Destinations: Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico
Activities: Boating, Deep-sea Fishing, Eat, Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Shopping, Sightseeing, Sleep, Snorkeling, Spas, Swimming, Whale Watching
For scenery, variety and hassle-free travel, it’s hard to beat an ocean cruise. The current popularity of cruises can be traced to the inherent benefits they offer to a traveler: multiple destinations on one trip; beautiful and ever-changing scenery; and best of all, food, drink, lodging, activities and transportation are all provided for at once.
One of the first “long-distance” pleasure cruisers was Joshua Slocum—who single-handedly sailed around the world from 1895 to 1898. Not many people have three whole years to spend at sea, but the fact that ocean covers 71 percent of the earth’s surface mean that you could! It also means there is no shortage of destinations to explore on a cruise ship.
The Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise destinations, especially trips to the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands and Barbados. Alaskan cruises offer breathtaking, rugged scenery, the Mediterranean’s French Riviera is popular with stops at Cannes and Monaco. Exotic cruises around New Zealand and Australia are quickly becoming traveler favorites as well.
With more than 100,000 of these ice masses, many in retreat, Alaska’s glacial wonders are hard to miss—for now.
If you plan to take a Yangtze River cruise, plan ahead and make sure the accommodations match your expectations.
Our photo editor recalls what she loved—and did not love—from the many family cruises she took as a kid.
Not every cruise itinerary fits every type of traveler. Read our cruise expert’s recommendations for how to find your ideal cruise and season to travel.
Got cruising concerns? Read about common cruise misconceptions from a no-longer maiden voyager to learn what not to expect on a cruise vacation.
Find out why cruises are an excellent choice for making planning a family vacation easy and affordable.
Learn from the author's first family cruise to the Caribbean how to make your cruise vacation a success.
Gourmet meals and French wines combine with on-shore cultural excursions for an unforgettable river cruise through the French countryside.
Read our expert’s insight into the major cruise lines and tips for booking your cruise travel.
Fewer wardrobe changes and more incidentals will make for smoother sailing on a cruise.
Grandparents, toddlers and everyone in between are sure to find onboard activities and entertainment to suit their interests.
Mexican cruises offer families warm temperatures, native art and culture, and plenty of adventure.
Can four family members from different age groups survive in one stateroom?
Discover Egypt’s historic waterway in all its grandeur with a cruise along the world-famous Nile River.
Don’t let cruising jitters sink your ship. Our cruise expert offers ways to save money and ensure a smooth-sailing cruise vacation—before, during and after your voyage.
Want to know what to do in port? Take our expert’s advice and don’t miss these key attractions for cruise ports around the world.
Be queen for a week on the Queen Mary 2, a magnificent ocean liner with routes across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Caribbean and more.
Recommended destinations for parents whose teens would rather be grounded than go on a vacation with the family.
Though no longer a teen, our photo editor grew up going on annual family cruises. Read about her favorite childhood cruise memories and favorite cruise lines for kids.
Summertime living is easy for families, with deals from the Big Island, to steamboat river tours, to New York City’s Flatotel.
Cruise lines welcome children aboard for free, reward families with a gift card and free airfare, and offer reduced prices.
Costa Rica cruise discount and new yoga retreat, Cayman Islands and Mackinac Island both welcome families with savings packages and discounts, and the Omni Hotels in Texas teach the kids to cater to parents.
Find luxurious bargains that will make the over-50 set happy including a free night at the Four Seasons and a $500 air credit from MSC cruises.
Special offers for Alaska cruises, Beaver Creek ski getaways and spa programs for teens
Read about our latest weekly deals for family getaways from Disney, Royal Caribbean and Nickelodeon, Beaches Resorts and Great Wolf Lodge.
Walk for charity, pamper your American Girl, visit Vancouver and bring the whole crew for cheap to Ireland or Mexico.
St. Croix is celebrating the New Year with the much-anticipated return of popular cruise lines to the Caribbean island destination after several years of little to no cruise ship activity.
There’s no need to leave the kids at home when you can plan a family cruise vacation that satisfies all in the family.
The economy may be in the tank, but there are some super savings on travel to top destinations to be had. Learn where here.
The ‘Today’ show travel editor reveals industry secrets and handy tips for finding the best deals when traveling on a budget during economic down times.
TravelMuse has added the ability to book cruises on our site, so we’re kicking off this new feature with a special cruise issue.
