windstar cruises for families

• Windstar Cruises

Older teens and young adults on Windstar

By NanciEA , July 19, 2005 in Windstar Cruises

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I am trying to get a feel for if Windstar would be a good fit for our family. Our sons will be 18 and 20 next summer and my younger one wants a Greek Island cruise for his graduation trip. The seven day trip seems ideal as we would have time before and after in Athens and Istanbul. We have cruised only large ships before, but much of what Windstar has to offer appeals to us, including no pre-assigned dining times or table mates, no dressing up for dinner, smaller more active excusions, and no infants or toddlers. We are a very active family and love hiking, backpacking and all watersports. We are certified SCUBA divers. My sons will eat just about anything and in fact they like trying new foods. They also do not need to be entertained, as they both like to read, play cards, etc., although I noticed that on the Greek Island itinerary there is only one day at sea and several nights we are in port well into the evening.

Any comments from Windstar alums would be helpful.

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As long as your sons don't need to be entertained, I think Windstar would be a great choice for your family. You'll be in a different port everyday with lots to see & do. The service & food are great & I'm sure you will all enjoy being under sail. It's a very casual, relaxed atmosphere with lots of interesting fellow passengers. We're going to the Mediterranean on Windsurf in August & I can't wait. Go & enjoy!

I think the sons will enjoy the change. Being so port-intensive, the nightlife on Windstar really entails a bit more R&R than one would find on a megaship. There are things to do, but our favorite is sitting out under the stars and sails and then turning in before midnight in preparation for the next days excusions.

About diving: I overheard a conversation on the Windsurf last March in which the Windsurf divemaster was saying they don't do much diving in the Med. On our trip, they had a full program of several available dives daily and a special dive program. All of the details were posted on their website. If diving is as important to you as it is to me, you may want to check the site. [On other Windstar trips the dive staff consisted of a husband/wife duo. On the Surf this last trip, there must have been six.]

Diving aside, I'm sure the guys are going to have a wonderful time. Make sure they get to spend some time in the bridge (open bridge policy). For me (a technonerd), it's more entertaining than what some of the megaships offer nightly.

Thanks for your imput. Windstar lists two dive sites on their seven night Med cruise - Santorini and Bodrum, this would be enough for our family.

I would just add that typically there are relatively few teen singles on these cruises; if your sons would be looking to meet some girls, the chances are lessened on the Windstar ships.

I concur. A few 17-20 year olds were on our recent cruise. They enjoyed reading during at sea days and were on many shore excursions. Didn't see them at night at all.

Keep in mind, if they will be 18 & 20, they can enjoy all the ship has to offer in the evening (bar & casino)

As the parent of two girls ages 17 and 21, I can say that they would have hated the Mayan Riviera cruise we were on last March. Of course it depends on your own kids, and on the itinerary, but mine loved the mega Royal Caribbean ships with the discos and many, many other kids their ages.

Perhaps there are more people their own ages on a summer Greek Isles cruise, but I wouldn't bet on it. Friends of ours took their kids last summer (similar ages) on Celebrity to the Mediteranean. Everyone was happy. Enough site-seeing during the day and partying at night.

My daughter is 13 and she loved our Windstar cruise, more then the Royal Caribbean cruise we took the year before. She loved the smaller boat and fewer people, being one of only 2 kids on our cruise she was a novelty and loved it that everyone knew her. I can see that perhaps older teens might like the disco/night life that is offered at the teen centers on bigger cruise ships but my daughter and I so loved Windstar we are doing it again this year. Great ports, tons of water sports, good food, relaxed atmosphere and a good DVD library.

Windstar appears to be what we are looking for in a family vacation. (We won't cruise with Celebrity because of their assigned dining times.) My sons (18 and 20) enjoy a beer or wine with dinner but are not into discos, partying, clubbing, meeting girls, etc. on a "family" vacation. (They're at college for nine months a year if they are looking for those activities!) The main reason we all want to take the Windstar cruise is for the ports, excursions, and watersports. For their respective Spring Breaks this year, the older one went with his college's Ourdoor Club backpacking in Crete and the younger one wanted to go Rome and Venice with us. Both loved their trips.

new_cruiser

There were a couple of families with kids (or adults) around those ages on our Istanbul-Athens trip and they seemed to be enjoying the family trip. For kids who want the kind of trip Windstar offers, it is fine. Of course some young adults like some older adults wouldn't enjoy a Windstar cruise because they want the megaship features.

One area where you might be disappointed is the diving. I wouldn't have been able to dive anyway because I was having a congestion problem but I was still interested enough to listen to what the sports staff was telling divers. This isn't reef diving and there are okay dives to see fish here but nothing spectacular. On our trip I think they had three sites for dives - the two you mentioned plus Mykonos.

I felt the stuff on land was pretty similar in Mykonos and Santorini so one of those would be good to choose for a dive if you will be happy with a non-reef dive.

They had the water sports stuff out in the afternoon at Bodrum - banana boat rides, kayak, water ski and such. Your family might enjoy that.

• 2 weeks later...

lilmermaide

This post comes from experience. I am 18, and my family and I just got back from the Athens-Rome cruise for 10 days. I was the oldest "teenager" with my family on board, but there were 2 appx 21 year old sisters with their dad. There were 2 other twin yound adults, and a few others scattered around. The only thing I didn't like was that I never got a chance to meet the other kids for some entertainment on board. I absolutely LOVED the cruise, though. I completely recommend the cruise!

We just returned from the Windsurf 11-day Venice to Rome cruise. There were many teens as well as a few children that seemed to be around 8-10 years old, which surprised me. Your boys will have a great time!

• 3 weeks later...

We just returned from 8/21 Nice to Rome cruise. There were quite a few family groups with children and grandchildren ranging in age from 8 to post high school/college. From all appearances they seemed to be having a great time! And we enjoyed the diversity.

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The 10 Best Cruise Lines for Families

This post may contain affiliate links. if you click one, i may earn a commission at no cost to you. as an amazon associate, i earn from qualifying purchases..

Planning a family cruise can be tough, and one of the main problems that families face is being overwhelmed by all the options. There are so many cruise lines for families to choose from, each with its own unique offerings.

I’ve worked in the cruise industry for over eight years and have taken my children on lots of different cruises in that time. So I’d love to use my experience to help you find the best cruise line for your family.

There’s no single answer on the best cruise line for kids, though. Some cruise ships, which are fantastic for teenagers, would be a nightmare for parents of toddlers. Some family cruise lines have lots of activities for parents and kids to do together, whereas others have fantastic kids’ clubs that your children won’t want to leave.

When considering the best cruise lines for families, you should look at all the options and decide which aligns best with what you and your kids will enjoy. So, here’s 10 of the best kid friendly cruises options, including something for all ages.

The 10 Best Cruise Lines for Kids

To help you in your decision, here are some things that you need to know about each of the best cruise lines for families with kids of various ages…

1. Disney Cruise Line

Best for: A really special experience

What Are the Ships Like?

The five Disney cruise ships are luxurious and fun. On board, you’ll find excellent entertainment packed with Disney magic and bump into characters such as Donald Duck as they stroll the decks.

Here I am with Mickey and Minnie on the Disney Wish. It’s one of my favourite cruise ships ever! You can read my Disney Wish review here .

Activities On-Board

Disney cruises have a great focus on entertainment. You’ll enjoy themed deck parties, character meet and greets, award-winning live shows and 3D Disney movies. There’s loads to do, making them one of the best cruise for kids options.

The swimming pools on Disney ships are really fun, including some shaped like Mickey Mouse’s head and older kids will love the water slides.

Age Group Most Suited To

Disney Cruises offer a magical experience for kids of any age. Under threes can be cared for in the nursery, but this is quite expensive.

The free-of-charge kids’ clubs for three to 12-year-olds are out of this world. You’ll struggle to prise your kids away. Tweens and teens also have their own fun hangouts.

Can You Sail From the UK?

Yes. Disney Dream has a good choice of itineraries sailing from Southampton.

Disney Cruises are pretty much exclusively for families and are popular with children of all ages, but there are plenty of adult-only areas too.

Disney is one of the more expensive cruise lines with few reductions for children. Take a look at my article to find out how much a Disney cruise costs .

2. Royal Caribbean

Best for: Active families with older kids

Royal Caribbean International has 27 ships with more being built all the time. The newest Royal Caribbean ships are the biggest in the world, accommodating as many as 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members.

On board, you’ll find the most exciting features at sea, outstanding food and a fun atmosphere. Here we are in the North Star observation pod which extends 300 feet above Anthem of the Seas .

These vary by ship, but may include things like rock climbing, mini golf, surfing machines, sports courts, water slides, zip line, ice skating, skydiving simulator, parades, escape room game, trampolines, trapeze school and laser tag .

Many of Royal Caribbean’s onboard activities have age and height restrictions which you can see here .

This means that if your children are younger than eight, they may be disappointed that they’re not allowed to take part in everything. Plus, you’ll essentially be paying for things you don’t use.

That said, on our most recent cruise on Anthem of the Seas, my five-year-old loved the iFly skydiving simulator, the North Star observation pod and the bumper cars, while his seven-year-old sister was a huge fan of the rock climbing wall.

Yes. Between May and October, you can sail from Southampton on Anthem of the Seas. In 2025, that will change as Independence of the Seas returns to Southampton.

You’ll find a mix of couples and families of all ages. On sailings from the UK you can expect a lot of British travellers, whereas, on Caribbean sailings, the passengers will be mostly American.

Royal Caribbean cruises are mid-range in terms of price. You can add on a drinks package to make your cruise all-inclusive, but these can be pricy. Look out for special offers where you might get drinks included in your cruise fare.

3. Carnival

Best for: US families on a budget

With Carnival Cruises, the emphasis is on fun. The ships are brightly coloured with a real American feel.

Carnival’s newest ships have amazing facilities such as the SkyRide (which is a bit like riding a bike around a track in the sky).

Carnival Mardi Gras, which launched in 2021, features the first-ever rollercoaster at sea. There are waterslides aplenty and you’ll also find Dr Seuss characters on board.

Carnival cruise ships are best suited for children aged eight and over.

The waterslides and activities have height restrictions of between 42 and 48 inches. Unlike other cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Line bans children in swimming nappies from the spray parks as well as the pools, so these ships aren’t great for toddlers.

Only occasionally do Carnival ships sail from the UK. Their ships are predominantly based in the Caribbean, although you can sail from European ports too.

Carnival ships are very popular with American families. On short cruises, you may find a lot of groups, particularly during college spring break, which you should avoid as it would be like taking your children on an 18-30 holiday!

Carnival cruises are fairly cheap, although this could be outweighed by the fact that you have to pay for flights in most cases.

4. MSC Cruises

Best for: Families with babies and toddlers

MSC Cruises ships are very glitzy and glamorous, with Swarovski crystal staircases and lots of marble. The newer ships have water slides and splash areas.

Partnerships with LEGO and Chicco ensure that children have lots of fun on board and my two loved their time in the kids club.

Some of the facilities such as the 4D cinema, bowling, racing car simulator and the arcade are chargeable, so you’ll need to budget for that if your children will want to do these things. There’s lots of fun to be had in the kids’ club such as whole days devoted to LEGO building.

MSC Cruises is great for babies. On many ships, you’ll find a dedicated baby area where parents can bring their babies at certain times.

The dining room offers a special baby menu for children aged 6-12 months and pushchairs are available to hire free of charge. All other age groups will have a great time too, although it’s worth noting that their friends in the kids’ club will probably speak a variety of languages.

Yes, but only on selected ships. MSC Cruises is unusual in that passengers embark and disembark at various points during the cruise, rather than all starting their cruise at the same port. This means that the choice of itineraries from the UK is somewhat limited.

MSC Cruises is an Italian cruise line and is popular with passengers from all over Europe. Because of this, all the announcements and signage are in six different languages and the entertainment often doesn’t include much speaking – think acrobats rather than comedians.

You won’t find many Brits on board, but when you do, you’ll probably remember them and say hello when you bump into them again.

MSC Cruises can be really cheap . We paid £399pp for a 7-night cruise and the children were almost free as they were very young. The MSC drinks packages are also the most reasonable that you’ll find at sea.

5. P&O Cruises

Best for: British families with younger kids

P&O Cruises offer both family and adults-only ships. They vary in size from medium to large and offer a modern, friendly, British atmosphere.

You won’t find loads of activities on-board P&O Cruises ships, but there will be several swimming pools and Jacuzzis and some ships have a splash area for the little ones. Most kids’ activities will take place in the kids’ club.

P&O Cruises accept two-year-old children in the kids’ club, whereas on most other cruise lines the minimum age is three. This is one great reason for anyone cruising with a toddler to choose P&O Cruises.

Suggested read: Cruise Kids Club Age Groupings Guide

Under-fives can be dropped off at the night nursery where they’ll be cared for, free of charge, between 6 pm and 2 am. And P&O Cruises is one of the only cruise lines to allow babies and toddlers wearing swimming nappies to use the swimming pools.

Whilst this cruise line is good for children of any age, those older than seven or eight may have more fun on a ship with more facilities.

Yes! P&O Cruises offers a wide choice of cruises sailing from Southampton all year round. From two-night taster cruises to 14-night sailings around the Mediterranean, there’s something for everyone.

Being a British cruise line, you’ll find that the vast majority of passengers on-board are British. The type of passengers on board will be different, with shorter cruises attracting a younger crowd than longer voyages.

P&O Cruises is one of the cheapest family-friendly cruise lines. From time to time they offer reduced kids’ prices, with children able to sail from as little as £1, which makes for fantastic value for money.

The drinks on-board are cheaper than many other cruise lines, being similar to local pub prices . And, importantly, you don’t have to pay any gratuities (tips) as you do on most other cruise lines, which saves you around £10 per person, per day.

6. A-ROSA River Cruises

Best for: River cruises with the kids

A-ROSA is a river cruise line, so the ships are a lot smaller than ocean cruise ships. One of the newest ships, A-ROSA SENA, was the first river cruise ship built with families in mind, so this is definitely the best ship to choose out of the fleet.

The ships don’t have a lot of space for running around, but this does at least mean it’s easy to keep an eye on the kids – they can’t get lost.

Don’t expect anywhere near the facilities that you would get on an ocean cruise ship. However, there are kids clubs at least, which offer various programs for kids aged 4 to 15 with experienced entertainers.

A-ROSA SENA also has a sun deck with a separate kids’ pool so you don’t need to worry about them splashing anyone and 28-square-foot family cabins that sleep up to five people.

Because there’s not a huge amount to do onboard, A-ROSA river cruises are better suited to older children who don’t mind a bit of quiet time where they can entertain themselves. Family-friendly shore excursions are probably more targeted at older kids too.

You can’t sail from the UK with A-ROSA, as their family cruises take place on the Danube, Rhine, Seine and Rhone rivers, so you’ll need flights.

There’s normally quite a mix of nationalities on an A-ROSA river cruise, including guests from around Europe and also from the US. River cruise guests generally prefer a quieter sailing so don’t expect a boisterous crowd – the kids can have fun but they won’t be able to run amok.

A-ROSA river cruises cost a lot less than some other premium river cruise lines, and kids up to 15 sail for free when travelling with a paying adult. The fares are all-inclusive too, so they’re actually quite good value.

7. Norwegian Cruise Line

Best for: Cruising with total flexibility

NCL ships are colourful and packed with fun. The cruising experience is all about enjoying the flexibility to cruise your own way, with a huge choice of dining options and places to relax and have fun, and no real set dining times.

The older ships aren’t quite as fun, but waterparks and slides feature heavily and there’s definitely a kid-friendly vibe across the whole fleet.

There is a serious amount of things you can do on an NCL ship, including aqua parks with multiple exciting water slides (some of which are aimed at younger guests), immersive VR experiences, bowling, and even go-karting on some of the newest ships.

NCL is good for kids of all ages. The best activities onboard are probably aimed more at kids aged 7+ but the splash parks are suitable for younger kids, while there are dedicated groups in the Splash Academy kids clubs for 3- to 5-year-olds with tailored activities for that age group.

There are some NCL ships that sail from Southampton, including some of the newest and biggest ships in the fleet. Cruises are available from the UK from April to October.

NCL cruises generally include a mix of families and couples, but there’s definitely a younger vibe to the cruise line – don’t expect as many older couples to be sailing.

Normally there are significant discounts on kids travelling with their parents. As for the cruise line in general, prices are mid-range, and there are often package deals to add things like drinks or WiFi for a reduced cost.

One thing to be aware of though is that a lot of the activities do cost extra. Yes, the virtual reality arcades are fun, but they are very expensive so if you have older kids you’ll need to budget for that.

8. Costa Cruises

Best for: Italian-style cruising on a budget

Costa’s ships are not the most exciting or feature-packed, and they feel like they’re a bit of a budget cruise line at times. They don’t look cheap, but they aren’t offering some of the glitz and wow-factor moments that other cruise lines do. Expect a lot of great pizza and ice cream, though.

Costa isn’t known for being super-innovative so don’t expect fancy features like roller-coasters or go-kart tracks. But they do have some good facilities for kids, including splash parks and dedicated teen rooms that are age-appropriate. Affiliations with Peppa Pig are great for younger kids, including themed water areas and activities in the younger kids’ clubs.

Costa is better suited to families with younger children under 6, as much of the theming and activities are targeted at these age groups. Older children might get a bit bored with the lack of variety when they want to hang out with their friends, although if your teens enjoy relaxing by the pool then they might enjoy the atmosphere.

Costa doesn’t offer any sailings from the UK – instead you’ll need to fly to Europe, where there are many different departure ports to choose from.

Costa passengers tend to include a mix of ages and nationalities, which is reflected in the kid’s clubs too – your children will be able to mix and mingle with others from various countries, which can be exciting for them.

Costa cruises tend to be towards the lower end, and kids sail free on many sailings too, making them a good option if you’re on a budget.

9. Princess Cruises

Best for: Bringing the grandparents

Princess Cruises ships are medium to large in size and offer understated luxury with excellent food and service. Princess Cruises are very popular with multi-generational families who want to cruise with kids, parents and grandparents all together.

Aside from the usual swimming pools and hot tubs, you won’t find many family activities outside of the kids’ clubs. However, the offering here is very good for those aged three to 17 and has a particular focus on education, thanks to partnerships with Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel.

Princess Cruises is a good cruise line for children of all ages. Under-threes are allowed in the kids’ club when accompanied by an adult and free baby food is available (either in a jar or pureed fresh).

Older children may have more fun on a cruise line with more for them to do on board.

Princess Cruises from Southampton and Dover are available on a choice of several ships with various itineraries available.

The nationality of passengers varies depending on the itinerary, with lots of Brits sailing from Southampton and lots of Americans sailing from other ports, including European ports. The passengers can be slightly older than some of the other family-friendly cruise lines.

Princess Cruises are around mid-range in terms of price. Cruises under seven nights are rare, so you won’t find many cheap taster cruises.

10. Celebrity Cruises

Best for: Chilled-out teens

Celebrity cruises offer a 5-star cruising experience on board modern and luxurious ships. The newest ships Celebrity ships have some uber-cool features such as real grass lawns, a ‘flying carpet’ that moves up and down the side of the ship and a silent disco.

You won’t find masses of kids’ facilities on-board Celebrity Cruises ships. However, there are Xbox stations where children can play solo or take part in tournaments.

Kids can also take part in iTake, a programme that involves storyboarding a movie, heading out to capture the shots on a GoPro camera and editing them in the iLounge.

Celebrity Cruises are most suited to children aged 12 and over. The teen hangout is really cool and the glamorous onboard atmosphere is better suited to teenagers than children.

Yes, but only on-board certain ships and only between April and October.

Similar to Princess cruises, the type of passengers you’ll find on Celebrity Cruises varies depending on the itinerary. This cruise line is popular with affluent couples.

Being a 5-star cruise line, the price of a Celebrity Cruise is usually towards the higher end of the scale, although great deals can often be spotted.

What Are the Best Cruises for Families?

Do a couple of cruise lines from this list take your fancy in particular? You’ll find that the ships that each cruise line owns can be quite different, so be sure to take a look at this post next: The best cruise ships for kids

Take a look at my guide: How to choose a cruise in 7 easy steps to make planning your cruise holiday as easy as possible.

Related Posts:

• Celebrity Cruises Vs Carnival: Which is Better?
• Best cruise destinations for families
• Taking a baby on a cruise ship? Read this first!

If you found this interesting, please share!

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

2 thoughts on “The 10 Best Cruise Lines for Families”

would love to surprise my husband with a cruise and grandkids could you send me some information please

Very keen to look at a cruise which would suit my daughter, her partner and two babies aged 3 and not quite 2 and my husband and I (in our sixties). I’d welcome any suggestions Jenni!

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• Cruises for Families

10 Best Alaska Cruises for Families 2020

Feb 18, 2020

See recent posts by Dave Parfitt

Not only is a cruise to Alaska at the top of many families’ bucket lists , but it’s also a convenient way to sample The Last Frontier.

The standard Alaska cruise used to feature a week-long itinerary departing from either Seattle, Washington , or Vancouver, British Columbia , and traveling to Seward or Whittier (or the reverse). Now, in addition to those one-way cruises to Alaska , families can find round-trip cruises through the Inside Passage , longer cruises to and from California , and smaller ships that maneuver inside fjords (where larger ships can’t).

Here, we highlight 10 Alaska cruises that are especially good for families, including what the ships have to offer onboard, as well as family-friendly port excursions.

1. Princess Cruises

In 2019, Princess Cruises celebrated its 50th year sailing to Alaska. Princess has won multiple industry awards for “Best Cruise Line in Alaska” (11 consecutive years including 2019), and currently has eight ships sailing to Alaska. Current Princess Alaska cruises include round-trip Inside Passage sailings of 14 days from Los Angeles, 10 days from San Francisco, seven days from Seattle, and seven days from Vancouver. In addition to the round-trip Inside Passage cruises, Princess Cruises also offers one-way “Voyage of the Glaciers” sailings northbound from Vancouver and southbound from Anchorage . Princess also owns five wilderness lodges throughout Alaska to create a seamless land and sea vacation.

In 2019, Princess Cruises won for Best Shore Excursions in Cruise Critic’s annual Editors’ Picks Awards , thanks the line’s wide range of excursions designed to appeal to almost everyone. Through its partnership with Discovery & Animal Planet, Princess Cruises offers shore excursions tailored to animal lovers, as well as science and nature enthusiasts. Discovery & Animal Planet exclusive tours include: Black Bear, Wildlife & Nature Walk; Discover Alaska’s Whales; and Underground Mine Exploration & Gold Panning.

The “North to Alaska” onboard program brings authentic Alaska experiences to life through local seafood while real Alaskans come aboard to share their stories. Sled dog fans will love “Puppies in the Piazza,” where husky puppies are available for photos and snuggling, and Iditarod sled dog champion musher Libby Riddles tells tales of her winning Alaska races.

Related: How to Communicate on Cruise Ship: 5 Ways to Stay Connected 

2. Disney Cruise Line

In 2011, the Disney Wonder offered its first Alaska voyage, and the seven-night summer sailings have proved very popular ever since. Between May and September 2020, the Disney Wonder visits Dawes Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan during week-long, round-trip cruises from Vancouver. Onboard, the spirit of Alaska is incorporated through themed entertainment and authentic experiences, including meet and greet opportunities with Disney characters dressed in northern attire, presentations from naturalists familiar with the region, as well as exclusive food and beverage offerings and cooking demonstrations.

Disney’s port excursions highlight the beauty of Alaska while bringing local culture and customs to life. During many of these excursions, there are special Disney touches, characters, and storytelling. In Skagway, guests can explore the Liarsville Gold Rush Trail, a camp nestled beside a waterfall where music, puppetry and panning for gold with classic Disney characters immerse guests in the gold rush era. While visiting Ketchikan, guests can look on as professional fishermen haul in the catch of the day in 700-pound king crab pots during the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour.

After a behind-the-scenes tour of the ship, Disney Cruise Line guests have an exclusive opportunity to dine with the crew and listen to stories about life on the Bering Sea over freshly caught King and Dungeness crab. Several Ketchikan excursions include a visit to the Exclusive Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, a rollicking competition created for families that features some of the world’s top timber sport athletes going head-to-head for bragging rights and the title, “Bull of the Woods.” This enhanced performance features additional segments developed exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests.

Families looking for even more Alaska immersion can add-on an Adventures by Disney package to their Disney Cruise Line sailing. This Adventures by Disney cruise package includes the benefits of two Adventure Guides, exclusive activities both on and off the ship (including meals), private welcome and farewell receptions, all photography, special VIP experiences, and more.

Related: What to Pack for a Disney Cruise: The Ultimate Packing List 

3. Royal Caribbean International 

Royal Caribbean International currently has three ships sailing to Alaska: Ovation of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas. Ovation of the Seas is presently the largest ship sailing to Alaska— with all the bells and whistles families might expect on a 4,000-plus passenger mega-ship. One particularly awe-inspiring feature is North Star that offers panoramic views of jaw-dropping Alaska landscapes from a glass-enclosed capsule that ascends 300 feet above the ocean. Ovation of the Seas sails seven-night itineraries roundtrip from Seattle through the Inside Passage with stops in Skagway, Juneau, and more. Other onboard amenities include a theme park-like atmosphere complete with FlowRider surf simulator, RipCord skydiving by iFly, and a SeaPlex indoor active space that includes bumper cars, roller skating, trapeze school, and more.

Radiance of the Seas sails seven-night, one-way itineraries between Seward and Vancouver, where families can enjoy the sights of Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage. Land options can extend the cruise vacation by three to seven nights in order to visit Kenai Fjords National Park , Denali National Park & Preserve , and more. All cruise tours are led by local guides who take families deep into Alaska’s interior via bus, train, and optional flightseeing tours. Serenade of the Seas travels roundtrip on seven-night cruises that include time in Ketchikan, Alaska, and cruising through Tracy Arm Fjord. Possible excursions include dog-sledding, helicopter rides, and glacier hikes.

Both Radiance and Serenade of the Seas are much smaller ships compared to Ovation of the Seas (2,100 vs. 4,000 passengers). These mid-sized ships tout ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout, allowing breathtaking views of the Last Frontier. Onboard the two Radiance Class ships, families can climb rock-wall towers for panoramic views, enjoy poolside movie nights under the stars, and dine at venues including Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, and Izumi.

4. Norwegian Cruise Line

In 2018, Norwegian Cruise Line launched the 4,000 passenger Norwegian Bliss, a ship specifically designed for Alaska cruises, and in spring 2021, Norwegian Encore (built in 2019) will sail to Alaska from Seattle, bringing Norwegian Cruise Line’s total to five ships in the Last Frontier. The newest ships offer thrilling amenities such as a two-level go-kart track where electric cars reach speeds up to 30 mph, an open-air laser tag course, and an expansive water park with two multi-story waterslides including one that extends over the edge of the ship and loops down to the deck below.

For those looking for smaller ships, the Norwegian Sun has less than 1,000 staterooms and was refurbished in 2018, adding a Spinnaker Lounge where guests can grab a drink and watch the scenery pass through panoramic windows.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Alaska itineraries include five- to 12-day round-trip sailings from Seattle, as well as week-long one-way cruises to/from Seward, Alaska. In partnership with Alaska Native Voices, cruises that sail into Glacier Bay National Park have Cultural Heritage Guides onboard to interpret the 25-million-acre World Heritage Site.

Norwegian Cruise Line has also invested in the ports of Icy Straight Point, Ketchikan, and Juneau to create shore excursions for visitors to experience the land, wildlife and native peoples of Alaska. Many of these investments are in partnership with Alaska native-owned corporations and built with environmentally sustainable practices in order to maintain the natural setting. A high speed gondola will transport families to attractions such as the world’s longest ZipRider zipline, accessible coastal brown bear viewing platforms, whale watching, and fishing excursions. A second will transport guests further up the mountain, offering spectacular views of icefields, the Fairweather Range and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. A network of hiking trails will allow families to explore the wilderness via a 340-foot suspension bridge swaying over a box-canyon with a 900-foot vertical drop. Another nature trail at the top-of-the-mountain wanders around a glacially carved pond.

Finally, for families wishing to see more of Alaska’s interior, four- to seven-day land tours can be added to Norwegian’s one-way cruises exploring Seward, Homer, Girdwood, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks via motorcoach or Alaska Railroad.

5. Holland America Line

Seven Holland America ships sail in Alaska from April through September on roundtrip cruises from Seattle or Vancouver, or one-way between Seward and Vancouver. For those interested in Glacier Bay National Park, Holland America offers the most itineraries that include the scenic destination. In 2020, families can cruise to Alaska aboard the Eurodam, Koningsdam, Maasdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Volendam and Westerdam.

This is the inaugural season for Koningsdam (launched in 2016) in Alaska, sailing seven-day Inside Passage itineraries roundtrip from Vancouver. The luxurious Pinnacle Class ship has outstanding service and dining and a number of entertainment options including Music Walk, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and World Stage, and more. Holland America Line is currently the only cruise line with seven-day roundtrip itineraries from Vancouver that include Glacier Bay National Park.

Families with more time might consider the 14-day Great Alaska Explorer Voyages aboard the Maasdam. This smaller ship (1,258 passengers) provides an intimate atmosphere with plenty of room at the rail to watch passing scenery. Maasdam’s itinerary sails roundtrip from Vancouver and travels around the Kanai Peninsula calling upon Anchorage, Homer, and Valdez. Excursions include Zodiac boats departing directly from the ship for close-up views of glaciers, wildlife and scenery, all guided by an expert.

Every Holland America ship in Alaska includes onboard programming about local Alaska culture and history. Cruises to Glacier Bay bring on a national park ranger as well as a native Huna speaker. Other presentations include Alaska naturalists, bush pilots, and mushers from the Iditarod dog sled race.

For explorers who want to travel further into the Alaska interior, Holland America offers multiple land packages that spend up to three nights at Denali National Park & Preserve—maximizing the chances of mountain viewing. Finally, Holland America is the only cruise line that offers a land tour option to Dawson City, home of the Klondike Gold Rush in Canada’s Yukon Territory.

6. Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its presence in Alaska with two ships in 2020 and a third coming in 2021. In 2020, Carnival Spirit sails week-long roundtrip cruises from Seattle, and Carnival Miracle will offer 10- and 11-day Alaska cruises from San Francisco for the first time ever. In 2021, Carnival Freedom will operate out of Seattle. A mix of itineraries includes Inside Passage ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, cruising Tracy Arm Fjord, and Victoria, British Columbia.

For families wanting to truly explore Alaska, Carnival offers a variety of shore excursions from adventurous helicopter flightseeing to traditional salmon bakes and gold panning. Onboard, Carnival offers special menu items featuring Alaska fare including freshly caught local game, seafood, and fish, and a naturalist points out animal and sea life from the bridge for guests to photograph. Carnival Cruise Line’s kids program, Camp Ocean (for children ages 2 to 11), offers Alaska-themed activities for kids exploring the Last Frontier.

7. Celebrity Cruises

Families with older children or multigenerational groups looking for a premium vacation experience might consider Celebrity Cruises . In 2020, Celebrity sends three ships to Alaska, visiting 12 Canadian and U.S. destinations, and spending more time in port. Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Solstice sail seven night, round-trip cruises from Vancouver and Seattle. Ports on these sailings include Endicott Arms & Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, Icy Straight Point, Juneau, and Ketchikan to name a few (check specific itineraries for more details).

Celebrity Millennium will offer two, seven-night, one-way Alaska itineraries—one northbound from Vancouver, the other southbound from Seward, AK—making it easy to combine a tour of interior Alaska with a cruise. Both Celebrity Millennium cruise itineraries feature the Inside Passage and call upon Ketchikan, Icy Straight Point, Juneau, Skagway, and Hubbard Glacier. Celebrity Cruises offer land and sea packages extending the cruise from Seward on to Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Denali National Park. On the southbound cruise from Seward, Alaska, families can add on a Canadian Rockies tour and travel to Lake Louise in Banff National Park .

8. Lindblad Expedtions

Lindblad Expeditions partners with National Geographic to create exclusive family programming. Its National Geographic Global Explorers program is designed for kids and teens to develop the attitudes, skills and knowledge of an explorer. Activities include earning a Zodiac boat driver’s license, recording wildlife sightings in their field notebook, and learning to be a storyteller through photos, video, and more.

Families can choose from a selection of Alaska itineraries—ranging from six days to a 22-day end-to-end coastal cruise stretching all the way from Ketchikan to Nome. The 100-guest ships, National Geographic Quest and Venture, and the 62-guest sister ships, National Geographic Sea Lion or Sea Bird, travel past wildlife-filled islands and deep into channels to find bears, eagles, bubble-netting whales, and more. Family activities include hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, and exploring. Cultural programming include First Nation performers, as well as sailing with a team of naturalists and photographers.

9. UnCruise Adventures

Voted “Best for Adventure” by Cruise Critic , UnCruise Adventures specializes in off-the-beaten path itineraries. UnCruise zigs when the big ships’ zag, allowing passengers to avoid crowds in ports. The expedition-style cruises sail seven to 14-day itineraries around Glacier Bay National Park and as far south as Seattle. In addition, UnCruise Adventures cruises can be paired with an optional six-day pre-cruise Alaska Railroad excursion to Denali National Park.

For family travelers, UnCruise Adventures has designed specific family-focused departures called Family [F]UnCruise Discoveries. The Family Discoveries program offers summer camp at sea programs with activities for everyone to experience together.

Alaska-based family travel writer, Erin Kirkland of AKontheGo , sails onboard as the UnCruise Youth Adventurist on the 76-passenger Wilderness Discoverer, July 4 and August 1, 2020 Alaska Fjords & Glaciers Cruise, as well as the July 3 and 31, 2021 Northern Passages Glacier Bay Cruise on the 86-passenger S.S. Legacy. Activities include beach parties, kayaking and paddle board relays, local history and culture talks, arts and crafts, photography lessons, and more.

10. Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises is a small ship cruise line consistently rated as one of the best under 500 berths. Windstar’s smaller vessels can access Alaska fjords, inlets, and coves not available to large ocean liners. While children younger than 8 aren’t allowed on Windstar Cruises, it’s a great choice for families with tweens and teens. These smaller ships jettison the frills of the mega ships to focus on connecting as a family over authentic local experiences such as wildlife watching on deck and enjoying meals together.

Windstar’s small ship cruises in Alaska include lectures and onboard educational programming from a team of six experts who sail with the ship throughout its journey. This team of scientists and naturalists also lead optional Signature Expedition tours. Excursions include kayak and Zodiac boat trips directly from the ship, giving guests more time for extreme close-up views at sea level. The tours offer breathtaking perspectives of icebergs, calving glaciers, and gorgeous natural habitats.

Signature Excursions help guests experience the active wildlife of Alaska first-hand while cruising by rafts of sea otters, spotting sea birds overhead or sea lions lounging on mini-icebergs, all while keeping an eye on shore to spot bears and more.

Dave Parfitt lives in Rochester, New York, with his wife and two daughters. A runner with a PhD in neuroscience, he lived in numerous Northeastern and Midwestern U.S. cities before taking a college job in the Finger Lakes. He’s traveled worldwide, but a Walt Disney World trip with two budding princesses is the trip that elicited the family travel wanderlust. He shares his vacation tips and tricks on AdventuresbyDaddy.com .

What to Pack for Your Next Trip 

Mom’s/women’s camping outfit, shop the look.

Organic Donegal Sweater

Rambler 20 oz Tumbler

Long-Sleeve Waffle Tee

Aberdeen Jogger

GEL-Contend® Walker

Dad’s/men’s camping outfit.

Super Deluxe Book Pack

Streamlight 88052 ProTac HL USB 850 Lumen Professional Tactical Flashlight

Flannel Shirt

Trailhead Pants

Outline Hiking Sneaker

Girl’s camping outfit.

Mini Sleepy-Eyes Backpack

Big Long Sleeve Solid Cardigan

Glitter Best Dad Graphic Tee

Warrior Knee Joggers

Wicked Good Slippers

Boy’s camping outfit.

Galaxy Superbreak Backpack

Thermos Funtainer 12 Ounce Bottle

Fleece Crewneck Sweatshirt

Everyday Chino Shorts

Jr Alonisso 41 Sneakers

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Windstar Cruise Reviews

1 - 10 of 868 Windstar Cruise Reviews

Sail Date: August 2024

Review for a Europe - Western Mediterranean Cruise on Wind Surf

This was our first post-Covid vacation. We have been aboard Wind Star 3 times previously. Embarkation was quite easy in Barcelona. They handed out numbers and called 5 numbers at a time. It went quickly. The ship is quite old (1988?) but it is well cared for. All the cabins are identical save for the few suites. Bathrooms are very small with small round showers. Definitely no room for 2 people ... Read More

Sail Date: July 2024

Review for a Europe - British Isles & Western Cruise on Star Legend

We sailed Star Legend on the Atlantic Archipelago Adventures itinerary with high expectations that were met and exceeded! The ship is not necessarily the flashiest or most glamorous in design or decor, but it is tasteful and comfortable. Our priority was service and comfort and Windstar excelled at both. We were in Suite (Owner's Suite) which was phenomenal. I've been in smaller ... Read More

Sail Date: June 2024

My husband and I just returned from the Wind Surf cruise RT Rome with stops in Sicily, Malta, Lipari, and the Amalfi coast. We are in our 60s,70s with over 25 cruises. This was our first Windstar cruise and we enjoyed it very much. I put it down as one of my top 3 cruises and we have done the mass market (Celebrity, NCL, Royal in suites) as well as Seabourn, Viking, Oceania, Azamara, and ... Read More

Sail Date: May 2024

Review for a Greece Cruise on Wind Star

In about 1976, when I was in the beginning of my career, I upgraded from a 1962 Volkswagen Bug to an almost new Honda Civic hatchback. The Civic was a good reliable car but it was basic. It had roll up windows, a manual transmission, AM radio, and rubber floor mats – no air conditioning. But it got me where I wanted to go and it was very reliable. The designers could have made it more basic, like ... Read More

Review for a Europe - Western Mediterranean Cruise on Wind Spirit

This was my first time traveling with Windstar and it probably won't be my last. I loved the size of the ship which allowed us to get into smaller ports, but also the small passenger count. Many of the crew members learned our names (especially the bartenders) which really personalized our experience. The ship is set for drydock next year I believe and a refresh is definitely needed just to ... Read More

Sail Date: April 2024

Just back from another great Windstar cruise (our 13th) from Barcelona to Rome. This was the first time we took Windstar (or any cruise line from that matter) for a European cruise and, also the first time we sailed on the Wind Spirit, our previous 12 cruises having all been in the Caribbean (Wind Surf, Star Pride, Star Legend & Wind Star).We sailed with another couple (their 4th time on Windstar ... Read More

Traveled with children

Review for a Canary Islands Cruise on Star Pride

We embarked on Star Pride's captivating Canary Islands cruise from Lisbon on April 12, 2024 We have an ocean-view suite. The cabin was nice and spacious, which was the best part of the cruise. Several aspects could have been better managed - the printed itinerary that we got in the cabin was updated several times as there were typos/careless mistakes (e.g. wrong dates, a day gone missing, ... Read More

Review for a South Pacific Cruise on Star Breeze

Star Breeze - Dreams of Tahiti 7 day Papeete to Papeete, April 25, 2024. Best cruise ship I have been on. Only about 230 passengers - small ship. Cabin - excellent. Food - all dining included - food 8 out of 10. Cabin attendant 10/10. Staff overall 10/10. Excursions were great. What I liked most about the Star Breeze is the size of the ship - no long lines, easy to get to where you need to be, ... Read More

Review for a Europe - Greek Isles Cruise on Star Legend

Windstar was our go-to cruise line. When we first began taking cruises with Windstar, it was five star – the people, the food, the service, the beverages, etc. It is no longer five-star quality. Most of the crew are still the best. However, the level of quality information regarding the ports and excursions is not as detailed as it once was. The entertainment has been a mix of very good to very ... Read More

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

My 8 Favorite Experiences On Board A Windstar Cruise In Tahiti And The Tuamotu Islands

• Australia and South Pacific
• Cruises and Sailing
• Destinations
• French Polynesia
• Types of Travel

I always dreamt of being in Tahiti and sailing around the remote French Polynesian islands, and in May I turned my dreams into lifelong memories on a small sailing yacht with Windstar Cruises. It was love at first sight! I had goosebumps as I boarded the sparkling white 148-passenger  Wind Spirit  in Papeete, Tahiti, for an 11-day sailing adventure in Tahiti and the Tuamotu Islands. 

While I could easily have just stayed on the ship for the entire cruise, I also wanted to explore the islands, motus and reefs famous for their clear turquoise waters, rich underwater reef life, and some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world. I was able to find the perfect balance of incredible on-ship experiences and jaw-dropping off-ship experiences available at a reasonable price with Windstar. 

Everything about my first Windstar cruise was dreamy, from my comfortable cabin and beautiful open spaces on-board, to the on-ship enrichment opportunities plus delicious food and beverages. These are my eight favorite experiences on Wind Spirit in Tahiti and the Tuamotu Islands:

1. Epic Sail Aways And Sun-Downers

Every time we sailed away from a port we gathered on the outside decks in flowy linen and gauze clothing with sun-downers in hand, my favorite being an Aperol Spritz. As the sun began to set, we watched in awe as the sky began to burst with ever-changing colors. Music would start to play and all eyes were focussed on the giant masts as the tall white sails began to unfurl one at a time. This was my first time witnessing epic romantic sail aways on a true sailing yacht, and I know it will not be my last.

2. Snorkeling On Fakarava, The Island of Dreams

Windstar offered many snorkeling excursions, but the one in Fakarava, the so-called Island of Dreams in the Tuamotu Islands, stood out from the rest.

Fakarava’s lagoon is classified by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve . From a small dive boat, we entered the clear warm water with our fins and masks. (All snorkeling equipment is provided free of charge by Windstar for use throughout the cruise). While the depth of the water and current varied, we nonetheless had spectacular views of the magnificent corals, colorful tropical fish, and even black tipped reef sharks. 

The Society Islands and Tuamotu Islands are arguably the best places in the world to snorkel, so if you too love snorkeling, you can take advantage of all the snorkel excursions in Rangiroa, Taha’a, and Bora Bora in addition to Fakarava. 

Sea days are ideal for splurging on spa treatments to relax and rejuvenate. Since the spa was quite small with one hair dresser, one masseuse, and one aesthetician, I booked a deep tissue massage, a BIOTEC Anti-aging Firm-a-lift facial, and a hair appointment for color and a blow dry immediately upon embarkation. 

Unlike spas on some larger ships with saunas, steam rooms, elaborate changing rooms, treatment pools, and lounge areas pre and post treatments, the Wind Spirit Spa has just three treatment rooms and a small reception area; however, the massage, facial, and salon services were as good as or better than what I’ve experienced on some of the more elaborate ship spas. I flew directly to a family event in New York City following the cruise and thanks to the spa team, I looked like a million bucks even after traveling for 18 hours!   

4. The Mamas And Papas Group On The Pool Deck

While we were anchored in Raiatea, the Sacred Island, Windstar’s on-board enrichment program included an opportunity to meet the Mamas and Papas (not the American folk-rock band!), who came aboard and immersed us in Polynesian culture.

We were taught traditional dances, how to create flower crowns and leis, and how men and women wear the traditional pareo wraps. Dressed in our new Polynesian attire, the dance floor became crowded and festive. Having been in Tahiti for a few weeks before the cruise, I came to love the warmth and kindness of the Tahitian people. It was a treat to spend a few hours with these men and women as we learned about their culture and traditions.

5. Glorious Food And Restaurant Choices

I adored having the freedom to dine when, where, and with whomever I preferred, indoors or alfresco on the Wind Spirit . Reservations are required only at the romantic and intimate Candles Restaurant, which is outdoors on the Bridge Deck with starched white tablecloths and a steakhouse-style menu. I even dressed up a little for Candles, making dining under the stars even more special! 

Windstar is the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation. I tried many extraordinary chef-inspired dishes at the Amphora Restaurant and even ordered room service from the same menu one night when I chose to enjoy dinner alone in my cabin. Hands-down this was the best room service I have ever experienced on a ship!

For breakfast and lunch, the bright Veranda Restaurant offered panoramic views while we sailed and had a buffet with many varieties of yogurt, fruit, salad, bread and dessert. Meals could also be ordered from the menu including eggs benedict, hamburgers, and daily specials. The staff from day-one knew my name and greeted me personally without hesitating. With 118 guests on board for our sailing, I was so impressed that the staff were able to greet us by our names, not just at mealtime, but all the time as we moved around the ship. It made me wonder how they learn our names so quickly.

Pro Tip: There is so much more to Windstar’s extraordinary food-centric attention. I found three exceptional experiences, unique to Windstar, that revolved around private barbecue parties on the Wind Spirit and on secluded islands and motus for Windstar-guests-only. All were weather-dependent and involved an enormous amount of effort by the staff. More on these below.

6. Deck Barbecue Under The Stars

The Galley team brought their finest cooking talents out to the pool deck where large barbecues were set up to prepare everything from paella to pork and beef. In the late afternoon long tables with salads, breads, vegetables, and other meal accompaniments were set up, and the deck was outfitted with dozens of perfectly set tables and chairs, enough for all 118 guests to enjoy dinner and the show that followed. Staff spontaneously burst into singing and finding strategic positions to lead guests in Line Dancing. Under clear skies with bright stars overhead, the party carried on for hours. We applauded the Windstar team’s talent, creativity, effort, and spirit of hospitality and fun. 

7. Windstar Private Island Experience 

Another exceptional Windstar experience was in Motu Mahaea on Taha’a, known as The Vanilla Island. My day started with a short tour of a vanilla plantation followed by an exhilarating snorkel adventure with black tip sharks and rays circling around us. Our dive boat then took us to Windstar’s private island surrounded by white sand beaches and corals for the complimentary Private Island experience.

Wearing only bathing suits and rashguard shirts, we fit right in with the other guests who were wearing beach gear. Staff had already set up a full bar with all sorts of tropical drinks, and a full lunch buffet, complete with a giant seafood paella pan, meat skewers, and an assortment of hot and cold salads and side dishes. I lounged comfortably on the beach after the delicious lunch and went into the shallow water to snorkel a little more. 

No doubt transferring all of the food, drinks, towels, dishes and glasses, and the cooking and serving equipment to the private island was an enormous effort, yet the entire Windstar team was in great spirits throughout the day and into the early evening when we all returned to the ship. We all agreed that this was one of our best days on the cruise. 

8. Bora Bora Destination Discovery Event

The third in a trio of outstanding experiences on this Windstar cruise in Tahiti was the Bora Bora Destination Discovery Event. Bora Bora was the most beautiful of the Society Islands. It is surrounded by tiny reef islets formed by broken coral and sand, called motu , in small pristine secluded areas.

Windstar took guests by catamaran to the motu where Windstar’s executive chef arranged an extraordinary private feast on the beach. Traditional Polynesian fire dancers dressed in loin cloths performed after dinner to the delight of all the guests. I looked forward to this event; however, I had to fly home from Bora Bora for a family event just hours before the festivities began. I did hear from other guests by email about how they enjoyed the feast and fire dancing. This experience is also completely complimentary to Windstar guests!

Windstar Tahiti Pro Tips

There is a treasure box of intimate and immersive shore excursions; however, if your heart is set on particular excursions offering limited space, I recommend booking them early. You can change your mind and make adjustments on the ship daily.

Commencing in February 2024, the 312-passenger Star Breeze takes over as Windstar’s year-round Tahiti ship doing the Dreams of Tahiti seven-night cruise offering the same experiences I so enjoyed. 

Windstar will also sail a new exciting 14-day itinerary, Tahitian Treasures & Magnificent Marquesas , in 2024 and 2025 calling on the Tuamotu Islands of Fakarava and Rangiroa en route to and from the Marquesas, ending with the Society Islands of Tahaa, Bora Bora (an overnight), Moorea, and Papeete.

I have highlighted only my top eight experiences on the Windstar Tahiti and Tuamotu Islands cruise; however, I could easily have written about so many more magical moments and experiences while on board. If you dream of Tahiti as I did, this is a wonderful way to turn those dreams into memories.

Her tagline is, “The goal is to die with memories, not dreams,” and Judi is making and sharing new travel memories all the time.

Windstar Announces Exclusive Fall Savings and Upgrades

• September 11, 2024

Windstar Cruises is offering exclusive savings on select fall sailings to destinations like Tahiti, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

For a limited time, travelers can enjoy a complimentary all-inclusive upgrade on voyages through March 2025, which includes free Wi-Fi, unlimited drinks and all gratuities. The offer runs through September 30.

Solo travelers can also benefit from a reduced single supplement of 120 percent on select sailings this fall and early winter, allowing for additional savings alongside lower seasonal airfare.

“Our small ships attract friendly, well-traveled people who enjoy meeting new people, and with fewer people on board, it’s simply easier to make new friends and find people you want to socialize with throughout the cruise,” said Janet Bava, Windstar’s chief commercial officer.

The single supplement is also applicable to Windstar’s Balboa/Fuerte Amador to Oranjestad itinerary. Guests can explore the Panama Canal, San Blas Islands of Panama, Cartagena and Aruba. 

The complimentary all-inclusive upgrade is applicable on select Mediterranean trips this fall, exploring Croatia’s coast, the Greek islands and cities like Barcelona and Rome.

“Autumn in the Mediterranean is fabulous,” added Bava. “It’s normally mild weather in the 60s with sunny, cool days, perfect for exploring and enjoying the coastal scenery, and wandering around plazas and historical sites. In fall and winter, locals are more prevalent than tourists so it’s definitely a more leisurely vibe. I also love Autumn for dining on fresh, local specialties, and you can enjoy fall harvest festivals such as the olive harvest in Greece, grape harvest in Croatia and chestnut festivals in Sardinia.” 

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Frugal Traveler

Thinking About a Solo Cruise? Here’s What to Know.

As solo cruising becomes more popular, pricing and cabin types are changing. Deals can be found, especially with advance planning, but it takes a little know-how.

By Elaine Glusac

Elaine Glusac is the Frugal Traveler columnist, focusing on budget-friendly tips and journeys.

When cruising resumed after Covid-era travel restrictions were lifted, cruise lines wanted to fill ships fast. Some, like Windstar Cruises , which operates small ships carrying 148 to 342 passengers, pursued solo travelers with discounts on the penalties singles usually pay to occupy a cabin alone.

“To fill a lot of capacity in a short time, who do you go after? Those who don’t have to ask permission or arrange schedules for two,” said Janet Bava, the chief commercial officer for Windstar, which reduced its single occupancy fares to 120 percent of the standard fare a person sharing a double cabin would pay. Previously those solo cruisers were paying up to double the fare to have a cabin to themselves.

But the cruise industry has since recovered — Carnival Corporation recently announced 2025 bookings are pacing higher than 2024 in both price and occupancy — and many solo deals are disappearing. Windstar, for one, is snapping back to 2019 prepandemic pricing models.

“Now there’s less space,” said Ms. Bava, noting that the goal of every cruise line is “to maximize revenue at double occupancy at 100 percent.”

Still, even with increasing prices, travel advisers at the Virtuoso network say solo cruising is one of the top cruise trends for 2025. Solo travel in general has been on the upswing in the past few years. In a survey on 2024 travel intentions, Booking.com found that 59 percent of respondents planned to travel alone.

Savvy cruisers know that deals always exist in the dynamic world of cruise pricing for those who book early and otherwise game its unique economics. Here’s what you need to know about going solo affordably.

Why it costs more to go solo

Unlike hotels, where the price of a room is generally the same whether there is one person or two people staying in it, cruise lines advertise their lowest rates as per person prices in cabins built for two, which can be misleading to first-time cruisers.

Cruise lines don’t want to sell cabins at half price or miss out on the extra shipboard charges for things like drinks and excursions that a companion might buy, so they try to recover that income by charging a single supplement, which can run 25 to 100 percent above the per person double occupancy rate. That means, for example, a cruise that costs $1,000 a person in a double cabin could cost a single passenger $1,250 to $2,000 to have the cabin to themselves.

“We saw a change after the pandemic,” said Shelby Frenette, who runs the agency TravelFun.Biz , based in Boca Raton, Fla., which specializes in group solo travel. To get travelers back on ships, she said, “cruise lines were waiving the single supplements in a big way.”

Now, she said, prices are again rising as interest in cruising grows. Passenger volume in 2023 was 31.7 million, according to the Cruise Lines International Association , exceeding 2019 levels by seven percent.

“It’s so busy, we are back to pre-Covid times when there’s a lot less opportunity for singles to save money,” Ms. Frenette said.

In managing occupancy, cruise lines use single supplements like “a lever that can be pulled depending on their needs,” said Theresa Scalzitti, the chief operations officer of CruisePlanners , a travel agency based in Coral Springs, Fla.

That’s why travelers might see more sales on shoulder- or off-season sailings across the cruise spectrum. But, Ms. Scalzitti added, “Business has been so good I don’t think a lot have had to use this.”

The rise of the solo cabin

One solution to the solo supplement rub is to offer staterooms designed for one passenger. Norwegian Cruise Line became the first major cruise company to adopt solo cabins with the debut of the Norwegian Epic in 2010.

It now has nearly 1,000 solo staterooms — ranging from inside cabins to those with balconies — across its 19 ships, most of which include access to private lounges for passengers in solo cabins. A solo cabin on a weeklong sailing in Alaska in October aboard the Norwegian Encore was recently priced at $1,200, compared to $1,749 a person in a double occupancy room.

Other companies followed its lead. Holland America Line added solo cabins on its Pinnacle-class ships that debuted in 2016. Demand for single accommodations on the three ships — the Rotterdam, Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam — is high, according to the company. A seven-day sailing in November between San Diego and Mexico’s Baja Peninsula was recently priced at $1,948 in a single cabin compared to $2,268 a person in a double.

But solo cabins can be elusive — according to Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic , they are often the first to sell out — and they aren’t necessarily cheap.

“A lot of solo cabins are on newer or larger ships, which tend to have higher pricing,” said Cheryl Cooper, who is based near Atlanta and vlogs as SIG Cruiser about solo cruising, among other topics.

On some ships, they are a premium offering. American Cruise Lines , which operates on waterways in the United States, offers single staterooms on each of its ships, many at 250 square feet with private balconies. A nine-day trip next May on the Columbia and Snake Rivers was recently priced at $7,620 for a private balcony solo stateroom; doubles started at $5,715 a person.

“When people see ‘no single supplement,’ they automatically think 75 to 50 percent off and that’s not the case,” Ms. Cooper said.

Seeking singles on river and expedition cruises

Besides Windstar, other small-ship lines, including those in river and expedition cruising — which tend to be more expensive than trips on large ships — have seen a jump in solo travelers and are pursuing them with incentives.

HX , formerly known as Hurtigruten Expeditions, says one in four bookings among American passengers are solo travelers and the line experienced more than 50 percent growth in single sailors between 2022 and 2023.

In 2024, about half of its single passengers traveled without paying a supplement while the other half received discounts of varying levels (HX is currently selling supplement-free cabins to solo travelers on 10-day sailings in the Galápagos Islands, from $8,634 through March 2026).

Aqua Expeditions , which operates small ships on the Amazon and Mekong Rivers, and in the Galápagos and Indonesia, saw its solo business grow 50 percent between 2019 and 2023. It waives the single supplement on select sailings. Three-night itineraries on the Amazon start around $3,450 a person.

Among river cruise operators, Tauck waives the single supplement on its European sailings in Category 1 cabins, which are 150 square feet and on a lower level with a pair of small windows, compared to the French balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows in other categories. (An eight-day cruise on the Danube River next summer starts at $4,990 in a single, the same price as a person sharing a double room)

In Europe, Riviera River Cruises is offering 40 sailings in 2024 and 2025 — about six percent of departures — without single supplements across all cabins (six-day sailings on the Danube start at $2,099 in a solo cabin). On other itineraries, Riviera offers four to five cabins on each sailing with a 25 percent single supplement; the fee goes to 100 percent once those are sold out.

How to get the best solo fare

Most cruise experts suggest making reservations early for the best price and cabin availability on ships. Avalon Waterways waives single supplements on a few cabins on most European sailings; booking early gives you the best chance of getting one.

If you book and a fare later drops, many lines will honor that lower rate.

Before the final payment is due, “if the price goes down, get it repriced so you’re not at risk by booking early,” said Ms. Scalzitti of CruisePlanners, which monitors bookings for price drops.

The annual “ wave season ” cruise sales, which normally take place January to March, often yield deals in the form of rate cuts, amenities or discounts on companions.

Those deals are increasingly showing up earlier on the calendar.

When families gather to celebrate over the holidays, “they tend to plan travel for the following year,” said Ms. Bava of Windstar. “We expect to have amazing pre-wave offers starting in December.”

Companies that specialize in solo travel may offer roommate matching, allowing a pair of strangers to split the cost of a double cabin. Aurora Expeditions , which operates a pair of 130-passenger ships in places like the Arctic and Antarctica, will assign solo travelers with another single of the same gender in a shared cabin if available. Ms. Frenette of TravelFun.Biz said about 80 percent of travelers with her groups take advantage of doubling up when it’s offered.

“There have been very, very few major problems,” she said. “The biggest is snoring.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

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The Best Things to Do in Rostov-on-Don

Contributor / Journalist

The city of Rostov-on-Don lies all along the banks of the Don river. It is a beautiful place to wander around; there are many green spaces, and during the summertime, you can bask in the sun or go on a relaxing boat ride down the river, a glass of wine in hand. Here are some of the top things to do in Rostov-on-Don.

Take a quick walk along pushkin street.

Pushkin Street is the main promenade in the downtown city area. The street, named after Alexander Pushkin, is full of cafés, bars , restaurants and historical statues, along with beautiful flowers and trees; it’s an ideal place to spend a relaxing weekend. Don State Public Library, located in a unique modern building and one of the biggest libraries outside of Moscow, also sits on Pushkin Street.

Pushkin Street, Rostov-on-Don, Russia

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Explore the embankment

Take a walk on the embankment by the slow-flowing Don river. Street performers entertain and provide activities for the public during the summer months, and many people opt to take a boat ride on the water. You can even get on a disco boat here and dance the night away.

The embankment, Rostov-on-Don, Russia

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Try local food at Rostov’s Central Market

This place has everything that a Russian regional market should have; meat and fish, sweets, ice cream, excellent salads, and a few delicacies from Korea and Georgia. You won’t find many souvenirs for tourists here, but it is still worth wandering the stalls.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNCnw_DA4Lo/?tagged=%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%80%D1%8B%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BA

Visit the local parks and gardens

There are numerous beautiful parks located around the city. You can discover some of the main green spaces simply by walking along Pushkin Street, and there are more in the centre near Bolshaya Sadovaya Street.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXp8BIKht-_/?taken-by=rostov_nadonu

Take a look at Bogoroditsa Cathedral

Go on a day trip to azov.

Once you’ve checked out all the main historical places in Rostov-on-Don, and you have some time to spare, you should make sure to stop by the nearby town of Azov. Steeped in history, the town once served as a Turkish outpost, and today is home to the remains of Azov Castle.

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