Cruise into Honeymoon Fun
by Paris Permenter and John Bigley

The ship gives its unmistakable call, a loud burst of horns to signal that the voyage has definitely begun. Another cruise is underway.

Whether you'd like to set sail to romance and adventure, learn about a foreign culture and exotic wildlife, or just spend a few days relaxing in luxury, you'll find that there's a cruise for you. Cruises vary from mega-ships with Vegas-style showrooms and shopping arcades to small ships with the intimate atmosphere of a floating bed and breakfast. It's smooth sailing ahead when you can select the right cruise for your personality, interests, and budget.

This cruise ship variety is encouraging more and more people to sample cruising for the first time. According to the International Council of Cruise Lines, every year 40% of cruisers are first-timers. And while the average passenger is age 50, 30% of all cruisers are age 39 or younger.

PORTS OF CALL

What's your idea of a romantic port of call? The white sands of a Caribbean beach? A Mediterranean island steeped with history and culture? An Alaska wilderness where you might spot moose or elk? A South Pacific hideaway?

The choice is yours. Over 1,800 ports of call are served by ships around the globe, destinations where you can plan as much--or as little--activity as you choose.

During the winter months, the Caribbean represents a top cruising destination. Mega-ships ply the waters of the region stopping at bustling ports of call such as St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, Sint Maarten, Aruba, Grand Cayman, and the Bahamas. Many of these ships also plan a day's visit to an undeveloped cay for sun, sand, and surf.

Mexico also ranks as a top winter destination. Cruises such as Royal Olympic Cruises visit the Mayan Riviera, Costa Rica, and other Caribbean coast destinations while, on the east coast, ports such as Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta draw cruisers.

As the weather warms, many Caribbean cruise lines set sail for Alaska for a season of wildlife watching. Onboard naturalists help passengers spot and identify birdlife, whales, and geological features.

Europe and Asia are other options. Summer cruises visit Mediterranean ports of call such as Sorrento and Monte Carlo; the warm waters of Asia and the South Pacific draw year-around visitors to sunny destinations such as Malaysia's island of Penang or exotic Tahiti.

Or are you eager to be a "Survivor," but in style? The remote Marquesas are now a destination for cruise travelers. "These are the enchanting and romantic islands that inspired and captivated Paul Gauguin, Herman Melville, Jack London, Robert Lewis Stevenson, Thor Heyerdahl and countless others," points out Jules Wong, marketing director for the Aranui freighter cruises. Freighter cruises offer passengers the chance to cruise in luxury on journeys longer than those of typical cruises, stopping at ports of call along the way to unload cargo.

BIG OR SMALL?

Today's mega-ships offer fun around the clock. Worried about getting bored during a day at sea? Some ships offer activities such as rock climbing walls and in-line skating rinks. Others pamper guests with full-service spas or tempt travelers with casinos. Some offer a multitude of restaurants with reservation seating just like you'd find in a luxury resort.

For other travelers, cruising means small ships. Small ship cruising is fast growing as an option for those travelers who like to meet their fellow travelers and don’t want the hustle and bustle of a larger ship.

Small ship cruising is a popular option in the Galapagos, just off the coast of mainland Ecuador. Ships like the 100-passenger Galapagos Explorer II have expert naturalist guides on board who can work directly with passengers to identify species and learn more about the fascinating wildlife in the islands.

And small ships are popular with those looking for a sailing excursion. Aboard vessels such as the Star Clipper and its sister ships the Star Flyer and the Royal Clipper, passengers feel the wind in their hair as they set sail for ports of call too small to accept larger vessels. Passengers get the chance to climb the masts, man the wheel, and learn all they'd like to know about the art of sailing.

RIVER CRUISES

Ready to go rollin' on the river? You've got many choices around the world. One of the oldest river cruises is the Delta Queen, journeying up the Mississippi River and its tributaries. This cruise emphasizes Southern elegance and the romance of a steamboat journey that, with the addition of modern comforts, is just like the ones made a century ago. The ship takes pride in being as lovely as the grandest Mississippi steamboats a century ago, ones Mark Twain said were "as beautiful as a wedding cake--but without the complications."

Or maybe you'd like to look out the window and see medieval towns and castles go by? The rivers of Europe are home to luxurious cruises such as the 146-passenger Amadeus Classic, which cruises the Danube from Vienna to Nuremberg. The gentle pace of river cruises encourages passengers to unwind.

Even the world's most exotic destinations are accessible by river cruise. Visit the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and remote gorges aboard SITA's China's Explorer and Yangtze River cruise. And adventure travelers can explore the Amazon aboard cruises staffed by naturalists who can assist with bird and wildlife spotting deep in the jungle.

However you decide to cruise, you'll find a ship that's just the ticket to set your travel dreams in motion. Grab your maps, some sunscreen, and your favorite travel companion, then set your sites for your next port of call.