Would you consider yourself to be an expert cruiser? Or just someone who knows a thing or two about cruise destinations around the world? From what you can take on a cruise ship to the most popular shore excursions, put your knowledge to the test and find out if your cruising wisdom spans the high seas or is just a drop in the ocean.
Cruise quiz: Test your knowledge
What is the most popular type of cruise?
Whether you’re looking for family-friendly cruises or prefer to set off on a solo cruise, one thing’s for sure, cruising options have never been more varied. But with choices to suit all, what is the most popular type of cruise? Our Inaugural Cruise Survey 2018 revealed that ocean cruises are the most popular type of cruise (taking up 48% of the vote) and it’s easy to see why.
Travellers can enjoy a wealth of dining and entertainment facilities onboard cruise ships, docking in a variety of ports all over the world. The destinations on an ocean cruise are often exotic and highly sought-after by many lovers of travel, hence their unrivalled popularity.
What is the most popular cruise destination?
The world really is your oyster when it comes to cruising. From discovering sleepy towns and villages in the Nordic countries to hiking in lush African rainforests, cruising can take you anywhere. We asked respondents in our Inaugural Cruise Survey 2018 what their favourite cruise destination was and the Caribbean came out on top (31%). With glorious white sand beaches, an exquisite history, lush rainforests and a vibrant culture that is adored the world over, are we really surprised?
Which of these cruise ports are the busiest in the world?
From bustling cities such as Singapore to popular sun destinations such as the Caribbean, you’d think locations such as these would have the busiest ports in the world, right? Wrong! Port Miami is actually the busiest port in the world, welcoming over 4.5 million passengers every year onto its shores. A young and lively city full of art deco architecture and an abundance of stunning natural beauty, we’re not surprised Miami tops the list.
Which of these items is prohibited on a cruise ship?
Did this question catch you out? There are a surprising number of things you can take on a cruise ship, while there are also a number of baffling items that you can’t. Although you are allowed to take small scissors, beach chairs and watercolour paints, you’re not allowed to take pool inflatables, Samsung Note 7s, surfboards, candles, drones and more.
On which continent would you find Port Lockroy?
Although one of the lesser-known ports in the world, Port Lockroy is home to a British historic base on Goudier Island off the Antarctica Peninsula. For over 100 years, the natural harbour has welcomed explorers, whalers, scientists and sailors onto land, with the site being a designated Historic Site or Monument (HSM 61) and home to the most southerly operational post office in the world.
Today, the port is run by the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT) and managed by four volunteers who are chosen every year to look after the port’s museum, gift shop and tourism mail during the cruising season.
In which of these countries are you likely to see a Barbary macaque?
Although Barbary macaques are commonly found in Algeria and Morocco, this mischievous monkey has a small population of around 230 in Gibraltar, but how they got there is still uncertain to this day.
Hannah from That Adventurer told us, “The Barbary macaques were so fun to see. I hadn’t realised before travelling to Gibraltar that they lived there so it was a bit of a surprise to see them. I remember taking a photo of one of the monkeys and then all of a sudden feeling something heavy land on me. It took me a while to realise that another macaque had landed right on my head!”
What is the most popular excursion in Belize?
Although snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef and hiking through the jungle are great ways to discover Belize, one of the best ways to explore its natural wonders is through its caves on a unique cave tubing excursion.
Traveling Mel told us about her experience, “Cave tubing is simply riding an inflatable rubber ring through a cave. In Belize, it is guided and well-managed in order to take care of its natural and cultural resources. The caves are seen by the Maya peoples as an entrance to the underworld - they even made sacrifices in them. So, in addition to beautiful stalactites and eerie water, there are remains of the dead.
“The tubing adventure is both relaxing and entertaining. The kids and the adults in our family had a great time and it was fun seeing so many people of different ages floating through the jungle.”
Which big cat are you most likely to see on an Indian safari?
Although home to various big cat species of lions and leopards, one of the most common big cats you’ll find roaming freely around India’s parks are tigers. With roughly 40 tiger reserves across India, there is a host of tiger-watching cruises and excursions available that are sure to offer a wild safari experience you’ll never forget.
When is the best time of year to see the northern lights?
The northern lights are one of the world’s most magical natural phenomena. This stunning natural display of colours lighting up the night sky is something truly out of this world and can be viewed in various countries across the globe in the northern polar region. Although the northern lights occur year-round, they are invisible to the naked eye during the summer months. With that said, the best time of year to see the northern lights is during the dark, winter months during a winter cruise - although there is no guarantee you’ll be treated to a light show due to their unpredictability!
Silvia from Heart My Backpack told us, “The wonderful thing about the northern lights is that they’re different each and every time you see them. Sometimes they’ll appear for only a minute, while other times they’ll glow strongly all night. And the way they twirl and dance through the sky is always so magical. Even though I often see them several times a week during the winter where I live in Northern Norway, I think they’ll always take my breath away.”
In which country would you be able to visit the Chacchoben ruins?
Chacchoben is a famous ruin in Costa Maya, with a fascinating history and a unique tale of discovery to boot. In 1942, a local Mayan man, Serviliano Cohuo, found the mysterious, overgrown sites in Costa Maya and decided to settle his family there, getting married and building a house nearby with his children having the ruins as their playground. In the 1970s, a family hosted an archaeologist who conducted the first official exploration and mapping of the site before reporting his findings to the Mexican government.
When Cohuo passed away in the early 90s, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) began a restoration project and the site was officially excavated. It was then that the secrets of Chacchoben began unravelling and its remarkable history was finally uncovered. Archaeologists were shocked to learn that the ruins were over 3,000 years old, dating back as far as 1000 BC. It’s believed that the site had been occupied on and off until it was finally abandoned in 1000 AD before being found some 900 years later by Cohuo.
Today, the Chacchoben Ruins are explored by a wealth of tourists day in and day out, offering a unique setting for exploring Costa Maya’s stunning wildlife, landscapes and unique cultural heritage.
