A compilation by The Cruise Web employees.
2013 was a big year for the cruise industry with the introduction of anticipated ships and updated programming, and for cruisers each and every opportunity to cruise is big deal. Here we’ve spotlighted some of our team members’ favorite experiences this year. We’d love to add your favorite 2013 cruise experiences to this list, so be sure to tell us where you cruised and why it was great this year!
Adam W.
The best cruise I took this year was to visit the great land of Alaska. My wife and I cruised from Whittier, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia on the Island Princess back in late August. We stayed at the Hotel Alyeska near Anchorage, saw 26 glaciers in a day on a high-speed catamaran, visited the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, panned for gold, experienced Hubbard Glacier and cruised through Glacier Bay National Park. Shore excursion highlights included dog sledding and puppy time in Skagway, whale watching in Juneau and a taxi tour of the Ketchikan area.
Heather W.
The best cruise I took this year was on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas. It was great to go with friends and make some new ones. There was so much to do that I didn’t even have to get off the ship!
Greer J.
My best cruise in 2013 was sailing to the Hawaiian Islands on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America. Being at a different port almost every day was nice. The cruise was very relaxing – I indulged in a full body massage, which was well worth it. I even ran into a TV sitcom celebrity while on the cruise – Barbara Eden, better known as Jeannie from I Dream of Jeannie, was on the ship for her vacation.
Erica K.
Just this past December I got to go on a 7-day cruise through the Caribbean on the Carnival Valor. I loved this cruise because it was so port-intensive. We visited St. Thomas, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Martin, Barbados and San Juan, Puerto Rico. I packed each day with as much sightseeing as possible. In St. Lucia I went zip lining through the forest, in St. Kitts we climbed to the top of the Brimstone Hill Fortress and in San Juan I went on a food tour where I got to make and eat Mofongo. Plus, it didn’t hurt that while I was enjoying the sunshine it was snowing at home.
Fiona K.
My favorite cruise this year was the 7-night Southern Caribbean sailing on the Celebrity Summit. We were celebrating my boyfriend’s 30th birthday and had an amazing time. The Celebrity Summit is a beautiful ship and the food and service were wonderful. The highlight, however, was visiting several beautiful islands and enjoying their spectacular beaches. We sampled local food, met many friendly islanders and swam with lots of sea turtles!
Gloria H.
The “best cruise ” I took this year was the only cruise I took this year, and that was on the Norwegian Breakaway. One cruise a year is certainly not enough.
What a fabulous ship! I loved the entertainment venues and the specialty restaurants were tops (even though we had to pay a nominal fee). The Jazz/blues club has wonderful ambiance. It reminds me of the jazz spots in the south. Passengers can even showcase their musical talent by joining in a jam session with the combo band.
“Howl at the Moon” is always a hoot. (Pun intended). The pumped up audience throws out songs, they play them and everyone sings along. What talent! The Burn Up the Floor dancers– Excellent! The activities on board are great , especially if you have kids.Rock climbing, miniature golf, zip lining and a ropes course. There is a full basketball court and tennis courts and let’s not forget that awesome water park.
I adored the thermal suite, those heated tiled chaise lounges are the best as you lay back, smell the eucalyptus and watch the sunset from the floor to ceiling windows. There you can also enjoy the saunas and the hydrotherapy pool. Ahhhh,that’s what I call living.
Next up a Danube River Cruise!
Beth T.
In September my husband and I sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas! It was a very special cruise because we celebrated our 15-year wedding anniversary and had an amazing time. We went to the Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten, which were all beautiful, but the best part was the ship. This ship is a destination in itself and I would recommend it to anyone who wants tons of options when it comes to dining, entertainment and activities.
Sammie K.
My favorite cruise of the year was in May, when we took the brand new Norwegian Breakaway out of New York on a cruise to nowhere. The ship was full of great shows and great food to keep us entertained every day. I really loved seeing all of the talent onboard at the Cirque du Soleil show and at the piano bar.
Seth W.
The best cruise I took in 2013 was a 7-day Bermuda cruise I took in the spring. This cruise was my favorite because it featured two big firsts: it was my first time sailing with Carnival Cruise Lines, and my first time visiting Bermuda. The water may have been a little chilly, but Bermuda’s outside temperatures were perfect for exploring the island by scooter – some of the best fun I’ve ever had on vacation.
We hope you have had similar experiences in 2013 and use this list as inspiration for your 2014 travels. We hope to see you onboard, so give us a call today to start planning your next great vacation experience!
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Cruise Web.
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The Best Cruises We Took in 2013