Cruise ‘Round
SEVEN GREAT SPRING CRUISE ITINERARIES
SWith spring break on your mind, you may first imagine cruises to the Caribbean, but truth is there is a wide variety of voyages to embark on throughout the season. Some are more tropical aboard the newest ships and others are more remote or in colder temperatures to escape the heat. Let’s take a look at some of the best offerings.
CITIES OF ANTIQUITY & THE HOLY LAND VIKING OCEAN CRUISES
There may only be one departure scheduled in 2017 with availability that is becoming more limited, but if you can book the 15-day Cities of Antiquity & the Holy Land sailing with Viking Ocean Cruises, you will be in for a treat come March 11. The line’s newest ship, the Viking Star, will be headed from Rome to other ports in Italy and Greece in addition to the gems of Jerusalem and Haifa in Israel and Limassol, Cyprus. Religious travelers will surely appreciate the cultural encounters to be had ashore, with included tours no less.
SEATTLE YUKON+DENALI HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
In order to experience the most of Alaska, Holland America Line’s 12-day Seattle Yukon+Denali land and sea journey will be a great option. This instance will even board the premium brand’s second newest ship, the Nieuw Amsterdam. Besides calling on popular ports-of-call like Skagway and Ketchikan and visiting Glacier Bay via sea, the shoreside portion will feature Anchorage, Fairbanks, Dawson City, Whitehorse, and, of course, two days in Denali National Park. Transportation will also include the McKinley Explorer and White Pass & Yukon Route trains.
SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
For those seeking a warm-weather escape aboard one of the cruise industry’s latest ships, Carnival Cruise Line will be able to take you aboard the Carnival Vista for 8 days to the Southern Caribbean from Miami, Florida. Going a bit beyond the usual Eastern and Western Caribbean ports will be stops at Grand Turk before La Romana, Curacao, and Aruba. The longer-than-a-week cruise will also showcase three glorious days at sea for utter relaxation at the spa, fun in the IMAX Theatre or suspended cycling adventures along the SkyRide.
WESTERN CARIBBEAN ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
The Caribbean recently welcomed the largest cruise ship in the world with Royal Caribbean International’s Harmony of the Seas home-porting from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and you too will be able to enjoy the ship on an itinerary such as the line’s 7-night Western Caribbean route. Cozumel, Mexico and Falmouth Jamaica will be on the schedule but so will be the brand’s private resort at Labadee, Haiti. Plus, three sea days scattered in between will allow plenty of time to experience all the new ship has to offer, from the thrilling Ultimate Abyss slide to a live performance of “Grease.”
GALAPAGOS SILVERSEA EXPEDITIONS
For those truly looking to depart from the beaten path, an adventure cruise may be calling you in the form of Silversea Expeditions’ 7-day Galapagos itineraries. The Silver Galapagos will take guests to see all the unique islands are known for: the same sorts of sea lions, birds, tortoises and more that fascinated Charles Darwin. These journeys will take you, basking in luxury, to Ecuadorian treasures ranging
from Bartolome and Playa Espumilla to Wizard Hill and Los Gemelos.
CUBA CULTURAL VOYAGE PEARL SEAS CRUISES
If you’re looking to go to Cuba this spring, you’re in luck because no cruise line has yet been granted approval to sail there roundtrip from the United States beyond May 2017, until which time Pearl Seas Cruises is offering the most enticing 10-night itinerary from Florida. Not only will the intimate Pearl Mist make stops for Havana; Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba; it will also head out for Trinidad; Isla de la Juventud; El Cobre, Santiago and Parque Baconao, Santiago. This just may be the perfect time to book because it is not known for certain if permission will be given beyond.
NORTHERN & WESTERN AUSTRALIA PRINCESS CRUISES
For another journey much farther away, Princess Cruises will deploy its Dawn Princess down under for its Northern & Western Australia Explorer voyage. The extensive 17-day bicoastal voyage will showcase a wide swatch of island ports in addition to a bonus stop at Alotau, Papua New Guinea. Australian highlights between Sydney and Fremantle will be Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Broome and Geraldton, plus scenic cruising of the Kimberley Coast.
One note: this is for guests who appreciate sea days because nine are included.