Welcome to the exciting world of cruising with Willamette International Travel – your passport to a myriad of unique seafaring experiences!
We’re here to guide you through the world of cruising. A cruise vacation is about immersing yourself in a moving paradise and relishing the journey as much as the destination. Our travel advisors collaborate with various esteemed cruise lines to provide you with a special and memorable experience whether it’s your first time sailing or it’s your 14th time. There’s a cruise for every style and budget!
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Our Value to You
Travel advisors were responsible for an impressive 64% of all cruise bookings made in North America in 2019. As we are a part of an influential consortium of travel suppliers it provides us with significant buying power we can wield on behalf of our clients.
So, what does all this mean for you?
Expert Advice
Our travel advisors have extensive knowledge of various destinations and experiences by regularly continuing their education as they personally travel to experience what you experience. Their reservoir of deep knowledge will help pair you to the right ship.
Collaboration With Our Partners
Willamette International Travel has a number of strong networks with travel companies including cruise lines. This means we can offer the best values, sometimes even exclusive ones that aren’t available otherwise.
Personalized Experiences
Every traveler is unique and our travel advisors understand this and customize the travel plan as per the client’s tastes and interests. You can expect a true collaboration when you work with us here at Willamette International Travel!
Save Time and Stress
It can be exhausting and complicated to plan a trip; let us handle the chaos so you can go about your life. Collectively, our travel advisors have over 125 years of experience on streamlining itineraries and advocating for our clients when the unexpected happens. This frees you up to enjoy your hard-earned vacation.
Support Throughout the Trip
Our travel advisors provide assistance before, during, and after the trip. It is comforting for our clients to know help is just a phone call or email away if needed.
Types of Cruises
Ocean Cruises
The most recognized cruise type that comes to people’s minds. Ocean cruises offer an eclectic mix of sizes and vibes to set your heart sailing! From mega ships to intimate yachts, these roam the seas and oceans docking at numerous ports, allowing passengers to explore an assortment of cities and countries.
Some examples of ocean cruises include: Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Cunard
River Cruises
River cruises offer intimate, immersive experiences. These cruises navigate through the world’s famous rivers: the Danube, Rhine, Nile, Mekong, and Mississippi, to name a few. Passengers on river cruises get to enjoy scenic views of riverbanks, vineyards, and historical landmarks as well as time to explore off-ship.
Some examples of river cruises include: AmaWaterways, Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways
Expedition Cruises
An explorer is a bold spirit who passionately steps off the beaten path, turning the pages of the world’s untold stories and transforming the unfamiliar into celebrated memories. These are adventurous cruises designed for travelers seeking iconic, remote destinations such as Antarctica, Arctic, Galapagos, and the Kimberleys. Expedition cruises are destination focused and meant to be culturally enriching so activities such as hiking, wildlife spotting, and sometimes hosting real scientists onboard to study the local ecology and history is an integral part of these adventures.
Some examples of expedition cruises include: Ponant, Lindblad Expeditions, HX (formerly known as Hurtigruten)
Theme Cruises
These cruises are just that: the itinerary is built around a particular theme or interest, like music, food, history, sports etc. Theme cruises are offered by various cruise lines and ships of different capacities. Events onboard and ashore are tailored to the theme, making it an immersive experience for passengers with shared interests.
Some examples of theme cruises include: Atlas Voyages for the F1 Monaco Grand Prix in May 2024, Disney Cruises, Star Clippers Cruises Mama Mia!
Small Ship Cruises
Small ship cruising offers a distinct, immersive, and intimate cruising experience that stands in contrast to the grand scale of traditional ocean cruises. Small passenger numbers, usually less than 200, creates a personal atmosphere promoting close interactions between guests, the crew and the destinations.
Some examples of small ship cruises include: UnCruise Adventures (36-86 guests), Windstar Cruises (ship accommodating 148 guests), Star Clipper Cruises (227 guests)
What to Expect
Embarkation
Embarkation processes are pretty streamlined for the most part, but every cruise line has their own way of welcoming their passengers onboard.
1. Arrive at the pier based on your embarkation time and cabin category
2. Handing off your luggage to a crew member to be delivered to you cabin while you wait for it to become available
3. Proceed to check-in desks with passport, cruise confirmation, and credit cards
4. Walk the plank (JK)! You walk the gangway where you are greeted by the ship’s crew
5. The crew will either escort you or direct you to you cabin. Keep in mind that your luggage might not be delivered to your room until after dinner.
6. Time to explore the ship to your heart’s content! Don’t forget to ask questions and have fun!
IMPORTANT: Every cruise will have a muster drill which is a MANDATORY safety drill for all passengers. Every passenger must be physically there in order for it to go smoothly and quickly. Don’t be the person everyone is waiting on when the muster drill begins.
Cabin
Your cabin, or stateroom, might not be available immediately. Some lines offer boarding only when cabins are available. Other welcome you earlier and you can explore the ship! Unpack your essentials and embrace the sea of excitement – you’re about to set sail.
Your cabin is like your closet away from home. Depending on what you chose, you can expect expect cabins to be well-designed to maximize storage and convenience with a variety of layouts, size and views.
A daily program is usually available every evening; listing in depth information about the upcoming ports, daily activities/events, weather, excursions, dining hours, local maps, and more.
Dining
One of the standout experiences of a cruise is the wide array of gastronomic treats. Passengers can choose between a variety of buffets and restaurants on board ranging from casual to formal dining. Some cruise lines have specialty restaurants that offer a top-notch culinary experiences for an extra fee.
Specialties might include steakhouses, sushi spots, French cuisine, etc. Depending on the cruise line, you might need to make a reservation. It’s become popular for cruise lines to partner up with a celebrity chef for onboard cuisine, such as Nobu Matsuhisa, Curtis Stone, Alain Ducasse, and Jacques Pépin.
If you want to enjoy the comfort of your cabin while dining, room service is available, often 24/7. It might be complimentary or come with a small charge depending on which restaurant you order from and time of night. A favorite wake up call from one of our advisors is getting coffee and a pastry delivered by her cabin attendant. It’s such a gentle way to start the day!
Additionally, guests can expect a wide variety of beverage venues, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. From coffee shops and juice bars to pool bars and chic lounges, there’s always a place to grab your preferred drink.
Click here to read Culinary Collection: A World of Culinary Delights at Sea magazine to get a look at some of the wonderful recipes you might find on board!
Onboard Activities
A day on a cruise ship can be as active or relaxed as you want. Relaxing by the pool, enjoying spa treatments, fitness classes, and serene zones. Do you like to go hard on vacation? Then you’ll like rock-climbing, ziplining, race tracks, waterslides or surfing on board depending on the ship!
When the sun goes down, the ship livens up with a range of entertainment from live music, theater performances, comedy shows, to themed parties and even outdoor movie screenings under the stars.
Younger cruisers aren’t forgotten! Larger ships offer age-specific clubs and activities for children and teens. These include fun and engaging activities from arts and crafts to scavenger hunts and parties. During the holidays, smaller ships may have more kid-friendly activities available on board like Christmas Tree decorating and caroling!
Ports & Excursions
Sometimes we cruise for the ship; sometimes for the destinations. The chance to explore new cities, markets, landscapes, and cultures adds depth to the cruise experience. You can opt for guided tours or venture off on your own.
Organized shore excursions ensure that the ship will not leave port without the returning tour group. However, passengers who wish to explore independently are free to do so but must be mindful of the ‘All Aboard’ time.
The cruise director’s team hosts port talks during the cruise which are usually available on the ship’s TV channel. This can include things to do, sightseeing tips, shopping recommendations, and valuable safety information.
Seeing the world from the perspective of its waterways is one of the most rewarding elements of the cruising experience. At Willamette International Travel, we encourage our clients to delve into the local heart of their destinations and become temporary locals, even if just for a day!
Disembarkation
Near the end of your cruise, the cruise director will guide you on what to expect when disembarking in a briefing held in a large lounge or theater. Don’t worry if you have other plans – the session is often replayed on your in-cabin TV.
Key details will also be in the ship’s daily newsletter or a cabin memo. Consider sending a member of your group to the briefing to ask any lingering questions and avoid waiting in line at the front desk later. Smooth sailing includes making disembarking a breeze.
Remember, every cruise line and ship can have somewhat different offerings, so don’t be afraid to ask questions to your travel advisor or any crew member!
MS Santa Cruz II seen from the coast of Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos. Copyright Hurtigruten. Photo Credit: Andres Mesias.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are cruises expensive?
The cost of cruising can truly vary, hinging on the specifities of the cruise you select. Cruises span all budget brackets, ranging from a modest few hundred dollars per person up to luxurious, high-end experiences that run into the thousands per person. This fluctuation in price is reflective of the differences in cruise lines, trip durations, and the unique ports visited on each voyage.
Additional expenditures like premium beverages, specialty dining, and casino entertainment are all optional splurges – you wield complete control over your on-board spending. We at Willamette International Travel can help you find the package that is best fit for you!
What are some destinations for cruising vacations?
You are the captain of your cruising experience! The ideal destinations are the ones YOU want to experience and explore. Where there is water, there is likely a ship or a boat that can vibe with you. Talk to your travel consultant to collaborate on the right itinerary just for you!
Will there be WiFi onboard?
Yes! Internet connectivity is an available amenity aboard most, if not, all ships; pre-purchased or ready for purchase once you embark. The cost varies across different ships and is influenced by the amount of online time you require (streaming, emails only, number of devices per cabin). A rare snag might occur in extremely remote locales, but aside from that, rest assured that throughout your global voyages, maintaining an internet connection won’t been an issue.
Complete Cruising Gallery
FUN FACT: The difference between a ship and a boat lies in size, function and cargo capacity. If it’s large enough to carry smaller vessels, used for long voyages, commercial & military transportation, and can carry large quantities of goods and people; it’s a ship! If it’s smaller, used for shorter excursions (personal use, fishing, and leisure activities), and have lesser cargo capacities; it’s a boat!
Resources
Culinary Collection: A World of Culinary Delights at Sea (magazine)