Expedition Ships

July 21, 2009

Tagged as: Choosing, Expedition Ships, Types Of Ships

Vessels of this type are designed to reach into the most remote corners of the world. Shallow drafts allow them to navigate up rivers, close to coastlines, and into shallow coves. Hulls may be hardened for sailing in Antarctic ice. Motorized rubber landing craft known as Zodiacs, kept on board, make it possible for passengers [...]

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Motor-Sail Vessels

July 20, 2009

Tagged as: Choosing, Motor-Sail Vessels, Types Of Ships

A number of cruise vessels were designed as sailing ships. With their sails unfurled, they are an impressive sight. But since they must keep to a schedule, they cannot rely solely on wind power. So all are equipped with engines as well. Usually they employ both means of propulsion, a technique known as motor sailing, [...]

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Riverboats

July 18, 2009

Tagged as: Choosing, Riverboats, Types Of Ships

Most riverboats sailing in today’s cruise fleet are replicas of those that sailed the nation’s rivers in the 19th century. The feeling is definitely Victorian: Parlors are furnished with Tiffany lamps and leather wing chairs, and rocking chairs line the outer decks. Smaller riverboats offer just a lounge or two and a dining room. Bigger [...]

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Coastal Cruisers

July 16, 2009

Tagged as: Choosing, Coastal Cruisers, Types Of Ships

Closely related to the riverboat is its modern-day equivalent, the coastal cruiser. Designed more for exploring than entertaining, these yachtlike ships are able to sail to remote waterways and ports. Some have forward gangways for bow landings or carry a fleet of Zodiac landing craft. Unlike larger expedition ships, they do not have ice-hardened hulls. [...]

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The Cruise Experience

July 15, 2009

Tagged as: Choosing, The Cruise Experience

Your cruise experience will be shaped by several factors, and to determine whether a particular ship’s style will suit you, you need to do a bit of research. Is a full program of organized activities scheduled by day? What happens in the evening? Are there one or two seatings in the dining room? If there [...]

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Formal

July 15, 2009

Tagged as: Choosing, Formal, The Cruise Experience

Formal cruises embody the ceremony of cruising. Generally available on ocean liners and cruise yachts sailing for seven days or longer, formal cruises recall the days when traveling by ship was an event in itself. Meals in the dining room are served in a single seating, and passengers enjoy the finest cuisine afloat. For formal [...]

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Semiformal

July 15, 2009

Tagged as: Choosing, Semiformal, The Cruise Experience

Formal cruises embody the ceremony of cruising. Generally available on ocean liners and cruise yachts sailing for seven days or longer, formal cruises recall the days when traveling by ship was an event in itself. Meals in the dining room are served in a single seating, and passengers enjoy the finest cuisine afloat. For formal [...]

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Casual

July 15, 2009

Tagged as: Casual, Choosing, The Cruise Experience

Casual cruises are the most popular. Shipboard dress and lifestyle are informal. Meals in the dining room are served in two seatings on ocean liners and one seating on specialty ships; menus are usually not extensive, and the food is good but not extraordinary; your options may be limited if you have special dietary requirements. [...]

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Theme Cruises

July 15, 2009

Tagged as: Choosing, The Cruise Experience, Theme Cruises

These popular sailings highlight a particular activity or topic and tend to emphasize wining and dining. Onboard lectures and other events are coordinated with shoreside excursions. There are photography cruises, square-dancing cruises, sports cruises, financial-planning cruises, and wine-tasting cruises. The most popular destinations for theme cruises are Europe and the Caribbean. To find out about [...]

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How Long to Sail

July 15, 2009

Tagged as: Choosing, How Long to Sail

After you choose the type of ship and cruise experience you prefer, you must decide on how long to sail: Do you want a two-day cruise to nowhere or a 100-day journey around the world? Two key factors to consider are cost and your accumulated cruising experience—it probably is not a good idea to circumnavigate [...]

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