally formed by the earth’s movement.

The rains trickled ever so gently along its walls and the greenery that sprouted out from between the rocks.

We ducked into a little place for a cup of strong Italian coffee before continuing on our journey.

Corniglia

Corniglia was the next town in Cinque Terre we hopped off the train to see. And such a cute town it was! Filled with adorable little shops and houses, and although the cloudy skies didn’t reveal all the beautiful colors as I’d seen in pictures it was so beautiful. Then for just a few seconds the sun peeked out to help me understand more clearly what a difference the sun makes to brighten up this little corner of the world. I wish I had captured that little bit of sun on film. But it just means that I’ll have to come back again.

Vernazza

Vernazza has to be my favorite of the five villages. With the cute fishing boats docked down below on the Ligurian Riviera it made the most picturesque view of the water. We walked and walked up and down the hills on little pathways between the houses not wanting to miss any little nook and cranny we passed. 

It was amazing to me that there were so many tourists here with us that day. Especially a large tour group with all of their camera equipment and selfie sticks, stopping to take pictures every step of the way, made it difficult to see clearly. It was then that we decided to duck inside the Gente di Mare with its beautiful pipe organ in the balcony above. And we took the steps down to the lower level to get back out to the street.

It was mid-morning so we stopped at this cute little Focacceria. All they sold was focaccia. And OMG can I just say that it was the best focaccia I’d ever had? That’s probably to be expected having tasted it in Italy for the first time. Seriously, it was indescribably delicious. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly soft on the inside and perfectly toasted on the outside.

I wish I would have recorded the girls behind the counter as they sung Italian songs while they worked. It was like out of a fairy tale movie. We ate our scrumptious focaccia on the steps outside and just listed to the music. Yes. We were in Italy and I was absorbing every scent, every sound. And no, I couldn’t wait to delve into this wonderful bread before capturing a picture of it! HA!

Monterossa al Mare

Our last stop and at the north-most end of Cinque Terre was Monterosso al Mare. This town was unique to the rest as it didn’t have that “small town” feel as the others did.

We didn’t let a little rain stop us from getting some gelato because, well, you have to have gelato when in Italy, right?

After a quick look around town we took out our tickets and headed back out to the train to La Spezia and onboard our ship.

As I said earlier, this was a great way to just see an overview of Cinque Terre but I am convinced we will be back to spend more quality time in this beautiful place.

I’d love to find the perfect time for a visit :: when the weather is beautiful but there are not so many tourists. Is there such a time? We will see. But regardless, I know I’ll be back because this has been one of my favorite cruise stops so far.

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