Q: How can I book a cruise at the best price?

Early bookers (6–12 months in advance) get the best cabin selection and discounts of 20–30%. Last-minute bookings (2–4 weeks in advance) offer the biggest price reductions (up to 50%), but only remaining cabins — family cabins and balconies are usually gone by then. Comparison portals: e-hoi.de, dreamlines.de, and kreuzfahrten.de show prices across all cruise lines. Repositioning cruises (in autumn/spring when ships move between regions) are often 40–60% cheaper than regular routes. Tips-inclusive rates (AIDA, TUI Cruises) are more transparent than cruise lines that charge 12–18 euros/day/person afterwards.

Q: Asia cruise — which route is worth it?

Singapore → Penang → Phuket → Singapore (7 days): the perfect introduction to Asia with culture, beach, and street food at every stop. Tokyo → Busan → Shanghai → Hong Kong (14 days): discover East Asia's megacities from the ship — culturally overwhelming. Vietnam (Hanoi/Halong Bay → Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City, 7–10 days): river cruise on the Mekong or coastal cruise with spectacular Halong Bay. Best season: October–April for Southeast Asia, March–May and September–November for East Asia. Cruise lines: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Star Cruises (Asian cuisine on board) operate most Asia routes.

Q: How do expedition cruises differ from club cruises?

Club cruises (AIDA, MSC, Royal Caribbean, Costa): large ships (3,000–7,000 passengers), entertainment (shows, casinos, pools), all-inclusive concept, well-known ports — focus on fun and comfort. Expedition cruises (Hurtigruten, Ponant, Lindblad): small ships (100–300 passengers), scientists and guides on board, Zodiac landings at remote coasts — focus on nature and adventure. River cruises (A-ROSA, Viking, Amadeus): intimate ships (150–200 passengers), cultural programs, wine tastings, daily excursions — focus on enjoyment and history. Hybrid offerings: Ponant's new ships combine expedition character with luxury amenities — the best of both worlds.

Q: Can I take a world cruise?

Yes — several cruise lines offer world cruises lasting 100–180 days: Cunard (Queen Mary 2, from 15,000 euros), MSC (from 12,000 euros), Costa (from 10,000 euros). The route typically goes: Mediterranean → Suez Canal → India → Southeast Asia → Australia → South Pacific → Panama Canal → Caribbean → back. With 4+ months on board, cabin choice is crucial: a balcony cabin is the minimum for mental health. Many retirees spend the winter on world cruises — the daily costs (70–150 euros all-inclusive) are often cheaper than heating + living expenses at home. Alternative: book partial routes (e.g., only Singapore → Sydney, 3 weeks) for a fraction of the price.

Q: What are the new cruise trends for 2026?

LNG propulsion (liquefied natural gas) reduces emissions by 25% — AIDA Nova, Costa Toscana, and the new Icon of the Seas from Royal Caribbean use LNG. Residential Cruises: living on the ship as a lifestyle — The World (120 apartments, traveling year-round) and Storylines (from 300,000 USD for a lifetime cabin). Expedition boom: Antarctica, the Arctic, Galápagos, and Greenland are becoming increasingly accessible — new ships with helicopters and submarines on board. Solo cabins without single supplements at Norwegian, MSC, and AIDA — solo travelers do not pay double. Wellness cruises with yoga decks, meditation rooms, and healthy cuisine as a countertrend to buffet excess.

Question 1

Which Mediterranean cruise route is best for beginners?

Accepted Answer

The western Mediterranean route (Barcelona → Marseille → Genoa → Rome → Naples → Barcelona) is the perfect entry point: 7 days, short sea days, famous ports, and stable weather from May to October. Cruise lines like MSC, Costa, and AIDA offer this route starting at 500 euros per person, including full board. The advantage over the eastern route: shorter travel times between ports = more time on land. The eastern route (Venice → Dubrovnik → Greek islands → Istanbul) is more scenic but takes 10–14 days, making it more time-consuming.

Question 2

Which fjord cruise in Norway is the most beautiful?

Accepted Answer

The route Bergen → Geirangerfjord → Hellesylt → Ålesund → Bergen is the classic (7 days) and showcases the most spectacular fjords. The Geirangerfjord (UNESCO World Heritage) with the waterfalls 'Seven Sisters' and 'Bridal Veil' is the highlight — best visited from May to August. Hurtigruten offers the most authentic experience as a combined passenger/freight ship route along the entire Norwegian coast (Bergen → Kirkenes, 11 days). In winter (October–March), Northern Lights cruises offer the chance to see the Aurora Borealis over the fjords — magical but cold (bring warm clothing!).

Question 3

Is a river cruise on the Rhine worth it?

Accepted Answer

The Rhine Romance route (Cologne → Koblenz → Rüdesheim → Strasbourg → Basel) is Europe's most popular river cruise: medieval castles, vineyards, the Lorelei, and UNESCO World Heritage landscapes. Duration: 4–8 days, prices starting at 600 euros per person, including full board and excursions. The advantage over ocean cruises: no seasickness, docking directly in city centers, sailing at night = exploring during the day. Best travel time: April–October; in December, there are Christmas market cruises through Cologne, Strasbourg, and Rüdesheim.

Question 4

Which Caribbean route is recommended?

Accepted Answer

Eastern Caribbean (Fort Lauderdale → St. Maarten → St. Thomas → Bahamas, 7 days): the beach route with crystal-clear water and duty-free shopping on the islands. Western Caribbean (Miami → Cozumel → Grand Cayman → Jamaica, 7 days): Mayan ruins, snorkeling, and Bob Marley culture. Southern Caribbean (San Juan → Aruba → Curaçao → Bonaire, 10+ days): the most untouched route with the best diving and snorkeling spots. Prices: starting at 600 euros per person for a 7-day interior cabin with MSC or Royal Caribbean. Best season: December–April (dry season); June–November is hurricane season — cheaper but riskier.

Question 5

What does an Antarctic expedition cruise cost?

Accepted Answer

Prices start at 5,000 euros per person for a 10-day expedition from Ushuaia (Argentina) — luxury expeditions cost 15,000–30,000 euros. The Drake Passage (2 sea days each way) can be very rough — fly-cruise options allow you to fly over it for an additional 2,000–3,000 euros. A maximum of 100 passengers can land at a time — smaller ships (< 200 passengers) offer more landing time. Best season: November–March (Antarctic summer), January/February for the best penguin sightings. You will see: penguins, whales, seals, icebergs, and a landscape that looks like another planet.

Question 6

How can I book a cruise at the best price?

Accepted Answer

Early bookers (6–12 months in advance) get the best cabin selection and discounts of 20–30%. Last-minute bookings (2–4 weeks in advance) offer the biggest price reductions (up to 50%), but only remaining cabins — family cabins and balconies are usually gone by then. Comparison portals: e-hoi.de, dreamlines.de, and kreuzfahrten.de show prices across all cruise lines. Repositioning cruises (in autumn/spring when ships move between regions) are often 40–60% cheaper than regular routes. Tips-inclusive rates (AIDA, TUI Cruises) are more transparent than cruise lines that charge 12–18 euros/day/person afterwards.

Question 7

Asia cruise — which route is worth it?

Accepted Answer

Singapore → Penang → Phuket → Singapore (7 days): the perfect introduction to Asia with culture, beach, and street food at every stop. Tokyo → Busan → Shanghai → Hong Kong (14 days): discover East Asia's megacities from the ship — culturally overwhelming. Vietnam (Hanoi/Halong Bay → Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City, 7–10 days): river cruise on the Mekong or coastal cruise with spectacular Halong Bay. Best season: October–April for Southeast Asia, March–May and September–November for East Asia. Cruise lines: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Star Cruises (Asian cuisine on board) operate most Asia routes.

Question 8

How do expedition cruises differ from club cruises?

Accepted Answer

Club cruises (AIDA, MSC, Royal Caribbean, Costa): large ships (3,000–7,000 passengers), entertainment (shows, casinos, pools), all-inclusive concept, well-known ports — focus on fun and comfort. Expedition cruises (Hurtigruten, Ponant, Lindblad): small ships (100–300 passengers), scientists and guides on board, Zodiac landings at remote coasts — focus on nature and adventure. River cruises (A-ROSA, Viking, Amadeus): intimate ships (150–200 passengers), cultural programs, wine tastings, daily excursions — focus on enjoyment and history. Hybrid offerings: Ponant's new ships combine expedition character with luxury amenities — the best of both worlds.

Question 9

Can I take a world cruise?

Accepted Answer

Yes — several cruise lines offer world cruises lasting 100–180 days: Cunard (Queen Mary 2, from 15,000 euros), MSC (from 12,000 euros), Costa (from 10,000 euros). The route typically goes: Mediterranean → Suez Canal → India → Southeast Asia → Australia → South Pacific → Panama Canal → Caribbean → back. With 4+ months on board, cabin choice is crucial: a balcony cabin is the minimum for mental health. Many retirees spend the winter on world cruises — the daily costs (70–150 euros all-inclusive) are often cheaper than heating + living expenses at home. Alternative: book partial routes (e.g., only Singapore → Sydney, 3 weeks) for a fraction of the price.

Question 10

What are the new cruise trends for 2026?

Accepted Answer

LNG propulsion (liquefied natural gas) reduces emissions by 25% — AIDA Nova, Costa Toscana, and the new Icon of the Seas from Royal Caribbean use LNG. Residential Cruises: living on the ship as a lifestyle — The World (120 apartments, traveling year-round) and Storylines (from 300,000 USD for a lifetime cabin). Expedition boom: Antarctica, the Arctic, Galápagos, and Greenland are becoming increasingly accessible — new ships with helicopters and submarines on board. Solo cabins without single supplements at Norwegian, MSC, and AIDA — solo travelers do not pay double. Wellness cruises with yoga decks, meditation rooms, and healthy cuisine as a countertrend to buffet excess.

Cruise Routes in Detail