Cruising offers a variety of options including the number of days, locations, and types of cruises including rivers and oceans. There are specialty cruises related to music genres, adults only, and culinary cruises to name just a few.

Please see the list below of specials offered from a large list of cruise lines.

Some of following are reasons to consider a cruise:

• Offers great value since most of your costs are paid prior to your departures.

• You can visit multiple destinations, and countries and only unpack once!

• Cruises are family friendly.

• Ships come in all shapes, sizes, and ages.

• Cruises offer a variety of onboard activities.

• They are easy to plan.

• Ships are basically a floating city with basically every amenity you’ll ever need, and those you hopefully won’t (medical).

• Destinations range from Disney cruises to exotic destinations.

• They are romantic for couples, and a great way to socialize and make new friends.

Please consider planning ahead--especially for Alaska's and Northern Europe's short cruising seasons!

AmaWaterways - best for Africa/Egypt #1; river cruise Europe #2; river cruise overall #1; best cruise ship-AmaMagna #1 | Does not sail to Alaska.

Azamara - best for couples #3; Mediterranean #3; luxury #4 smaller ships | Does not sail to Alaska.

Carnival - best for the money #2, for families #3; Caribbean #5

Celebrity - best for the money #3; for couples #6; Caribbean #3; Mediterranean #4; Central & South America #1; Europe #1; expedition/adventure #1; premium #1

Disney - best for families #1 (voted #1 by two entities); Caribbean #1

Holland America - best for the money #7; couples #9; Caribbean #6; midsize (500-1,000 staterooms) #1

MSC - best for the money #4; families #5; Caribbean #9; Mediterranean #6

Norwegian - Best for the money #8, families #4; Caribbean #7; Mediterranean #9; Hawaii #1

Oceania - Best for couples #7; Mediterranean #5; luxury #6; Travel + Leisure #5

Princess - Best for the money #5; Caribbean #8; Mediterranean #10; Alaska #1; Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific #1

Regent Seven Seas - Best for couples #5; luxury #3; Travel + Leisure #3; small (under 500 staterooms) #1; luxury #1

Royal - Best for the money #6; families #2; Caribbean #4; Mediterranean #8; entertainment #1; Asia #1; best overall #1; large (over 1,000 staterooms) #1

Seabourn - Best for couples #2; Mediterranean #2; luxury #2; Travel + Leisure #2 | Up to $2,000 air credit & reduced deposit | smaller ship - up to 600 cruisers.

SilverSea - Best for couples #8; luxury #5; Travel + Leisure #4

Viking - Best for couples #1; for the money #2; Mediterranean #1; luxury #1; Travel + Leisure #1; river cruise Europe #1

Virgin - Best for the money #1; couples #4; Caribbean #2

The ratings quoted were derived from three resources: Travel.USNews.com - "Find the Best Cruise for You" and Travel + Leisure - "Our Readers' Favorite Midsize-ship Ocean Cruise Lines," and the Travvy Awards Recognizes the Best Cruise Companies."