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Choose the Cruise:
Choosing an itinerary is generally the most difficult decision. Prepare yourself
with the options available. The following is a list to get you started:
3/4 Day Cruises:
4/5 Day Cruises:
- Western Caribbean
- Bahamas
7/8 Day Cruises:
- Eastern Caribbean
- Western Caribbean
- Southern Caribbean
- Bermuda
- Mexico
- Alaska
10 Day + Cruises:
- Northern Europe
- Southern Europe/Mediterranean
- Panama Canal
- Hawaii
- South Pacific
- Orient & Far East
- South East Asia
- Africa
- Alaska
- Trans-atlantic
- World cruise
WHEN TO CRUISE WHERE:
Once you have made the decision to cruise, you must then find the perfect time to
take your cruise. Below you will find a general guide on when to cruise and where:
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January
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Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal, South America, Tahiti
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February |
Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal, South America, Tahiti
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March |
Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal, South America, Tahiti
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April |
Canada, Caribbean, Western Europe, Hawaii, Mediterranean, Mexico, New England, Panama
Canal, South America, Tahiti, Transatlantic
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May |
Canada, Caribbean, Western Europe, Hawaii, Mediterranean, Mexico, New England, Panama
Canal, South America, Transatlantic
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June |
Alaska, Hawaii, Northern Europe, Western Europe, Mediterranean, South America
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July |
Alaska, Hawaii, Northern Europe, Mediterranean
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August |
Alaska, Hawaii, Mediterranean
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September |
Africa, Australia, Canada, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mediterranean, Mexico, New England,
Panama Canal, Transatlantic
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October |
Africa, Australia, Canada, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mediterranean, Mexico, New England,
Panama Canal, Transatlantic
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November |
Africa, Australia, Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Tahiti
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December |
Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Tahiti
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ITINERARY INSIGHTS:
The itinerary may not be as important as the ship itself, however you need to be
familiar with where you are going. Some ships alternate itineraries, sailing the
Eastern Caribbean one week, and the Western Caribbean the following week. Other
important factors to consider when choosing your cruise itinerary are:
How long is the itinerary?
How many ports of call are on the itinerary?
How long is your ship at each port of call?
Are there a good variety of shore excursions available at each port?
Short Cruise Itineraries:
Many of those who are first time cruisers or those looking for a quick getaway will
select a 3 or 4 night cruise. These cruises operate from either Florida or California
and will call at a port or two in the Bahamas and Caribbean, or in Baja Mexico .
Ships leaving from Florida will often include a stop at the cruise line's private
island in the Bahamas.
Most Popular Cruise Itineraries:
If you are looking for a 7 night cruise, the Caribbean is the #1 cruise destination.
The Caribbean will offer 3 areas to choose from: Eastern Caribbean, Southern Caribbean,
and Western Caribbean. The Eastern Caribbean sailings depart from Florida. The Western
Caribbean sailings will depart from Florida, Louisiana, or Texas. The Southern Caribbean
sailings will depart from San Juan Puerto Rico.
Other Choices in Cruise Itineraries:
Alaska cruises are extremely popular and 7 night sailings run from May through September.
Sailings are offered north and southbound, alternating from Vancouver to Seward
as well as roundtrip inside passage sailings from Vancouver and Seattle.
Bermuda cruises are offered roundtrip from New York from May through
September. These 7 night itineraries offers up to 3 days docked in Bermuda.
Europe cruises offers a continental variety of 7, 10, 12 and 14
day sailings. Itineraries range from the Eastern Mediterranean including Greece
and Turkey to the Western Mediterranean including the French Riviera, Spain and
the Italian coast. Northern Europe itineraries include the Baltic and St. Petersburg.
Exotic cruises are generally 10, 12 and 14 day cruises that sail
to the South Pacific, Asia, the Orient, Hawaii, and Panama Canal. Other more exotic
itineraries include Antarctica, Costa Rica, Brazil and Madagascar, of which are
often part of the World Cruises.
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