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Dubrovnik, Croatia

Cruises that visit or depart from Dubrovnik sail in the Mediterranean. Perched on the Dalmatian Coast, this Pearl of the Adriatic is a medieval Mediterranean city known for its Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Many tours visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and venture up to the ramparts of the city's iconic walls (with portions dating back to the 13th century) for panoramas of its splendid churches, palaces, monasteries and fountains. Dine and shop along Old Town's Stradun, or main street, before a tour of the Franciscan Monastery Museum and the Old Pharmacy, which has been operating since 1317. A filming locale for HBO's hit series "Game of Thrones," Dubrovnik offers plenty of guided tours for those wanting to see the settings of popular scenes shot in the show's fictional town of King's Landing. Other excursions include cable car rides for bird's-eye views and sea-kayaking adventures to the isle of Lokrum and a hidden beach cave.

Continue to D8 by turning left twice from the airport, then right onto D8. Drive on D8 for 18km, then take the exit towards Dubrovnik Center. Continue onto Ul. Pera Bakica/Ul. Vladimira Nazora/Vukovarska ul. Vukovarska ul. turns right and becomes Obala Stjepana Radica, which is your destination.

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• Seabourn announces Encore's Eastern Mediterranean cruises (April...

Seabourn announces Encore's Eastern Mediterranean cruises (April-November 2022)

Seabourn announced Encore ship 's Eastern Mediterranean cruises between April and November 2022.

Highlights include voyages to Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Israel, and more:

• 7-day itineraries between Piraeus-Athens (Greece) and Istanbul (Turkey) beginning April 17, 2022. Numerous departures via twin itineraries provide combinations with Mykonos /Ephesus in one direction, and Santorini /Bodrum in the other.
• 7-day Holy Land cruises between Athens and Tel Aviv (Haifa, Israel) .
• 7-day voyages between Venice (Italy) and Athens, visiting Greece and the Croatian cities of Dubrovnik / Zadar in one direction and Sibenik (Croatia) / Kotor (Montenegro) on the return.

Passengers may combine the 7-day itineraries into 14-day B2Bs to explore more of the region, as well as receive savings of up to 15%.

The season marks the company’s return to Turkey for the first time since 2016. The itineraries feature:

• The popular Turkish resort town Cesme boasts a medieval castle and a boutique hotel that was an Ottoman caravanserai dating back from 1528.
• Kusadasi-Ephesus , whose old quarter is a maze of winding streets and houses adorned with birdcages and flowers.
• Bodrum has streets dotted with shops, a picturesque harbour with traditional wood-varnished sailboats, and the tomb of King Mausolus.
• Seabourn’s complimentary “Evening at Ephesus,” a classical concert in the ancient ruins under the stars.
• Seabourn Encore’s August 7-14 cruise will feature classical singing sensation, Jonathan Antoine. He will perform at Seabourn’s signature “Evening at Ephesus” event, accompanied by pianist and Steinway Artist Dominic Ferris.

Bookings made by May 31, 2022, receive an OBC/onboard credit of up to US$800 per cabin (oceanview/balcony) or up to US$1,600 per suite (penthouse and above)

Those who book now and pay in full by June 1st  receive an additional 10% savings on voyages departing November 1st or later.

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Seaborn Encore - Croatia port

By shen61 , May 4 in Seabourn Cruise Line

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We are doing the 7 day Adriatic & Greek Treasures cruise in October. The port in Croatia is Vodice (Sibernik). What is this port like? Tend to hear of Dubrvovnik or Split as the stop. 

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We docked there last year. Vodice, where you dock, is pretty small. Not enough to occupy you for a full day. We caught a cab to Sibenik (not walkable from Vodice) so that we could DIY. It was an easy port to do that and quite enjoyable. There are a couple of fortresses worth walking to. A pretty old town to walk through. Found a great little restaurant once the rain stopped and had a lovely lunch in a courtyard. We are not excursion people, so I do not remember where all went to from this port - one was a walking tour of Sibenik….glad we did it DIY. 

We were just there last week. As previous poster has noted, it's a small town without much going on. We did an excursion to Trogir which was interesting, but I wish we would have done a small boat around the Koronati Islands. Others on our cruise went to Krka Park and liked it.

Wonder why Seabourn goes there and not one of the others...probably the others have alot of ships coming in..

It was one of several ports where we were the only ship - that was a bonus for some places, but not for all. 

2 hours ago, shen61 said: Wonder why Seabourn goes there and not one of the others...probably the others have alot of ships coming in..

Our cruise, which ended today, included Dubrovnik as well as Vodice and Zadar. Dubrovnik, though beautiful and interesting, was already extremely crowded in late April. I imagine it's mobbed in the peak summer months. We enjoy the smaller towns and the opportunity to do nothing more than wander around and spend some time getting coffee and/or wine at an outdoor cafe while people watching. 

23 hours ago, Earthtones said: Our cruise, which ended today, included Dubrovnik as well as Vodice and Zadar. Dubrovnik, though beautiful and interesting, was already extremely crowded in late April. I imagine it's mobbed in the peak summer months. We enjoy the smaller towns and the opportunity to do nothing more than wander around and spend some time getting coffee and/or wine at an outdoor cafe while people watching. 

We visited some Croatia ports last October on Encore. Dubrovnik: just go in as early as you can. In late October, it was fine at 9 AM, but by 11 it was too packed for us so we left then.  Zadar is gorgeous. We took a private tour to Plitvice Lakes NP. The two-hour ride each way was worth it, although ship time restraints only allowed us about 3 hrs there. It’s a spectacular place. Next time, we’d spend the day in beautiful Zadar.

So the restricted ship numbers/sizes in Dubrovnik are not having much of an impact?  Such a beautiful place when not so crowded. Surprised at April crowds.  While my comment on small ports not being a bonus for all, it was one of the things we enjoyed at almost every one of them.  we thought about Plitvice lakes, so good to know it was worth it. We just don’t  take excursions and that’s a treck private. 

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Seaborn Encore - Croatia port

By shen61 , May 4 in Seabourn Cruise Line

Recommended Posts

We are doing the 7 day Adriatic & Greek Treasures cruise in October. The port in Croatia is Vodice (Sibernik). What is this port like? Tend to hear of Dubrvovnik or Split as the stop. 

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Share on other sites.

Vineyard View

We docked there last year. Vodice, where you dock, is pretty small. Not enough to occupy you for a full day. We caught a cab to Sibenik (not walkable from Vodice) so that we could DIY. It was an easy port to do that and quite enjoyable. There are a couple of fortresses worth walking to. A pretty old town to walk through. Found a great little restaurant once the rain stopped and had a lovely lunch in a courtyard. We are not excursion people, so I do not remember where all went to from this port - one was a walking tour of Sibenik….glad we did it DIY. 

We were just there last week. As previous poster has noted, it's a small town without much going on. We did an excursion to Trogir which was interesting, but I wish we would have done a small boat around the Koronati Islands. Others on our cruise went to Krka Park and liked it.

Wonder why Seabourn goes there and not one of the others...probably the others have alot of ships coming in..

It was one of several ports where we were the only ship - that was a bonus for some places, but not for all. 

2 hours ago, shen61 said: Wonder why Seabourn goes there and not one of the others...probably the others have alot of ships coming in..

Our cruise, which ended today, included Dubrovnik as well as Vodice and Zadar. Dubrovnik, though beautiful and interesting, was already extremely crowded in late April. I imagine it's mobbed in the peak summer months. We enjoy the smaller towns and the opportunity to do nothing more than wander around and spend some time getting coffee and/or wine at an outdoor cafe while people watching. 

23 hours ago, Earthtones said: Our cruise, which ended today, included Dubrovnik as well as Vodice and Zadar. Dubrovnik, though beautiful and interesting, was already extremely crowded in late April. I imagine it's mobbed in the peak summer months. We enjoy the smaller towns and the opportunity to do nothing more than wander around and spend some time getting coffee and/or wine at an outdoor cafe while people watching. 

We visited some Croatia ports last October on Encore. Dubrovnik: just go in as early as you can. In late October, it was fine at 9 AM, but by 11 it was too packed for us so we left then.  Zadar is gorgeous. We took a private tour to Plitvice Lakes NP. The two-hour ride each way was worth it, although ship time restraints only allowed us about 3 hrs there. It’s a spectacular place. Next time, we’d spend the day in beautiful Zadar.

So the restricted ship numbers/sizes in Dubrovnik are not having much of an impact?  Such a beautiful place when not so crowded. Surprised at April crowds.  While my comment on small ports not being a bonus for all, it was one of the things we enjoyed at almost every one of them.  we thought about Plitvice lakes, so good to know it was worth it. We just don’t  take excursions and that’s a treck private. 

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14-Day Adriatic & Grecian Gems

Whatever you desire, on a Seabourn cruise you’ll have it. This luxury brand offers small ships that allow you to explore less traveled ports for unique experiences. 

The gorgeous sights, the exciting sounds, and those luscious smells—it’s all alluring in the European countries that lie on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea during your cruise vacation.

Enjoy a trip to Dubrovnik, a cultural gem that was once a great and powerful European city and has been spectacularly preserved for your visit.

• Seabourn Encore - Passenger Capacity: 600 (double occupancy) Year Built: 2016 Last Refurbished: N/A

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Dubrovnik, Croatia , Vis, Croatia , Kotor, Montenegro , Sarande, Albania , Nafplion, Greece , Piraeus (Athens), Greece , Monemvasia, Greece , Itajai, Brazil , Nydri, Nisos Lefkada, Greece , Corfu, Greece , Brindisi, Italy

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14-Day Adriatic & Grecian Gems sailing on the Seabourn Encore

Departure dates: aug 2024 - aug 2024.

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The 12 Best All-Inclusive Cruises for 2024

When it comes to all-inclusive cruises, there are a few different options:

• Luxury cruise lines: All-inclusive cruise rates are available on luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas and Silversea. While more expensive than traditional cruise rates , the fares cover nearly everything, including door-to-door transfers, luxurious suite accommodations, specialty dining , premium alcoholic beverages and excursions. Plus, you don't need to show your cruise card every time you order a latte or a pre-dinner cocktail. You'll disembark the ship with very few, if any, additional charges on your final bill.
• Cruise lines with inclusive pricing: Alternatively, you can consider an upscale cruise line like Viking, which offers fares with more-inclusive pricing and some of the amenities found on board the fully inclusive lines. However, you'll still have to budget for a few expenses, such as immersive excursions and alcoholic beverages beyond wine or beer at lunch and dinner.
• Packages and add-ons: Other cruise lines like Oceania, Windstar and Norwegian offer add-on drink packages and other promos so you can create a more all-inclusive experience.

After comparing the costs between a truly all-inclusive cruise and a sailing with package pricing for the extras, the total price may be closer than you think.

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All-Inclusive Cruises

Regent seven seas cruises.

Regent Seven Seas touts its six ships – with the newest vessel, Seven Seas Grandeur , which debuted in late 2023 – as "the world's most luxurious fleet." The line's intimate ships accommodate up to 750 guests. They feature all ocean-view suites, prestigious museum-quality art collections (including a prized Fabergé egg on the new Grandeur), and itineraries that call on more than 500 destinations around the world.

With Regent's "every luxury included" philosophy and 2-for-1 all-inclusive fares, passengers receive round-trip airfare and transfers between the airport and ship, as well as unlimited shore excursions, two- or three-night land programs (based on the itinerary), and a complimentary pre-cruise hotel package for concierge suites and higher. On the ship, enjoy a fully stocked in-suite minibar; specialty dining; unlimited fine wines, spirits and other beverages; prepaid gratuities; unlimited Wi-Fi; and free valet laundry service.

On top of personalized service, guests sailing on Regent Seven Seas cruises will enjoy immersive exploration ashore – with overnights in some ports of call – and enrichment programs. Top-notch dining includes French cuisine at Chartreuse (on select ships), Pan-Asian fare at Pacific Rim (also on select ships) and Italian fare at Sette Mari at La Veranda.

Cooking classes in the Culinary Arts Kitchen (available on Grandeur, Splendor and Explorer ), some tours and bespoke excursions, spa treatments, unique offerings, and certain wines and top-shelf liquors come with an additional cost.

Explore Regent Seven Seas Cruises on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

Silversea Cruises

Sailing on board one of Silversea's 13 ultra-luxury cruise or expedition ships commences with the line's new chauffeur experience. This door-to-door service transports guests from home to the airport and back home on the return trip. The line's all-inclusive pricing also encompasses international or domestic flights (with business class upgrades in certain destinations), pre- and post-cruise hotel accommodations, butler service in every suite, all gratuities, gourmet dining, and complimentary alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, including Champagne.

Guests will also enjoy a staff-to-guest ratio of nearly 1-to-1 – and with no more than 728 guests. Other all-inclusive perks include at least one shore excursion in each port plus onboard lectures and programming. On expedition sailings in destinations like Antarctica , all guided Zodiac tours and landings are included in the fare.

When it comes to dining on Silversea ships, gourmet options feature French, Asian and Italian cuisine along with other international fare. For a special evening, S.A.L.T. Kitchen is a new destination-focused concept on Silver Ray, Nova , Moon and Dawn . This immersive dining experience, Sea And Land Taste, was developed in partnership with the former editor-in-chief of "Saveur Magazine," Adam Sachs. The culinary offerings with S.A.L.T. also include shore excursions, where guests can tour a 500-year-old family winery and vineyard in Croatia, visit an organic farm in Denmark, or learn to make gelato in Sicily.

Expenses not covered in Silversea's fare include salon and spa services, personal training sessions, select excursions, upgraded internet packages, and special bottles of wine or liquors.

Compare Silversea Cruises deals on GoToSea.

Seabourn Cruise Line

Seabourn's seven purpose-built expedition vessels and intimate luxury cruise ships accommodate between 264 and 600 guests. The club-like atmosphere on board its ships comes with highly intuitive and personalized service with about a 1-to-1 staff-to-guest ratio. Each suite also has a dedicated personal suite host and a suite attendant that will cater to your every whim.

All-inclusive fares include oceanfront suites with walk-in closets, living areas and luxurious bathrooms. All Seabourn Encore and Ovation accommodations feature private verandas, while 90% of the suites on Seabourn Odyssey , Sojourn and Quest have balconies. Premium and penthouse suites offer additional amenities and perks.

While aboard Seabourn Cruise Line , guests will enjoy complimentary fine wines and premium spirits, welcome Champagne, and a fully stocked in-suite bar with your personalized selections. Dining is a real treat, with several venues in partnership with renowned chef Thomas Keller, such as the line's signature restaurant, The Grill by Thomas Keller. Seabourn is also a member of the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an international association of gastronomy.

Other complimentary amenities on Seabourn's cruise ships include special evenings with dinner and live entertainment; a marina and complimentary water sports; "Caviar in the Surf" on select voyages; movie nights; a chance to shop with the chef at local markets; personal valet luggage shipping service; enrichment lectures; and more.

Additional expenses include a wide selection of epicurean, mindfulness and wellness excursions as well as cultural and historical bespoke tours. You can also book the ultimate underwater adventure on one of the line's high-tech submarines on the two expedition vessels, Seabourn Venture and Pursuit. Programs and treatments at Seabourn's Spa & Wellness are also at an additional cost.

Find a Seabourn Cruise Line cruise on GoToSea.

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Atlas Ocean Voyages features "always included" cruise fares on its two purpose-built yachts, World Navigator and World Traveller. The line recently welcomed a third ship to its fleet for the 2023-24 Antarctica season, World Voyager. Atlas' high-end boutique ships cater to just 198 passengers and feature spacious staterooms and suites with panoramic windows or private balconies and beautiful public spaces and lounges. These small ships also have several options for dining, depending on the sailing and destination.

The all-inclusive fares cover complimentary dining; unlimited wines, craft beers and spirits; 24-hour bar service with canapes; a free in-room minibar; afternoon high tea; fresh-pressed juices and specialty teas and coffees; butler service; 24-hour room service; prepaid gratuities; cultural immersion in every port; and other perks.

Polar expedition fares cover private charter jet service, group transfers from the airport to the yacht, an Atlas Ocean Voyages parka and vest to take home, Zodiac sightseeing safaris, expert guided shore landings, and destination lectures and briefings.

If you're on one of the line's Epicurean Expeditions, the cultural immersion program offers complimentary special tastings, market visits and cooking demonstrations. In addition to use of the marina's water toys (on select sailings, weather permitting), guests can enjoy an authentic Portuguese dinner and an alfresco Josper Grill dining experience at 7-AFT Grill. On select voyages, culinary presentations, wine tastings and other special events are hosted by an expert.

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More-Inclusive Cruises

Cruise fares with these lines include many of the amenities and perks that you'll find with the all-inclusive cruises. However, you'll still need to budget for some expenses, such as alcoholic beverages, excursions and specialty dining, depending on the line.

Viking's ocean fleet of nine 930-passenger all-veranda ships offers a nearly all-inclusive experience for guests. The upscale Scandinavian-inspired ships feature king-bed staterooms and suites with many amenities, including luxurious linens and plush robes, 24-hour room service, and free Wi-Fi – plus an in-room minibar with soft drinks, water and snacks. Higher-category staterooms on Viking Ocean Cruises come with additional perks like priority dinner and spa reservations, early stateroom access, and a welcome bottle of Champagne.

Cruise fares also include complimentary dining at all the venues; one free shore excursion in every port; beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner; specialty teas, coffee and bottled water; access to the spa; lectures and performances; port taxes and fees; and more.

Viking also has two 378-passenger Polar Class 6 expedition vessels, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. These ships also offer a mostly all-inclusive experience with the same amenities as their oceangoing vessels. Pricing on the expedition sailings includes Zodiac safaris, the use of kayaks, a keepsake Viking jacket, and essential gear for excursions and landings.

Select excursions, pre- or post-dinner cocktails, spa treatments, special bottles of wine, and other optional purchases come at an additional expense.

Book a Viking cruise on GoToSea.

Azamara's four upscale boutique ships carry a maximum of 702 guests and offer immersive experiences around the world, calling on many smaller, lesser-known ports. The line also boasts more than 380 overnights and 850 late nights in port, so guests can have dinner in town and experience more of the destination's local culture and cuisine.

Azamara's cruise fares include all meals (other than the specialty dining restaurants) with water, tea and coffee. A selection of complimentary wine, sparkling wine, beer and spirits is available throughout the voyage. Cultural evenings ashore or on board the ship and gratuities are also included in the basic cruise fare.

If you'd like to enhance your onboard experience, Azamara offers inclusive "Experience More" packages that are discounted and based on the length of the voyage.

For example, on a seven-day or shorter sailing, solo travelers can add a package for $799 that's valued at $1,114 (a savings of 28%). This value-add bundle includes $350 of onboard credit to use for shore excursions; unlimited Wi-Fi for one device; a drinks package featuring premium wines, spirits and bottled water; a $150 spa credit; and a dinner at the Chef's Table or a total of three nights of specialty dining at Prime C or Aqualina. Three bags of laundry are also included.

Guests can book similar packages for double occupancy staterooms and longer voyages. You can also choose individual beverage, dining or internet packages if you don't need the extra amenities or features of the bundled options.

Compare Azamara cruises on GoToSea.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages' four superyacht-inspired ships are designed with adults in mind and feature 1,330 cabins (most with balconies) and 78 RockStar Quarters suites, where guests have access to Richard's Rooftop, an exclusive outdoor deck space. Pricing with the adults-only cruise line includes stateroom or suite accommodations and meals at more than 20 eateries serving up international cuisine and dishes created by Michelin-starred chefs. Guests also have access to complimentary Wi-Fi; unlimited group exercise classes; nonalcoholic drinks such as water, tea and coffee; and plenty of lively entertainment.

Virgin does not offer beverage packages, but the line at times advertises special promotions that include voyage credits to cover expenses like airfare and drinks. Shore excursions and spa treatments – including skin care offerings on board Scarlet Lady in partnership with Jennifer Lopez, Virgin's chief entertainment and lifestyle officer – are some of the additional expenses not covered in the base fare.

Find a Virgin Voyages deal on GoToSea.

Add-on Packages and All-Inclusive Fares

These five cruise lines offer basic cruise fares that cover accommodations and some amenities – and you can typically find special pricing and promotional deals throughout the year.

With the optional packages, guests can create a mostly all-inclusive voyage with bundles of add-on extras, such as shore excursions, beverage packages, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities or shipboard credit to cover miscellaneous personal expenses such as spa treatments or a bottle of wine for a special celebration.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania's eight small luxury ships carry between 648 and 1,238 guests. The line's newest ship – Vista , the first Allura Class vessel – debuted in Rome in May 2023. The beautifully appointed vessel features four new dining concepts, spacious standard staterooms at 290-plus square feet in size, new Concierge Level veranda accommodations for solo cruisers, an elevated mixology program and more.

Oceania's culinary program is touted by the line as "The Finest Cuisine at Sea" under the tutelage of Jacques Pépin, executive culinary director and master chef. Complimentary specialty dining is included in cruise fares on Oceania sailings. Pricing also covers airfare, still and sparkling water, specialty teas and coffees, soft drinks, and Wi-Fi on the ship.

Oceania's "OLife Choice" package provides additional value to your cruise with 2-for-1 cruise fares, free round-trip airfare and airport transfers – plus one free amenity you'll choose out of eight complimentary shore excursions, a beverage package or up to $800 in shipboard credit.

Explore Oceania Cruises on GoToSea.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity offers special rates and packages throughout the year that save money over a la carte pricing – and elevate your onboard experience to be more inclusive. You'll be able to access the best deal on the added perks if you book the upgraded package before you sail, saving up to 40 to 50 percent of the actual cost.

The line's "All-Included" package bundles the most popular add-ons for cruisers: a standard beverage package for alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, unlimited basic Wi-Fi, and gratuities for the staff and crew. Pricing depends on the stateroom or suite category and sailing.

There are other options when booking a cruise with Celebrity to create a more upscale and all-inclusive experience. Guests staying in all-suite The Retreat have exclusive access to a sundeck (on select ships), a lounge and Luminae – a private restaurant that features Global Culinary Ambassador Daniel Boulud at the helm. Guests of The Retreat booking the "All-Included" package receive a premium beverage package, premium unlimited Wi-Fi, gratuities and an onboard credit.

If you book AquaClass accommodations, you'll also have access to complimentary amenities and perks, such as unlimited access to the SEA Thermal Suite, discounts on spa treatment packages and complimentary fitness classes. In addition, you'll also find a bottle of sparkling wine upon arrival (by request) and two bottles of water refreshed daily in your room. AquaClass guests also have exclusive access to the restaurant Blu. You can add the "All-Included" package to your booking, which will include the Classic Drinks Package, basic Wi-Fi and gratuities.

Passengers who want to book this "All-Included" package and are sharing a stateroom or suite will need to book the same package.

Compare Celebrity Cruises on GoToSea.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian also offers promotional fares and special deals throughout the year that feature similar amenities and perks to what you'll find on an all-inclusive cruise. The "Free at Sea" deal bundles discounts on the cruise, free specialty dining, unlimited open bar privileges, shore excursion credits, savings on Wi-Fi access, discounts on the third and fourth guests in the stateroom, and a 2-for-1 deal on airfare.

"Free at Sea Plus" takes the package up a notch with a more comprehensive beverage selection, including top-shelf cocktails, Champagne by the glass, bottles of select premium wines at dinner and signature Starbucks coffee drinks. This option also includes unlimited Wi-Fi, additional nights of specialty dining and shore excursions.

Prices for both packages on Norwegian Cruise Line will depend on the dates, length and destination of the cruise.

Book a Norwegian Cruise Line cruise on GoToSea.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line's "Have It All Premium Cruise Package" is available to book for cruises six days or longer, excluding the line's Grand Voyages. The benefits vary depending on the length of the trip but include credits for shore excursions; the Signature Beverage Package; specialty dining at Tamarind, Pinnacle Grill or Canaletto; and a Wi-Fi Surf Package. The cost starts at $50 a day per person. 

An early booking bonus for this package includes an Elite Beverage Package upgrade, covered crew appreciation charges and a premium Wi-Fi upgrade. Holland America has other special promotions throughout the year. One of these is an early booking bonus of up to $400 in onboard credit per stateroom for Mariner Society members.

Find Holland America deals on GoToSea.

Princess Cruises

"Princess Plus" and "Princess Premier" packages offer guests two options to upgrade their onboard amenities from the standard Princess Cruises plan, which covers accommodations, dining, entertainment and the line's signature MedallionClass experience.

"Princess Plus" perks include a beverage package with drinks up to $15 each, Wi-Fi on one device per guest, gratuities for the crew, two premium desserts a day (think hazelnut gelato at the onboard gelateria), two fitness classes per cruise (such as Pure Barre or YogaSix) and unlimited trips to the juice bar. The cost is $60 per day per person for this middle-tier package.

Additional benefits of the highest-tier option, at $80 per person per day, include the Premier Beverage Package, which covers drinks up to $20 each, and Wi-Fi for up to four devices per guest. Other features of the "Princess Premier" upgrade are two specialty meals, a photo package, Princess Prizes, reserved theater seating and a Medallion accessory.

Explore Princess Cruises on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed to destinations around the globe on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts and traditional masted sailing ships. Most recently, she traveled on a small expedition vessel in Antarctica and crossed the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Kids Sail Free Cruises
• First-Time Cruise Tips: Mistakes to Avoid
• Bucket List Cruises for Seniors and Retirees
• The Best Cruise Insurance Policies
• Cruise vs. All-Inclusive Resort: Which One Is Right for You?

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Ajesh Patalay

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

You never forget your first cruise. Mine was aboard a 650ft vessel touring the Black Sea. We embarked at Istanbul, stopped at Nessebar, Constanța, Odesa and Yalta, skipped Sinop because of rough waters, and sailed up the Bosphorus Strait a week heavier. The ship had a capacity for 229 guests and several dining options that ranged from a Michelin-level restaurant to an all-day patisserie, where I became a regular. There was no call for a wallet. All the bars were open. Some of the restaurants were buffet. Restraint was possible but not practical. Unshackled from routine and pieties around portion control, I ate like a king. 

My experience was not unusual. It’s commonly understood that the average cruise passenger puts on a pound a day. This has given rise to a whole category of travel journalism on how not to gain weight on a cruise (“while still having fun”). Food has always been a key factor in the onboard experience: as customers have become more discerning, so has the offering. A well- curated culinary programme is now a major point of distinction. This can take the form of wine and gastronomy-themed itineraries, such as Ponant’s “gourmet escapade in the Canary Islands” with the “Picasso of Pastry” Pierre Hermé. Or more extensive partnerships, such as Nobu Matsuhisa teaming up with Crystal Cruises to install his restaurants aboard their ships, or Thomas Keller joining forces with Seabourn to launch The Grill by Thomas Keller across the fleet.

Former editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine Adam Sachs is director of Silversea’s SALT programme , which stands for Sea and Land Taste. “One of the things people traditionally loved about cruises is you can be sailing in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean and have the same beef wellington and same bottle of burgundy,” he says. “There is pleasure and comfort in that consistency. But there comes a point when the everywhere-and-nowhere-ness you get from the classic cruise-ship dining experience fades and you want to feel like you’re somewhere. Food is a great way to connect to a place and tie what’s happening aboard to what’s happening ashore.”

The SALT programme offers shore excursions to organic farms near Copenhagen, olive groves in the Aegean and biodynamic vineyards in the Tuscan hills. Passengers are known to book cruises on the back of attractions such as “the Franco Pepe experience”, which grants access to Italy’s most famous pizzaiolo at his flagship restaurant in Caiazzo. Equally important are elements that bring those local flavours on board, such as SALT Kitchen, a dining venue that explores the area’s culinary heritage, and SALT Bar, where regionally inspired cocktails are made using locally produced spirits. “When we launched SALT in the Greek islands in 2021, we had more Greek wines on board than you would find at a Greek resort,” says Sachs.

We had more Greek wines on board than you’d find at a Greek resort Adam Sachs, director, Silversea SALT

The gastronomic life on private yachts is the subject of a new cookbook by Sidney Bensimon. The French-born photographer grew up spending summers on the beach in Corsica, learned to scuba-dive in Florida and now lives between Brooklyn and a coastal house in Maine. But the central focus of A Sea Lover’s Cookbook (Chronicle) is her time spent working as a photographer and cook on board various private charters to Martinique, Haiti, Greece, Croatia and the British Virgin Islands, among other destinations.

The book offers practical advice to cabin cooks such as how much drinking water to factor in per person per day (3.8 litres) and a checklist of pantry goods, fresh ingredients and dairy to stock. For her, this includes a starting provision of 740ml of olive oil, about 500g of butter, a jar of coconut oil, 240ml each of her preferred spices, various fruit and vegetables that don’t require refrigeration (saving space in the small gallery fridge for meat, dairy and greens), plenty of lemons and limes (for seasoning, salad dressing, lemonade and Margaritas) and lots of crisps (“the salt can help with boat nausea”). Recipes include buckwheat ginger granola; pasta with walnuts, chillies and greens; and lemon tahini cookies, and are eminently transferrable to dry land. But thanks to a bevy of sunkissed photography, the book also works like a dose of vitamin D. Bensimon cites trips to the Sunday market in Canggu, Bali, to stock up on tropical fruit, including her favourite mangosteen, and visits to the Kallidromiou farmers’ market in Athens to collect honey and Greek yoghurt. Her account is an appetite-whetter for the holiday of your dreams.

For comparable reasons, I’ve developed a soft spot for The Boat Cookbook (Adlard Coles) by food and wine writer Fiona Sims. Sims has sailed since the age of eight and spent countless weekends and holidays on boats off the south coast of England. Her unpretentious book includes recipes from chefs-turned-boatmen such as Chris Galvin (I particularly like his piperade basquaise – a spicy tomato pepper marmalade to scoff with scrambled eggs and croutons) as well as professional seamen like Robin Knox-Johnston (I recommend his spicy dhal). Among her favourite comforts are cod, chorizo and chickpea stew, penne with sardines, saffron and pine nuts, and crab macaroni cheese. 

The book caters for a niche but sizeable audience of leisure sailors who want to become more creative in their galley kitchens (the book is now in its second edition). Sims advocates using herb saver pods for fresh herbs (better than dried and generally less cooking time required), investing in a good pressure cooker (the perfect fuel/time/space saver), tarting up soups and stews with dried porcini or chorizo and relying on ready-prepared ingredients (such as duck confit and tinned beans in a “super-quick cassoulet”) for when the waves are up. Her ultimate advice, however: “Only cook at anchor, or when the sea is calm. It’s no fun in the galley when you’re rocking about – even for the sturdiest stomachs.” 

For rough passages, sandwiches made ahead of time or a Thermos of soup are her best bet, with a flapjack or piece of fruit cake. Navigating her other entries on managing a galley stove, catching and filleting mackerel and stocking up on wine (“boating and booze go together,” Sims insists, but best when in harbour), couched in a tone of British can-do and camaraderie, I can’t help being transported to salty harbours up and down the country and feeling the tug of the sea. 

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