Traveling to a destination is one of the best parts of vacationing. While some venture on a road trip or simply take the next flight, others prefer voyaging the seas. With onboard entertainment, luxurious rooms, and breathtaking sea view, traveling to your destination on a cruise can be an exceptional experience. And this experience magnifies when you are traveling to the Arctic. So, here are some of the best luxury cruises to the Arctic.
Explore the Polar Region in style
Quark Expedition brings to you adventurous yet a luxurious cruise to the Arctic. Their newest polar-class ship – Ultramrine can board two helicopters and 20 quick deploy Zodiacs for a closer interaction with the Arctic fauna. It also has a spacious viewing deck to witness the intriguing midnight sun. The cruise is a round trip from Longyearbyen to the Arctic circle.
Adrenalin-filled Arctic Expedition
Lindblad Expeditions is offering an unmatched experience to its customers on a six-to-26-day excursion to the Arctic. The thrilling zodiac rides gives you an opportunity to become an adept photographer to catch a glimpse of the polar bears, multitudes of penguins, seals, and whales surfacing the blue waters. You can also mingle with Svalbard’s local community and experience their rich culture. The luxury cruise offers 24-hour beverages, meals on land, and even an onboard fitness center.
Unparalleled Scandinavian Excursions
Explore Scandinavian regions with Viking Ocean Cruises. The luxury polar cruise to the Arctic takes you to the most picturesque locations around Scandinavia and historic sites in the Baltic Sea and the majestic Fjords along the breathtaking Norwegian coasts. Travel back in time as the cruise also lets you explore the medieval old town of Talllinn. The luxury cruise has a spacious veranda and offers complimentary wine and beer onboard with lunch and dinner. Their Culture Curriculum® offers interactive sessions like TED Talks, Met Under the Stars, Munch Moments, and classical music performances.
Witness Abundant Wildlife and Dramatic Landscapes
Silversea Cruises Arctic expeditions lets you explore the beautiful landscapes and its fauna under the luminous midnight sun. Experience the Viking era through Iceland and Greenland excursions and witness the majestic polar bears of the Svalbard region. Zodiacs will let you hike the icebergs of the Tundra region. The length of the itinerary ranges from six to 42 days.
Cruises are one of the most luxurious ways to embark on a vacation trip. You get to stay on board surrounded by amenities and services while also experiencing various places and their cultures. Luxury cruises to the Arctic are one of the best options to embark on a long journey. However, one needs to avoid certain “don’ts” while on a luxury cruise. Some of them include the following:
Teeth whitening
One of the many benefits of being aboard a luxury cruise to the Arctic is that you can take advantage of numerous spas and other personal grooming activities. One of those services provided is a teeth whitening treatment. You might even be able to seal a deal at a cheaper rate than usual, and the service will surely meet the cruise and personal standards. That said, the post-treatment can pose a problem. The treatment will possibly leave you with sore gums, making you incapable of enjoying any activity on board.
Hoarding food
Cruises have a buffet menu, and you are free to choose whatever you want. In fact, some even offer a 24X7 buffet, making sure you do not have to compromise on sleep or other activities. That said, people often tend to pile mountains of food on their plates, eventually wasting it. Instead of overindulging yourself and inviting stomach ache, you can try different dishes every day. You can even skip the buffet once in a while and try out different cafes and restaurants onboard.
Unnecessary reservation of things
Another thing commonly hoarded on luxury polar cruises to the Arctic is sunbed or deck chairs. If you “reserve” sunbeds for your family or friends and wait for them to come, you rob someone else of their time in the sun. It also extends to people planting themselves on the sunbed for the day. You can instead divide your time among other activities in combination with sunbathing.
Overpacking
People often tend to go overboard while packing for vacations. The same can be a possibility while packing for a luxury cruise to the Arctic. Don’t forget to pack your essentials that might help you withstand the weather change without having to curl up in your room. But, at the same time, remember that there are laundry services available onboard, and you don’t have to weigh yourself down with loads of luggage.
Being rude
Above all else, maintain a courteous attitude with the staff. Do not use them as an outlet for your frustrations. Be on your best behavior at all times. This will help you leave the cruise with a lifetime of memories.
If you’re planning a vacation, check out cruises from renowned cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and Viking Cruises. These cruise lines have a fleet of luxurious ships sailing to some of the most exciting destinations, from the Caribbean and Mediterranean to Alaska, Iceland, and New Zealand. En route to your destination, you can enjoy onboard entertainment, various cuisines, and shore excursions. These cruise lines frequently offer booking discounts and onboard credits as well, so watch out for those.
You can also check out Hurtigruten, American Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Oceania Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. These lines sail to sought-after locations like the Bahamas, Alaska, and Antarctica.
If you want to explore the Norwegian and Scandinavian lands resplendent with castles, palaces, and breathtaking coastlines, you can look for special discounts and deals on 2023 Scandinavian and Norway ocean cruises. Norway ocean cruise tours incorporate several stunning tourist destinations, such as North Cape and Lofoten islands, and offer the best amenities for a luxurious and unforgettable cruise experience.
Seniors who like going on luxury vacations every now and then probably want nothing more than a cruise trip on their bucket list. Fortunately, many cruise lines cater to senior citizens, offering everything from discounts and offers to wheelchair-accessible rooms. These cruises sail to distant and serene places, be it Alaska, the Caribbean, or a quaint town in Europe. On that note, here are some of the best cruise lines for seniors to check out.
Princess Cruises
This is one of the best cruise lines for seniors. Their ships are wheelchair accessible, making it easier for all passengers to enjoy their trip. Though Princess Cruises sail to many destinations around the world, they are particularly known for their Alaskan cruises, which makes them a great choice for those specifically looking to explore Alaska. They even offer cruise tours that include extended land excursions.
Azamara Club Cruise
If you prefer to stay for a long time in port during cruise trips, consider Azamara Cruises. Almost all their itineraries have long port stays. They even have medical facilities and onboard physicians. Azamara Cruises sail to beautiful places, such as the Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International cruises stand out for many reasons. Their fleet includes everything from middle-aged vessels to state-of-the-art cruise ships. They also have a wide variety of entertainment and activities on board. Plus, they offer reduced prices for seniors on select sailings. Some spectacular Royal Caribbean ships to check out include Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruise ships are designed keeping in mind the requirements of seniors and those with physical disabilities. Many of their ships’ staterooms can be easily accessed by people with disabilities. Their ship also includes an array of amenities, world-class dining options, and tons of entertainment. Celebrity Cruises sails to over 300 destinations worldwide, which means that there are plenty of options to choose from.
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises is a go-to choice for many seniors looking for ultra-luxury ships. The cruise line is known for its all-inclusive services, including door-to-door transfers (from home to ship and back again). To further make the cruising experience comfortable, they offer butler service, complimentary beverages, gourmet dining, and personalized services onboard. Silversea Cruises sail to more than 900 destinations across all continents.
Cruises are popular these days. They allow you to sit back and relax while exploring the oceans and visiting new destinations. But, most cruise trips turn out to be very expensive. These high costs can be attributed to high cruise fares, onboard and port spending, and even travel. But, what if we tell you that there are affordable cruise lines that do not break the bank? Read on to find out more.
Carnival Cruise Line
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly affordable cruise line, this one fits the bill. The Carnival Cruise Line was founded in 1971. The popular cruise line offers cruises to almost 425 locations, including the Caribbean, The Bahamas, Europe, Canada, Hawaii, Australia, and even the Panama Canal. The best part about the Carnival Cruise Line is its offerings. Living on one of their ships is like attending a huge Carnival out at sea. What sweetens this deal is the fact that the 24 ships of this cruise line are as affordable as $229 per night for one person. Carnival Cruises are more family-oriented, and they ensure that they provide the best entertainment for all age groups.
Princess Cruises
And much like its parent company Carnival, Princess Cruises provides the best cruise experience at minimal costs. The 14-ship cruise line has itineraries to multiple destinations, including Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, and even Europe. Their cruise trips can range anywhere between one day to 72 days, and they also offer travelers the option to explore the end destinations. While onboard, the cruise line provides travelers with multiple onboard activities, poolside screenings, magic shows, and even a stage show of the popular “The Voice of the Ocean.” Princess Cruises are exclusively for 18 and older individuals.
Norwegian Cruises
If you’re looking for a fun yet relaxing cruise experience, this one is for you. Norwegian Cruises is the best choice when it comes to traveling with a family on a budget. They also are very relaxed with their rules. They do not have a dress code and pretty much follow a “you do you” rule. The 17-ship cruise line offers journeys from 3 days to 21 days for destinations such as Alsaka, Cube, and even Hawaii. The best part is that you need only $50 to reserve your booking early on.
Scenic Cruises
If you’re looking for a luxurious cruise at an affordable price, you can try Scenic cruises. The cruise line offers all-inclusive packages on Ocean and River cruises. They also provide land journeys at discounted rates. One of the most popular ships of the Scenic Cruise fleet is the Scenic Eclipse Cruise Ship. The Scenic Eclipse is the World’s First Discovery Yacht. It has almost 114 suites and 176 crewmates. And offers a top-notch spa service, water sports, and a yacht club.
Aside from family and adult-only cruise trips, individuals can also look for senior cruises that cater to their programs for senior citizens. Don’t forget to compare senior cruises, to find the deals and programs that are best suited for you.
If you’re newly married, you may want a drink or two daily throughout your stay. However, purchasing à la carte drinks can cost a lot. So, to save money, look for honeymoon cruise packages with drinks included. For instance, Carnival Cruise Line offers a drinks package starting at $51.95 per person per day. Similarly, the other cruises listed above have some pretty attractive deals on food and drinks.
There’s hardly anything more fun than traveling and exploring new places. The excitement of creating an itinerary and the thrill of being on the road is unmatched, but it’s so much better if the “getaway” is well in your budget. Accommodation is an important factor that determines your overall travel expenses, so deals on that front can help you save big. Here are some of the best hotel booking websites to help you compare deals and plan a budget-friendly trip:
Priceline
Priceline may come across as your regular hotel booking website, but it offers some outstanding features. For instance, it offers amazing discounts through its Express Deals® feature and free cancelation on most hotels to ensure flexibility. Additionally, Priceline offers a generous best-price guarantee and assures a 100% refund of the price difference if you find a lower price within 24 hours of booking. That’s not all! They offer a 200% refund of the price difference if you find a better price on an Express Deal®.
Kayak
Kayak is one of the top hotel booking sites for comparing deals and is known for its filtering options and map feature. Just click on your destination on the map, and Kayak will give you all the information you need, including stay options. Clicking on any option will display the booking prices from several websites. A unique feature of this website is that it allows split booking, wherein you can save more by partly booking your stay from one website and using another site to book the other part of your stay.
Hotels.com
This is another top entrant on the list of the best websites to find deals on hotel bookings and is known for its ease of use. In addition to deals and free cancelation on most hotels, Hotels.com offers excellent discounts on flight bookings. The rewards program that offers one free night on a 10-night stay is one of its notable features.
Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor is the place to go if you want to check out genuine customer reviews before making a booking. The website lists travelers’ experiences with the stays, helping you pick the best deals on hotel bookings. Simply enter your destination, and Tripadvisor will list the hotels and other stay options ranked according to amenities, deals, and customer reviews. Being an aggregator, Tripadvisor allows you to compare the prices offered by multiple hotel booking sites.
The country is a traveler’s delight as there is a lot that you can see and explore, but before you head out for your next trip, you must make a list of the hotels that you would like to stay in while you travel across the country. Here is a list of best hotels to check out in the country for a luxurious yet affordable stay on your next vacation:
Indeed, booking hotels has become easier than ever. But there’s no denying that the sheer number of booking platforms and offers can overwhelm most travelers. Typically, the best hotel booking sites feature great deals, scores of room options in any given location and allow you to filter your search results based on your preferences.
We’ve listed some excellent hotel booking websites that can help you get a great room at an affordable price.
Booking.com
This is one of the most popular and reliable hotel booking websites. No matter where you are traveling and what time of the year, you can easily find amazing deals on a wide variety of hotels, apartments, and hostels on the platform. Another advantage is that the website is easy to navigate, filters search results accurately, and the search engine displays total upfront cost (pretax), allowing you to determine what fits into your budget quickly.
HotelsCombined
HotelsCombined is a top-rated metasearch engine or aggregator, meaning it shows you the best results after comparing listings from hundreds of travel sites in seconds, including top online travel agencies like Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Agoda, and many more. It’s a great platform if you’re looking for something at the lowest possible price. HotelsCombined even refunds you the difference if you find a hotel listed cheaper elsewhere after booking with them.
Kayak
If you’ve booked a flight ticket before, you’re already familiar with Kayak’s interface. It’s uncluttered, easy to use, and has many filters that can help specifically look for something you want. Being an aggregator, you can easily find a wide range of hotels and other types of accommodation at amazing prices on Kayak.
TripAdvisor
Here’s another popular metasearch engine that you must check out. TripAdvisor has a reputation for curating some of the best hotel deals from an array of sites, including top ones. It allows you to sort results by Best Value, Traveler Ranked, and Price. Since it is also a famous review website, you can quickly read about the experiences of other travelers to ascertain whether the accommodation you like is worth it.
Agoda
If you’re looking for the best and cheapest accommodations anywhere in Asia, Agoda is the go-to website. It offers unrivaled deals and shows the most eclectic results across any Asian city. That said, it features good deals on hotels in US cities too. Plus, its range of filter options ensures you quickly get a hotel or other accommodation in the location you prefer and within your budget.
If you are planning to go on a long vacation and would love to relax on a deck overlooking a river, then river cruises are for you. From the mighty Mississippi to the scenic Columbia, you can unwind with comfort and luxury on the country’s many rivers. Here are some of the best river cruises of 2022 that will help you make a memorable trip.
America’s Great River by Viking Cruises
One of the best river cruises of 2022, Viking Cruise offers a unique opportunity to discover American folk music and learn more about the country’s civil rights movement. This 15-day river cruise spans the Mississippi River, letting you explore historic and beautiful cities such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Vicksburg, Memphis, and many more. The cruise originates from Louisiana and takes a scenic route up till Minnesota. On this cruise, you can enjoy views of the scenic coastline on the full 360-degree deck and treat yourself to a variety of cuisines.
Nashville to Chattanooga (or Reverse) by American Queen Steamboat Company
This is a nine-day river cruise that spans the scenic Columbia River. The cruise offers unlimited shore excursions beginning with a hotel stay at Chattanooga, Tennessee. The ship cruises along small river towns and lush landscapes. It lets you explore stories of the Civil War at Decatur and unwind to some R&B music in Florence. While on deck, the cruise offers world-class wines, locally brewed craft beers, and specialty coffees. The cruise also has a dedicated fleet of deluxe motorcoaches.
Hudson River Cruise by American Cruise Lines
This company offers cruises that last more than a week, and they include a wide variety of destinations. For instance, the Hudson river cruise lasts for seven days and eight nights, and takes a mesmerizing route along the Hudson river, which is surrounded by the Catskill, Taconic, and Berkshire mountains. The cruise includes a trip to the West Point Military Academy and Vanderbilt Mansion, among other sites. Onboard experiences include daily cocktail hour and drinks with meals. Through this cruise, you can get exciting insights into many aspects of American history, ecology, and culture. American Cruise Lines also offers exquisite cuisines from highly trained chefs.