Gala awards, traveler’s surveys and readers polls on the best cruise lines are more common than snow-free days in New Hampshire in February. Recently I read that the Europa, one of the Hapag-Lloyd (a relatively little-known-to-the-US-market European line) cruise ships was proclaimed the very best in every area – service, itineraries, cabins, cuisine, on-board programs and so forth – but does this make it the bes
t cruise line for you? Maybe not….
If you’re a seasoned traveler with ample resources (special pricing for a 15-day Polynesian adventure on the Europa’s sister ship, the 164 passenger Bremen, is $6,500 per person -- originally priced at $10,140 per person -- based on double occupancy) and a true appreciation for stimulating lectures, incredibly creative on-board activities and an “expedition of knowledge” plus exquisite cuisine, my answer is “yes.”
But if you’re seeking a venue for a family reunion, or a close-up encounter with wildlife in a remote jungle, or non-stop activities to occupy your children and give you a chance to relax and bask in the sun, Hapag-Lloyd is not the best cruise line for you.
My suggestions, before you begin to search for your ideal cruise trips among an overwhelming number of options, are to consider each of these three key factors:
- Destination – where would you like to travel? Are there any regions in the world you would like to see? And when do you plan to cruise?
- Price /value – how much do you plan to spend? The transportation costs to arrive at the embarkation and disembarkation ports and the costs of having a good time on board should be added to your budget.
- Amenities – what do you and the people traveling with you really enjoy doing? Cruising is the ideal time to try something different while enjoying activities you like.
Matching the features of the ship and destinations, within any price constraints, with your interests and desires is key to ensuring you’ll choose the best cruise lines for your cruise trips.
