\n
Whether you\u2019re a veteran cruiser or a first timer still getting your sea legs, you\u2019ll know that sailing the high seas is about much more than shuffle board and sun beds. From the most spectacular ports to cruise out of, to adrenalin-inducing ship life activities, here\u2019s our Listopedia on cruising experiences.<\/p>\n
Away from the crowds of the larger cruise lines, you\u2019ll find new levels of luxury aboard smaller vessels. Small ship such as Crystal Cruises and Seabourn have staff to guest ratios that enable everyone on board to be spoilt. The biggest Seabourn ships have just 450 guests and are all inclusive \u2013 food, wine and spirits. If you\u2019re not a big drinker, don\u2019t worry. How about Caviar in the Surf? A Seabourn specialty, imagine swimming on an island to suddenly see staff in full inform floating around with champagne and caviar on a surfboard.<\/p>\n
One of the boons for Aussie cruisers is the increase in ships sailing down under. During the peak cruising season, September-January, ships depart Sydney for the South Pacific and New Zealand on a daily basis. Not only do you have your choice of itineraries, you\u2019ve got the chance to sail out of one of the most spectacular harbours in the world. A sunset sail away past the Opera House is a must-do for any cruiser \u2013it\u2019s the best view in town. The Sail Away party always kicks off a cruise and cocktails as you pass by Sydney\u2019s most iconic location is a great way to kick off a holiday.<\/p>\n
On the other side of the world, a European cruise is a great way to see famous cities without spending all day on a bus or train. A cruise out of Venice, the City on the Water, is an experience like no other. Cruise ships currently dock in the terminal at the mouth of the Giudecca Canal, from there the sail away takes you out of the Venice lagoon via the Grand Canal. Head up to the top deck of your ship and look down on Marks Square and the Doge\u2019s Palace as you cruise on by. Be quick though, restrictions on cruise ship size and frequency will be enforced from November.
\n<\/p>\n
Aboard some of the world\u2019s biggest cruise ships, it can take you more than 15 minutes to walk from one end of the ship to the other. You could spend days wandering the different floors and still discover something new every time. On the Allure of the Seas, one of the world\u2019s biggest cruise ships, you can get a birds eye view of all the action on the zip line. Soar across the open atrium, looking down on the carousel and boardwalk nine decks below.<\/p>\n
With ships like the Seabourn offering caviar and champagne, cruise liners have to constantly up their game when it comes to pampering at sea. Day spas and spa suites are serious business \u2013 when the Diamond Princess arrives down under this year, she\u2019ll come with the world\u2019s largest Japanese bath house at sea. Hot water Utaseyu showers, stone baths, open air hydrotherapy pools, day beds, rock gardens, saunas with floor to ceiling windows looking straight out to sea \u2013 everything you need for an onsen at sea. Sitting back in a hot tub, looking straight out at the ocean, should be on your cruising to do list.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s something about the smell of fresh cut grass that gets everyone a little excited. When the Celebrity Solstice first cruised into Sydney with a football-field sized patch of real grass on its upper deck, passengers flocked to sink their toes into soft, pillowy surface. Games of croquet, mini golf and lawn bowls are just the beginning \u2013 the Solstice holds Lawn Parties with live music, picnic rugs, sangria and cheese buffets. Yes, a cheese plate buffet. When all the fun and games are over, you\u2019re welcome to sit on the grass or, as some fully grown guests have been known to do, simply take off your shoes and squish your toes into the earth.
\n<\/p>\n
Herodotus said Egypt was \u201cthe gift of the Nile\u201d and if you\u2019re keen to experience this ancient country, a Nile River cruise is the way to go. Forget the feluccas \u2013 smaller sail boats often without creature comforts \u2013 luxury river cruisers are the best way to get around. Hop aboard your vessel in Aswan and cruise down to Luxor, stopping on the way at the country\u2019s famous temples and tombs. Political unrest has decreased the number of ships on the river, but itineraries are still running.<\/p>\n
Driving on or bike riding over San Francisco\u2019s Golden Gate Bridge is on plenty of bucket lists, but what about going under it? Cruising into San Francisco is a great way to see the city\u2019s most famous landmark up close. Ships small enough to fit underneath the bridge take their time coming into the Bay, often opening up restricted sections of the decks and getting the live bands to mark the occasion. Expect the rails of the upper decks to be packed as people jostle to get a view of the underside of the bridge. It doesn\u2019t take long to glide underneath, but the build up and the unique perspective are a once in a lifetime experience.<\/p>\n
Are you a bird watcher, diver or lizard lover? The Galapagos Islands are probably already on your bucket list and a cruise is a great way to get an introduction to the best this archipelago off the coast of Ecuador has to offer. From blue-footed boobies, iguanas and seals to albatross, penguins and giant tortoises, wildlife experts will take you ashore to see some of the world\u2019s most unusual creatures of the land, air and sea.<\/p>\n
You can cruise the rivers and seas all over the world, but don\u2019t forget about the experiences closer to home. Wild luxury is the best way to describe the itinerary that hug the top end of Australia, departing from Broome and ending up in Darwin, with stops along the Kimberley Coast. You\u2019ll hop off the ship and have the chance to see the famous Bungle Bungles, King George Falls and Mitchell Falls \u2013 areas you\u2019d be stopping into after hours and hours on a 4WD tour if you weren\u2019t sailing the coast.<\/p>\n
Expedia compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site, such compensation may include travel and other costs<\/i>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
From the most spectacular ports to cruise out of, to adrenalin-inducing ship life activities, here\u2019s our Listopedia on cruising experiences.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"authors":[],"class_list":["post-347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n