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Converting to Cruising

by gosmartravel, 08/28/2009 16:08

Category: Cruises

A Convert to Cruising

 Being a travel professional I sell a lot of cruises.  But personally I didn't think of myself as someone who liked to cruise. My idea of a great vacation is to go to some exotic destination like China and bargain in the markets.  Or travel to northern Peru and take a river boat from Iquitos, and stay at a jungle lodge.  But cruising, not for me.

I have to admit my personal experience with cruising was limited.   Several years ago I took a four day journey on the Yangtze River.  Now that was fun.  Each day we stopped along the way and went ashore.  This was before the great river got flooded, and so the temples and pagodas were spectacular along with the terraced rice fields.  In the evenings the Chinese employees on the boat did low budget shows that gave us a taste of the Asian culture.  It is one of those cruises I still highly recommend when people venture to China.

But when one thinks of cruising, most of us have in our minds the mega ships with lots of people, Broadway style shows in the evening, casinos, and of course, the famous all you can eat buffets and the multi course meals in the restaurants.  And I only had one experience with a major cruise line when our family experienced a Christmas cruise to the eastern Caribbean.  And from that experience I did not think I was a cruiser.  My husband and I found we did not like being around all the people, or the different activities they had on board.  So I assumed I can book my clients on cruises, but no thanks for me to go spend a week at sea.

So this summer a unique opportunity came along that was to surprisingly make me change my feelings about cruising.  Princess Cruise Lines was offering travel professionals a ten day destination trip to Alaska.  Again since I send many of my clients on Alaska cruises and extended cruise tours, I thought I better take advantage of this opportunity.  So my husband and I hopped a plane to Anchorage Alaska where we spent the next ten days learning all about what Princess Cruise Lines and Princess Cruise Tours has to offer in the great state of Alaska.  This is when my conversion to cruising started.

What made this experience different?  Learning first hand not all cruise lines and their ships are created equal.  Both Princess and Holland America offer cruise tours, where in addition to taking a cruise, you can spend anywhere from a few days to a week exploring the wilderness of Alaska.  Hop aboard a glass domed rail car and go direct to the Wilderness.  Along the way have your camera ready for any wildlife you might see.  Experience Mt. Mckinley  lodge in the wilderness, or go further north yet to Fairbanks. 

Our cruise was of the inside passage with ports of call Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.  Each day we had opportunities to explore these frontier style towns.  Then in the evening we experienced Broadway style shows, comedians, or a solo blues singer.  Princess Cruises is a step above the competition.  Yes, you may be on a boat with a few thousand others but because of the ship's design and the many activities they offer it is both relaxing and fun.  Service is outstanding, and that enhances your vacation experience.  So, I am planning our next cruise and it will likely be another Princess cruise tour.  Princess Cruise Lines offers cruise tours all over the world including Asia, Australia, and Europe.  Visit www.gosmartravel for the latest specials on cruises.  If you are not already a cruiser, you might try one and be surprised.

Jane Bertschinger is a family travel specialist, owner of Smartravel Agency, based in Wisconsin.  Visit her website at www.gosmartravel.com
 

Filed under:  Princess Cruises, Cruises, Alaska cruise tours, Smartravel Agency
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