Seasons of Cruising

Enhance your cruise vacation by picking the perfect itinerary during the perfect season on the perfect cruise line. Kristie Cummins, our cruise expert, has put together some suggestions for a guaranteed fabulous cruise experience each season. 

Showering Spring

What better place to be in the Spring than on a Mediterranean cruise.   My favorite itinerary would be one that begins in Rome.  You definitely will want to arrive a few days early to recoup from your jet-lag and explore the history of Rome. Get yourself a private guide and spend a couple of days touring this amazing city.  One could spend a full day alone in the Vatican City. After Rome, transfer about an hour and half to Civitavecchia and board the world’s best small cruise ship, Seabourn Cruises.   This is a small luxury all-inclusive cruise line and happens to be my favorite.  You will be awe-struck when you enter your beautiful suite.  Get yourself a verandah to enjoy the views and deep blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.   A nice ending would be Monte Carlo and spend an extra night before you return to the US.  A top notch place to stay is the Hotel Metropole.  The grounds are absolutely stunning.  It’s a great way to end your European adventure.



Seabourn Mediterranean Cruise

Steaming Hot Summer

Regent Seven Seas

To escape those miserably hot summer days, the perfect place to be is in Alaska on a Princess Cruise.  You don’t want to miss the beautiful Princess Wilderness Lodges for your pre/post cruise land tours.  With many ships and itineraries offered, there will certainly be a fit for you.  I like to start in Vancouver and end in Anchorage with a few days at the lodges.  Check out Princess’s mini suite stateroom.  They are the most desired and perfect for families.  Balconies are a must for Alaska.  You can sip your hot coffee privately while the ship spins around watching the glaciers fall at Glacier Bay.  For those that demand the best look at Regent Seven Seas or Silversea Cruises. You will definitely be pampered by either of these luxury cruise lines.  Start booking now for next summer or you will miss out.  Alaska 2012 will be sold out before you know it!

Colorful Fall

Crystal Cruise

Let’s head to New England.  The foliage is vibrant with color.  Start in Canada and end in New York.  This way you can extend your stay in Manhattan and get some of your Christmas shopping finalized or visit the theaters near Times Square.  There are many great cruise lines that cruise the Fall Foliage itineraries.  If you are a couple and like to be treated like royalty, try Crystal Cruises or Silversea Cruises.  For those a little more cautious about spending their hard earned money, try sailing on Celebrity Cruises.  It’s a great cruise line that won’t break the bank.  Look for an itinerary that stops in Quebec City. It’s full of history, and with its crooked cobblestone streets and great dinning and shopping, definitely a favorite port of mine.   Visit the Fairmont Hotel at the top of the hill.  You will be taking pictures of it from your balcony as it towers over the little town.  It’s incredible.   

Chilly Winter

Escape the winter chill with year round guaranteed warmth on a Caribbean cruise.  There are so many great cruise lines that sail the Caribbean; it is hard to single out just one.  For those couples that are adventurous, look at Sea Dream.  It is a small luxury all-inclusive cruise line that is perfect for the active couple or a group of friends.  Try sleeping under the stars! It’s a special treat that only Sea Dream has to offer!  For the families traveling, look at the new Royal Caribbean ships, the Allure of the Seas or the Oasis of the Seas.  These ships are a guarantee to make the kids smile all day long.  There are so many activities like zip lining, wake surfing, and a hip and cool youth and teen center.  The kids will never be bored!  I recommend the Eastern Caribbean itineraries.   Visit the Virgin Islands and places like Virgin Gorda, St. Lucia and St. Barth’s are stunning. 

Virgin Gorda