Did you know that the world’s first cruise ship was Prinzessin Victoria Luise? She was built for Hamburg America Line, launched on the 29th of June 1900 and was a luxury vessel with 120 cabins catering for rich Europeans and Americans. Her maiden 58-day voyage took her from Germany to the Mediterranean and then east to the Orient with excursions to ports of call along the route. The trip was a success and set in motion the wonderful world of cruising that we know today.
And what a world it is! There’s now such a huge variety of different types of cruises the most difficult part is actually choosing which one is most suitable for you. ROL Cruise has helpfully broken down its range of cruises into different types to help you make that choice. In this two-part blog, I’m going to explore the different categories and will then go into greater detail on each.
Different types of cruises
Activity cruises
Activity cruises ensure that you stay as fit as a proverbial fiddle when onboard. Many ships are kitted out with state-of-the-art gyms and indoor and outdoor swimming pools, have running tracks and feature other activities such as basketball courts, yoga and spas - some even have skydiving simulators! You’ll come back trimmer than before you went away.
Adventure cruises
On an adventure cruise, you’ll be visiting destinations where you can partake in all manner of adrenaline-inducing deeds such as diving with sharks, zip lining and Zodiac speedboat touring. You could find yourself hiking in a national park surrounded by verdant undergrowth and towering trees or climbing to the top of a volcanic peak. And for those who would like to witness the world’s most amazing sights, expedition cruises have such delights as seeing a full solar eclipse and experiencing the wonderment that is the northern lights.
Shopping cruises
If that all sounds a little too wild, then how about a shopping cruise for some gentle retail therapy? Not only are cruise ships floating emporiums with boutiques selling a wide range of clothes and luxury goods at duty-free prices, but you’ll also be visiting vibrant cities throughout your holiday with everything any ardent shopaholic could desire.
Cruise and stay
A trip from the cruise and stay collection gives you the best of both worlds, whether you’re at sea or not, because you can choose from a stunning array of luxury hotels when ashore. Whether you’re looking for something quiet and intimate or you fancy a few nights in a famous hotel then there’s guaranteed to be something there for you. Or, if you’d prefer to stay in opulent surroundings whilst still on the move, then cruise and rail could be for you. Climb aboard The Venice-Simplon Orient Express or venture into the Canadian frontier on Rocky Mountaineer to add some locomotive adventure to your holiday.
Scenery and wildlife cruises
For lovers of the animal world, check out scenery and wildlife cruises for excursions into some of the most biodiverse, remote and beautiful landscapes on earth. The desolate splendour of Antarctica, the exotic Galápagos Islands that enchanted Charles Darwin and the underwater majesty of the Great Barrier Reef all feature. Whilst river cruises will give you the opportunity to sail along mighty waterways in Asia like the Mekong and Yangtze, or the wonderfully picturesque Rhine and Douro in Europe.
Whether you’re new to cruising, an occasional cruiser or an experienced cruiser, there’s an enormous range of activities, destinations and experiences on offer that you’re guaranteed to be beguiled and stimulated on your trip. That’s because ROL Cruise prides itself on being able to tailor your holiday to your individual requirements regardless of how much time you’ve previously spent at sea.
Read next: Part 2: What type of cruiser are you?
