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The Best Educational Cruise Destinations for Students of All Ages

Educational cruises offer a unique blend of adventure and learning, perfect for students of all ages looking to expand their horizons beyond the classroom. These cruises take students to destinations that are not only breathtakingly beautiful but also rich in educational value. Here are some of the best educational cruise destinations that promise to deliver knowledge, fun, and unforgettable memories.

1. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands are a living laboratory of evolution, famously associated with Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Services like “write my discussion board post” from DoMyEssay can be invaluable for students documenting and discussing their findings from such trips. This archipelago offers an unparalleled opportunity for students to study unique wildlife and ecosystems. Cruises to the Galapagos often include guided tours with naturalists, providing insight into the area’s unique biodiversity. From observing the famous Galapagos tortoises to snorkeling with sea lions, these islands offer an immersive educational experience in biology and environmental science. If you ever need help with your environmental science assignment, you can buy a research paper from GrabMyEssay . This service provider custom essays for any topic.

2. Alaska, USA

Alaska’s rugged beauty and diverse wildlife make it a perfect destination for educational cruises. Students can explore glaciers, rainforests and witness wildlife from bears to whales. Many cruises offer educational programs focusing on local ecology, geology, and cultural history. Alaska’s stunning landscapes also provide a practical study of climate change and environmental conservation.

3. Mediterranean

A cruise through the Mediterranean Sea offers a journey through history and culture. Students can explore ancient ruins in Greece, marvel at the architectural wonders of Rome, or walk through historic cities like Barcelona and Istanbul. Educational cruises in the Mediterranean often include onboard lectures on history, archaeology, and art, making them ideal for students interested in humanities. 

4. Norwegian Fjords

Norway’s fjords offer breathtaking scenery and a unique geographical study for students. Educational cruises to this region provide a chance to learn about glacial formations, marine biology, and Scandinavian culture. The pristine waters and cliffs offer a stunning backdrop for geography and environmental science studies.

5. The Amazon River

Cruising down the Amazon River is an extraordinary experience for students interested in ecology and biodiversity. Educational programs on these cruises often include rainforest exploration, wildlife observation, and learning about the indigenous cultures of the Amazon basin. This destination provides invaluable lessons in conservation, biology, and anthropology.

6. The Caribbean

The Caribbean is a tropical paradise and a region rich in history and culture. Educational cruises here can focus on marine biology, with snorkeling and diving excursions to study coral reefs and marine life. Additionally, visits to historical sites offer lessons in colonial history and the Atlantic slave trade, providing a deeper understanding of the region’s past and its impact on the present.

7. Antarctica

Antarctica, the most remote continent, offers a once-in-a-lifetime educational experience. Cruises to Antarctica provide lessons in geography, climate science, and wildlife biology. Students can observe penguins, seals, and whales in their natural habitats and learn about the impacts of climate change in one of the Earth’s most sensitive environments.

8. Eastern Canada and New England, USA

Cruises along the eastern coasts of Canada and New England offer rich educational experiences in American and Canadian history. Stops at historical cities like Boston and Quebec City allow students to explore the early history of North America. The region’s natural beauty also offers a chance to study marine ecosystems and the area’s unique geography.

9. The Nile River, Egypt

A cruise down the Nile River is a journey into the heart of ancient Egyptian civilization. Educational tours include visits to iconic historical sites like the Valley of the Kings, Luxor temples, and the Giza Pyramids. These cruises offer an unparalleled history lesson in one of the world’s oldest civilizations.

10. The Baltic Sea

A cruise on the Baltic Sea takes students to several countries rich in history and culture, including Sweden, Denmark, and Russia. Educational highlights include exploring medieval towns, learning about the Viking era, and visiting significant cultural sites like the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. This region’s complex history provides valuable lessons in European politics and culture.

Educational cruises offer a unique and immersive learning experience, combining the excitement of travel with the enrichment of knowledge. These destinations provide students of all ages with a hands-on opportunity to explore subjects ranging from natural science and history to culture and geography. Each destination offers lessons and experiences, making every trip an adventure in learning and discovery.

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5 Educational Cruises — Small-Ship Cruises with a Scientific Focus

Oct 31, 2022 | 0

5 Educational Cruises

By Anne Kalosh

Interested in becoming a citizen scientist, documenting climate change, helping discover new species or just wanting to delve deeper into the ecology of the destinations you visit?

Whether it’s learning through lectures, presentations, observations in the field or in shipboard labs, taking part in hands-on research or even sponsoring cutting-edge science, it’s all possible aboard a range of small expedition ships.

These kinds of trips are for travelers with a purpose who want to learn and contribute, perhaps even to change the future in a meaningful way. You’ll come back transformed and, hopefully, act as an advocate for science and conservation.

Here’s a sampler of science-oriented small-ship educational cruises.

Lindblad Expeditions in the Galápagos

Carbon-neutral Lindblad Expeditions , which introduced international adventure expeditions to the Galápagos Islands more than 50 years ago, has a commitment to conservation there, where it operates two vessels year-round.

During the recent christening cruise of Lindblad’s new Galápagos ship, the 48-pax National Geographic Islander II , the company hosted local marine scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation and Galápagos National Park Directorate, in partnership with National Geographic Society’s Exploration Technology Lab.

National Geographic Islander II has a Science Hub and two suites devoted to Galápagos conservation and community. * Photo: @Marco Ricca:Lindblad Expeditions

The research team was continuing a deep-sea monitoring campaign in the Galápagos Marine Reserve to assess the biodiversity and distribution of organisms and habitats on the largely unchartered underwater mountains that exist thousands of meters under the surface.

Their last exploration campaign, conducted in 2019, uncovered two apex predator shark species that were previously unknown to be inhabiting the Galápagos Marine Reserve, as well as a kelp forest. This year, the team regrouped on National Geographic Islander II to re-survey the sites where key observations were made during the pilot study, and to explore new sites in search of yet unknown species.

Lindblad travelers can study the unique Galápagos habitat accompanied by experts on every cruise.

RELATED: Anne reports on the new National Geographic Islander II.

National Geographic Islander II hosts scientific research in the Galápagos. * Photo: @Marco Ricca:Lindblad Expeditions

Science Hub

Making it easy to connect to the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic legacy of conservation and research, National Geographic Islander ll features a Science Hub outfitted for underway oceanographic sensoring with an interactive video display, lab benches and seating for passengers to observe this important work.

Also, two suites on the 48-passenger ship are dedicated to conservation and community, and are designated for Galápagos community members, local and international researchers, educators, storytellers and other experts on each voyage, providing travelers with a deeper connection to people and place.

Interested in this cruise?

Here’s more info on the National Geographic Islander II Galapagos cruises.

Aurora Expeditions’ Antarctic Climate Expedition

Another carbon neutral travel company, Aurora Expeditions , will host what’s billed as a groundbreaking Antarctic Climate Expedition, serving as a summit for conservationists, celebrities and ocean luminaries to combat climate change.

The voyage will be led by renowned oceanographer, marine biologist, explorer and conservationist Dr. Sylvia Earle, aboard her namesake ship, Aurora Expeditions’ newly delivered Sylvia Earle .

Climate Change Affects Everything

“Earth’s changing climate is the headline issue of our time; it affects everything we are about, including our very existence,” Earle said. “In February 2023 we are gathering a braintrust of great minds from science, art, economics and education to talk about what is possible to do right now to get to a better place. We want, and will, provoke thought that will lead to action.”

Oceanographer Sylvia Earle will be aboard her namesake ship to lead the Antarctic Climate Expedition. * Photo: Chad Brown

The 12-day expedition, hosted in partnership with Ocean Geographic, is intended to drive awareness of the importance and splendor of the Antarctic while addressing the warming climate and loss of ice in the southern polar region as a direct threat to the future of the planet.

RELATED: Anne reports on Aurora Expeditions going carbon neutral. 

Resolutions for Action

One hundred expeditionists, including conservationists, environmentalists, celebrities and ocean luminarie have been invited to help formulate 23 resolutions to inspire transformative changes for global net zero emissions by 2050. A feature documentary, a book and exhibitions will also result.

Aurora Expeditions made a limited number of staterooms available for purchase by interested expeditioners to join and actively participate in this mission. Applications were taken with a particular welcoming of interest from thought leaders in science, art, education and economics, alongside inquisitive teenagers and corporate executives.

The 12-day Antarctic Climate Expedition begins Feb. 13 with a full-day conference in Ushuaia, Argentina, followed by a nine-day voyage aboard Sylvia Earle .

Aurora Expeditions’ newly delivered Sylvia Earle will host the Antarctic Climate Expedition in February. * Photo: SunStone Group

Interested in more info about Sylvia Earle ?

Here’s a link to more details about Sylvia Earle.

Ocean Victory & Whale Acoustics In Alaska

American Queen Voyages’ Alaska cruises aboard expedition ship Ocean Victory are enriched by a partnership with Dr. Michelle Fournet, a leading expert in the communication of North Pacific humpback whales.

Fournet and other members of her Sound Science Research Collective travel on select cruises during the May to September season, though at press time, AQV hadn’t announced the 2023 dates that would feature Fournet. However, there will be Sound Science Research Collective activities incorporated into every voyage.

Listening to Whales

They drop hydrophones from Zodiacs so passengers can hear the whales, give informative briefings and conduct research that travelers can participate in. The collective is studying the impact underwater noise from ships has on whales’ ability to hear each other and communicate.

Fournet’s particular interest is using bioacoustics as a tool to further conservation and assess species’ resilience in a rapidly changing ocean.

During my cruise on Ocean Victory earlier this year, hearing the whale sounds and learning about the world beneath our hull was a highlight of the trip.

RELATED: Anne reviews her recent cruise on the new Ocean Victory.

A presentation on whale soundings in Ocean Victory’s main lounge. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Cal Poly Students

A marine biologist by education, American Queen Voyages founder and Chairman John Waggoner took personal interest in assuring Ocean Victory’s expedition program is rich with science.

Part of this is having students aboard from California Polytechnic State University, Waggoner’s alma mater, on Ocean Victory’s expedition team.

The team, which can number 18 on some voyages, mingles the enthusiastic and knowledgeable students with seasoned authorities in a wide range of fields, from geology to music.

Eagle-eyed Caleb, one of the Cal Poly students on the Ocean Victory expedition team. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Ocean Victory has a fleet of kayaks for exploring with Cal Poly science students and other expedition leaders. Here, Misty Fjords, Alaska. * Photo: Michel Verdure

Interested in these cruises?

Go to the AQV site for more details.

Viking’s Science Labs & Research Partnerships

Viking, the prolific river cruise operator that branched into ocean voyages, this year introduced two purpose-built expedition ships with a strong science focus. They are Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris , which operate in Antarctica and in the Great Lakes.

Each is equipped with a 380-square-foot Science Lab, appointed with wet and dry laboratory facilities to support a broad range of research. The labs were developed in consultation with University of Cambridge scientists.

RELATED: Anne reports on Viking’s flurry of new builds.

The Science Lab on expedition ship Viking Octantis. * Photo: Viking

Viking Chair of Polar Marine Geoscience

Viking also partnered with the University of Cambridge to establish a new professorship aimed at advancing research in polar environmental science. The Viking Polar Marine Geoscience Fund endowed the university’s Scott Polar Research Institute with its first fully funded professorship — the Viking Chair of Polar Marine Geoscience. This new post will enhance the institute’s scientific leadership and enable new lines of research into the behavior of polar environments, including polar ice sheets, sea ice and ocean circulation.

The research fund builds on Viking’s existing partnership with Cambridge University’s Scott Polar Research Institute, which played a significant role in developing the scientific enrichment program for the company’s expedition vessels.

Scientists from the Scott Polar Research Institute and other renowned academic institutions are undertaking fieldwork onboard. They’re part of each ship’s 36-person expedition team, a diverse group of experts that lead excursions and give lectures on each sailing.

“Every Voyage Should Provide Opportunities For Scientific Discovery”

“Our intention in creating ‘the thinking person’s expedition’ is that every voyage should provide opportunities for scientific discovery, for our guests and for our partners,” said Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen, who was educated as a physicist. “… We are proud that our expedition vessels can also be utilized as ships of opportunity for important research that might not be possible otherwise.”

Further Scientific Partners

Viking’s other scientific partners include the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, the Norwegian Institute of Water Research, NIVA; Oceanites and the IUCN Species Survival Commission Species Monitoring Specialist Group.

For additional details, go here.

EYOS Expeditions & OCEEF

For the most ardent citizen scientists — who also have very deep pockets — here’s a rare opportunity to make a big difference and perhaps even foster a great discovery.

Two of the world’s leaders in ocean exploration joined forces to push the boundaries of underwater conservation and research and embark on critical citizen science missions to the farthest reaches of the planet.

Super-yacht expedition charter operator EYOS teamed with Ocean Conservation Exploration and Education Foundation (OCEEF), a nonprofit organization, to educate the world about the ocean through immersive, data-collecting missions aboard OCEEF’s five-star research yacht, Odyssey .

Carrying top scientists, explorers, students and educators, the vessel will circumnavigate the world with missions to explore aquatic ecosystems teeming with biodiversity in Antarctica, the Chagos Archipelago, the Galápagos and other remote destinations.

Research vessel Odyssey, pictured in its past life as Alucia, lowers a submersible. * Photo: EYOS

Mixing Cutting-Edge Science with Expedition Cruising

“ Odyssey represents the new frontier of expedition travel, mixing cutting-edge science with adventure travel and expedition cruising,” EYOS Founding Partner Rob McCallum said. “The opportunity and potential for further discovery with this vessel’s program is immense, and it will be tremendously exciting for all those fortunate enough to be onboard.”

EYOS founders McCallum and Tim Soper have been at the forefront of deep ocean exploration and combining science with private travel for decades, and the company holds several world records and has been instrumental in numerous scientific discoveries. (Fun fact: Capt. Ben Lyons, CEO of EYOS Expeditions, is a contributor to QuirkyCruise. )

On the exclusive missions aboard Odyssey , EYOS will provide logistical support and expedition leadership, empowering travelers to fully take part.

“OCEEF’s goal is to provide world-class scientists free access to the vessel and help them design impactful missions,” Alex Moukas, founder of OCEEF, elaborated. “… EYOS can help match the scientists and locations with ocean and expedition enthusiasts that make these incredible missions possible. We are looking forward to continuing to bring passionate citizen scientists unmatched experiences on and below the world’s oceans.”

A Pioneering Research Vessel

Odyssey (formerly Alucia ) is a pioneer in underwater exploration in its own right. It launched the French submersible Nautile on the first dives on the Titanic in 1987, participated in the successful search for the black box of Air France flight 447, supported the first filming of the giant squid in the wild with former owner OceanX and hosted David Attenborough, among other luminaries in science and conservation.

McCallum and Soper were instrumental in the design and building during the vessel’s four-year conversion from Nadir to Alucia , completed in 2011. Today, Odyssey can accommodate a helicopter and is equipped with two Triton submersibles, one of which can dive to a depth of 7,500 feet.

Odyssey is equipped with two Triton submersibles, one of which can dive to a depth of 7,500 feet: Photo: EYOS

Engaging with Students on Educational Cruises

Through technology like gamified ocean-learning experiences, OCEEF’s Odyssey aims to engage with millions of children and young adults as it circumnavigates the globe. Students will join scientists in an immersive undersea experience as they discover new species, learn the importance of ocean conservation and share their findings in real time with participants around the world.

Over the next year, Odyssey will embark on missions that include studying mesophotic coral reef ecosystems in the Chagos Archipelago, seeking the killer whales that attack great white sharks off the coast of Cape Town, documenting hydrothermal vents on Antarctica’s Deception Island, participating in threatened species recovery studies in the Galápagos and hunting for ancient Roman and Greek triremes (triple-deck warships) in the Mediterranean.

$150,000 Donation to Take Part

OCEEF invites travelers to support its missions in Antarctica this season by traveling aboard Odyssey for a firsthand look at the research participants are helping support. With a tax-deductible donation of $150,000, donors and their family/friends can join the crew of scientists, expedition leaders and students onboard.

Since Odyssey is classified as a research vessel, OCEEF is able to get special research permits and conduct operations in locations that are typically closed to all other visitors.

All proceeds support the research and educational mission of OCEEF, whether searching for the colossal squid in the deepest parts of the Antarctic or analyzing hydrothermal vents on Antarctica’s most active volcano.

In addition, OCEEF supports ongoing scientific studies and scholarships for local communities and students.

For more info on traveling aboard Odyssey, contact EYOS.

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© This article is protected by copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the author. All Rights Reserved. QuirkyCruise.com.

About The Author

Anne Kalosh

Anne Kalosh has written about cruises for decades and her favorites involve small ships. She is the editor of Seatrade-Cruise.com and senior associate editor of Seatrade Cruise Review.

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Smithsonian Is Launching Educational Cruises Around the World That Will Bring History Books to Life

The Smithsonian is partnering with Ponant cruise line for the epic sailings.

Small ship cruise line Ponant is teaming up with the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution to bring explorers on over-the-top sailings steeped in history and focused on cultural immersion.

The brand new partnership, which the companies shared with Travel + Leisure , will focus on expeditions in 2022 traversing the globe from Antarctica and Iceland, to the Mediterranean and Japan. Onboard, experts like archaeologists, scientists, anthropologists, and historians will be on hand to enrich the experience in each destination.

"As travel begins to resume, we believe guests will be more interested than ever in meaningful and enriching experiences that help to better interpret and understand the places they're exploring," Lynn Cutter, the senior vice president for Smithsonian Travel, told T L.

Take an udon noodle master class in Japan before strolling through a garden constructed during the early Edo period, and visit Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park from the 264-guest Le Soléal ship. Or keep your eyes peeled for polar bears and walruses as you head out along the Svalbard archipelago with naturalist guides from the Le Boreal ship.

Curious to explore more of North America? Head out along the Great Lakes on an 8-day journey from Lake Ontario to Lake Michigan, taking in the majesty of Niagara Falls along the way.

"PONANT has been a pioneer in immersing travelers in destinations in meaningful ways for more than 30 years," Navin Sawhney, the chief executive officer for the Americas for Ponant, told T L. "We are proud to launch a collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys, the enduring leader in cultural enrichment, to continue to deliver unparalleled experiences alongside guides that have traversed the globe for decades and top experts in their field."

These journeys aren't scheduled until 2022, but Ponant has implemented COVID-19 safety protocols in the meantime, including requiring all passengers and crew members over 16 years old to be vaccinated at least 14 days before boarding a ship. In addition, all passengers are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of embarkation and all luggage will be disinfected before bringing it on board.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

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The Best Cruises for College Students and Young Adults

If you’ve never been on a cruise, you might picture a bunch of retirees playing shuffleboard, eating dinner at 4:30, and complaining about the heat.

These days, nothing could be further from the truth.

As cruising becomes more and more popular, the old impressions of cruises being for the “newlywed and the nearly dead” are long gone. Now people of all ages — including college students — enjoy cruises. And why not? They’re affordable, fun, and easy.

Where else can you head to the Caribbean for only a few hundred dollars and visit multiple spots while unpacking only one time?

That said, there are some cruises that are definitely better for some crowds than others. While people of all ages cruise, different cruise lines, trip dates and other factors definitely have an impact on the type of crowd that you’ll sail with.

We know there is nothing worse than getting onto a cruise expecting a party and being the youngest person on the boat. On the flipside, if you’re older and want a relaxing trip, then you don’t want to be sailing with a young party crowd.

The good news is that there are different cruises that cater to different groups. To make sure you get booked on the sort of trip you want to go on, we’ve got some pointers on the best cruises for younger passengers such as young professionals and college students.

If you’re looking for the cruises with the youngest (under 30) crowd you can find, then be sure you take these items into account…

Cruise Dates (Spring Break/Summer = Younger)

By far the most important factor in who you will cruise with is when you are setting sail. The rule of thumb is that if you cruise when schools are out, your fellow passengers will be younger. If you’re looking for a younger crowd, it’s best to look at cruises in March (Spring Break) and early summer (summer break + graduation trips).

If you want to sail with younger passengers, avoid times when school is in session — especially right after school started and no one wants to take time off yet. So cruises during, say, September or January will often have older crowds.

Trip Length (Shorter = Younger)

The rule of thumb is the longer the trip, the older the crowd. Younger cruise passengers tend to take short cruises — 3-5 days. These cruises have more options for departure and are also cheaper, making them perfect for cash-strapped college students or younger adults. 

Older passengers with more time for sailing like the week-long cruises, which are also typically more expensive.

The good news is that cruise lines have made a big push into shorter cruises in recent years. Short trips to the Bahamas or Mexico are widely available from multiple ports, often at prices that come to less than $100 per day.

Cruise Lines (Cheaper = Younger)

Want to cruise with a younger crowd? Stick to the less expensive cruise lines. Budgets are a big driver for many younger cruise passengers. That’s why the more affordable lines — namely, Carnival — are more likely to have younger crowds like students and young singles. (Don’t think, however, that everyone or even the majority will be young.)

If you’re not sure if a cruise line is likely to have a younger crowd, simply go to their website. How do they market themselves? Do they show young people having fun, bright colors, and lots of beach shots? Then they are trying to appeal to younger crowds. The cruise lines catering to older crowds tend to have a more formal and luxurious feel to their marketing materials, attracting more wealthy and older passengers.

Carnival is the best for younger crowds. Royal Caribbean is an “in-between” cruise line that draws some college students. Cruise lines like Cunard, Celebrity, and Princess are for older cruisers. And of course, Disney cruises are for families.

But if there is a single line that’s made especially for those under 30, it would be Virgin Voyages. The cruise line is adults-only and markets heavily to the Millennial and Generation Z. While the price is a bit more than some lines, the crowd is much more defined than what you see on other cruises.

Destinations (Warmer = Younger)

Don’t sail to Alaska or New England if you want to party with a younger crowd.

In general, the farther south a ship’s route takes you, the more of a party atmosphere it will have. Younger passengers don’t want to put on parkas and drink hot chocolate to go look at whales and mountains. They want to put on bikinis or swim trunks, drink rum runners and hit the beach.

Alaskan or New England cruises will appeal to an older crowd. That doesn’t mean every Caribbean trip will have a ship full of college students, but your chances are much, much higher than if you were sailing north.

One spot that sees younger crowds are trips to the west coast and Mexico. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) — an industry trade group — the average age of trips to this area have the youngest crowds  among any destination for North American cruisers. 

Newer and Larger Ships (More to Do)

Some people go on cruises just to relax. There is nothing they want more than to sit on a balcony, eat good food, and get some sunshine.

Younger passengers will often want a little more to do on the ship. In that case, it’s a good idea to sail on newer and larger ships. 

Cruise lines do everything they can to put as much as possible on ships, but size is always a factor. Since newer ships tend to be larger, they can also pack on more to do. As well, new ships have the latest and greatest that a cruise line can offer, such as go-kart tracks on Norwegian Cruise Line and a roller coaster on Carnival. 

No cruise will be boring, but having more to do is always nice for younger passengers.

Special Events & Chartered Cruises

You may not realize it, but some companies make a business out of chartering an entire cruise ship, putting on a special event and then selling tickets to sail.

For example, there are poker cruises, clothing optional cruises, and even a New Kids on the Block cruise. Now, not every theme will resonate with everyone. However, if you find a special chartered cruise with a theme you like, then it’s likely you’re going to be sailing with like-minded cruisers.

In addition, many cruise lines offer sailings with special cruises for one specific trip. Carnival, for instance, has Carnival Live, which features sailings with people like Jim Gaffigan, Tim McGraw and others.

These trips are going to attract different crowds, depending on who the guest is. Look for sailings that have someone that is likely to attract a younger crowd.

The Best Crowds for Young Adults (Bring Friends!)

All this said, the best way to ensure that you are on a cruise with a younger crowd? Bring your own.

Bachelorette parties are popular on shorter cruises. Other times it’s just friends getting together to let loose for a few days. No matter, if you’re wanting to make sure there are other people on the ship that you’ll want to hang out with, then it’s the safest best to just bring your own friends.

Looking for an inexpensive cruise to somewhere warm (perfect for college students and young adults), check out our list of Spring Break cruise deals .

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Ten cruises that combine education and exploration

There’s more to life at sea than 24-hour dining and poolside parties.

Cruises with an educational theme offer cultural, cookery and creative courses on board

Cruise for culture

In the world of educational travel, what name could be more august than Smithsonian? The US institution founded for the “increase and diffusion of knowledge” has its own travel wing, Smithsonian Journeys, offering more than 200 educational travel holiday options, including a flotilla of cultural cruises. Typically featuring small guest numbers, interesting shore excursions and expert guides, you’ll have more to think about on board than which restaurant to eat in next.

Its Cruise of Japan and South Korea, departing May 2016, on board the five-star small ship the MS Le Soleal, calls at four Unesco World Heritage Sites, of which you will be fully appraised by one of Smithsonian's "journey experts". While next year's price is yet to be confirmed, a similar voyage this year, with an emphasis on Japanese art history, started at $9,990. smithsonianjourneys.org

Take a culinary cruise

Silversea is spicing up its on-board “enrichment programmes” with a tasty range of culinary and wine voyages. Set sail on a wine dark sea with one of its L’École des Chefs on-board cookery schools. Run by luxury hotel marketing group Relais & Châteaux, it includes hands-on instruction from chef David Bilsland, a former instructor at the Cordon Bleu school in London.

Certain voyages offer a Market to Plate experience too, including tours of local markets to shop for ingredients, followed by a cooking class on board or at a nearby R&C property. Specialist wine cruises offer tastings and lectures as well as wine pairings at lunch and dinner. Just don’t call it a booze cruise.

Fares on a 15-day culinary and wine crossing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale, departing on November 9th, cost from €3,750. silversea.com

Be a student of the seas

As if students don’t get it easy enough, there’s now an even better option than hanging around talking coffee and Kant all day – doing it on a cruise ship. Semester At Sea’s MV Explorer circumnavigates the globe twice a year, stopping to explore particular parts of it each summer. The floating university, complete with class rooms, computer labs and a 9,000 volume library, is home to around 700 undergraduates each spring and autumn term, studying up to 75 courses across arts, business and sciences.

Sign up for a programme running January to April 2016 for 101 days, 15 cities and 11 countries, starting in San Diego, California, taking in Yokohama and Kobe in Japan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Rangoon, Cochin, Mauritius, Cape Town and Ghana, before disembarking at Southampton. Inside doubles or outside triples from $23,950. semesteratsea.org

Keep lifelong learning afloat

For curious cruisers, Insight Cruises offers a combination of luxury travel and stimulating conferences. Its Bright Horizons 26 tour takes you on a voyage of discovery to Iceland and Norway, taking in the Shetland and Faroe Islands as you go, on board Holland America's Ryndam. Unlike ordinary passengers however, Insight's crew get to enjoy a full line up of seminars on topics ranging from neuroscience to architecture and Viking anthropology. For this, they pay their regular cruise fare, plus a conference fee of $1,575 which includes no less than 25 90-minute seminars. insightcruises.com

Is there a doctor on board? Continuing professional development is part and parcel of life for medics and what better way to continue your studies than by lying prone in the sunshine on an upper deck. It may even be tax deductible. Sea Courses runs a range of cruise conferences for doctor and dentist types including, from September 19th – October 2nd, one sailing from Istanbul to Barcelona, taking in Italy and the Greek Isles along the way, on board the Celebrity Equinox (10 dining options and real grass on the lawn).

The programme includes paediatrics, sports medicine and medical legal topics such as "supporting your patient through litigation", which sounds particularly interesting. Prices start at $4,364 for two guests in an interior stateroom. seacourses.com

Waves of academe

Senior school students can get a piece of the action too, with a Summer Discovery pre-college programme in Florence designed to help them make that, ahem, difficult transition between second and third level. With this they get to spend three weeks in a mix of academic classes and sightseeing tours around Tuscany before setting sail for a cruise around the Greek Islands on board Norwegian Cruise Lines ship Jade, taking in Olympia, Santorini and Mykonos – an education in itself.

Four-week programmes in July, including Florence and cruise, start from $8,999. summerdiscovery.com

Creative cruises It might not be a fully fledged third level campus, but if you’ve ever fancied learning a second language or getting to grips with martial arts – while at the same time travelling the world – Crystal Cruises’s Creative Learning Institute is worth checking out. Learn “white crane spreading wings”, “parting the wild horse’s mane” and “embracing the tree” on a Tai Chi programme, take art lessons or attend a seminar hosted by visiting scientists and authors. Join one of its computers at sea programmes to produce a digital documentary of your journey. No more boring the neighbours with slideshows for you.

At least give them something worth seeing, such as Crystal's Glacial Grandeur cruise from Tokyo to San Francisco, on board the Serenity, a 23-day voyage departing in April 2016 with fares from $6,640 per person. crystalcruises.com

Be a Road Scholar

Cross the whale-road with Road Scholar, a not-for-profit provider of education travel. It has a raft of shipboard study options, called Adventures Afloat, ranging from Aegean cruises to Antarctic expedition vessels or riverboat cruises along the canals of France.

The idea is that, as you travel from port to port, you learn about history, art, ecology and culture from on board instructors and local experts. Its South American adventure transports you to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley before boarding a luxury expedition ship bound for the Galapagos Islands. While at sea, learn about the islands’ incredible wildlife with experienced naturalists, using high tech on-board tools such as video microscopes, hydrophones and splash cams to explore what lies beneath.

It is priced from $8,499, with departures from September to November. roadscholar.org

Expeditious with your education

The perfect partnership of Linblad Expeditions and National Geographic has a fleet of nimble expedition ships that will get you up close and personal with the kind of terrain bloated cruise ships can't access. By which it means the kind of wild, remote places that are an education in themselves.

Take its Voyage to Antiquity, exploring Sicily and Malta aboard the beautiful tall ship, Sea Cloud, a 16-day expedition (from $18,840) that takes in no fewer than five Unesco World Heritage Sites – Valetta, Malta's megalithic temples, Agrigento, Siracusa and the Aeolian Islands. You'll have a clear view of a sixth too, Mount Etna, before finishing up in Athens, with expert guides at every turn so that you miss nothing. expeditions.com

Docs on decks

University at Sea offers a series of continuing education seminars at sea developed to enable practicing medical professionals to gain relevant, continuing education – and a tan. The company, which credits itself with having invented the cruise conference, operates more than 100 each year across a range of disciplines. Key to their success is that sessions are generally held during days at sea, so as not to interfere with the fact that you’re actually on holiday.

Next month, for example, sees a dermatology conference doubling as a 10-night Med cruise on board the Celebrity Equinox from Barcelona to Rome. Aptly it includes an overnight stop at Cannes during the Film Festival, for a front row view of box office Botox. Cruise prices from Celebrity start at €1,139 but participants must book through University at Sea, adding $795 for the conference element. universityatsea.com

Cruise in good company

Celebrity speakers treading decks on cruise ships around the world this year include cellist Julian Lloyd Webber (brother of Andrew), Buzz Aldrin and Jean-Michel Cousteau (son of Jacques).

The first two are part of the celebrity speaker programme at Cunard, while Cousteau features on Paul Gauguin Cruises.

Over at Saga, crime writer Ruth Rendell will be sending shivers up spines, if not timbers, on a Baltic Treasures cruise in May, while BBC’s Countryfile presenter (and forever Newsround star) John Craven, sets sail on a Star Clipper Caribbean voyage in November.

Not to be outdone, cultural cruise specialist Seabourn has signed up Silicon Valley supremo and Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak as part of its programme for December. Let’s hope he’s interesting – it’s a 97-day trip to Australia and back.

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• Student Cruise Trips

Locomotives of the sea, cruises are a way to travel in luxury and comfort, to enjoy getting there as much as the destination. Journey through the cerulean waters of the Caribbean, lie on the white sandy beaches of Mexico or relax in a hammock in Nassau after you pamper yourself senselessly aboard a floating city. Whether you are planning a graduation trip, a class getaway, or a vacation for a group of friends, there are magnificent - and affordable - cruise trips just for you.

Popular cruise destinations usually lead one straight to the Bahamas, on a tour of the Caribbean islands, or around the coasts of Mexico. We offer all of those cruise trips, but I want to outline some of the best destinations you could possibly choose.

Bahamas Cruise CanStockPhoto

The Bahamas are a natural choice, and popular for good reason. When you think of sun and sand you think of somewhere resembling the Bahamas' brilliant turquoise waters, white sands, shady palm trees, and iconic reed-thatched cabanas. Within the Bahamas, Nassau is a logical choice because of its Bahamian spice and British influences, and the fact that it is the capital city of the islands. Blue Lagoon Island, located in Nassau, is one of the top dolphins swim experiences while Cable Beach is perhaps the most popular, and one of the most beautiful, of the Bahamian beaches. Other tour destinations include a trip to the historic Cloisters Nassau, a scenic hike through the Queen's Staircase, or a visit to Ardastra Gardens zoo complex. Museums and historic landmarks, of course, are located throughout the capital city and are perfect for a day touring away from the ship. However, you'll have to draw yourself away from the views that are so perfect you'll think you're in heaven.

Dreamstime Stock Photos

Cozumel : With ancient Mayan influence, Mexican spirit, naturally beautiful Caribbean landscapes, and undisturbed jungles, Cozumel is a rustic island paradise. Adventure and relaxation go hand in hand in Cozumel where you can find some of the best snorkeling in the world, gorgeously bright coral reefs, ruins for touring, jungle parks for hiking, dolphins to befriend, and boutiques to shop. The island has perfected the art of subtle tourism with just enough flash to get you there and the right amount of attractions and amenities to keep you smiling. Cultural experiences like trying out an authentic Mayan sweat lodge and uninhabited beaches are particularly alluring though the entire island is a magnet for anyone with a love for tropical scenes and perpetually warm climates.

Shutterstock

Caribbean Islands: The conglomeration of islands that make up the Caribbean is too many to visit on one trip. 7,000 individual islands are said to belong to this collection, though only 13 are independent countries. Most cruise lines break this mass into two itineraries covering the east and west quadrants.

East : Since the eastern Caribbean islands are closest to the U.S. this is a popular choice and one that covers a lot of ground, or water. Usually, eastern Caribbean cruises lead you through the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Croix, Nassau, the Dominican Republic, and St. Thomas among others. The exotic mix of cultural influences on these islands make it a fun and inviting vacation for everyone with, of course, perfect beaches at every stop.

West:  The western islands hold amazing weight as they are some of the most popular destinations in the world. Ports of call include Belize, Costa Rica, Nassau, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Cozumel, the Yucatan, and Ocho Rios on the Mexican coast among others. There is little more I could say to convince you of these islands' qualities but they all come with snorkeling, shopping, sandy beaches, and palm trees.

123rf Stock Photo

On the western coast of Mexico lies the Baja oasis of Ensenada. While you're there, look into the Baja Bandidos Horseback Trail that leads you around Salsipueded Bay, Todos Santos Islands, and the Gold Coast. La Bufadora is one of the largest marine geysers in the world and lies less than a half-hour from the city proper on the peninsula of Punta Banda. Stand on the cliffside and let yourself be splashed by the natural wonder, spot a gray whale on a tour boat, tour Mexican wine country, and experience the magic worked in Baja restaurants all over the city.

There are hundreds of ports all over Central America and the Southern United States that I don't have the time or room to mention here from Florida to Panama to some of the hidden islands of the Caribbean.  But really, you can't go wrong when choosing a destination if what you're wanting is surf, sand, and sun. Cruises make some of the best student trips for their all-inclusiveness, an abundance of luxurious amenities, and broad schedules. Take a cruise for your next group vacation and you will be so enraptured by the views, all thoughts of school and reality will leave your mind. At least for a few days.

Written by Josh Hettinger

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How are Cruises Educational? Here’s 5 Lessons Kids Can Learn on a Cruise

by Elizabeth Dukart ·

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You likely already know how much fun family cruises can be, but you may be wondering how are cruises educational for kids? There are so many opportunities for learning on a cruise that cruising has become one of our favorite ways to travel as a homeschooling family!

I didn’t go on my first cruise until I was well into my experience as a parent. Before my husband and I had our two (awesome) kids, we spent most of our time working and, if we got a chance to go on a vacation, it was typically by plane or car. The thought of cruising seemed overwhelming. What if we got seasick? What if we felt claustrophobic being “stuck” on a (giant) ship in the middle of the ocean? What if we were bored?

Luckily, we got over those silly fears. We took our first family cruise a few years ago and have been hooked ever since! (pun intended)

For the record…those fears? These MotionCalm tablets help me with any seasickness, cruise ships are so big it’s near impossible to feel claustrophobic, and there are plenty of activities to stay busy (and entertained) while cruising.

I grew up living about an hour or so from Ocean City, NJ. We’d visit the beach during the summer and would even stop by during the cool weather just to see the ocean. There’s just something about the water that makes me feel calm and eases any anxieties I may have. It’s my happy place.

Being that my kids also spent a portion of their childhood living in New Jersey, they, too, grew to look forward to time spent by the water.

Because of our love of the ocean, it’s really no surprise that cruising has become one of our favorite ways to travel. Not only do my family and I get to spend quality time together, but, as a homeschooling parent, I definitely appreciate the educational value that comes with being on a cruise.

There are so many opportunities for learning on a cruise. Today, I’m sharing my top 5 lessons kids can learn while cruising and, even better, I’ve got a free set of Cruise Ship printables to help with your next homeschool cruise.

Before Cruising with Kids

Homeschooling parents are able to organize and plan an activity down to a tee, right? Well, planning a homeschool cruise is no different.

Just as we’d plan for a successful field trip or co-op lesson, we’re going to plan for an upcoming cruise and any related lessons. My free Cruise Ship printable set can help the kids prepare for, and remember, their cruise with resources such as:

• a Cruise Ship Word Search
• a list of 20 Cruise Ship Vocabulary Words
• 5 Cruise Ship Writing Prompts covering Descriptive Writing, Persuasive Writing, Narrative Writing, Informational Writing, and Reflective Writing #yourewelcome
• a fun Cruise Ship Scavenger Hunt

Created with upper elementary-age kids in mind, the cruise ship activity packet is filled with fun & educational activities to help the kids learn about the world of cruising, how a cruise ship runs, the experiences, and more.

Free Cruise Ship Printables!

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To make your cruise ship preparations even more well-rounded, you may consider including some reading activities and a documentary or two! You could include activities sharing information like:

• the port you’ll be departing from
• the ports you’ll be visiting
• the excursions you’re planning on doing

Before taking a cruise, my kids and I will always watch YouTube videos from some of our favorite cruise vloggers. A quick search will result in video walk-throughs of the ships (this can help ease any anxieties with unfamiliar places), suggestions for things to do in each port, tips of things you “must” bring, and more. Some of our favorite cruising vloggers are:

• Royal Caribbean Blog
• Life Well Cruised
• Cruise Blog

In addition, you may also want to check out the YouTube channels for the specific cruise lines. Some of the most popular are:

• Royal Caribbean
• Disney Parks (they have a specific playlist of cruising videos)
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line

My family has also enjoyed watching these cruise ship-related documentaries:

• The Secret Life of the Cruise
• King of the Cruise

Learning on a Cruise

The bags are packed, the kids are prepped, and you’re on your way to drop the dog off at the dog sitter’s house…a cruise is in your near future! While you may be making a pit stop or two along the way, there are a number of lifelong lessons the kids can learn during your family cruise! How are cruises educational? Here’s how:

Marine Biology & Oceanography

Raising a little marine biologist? Or, maybe the kids are interested in learning about marine life and ocean ecosystems? What better place to learn about this than while taking a cruise. Cruise itineraries will often include informal educational opportunities for passengers to learn, so be sure to check the schedule of events!

While on the ship, spending time looking into the ocean can result in learning, too! On our very first cruise, we were lucky enough to look out into the ocean to see three dolphins jumping up and down in the water. What a majestic site they were!

You may have an opportunity to go on a excursion during your port visits, too! Cruise ships will often host their own excursions, but you can also book experiences yourself through tour providers like Viator .

If you happen to be departing from either Fort Lauderdale, Florida or Miami, Florida, definitely look into taking an excursion to the Florida Everglades. My boys and I had the best time seeing the creatures of the everglades up close while on our airboat tour. It was so cool and such a memorable experience.

While I do love the ocean, one of my top reasons for cruising with kids is that we get to experience the cultures of the world! Not only are their cultural enrichment activities while onboard the ship (check your schedule of events for the entire ship AND the onboard childcare option), but just stepping off the ship at the various ports will afford you the (quite literally) immersive cultural experience.

Families can take advantage of onboard cultural enrichment activities like language lessons, cooking demonstrations, dance lessons (I’ve seen salsa lessons in event schedules!), and arts & crafts workshops. Some ships even offer sushi-making classes!

While onboard, the kids (and you!) can also engage with staff members and fellow passengers. Ask questions about where people are from, what they like about where they life, etc.

Navigation & Geography

While on a cruise ship, kids can also learn about navigation, geography, and map reading. Stateroom televisions will often have a channel dedicated the navigation of the ship, so the kids can observe the charts, navigational tools, learn about longitude and latitude, and track the ship’s route through the sea.

Many cruises also offer the option to take a “behind the scenes tour” of the ship. This may or may not be an additional cost, but is typically filled with educational value. When we took a recent behind the scenes tour, we got to learn about the inner workings of the ship – laundry, kitchen, food storage, theater – and also got to visit the engine control room and the captain’s bridge. It was so cool! (book these tours ASAP as they tend to reach capacity quickly)

In addition, cruise ships are often decorated with a nautical theme. Explore the ship to search for sculpture, artwork, certificates, and more related to maritime history, famous explorers, and geography.

Safety & Emergency Preparedness

After boarding a cruise ship, the first order is business is to visit the Muster Station. Cruise ships have come a long way in the last 100 years and now (thankfully) have a number of safety procedures set in place to keep their crew and guests as safe as possible.

Take some time to walk around the ship to identify & locate lifeboats, safety equipment, and emergency exits. If your cruise line has an app (in this day and age, they likely do), you should be able to explore the safety portion. This section often includes a recording of the emergency horn sequence (7 short, 1 long “honks” on Royal Caribbean), directions for wearing life jackets and more.

While going through the onboard safety precautions, you should also discuss a plan for safety while visiting ports. To be blunt, some ports are safer than others. Definitely read up on safety alerts for the locations you’re planning on visiting and plan accordingly.

Did you know some countries don’t allow civilians to wear camouflage clothing? True story! Please do your research! (Camo is also not allowed for passport photos !)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Elizabeth Dukart (@thathomeschoolfamily)

Teamwork & Cooperation

Depending on the time of year you’ll be traveling, there may be a number of other kids on board for your kids to play with! (off season tends to have fewer kids on board while times of school holidays and vacations have plenty) Whether your child is an only child or has siblings, they’ll have plenty of opportunity to practice teamwork & cooperation through a number of group activities, games, and even conversation.

The kids section of the ship will often host puzzle challenges, scavenger hunts, and team building exercises, so encourage the kids to participate. You know, because there are so few opportunities for homeschoolers to socialize. #sarcasm

On one of our prior cruises, we stopped at the port of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. We took a walking tour of the city to see the sights – it was absolutely amazing. Puerto Rico is definitely on my list of places I must visit again, if only for the delicious food!

Anyways, while on the tour, the kids got to fly kites on the hill by El Morro and got to play “Red Light, Green Light” with the tour guide and the other kids on the tour. The tour guide spoke Spanish, my kids spoke English, and the other kids spoke French. Through teamwork and cooperation, everyone got along wonderfully!

After your Cruise

There are so many things to learn about while on a cruise without even touching on the specific educational opportunities available at each port. If you’ve been wondering to yourself “how are cruises educational?” I hope this article has helped to clarify things a bit for you. Maybe they can help you to convince your spouse (or yourself!) to take the plunge and go on a cruise with the kids.

While cruising, be sure to have the kids fill out their free cruise ship printables and their cruise journal so they can look back on their experience in the future. Having the opportunity to participate in educational travel, cruising or not, is something to be treasured. It’s super important to record the moments and the memories for the future.

I’m always here to chat about all things homeschooling and educational travel. If you happen to look around the site and don’t see the answer to your homeschooling question, send me an email or leave a comment below! I’m happy to help!

Until next time, stay safe and enjoy quality time with your family,

Elizabeth Dukart is a proud Georgia-based born and raised Jersey Girl, wife, and mom of 2 human boys & 1 canine boy.

Created in 2021, Elizabeth owns and publishes  That Homeschool Family : a free resource for homeschooling parents and beyond! A seasoned blogger, Elizabeth previously published a popular location-specific family resource blog, but decided to “Pivot!” her blogging focus after she started homeschooling her two boys in 2020. In addition to this blog, you can follow Elizabeth’s homeschooling and family adventures on Facebook , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , and Pinterest . She can also be found in her Facebook Group: That Homeschool Family Hangout .

When she’s not busy taking over the world or homeschooling, Elizabeth can be found listening to music (especially The Beatles & Harry Styles!), being silly with her boys, watching movies with family, shopping, or traveling!

Have a question or want to work with Elizabeth? Send her an email!

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10 Reasons Why a Cruise Is Educational for Kids

By Carnival Cruise Line

Why Is a Cruise Educational for Kids?

• Everything Is New and Different
• Return to the Familiar Each Day
• Everyone’s a Teacher
• Unpack Once
• Travel Etiquette

From offering nature activities and learning games for kids to teaching them all about travel etiquette do’s and don’ts, cruises have you covered!

When you think of cruises, what comes to mind first? You’re probably thinking of gorgeous waterside views, dining experiences, and fun for the whole family. But did you know that cruises can also be super educational?

Believe it or not, cruises make an ideal out-of-school school for children. From onboard activities like arts and crafts to onshore excursions that teach them why it’s important to learn about other cultures, almost everything about a cruise offers a teaching moment.

The best part? They keep kids learning, all while having fun along the way! Let’s dive into all the reasons why taking your kids on a cruise can be the best way to enrich their learning:

1. Everyone’s a Teacher

The ship’s crew come from many parts of the world, which gives your children the opportunity to meet and mingle with people from a great variety of cultural backgrounds. The other guests likely come from unfamiliar places as well. Have your kids add each new country or city to their map so they’ll become familiar with the names and locations.

2. Return to the Familiar Each Day

Having a familiar room to return to at the end of the day lets everyone unwind and talk about all the new and exciting things they’ve encountered. Building those memories helps your children retain new knowledge. It also means they’ll be well-rested (and not stressed!) for the next day’s adventures.

3. Everything Is New and Different

Everything about a ship is likely unfamiliar to your kids if they haven’t cruised before. They’ll learn about “port” and “starboard,” and experience the night sky in a new way. If you bring along a map, they can plot your voyage and learn about travel variables such as distance and weather.

4. Unpack Once 

Time is valuable when you’re a parent. On a cruise, you don’t have to waste time moving yourself, your kids, and your luggage from place to place. This gives your family much more time to explore your surroundings and ports of call . That means plenty of more learning opportunities during your trip!

5. Travel Etiquette

Cruises are excellent locations for teaching your children the rules of travel etiquette. Depending on their age, they may not have had the experience of ordering from a waiter or being courteous to unfamiliar adults.

Many cruise ships offer onboard learning experiences for kids while en route to your destination. Children can learn about the natural world in the Science and Discovery program and Camp Ocean . Making volcanoes or learning about buoyancy is never this much fun in a classroom.

What Kids Can Learn on Shore Excursions

Shore excursions are ideal teaching opportunities. They engage all the senses, which help instill a deeper understanding of new places and things. Whether you are cruising to Hawaii, Mexico , the Caribbean or The Bahamas , your kids will gain new knowledge of history, culture, nature and languages.

Reading about a country’s history is one thing, but experiencing it is another. Every country has an interesting past, and many shore excursions take you right to the historically important landmarks. Exploring museums, ancient ruins and forts, and even old local shops helps younger travelers understand a country’s history in a deep, memorable way.

Learning about a region’s culture goes hand in hand with learning about its history. Some of the most fun shore excursions for children are those that let them participate in or watch local customs such as parades, fiestas and markets.

Shore excursions also offer an excellent opportunity to introduce your kids to new foods. What they might not have tried at home may be more appealing in an unfamiliar environment.

9. Languages

If you’re cruising to Mexico or the Caribbean, your kids will encounter people who speak Spanish, and perhaps Dutch and French, depending on your ports of call. You might want to teach them a few basic words and phrases so they can interact with tour guides and locals. If they’re studying one of these languages at school, this is a great opportunity for them to practice.

Each region offers unique geographical features, many of which are outstandingly beautiful. Excursions take you to the area’s natural features, such as jungles, waterfalls, underground rivers and caves. Kids will enjoy exploring the ocean, and snorkeling is ideal for viewing underwater sea life.

These natural areas are inhabited by myriad species of plants and animals that are exciting to encounter for the first time. What better way to teach about wildlife conservation than to introduce your kids to sea turtles or dolphins up close and personal?

One of the very best things you can do as a parent is to give your kids a love of travel. Travel makes us realize we live in a truly beautiful world, and it teaches us that, although not everyone in it is just like us, everyone and everything has worth. Take the excellent teaching opportunities offered by a cruise vacation to explore these worldly wonders with your children.

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Mr. Price is an amazing teacher. He takes time out of his day to make sure our class is enjoyable and that English is understandable. He makes sure we're comfortable in his class and works so hard just to be able to provide us with the top-tier education that we as Buckingham students thoroughly enjoy. He deserves a holiday and a rest from the difficult but rewarding life of a teacher, which is why I nominate Mr. Price for the cruise prize on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship.

CAROLYN REARDON JAMES OTIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL

Ms. Reardon is a fantastic music educator. Working in the Chicagoland area for over 7 years in general music band and orchestra, she takes programmes that have nothing and makes them into ones that are highly sought-after. Her drive and dedication to her students are unparalleled. Ms. Reardon deserves the world for all that she does for her students. She creates a loving, compassionate, and inclusive space that encourages her students to become the creative souls they were meant to be. Ms. Reardon has worked so hard for 7 years. It's time for her efforts to be honoured and a cruise would be the perfect gift to such an inspiring educator.

ANGELO MIRANTE LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL | ARLINGTON, WA

"I was put on this earth to be a teacher. Educators have always had an impact on me, especially when I needed it most. I know the power teachers hold to inspire and motivate students in the right direction. This is not a job or career; in my mind, this is my passion. I make students feel welcome in the classroom and I truly connect with them. If they know I "see" them for who they are, they will succeed. My classroom is full of movie, music and sport posters of all genders and races. The classroom community I build throughout the year makes all students from all walks of life comfortable and happy to be here. This philosophy makes them want to learn. In my opinion, a teacher won't get anywhere with a student if no connection pursues."

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9 Reasons Why A Carnival Cruise Is Educational For Kids

C an your family learn while taking a cruise? YES! We have 9 reasons why a Carnival Cruise is educational for kids.  As a mom who also happens to be a teacher, I am always on the lookout to find ways to combine our love of travel with learning and when you cruise with Carnival, you are not only choosing fun but you’re choosing an unprecedented way to bring education into your family’s life in a fun and unexpected ways.  In my classroom, I have two mantras that hang and have been a part of my teaching style for 35 years. One simply states that “The child who has fun learning will be a success in life.” The other is an old proverb, “I Hear and I Forget, I See and I Remember, I Do and I Understand” and nowhere is this more true than when you sail away with Carnival Cruises. One of the best ways to enjoy traveling as a family is to take a cruise.

Once you’re on board, you can just sit back and enjoy the fun. But it doesn’t hurt to intersperse that fun with a few educational opportunities for your kids, especially since almost everything about a cruise offers a teaching moment. Bonus: The kids don’t think it’s educational; they think it’s fun!

From the time you board, until the time you disembark and look back on the countless memories that you’ve made, cruising with Carnival is the perfect way to combine a love of learning with multiple learning experiences all while still being on vacation.  Although I can think of 100’s of ways your family can learn while having fun, I’ve narrowed it down to my top 9 reasons why a Carnival Cruise is educational for kids.

On A Cruise, Everyone Is A Teacher

When you sail Carnival Cruise you bring the world to you  A cruise ship is a rare place where people from all over the four corners of the universe come together to form one big family and now you are a part of the family With the ship’s crew coming from all over the world, this provides your children the opportunity to meet and mingle with people from a great variety of cultural backgrounds and you will quickly discover that the other guests are also likely to come from a wide variety of backgrounds and places as well.

There is no place quite like a cruise to have the chance to get to know those around you. Bring a world map with you and as you meet new people and explore new places, have your kids add each new country or city to their map so they’ll become familiar with the names and locations.

Science, Math, and Geography All Rolled Into One

Everything about a ship is likely unfamiliar to your kids if they haven’t cruised before. They’ll learn about “port” and “starboard,” and experience the night sky in a new way.

If you bring along a map, they can plot your voyage and learn about travel variables such as distance and weather.  Even sitting on your cabin’s balcony can be a learning experience and are the perfect place for challenges. It’s the perfect time to put their math knowledge to work creating such mathematical equations such as: “How much distance will the ship cover if it maintains a cruising speed of 22 knots?

Could a jaguar keep pace with the cruise liner over a distance of 100m?” or figuring out how many gallons of ice cream will be consumed on this voyage and how much is per person-the the list of possibilities is endless. How many geometrical shapes can you find in the skylight? What speed will you be traveling to make it from the top of

Twister to the bottom in under 10 seconds? It’s also the perfect place for family time as the ship’s library comes stocked with a wide variety of books and games.  Scrabble on the high sea-yes, please.

Onboard Activities Mean Onboard Learning

It is no secret that many cruise ships offer onboard learning experiences for kids while en route to your destination but no one does it quite like Carnival. My love for all things Dr. Seuss knows no bounds and it is love that I handed down not just to my kids but my students as well admit it, there isn’t a person alive that can’t quote “The Cat In The Hat” or “Go Dog Go”. With the  Seuss at Sea program you kids, as well as your entire family, have the unique opportunity to join in a number of educational activities inspired by Dr. Seuss’s books, including a special onboard character parade, interactive storytime, and arts and crafts activities. Books allow children to enter a world of imagination and open the door to a lifelong love of learning and what better way to bring “Green Eggs and Ham” to life than by enjoying a real Green Eggs and Ham, along with other Seuss-inspired food complete with the Cat In The Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2.

I’m not sure who squealed more with delight-me or the kids but at the end of the day, aren’t we all kids at heart?

When you sail with Carnival, your children can also learn about the natural world in the Science and Discovery program  and  Camp Ocean.   Making volcanoes or learning about buoyancy is never this much fun in a classroom and isn’t that what real learning should be? Another benefit is that while your kids are “off at camp”, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy that lounge chair by the pool that has been calling your name

 History Of Where We Came From Shows Us Where We’re Going 

Every place has a story to tell, every destination presents an opportunity to learn, and it all begins with the ship you are sailing on.  The crew of every ship is more than happy to tell you the story of the origins and the backstory of your ship. When it comes time to dock for the day and head off to explore, every port is filled with rich facts and interesting pasts, and many shore excursions take you right to the historically important landmarks.

Before you embark on your trip, have your family work together to make a list of the things you want to find out from each port, or better yet, create a scavenger hunt., From trips to museums to local landmarks to the center of town, there is no better way for your kids to learn firsthand how each country was developed and how these events shaped a society different from their own.

It Is All About Embracing New Cultures.

“What I do I understand.” Learning about a region’s culture goes hand in hand with learning about its history.

Some of the most fun shore excursions for children are those that let them participate in or watch local customs such as parades, fiestas, and markets.

Each port allows for the opportunity to not just read about the cultures of the places you visit but live the cultures and experience these small slices of life. Encourage your children to be immersed in the cultures of where they are visiting, thus creating lifelong global learners.

Shore excursions also offer an excellent opportunity to introduce your kids to new foods. What they might not have tried at home may be more appealing in an unfamiliar environment.

 Learning To Speak A New Language

If you’re cruising to Mexico or the Caribbean, your kids will encounter people who speak Spanish, and perhaps Dutch and French, depending on your ports of call. You might want to teach them a few basic words and phrases so they can interact with tour guides and locals. If they’re studying one of these languages at school, this is a great opportunity for them to practice.

Hands-On Science Reigns Supreme

Each region offers unique geographical features, many of which are outstandingly beautiful. Excursions take you to the area’s natural features, such as jungles, waterfalls, underground rivers and caves. Kids will enjoy exploring the ocean,

and snorkeling is ideal for viewing underwater sea life. These natural areas are inhabited by myriad species of plants and animals that are exciting to encounter for the first time.

What better way to teach about wildlife conservation than to introduce your kids to sea turtles or dolphins up close and personal?

One of the very best things you can do as a parent is to give your kids a love of travel. Travel makes us realize we live in a truly beautiful world, and it teaches us that, although not everyone in it is just like us, everyone and everything has worth. Take the excellent teaching opportunities offered by a cruise vacation to explore these worldly wonders with your children.

Shore Excursions Bring Learning To Life

Shore excursions are ideal for teaching opportunities. They engage all the senses, which helps instill a deeper understanding of new places and things. Now instead of watching a movie on Sting Rays, you can get in the water and interact with Sting Rays. Learn how you can be a part of turtle conservation by visiting a turtle sanctuary.

Don’t just read about the rainforest, take a hike with a local guide, and see firsthand what the rain forest is all about or even better, harness up and soar over the treetops or the beach via a zipline or parasailing.

Challenge your culinary skills and learn how to create authentic meals or stand in the midst of the ancient Mayan ruins and imagine what it must have been like for those that came before.

Whether you are cruising to Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, or The Bahamas, your kids will gain new knowledge of history, culture, nature, and languages.

Making A Difference-Giving Back With Purpose

Part of the Carnival Cruise difference is the way they have embraced allowing passengers to combine a love of cruising, travel, and having fun with the opportunity to give back to others and there is no more important educational lesson that you can instill in your children than how to give back to others for it is in giving back to other people that they will quickly discover that they have given back to themselves and see the world in a whole new way.

Many of the Carnival Cruises offer just such opportunities and it is in these giving back with purpose excursions and having that unique chance to make a difference and impact in the lives of others, that not only profoundly changed me, but keep me returning to Carnival over and over again.

Thanks to Carnival I have worked in a school in the Dominican Republic,  worked in a recycling workshop, and made paper alongside the women of RaPapel had the chance in Cozumel to make a positive impact by visiting San Miguel Village where we were we were able to meet with Mayan descendants, learn about age-old traditions and help the local community followed by the real highlight of the day when we visited the orphanage, Ciudad de Angeles.

It was here that we were able to meet and talk to the selfless people who work there and learn about how our visit supported their efforts. Going to a new place has the power to change you and this will leave a memorable impression is there any better education that you can give your child than the ability to go beyond yourself and give back to others?

With a cruise as with travel, the learning never stops but rather it opens up the door to a world of discovery, exploration, and imagination. It is the opportunity to take you out of your customary range of familiarity and gives you an improved world-view. As part of your cruise planning, find children’s books about the locale you’ll be going by to give your children a presentation.

Onshore, search for social exercises –, for example, going by a historical center, watching a dance performance, shopping at a market, or trying new foods. While your children may love the idea of the possibility of splashing down a water slide, what they are most likely to recall about the cruise experience is that they went by all they were able to see and do and experience; in other words what they learned and what they will savor for many years to come.

There are so many, many more than just 9 reasons why A Carnival Cruise Is educational for kids. Now the only decision left to make is what will your children take away from your next Carnival Cruise?

Chris Cruises

Cruise news, tips and inside information.

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Interesting: Civil Rights History Trip for Grandparents & Grandkids

Posted on May 26, 2024 May 23, 2024 Author Chris Owen

 Road Scholar, renowned for its educational travel programs for older adults, has unveiled a new intergenerational program, “The Heart of the Civil Rights Movement With Your Family.” This immersive experience is inspired by the company’s successful “The Civil Rights Movement” Read More …

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13 things you should do before every cruise

You've booked your cruise. You've booked your flights. You've booked your pre- and post-cruise hotels. Now, it's just a matter of counting the days until your on-the-water adventure begins, right?

Well, not quite.

There are many (mostly) little things you still need to do before you begin your journey to the pier to board your ship.

From downloading your cruise line's app and using it to check in for your trip to signing up for ship-based activities in advance, here's our handy checklist of 13 things everyone should do before leaving home for a cruise vacation.

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Check in online

Yeah, I know, you were going to do this anyway. But, just in case you weren't: Know that it pays off big time to check in online before your cruise.

There's a lot of paperwork required to check in for a cruise, including (at many cruise lines) filling out documents asking for personal information such as your name, address, gender, date of birth, nationality and even pregnancy status; emergency contacts; and your pre- and post-cruise travel plans. You'll also be asked to set up an onboard account and submit a photo of yourself.

If you do this all in advance online — and many lines now require that you do — you'll be able to board your ship quicker than if you wait to do it at the pier.

Note that in most cases, you can check in online for a cruise many weeks in advance. At Royal Caribbean , the check-in window opens a full 45 days in advance of a sailing. At Carnival Cruise Line , check-in opens 14 days before departure.

Related: 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly

Check your identification documents

Long before you check in for your cruise, you should take a glance at whatever identification document you're going to use during the check-in process to make sure it hasn't expired — or is even close to expiring.

On many cruise itineraries, you will need a passport , and many countries that cruise lines visit require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to leave the country. Many countries also require at least two blank pages in your passport. If your passport is full of visa stamps, it's time to get a new one, even if it hasn't expired.

Download the cruise app

Many cruise lines now have apps you can download to your smartphone. The apps vary in capabilities, but many will show you a daily list of activities on your ship and everything you have reserved. Many also will let you make restaurant reservations and book shore excursions and other activities.

A few will let you order drinks and other items (think: pizza and beer) to be brought to wherever you happen to be standing. That's pretty cool, right? The best part: The apps will work on board even if you don't pay for a Wi-Fi package.

Some of the apps also will aid you with the check-in process. The Celebrity Cruises app, for instance, lets you check in for a cruise with relative ease. You'll even be able to submit the security photo the cruise line requires using the Celebrity app. The app also will show your Celebrity Xpress boarding pass, so there's no need to print one in advance of heading to the pier.

Related: The best cruise apps to streamline your vacation at sea

Print out your documents

In theory, you don't need to print your cruise boarding pass if you have it on your mobile device, but I still always do — and I recommend you do the same.

I always keep a hard copy of every travel document — including pages that show my itinerary and reservation numbers for related hotel stays and flights — in my carry-on bag.

There are several reasons to do this. One is that you never know when your mobile device will die or have a connectivity issue that results in the document you need not being available. But you might also encounter authorities — an immigration official at a border, for instance — who will want to see hard copies of your itinerary before allowing you to proceed.

Tell friends and family about your trip

It's always a good idea to let at least a few people close to you know you're leaving on a trip. Give them a rough outline of where you're going and tell them how to contact you in an emergency. This might seem like obvious advice, but a reminder never hurts.

I have forgotten to do this at times — and while it's never resulted in a crisis, it has gotten me in trouble with the family.

I found myself in the big-time doghouse in late 2020 with my 75-year-old, always-worries-when-I-travel mom after forgetting to tell her I was heading to Barbados at the last minute to report on the first Caribbean cruise after the COVID-19 crisis began. She only found out I was out of the country when one of her friends saw me on TV talking about how I was quarantined in my cabin on the ship due to an outbreak of the illness. You can imagine her reaction. Lesson learned.

Also: Call your mom.

Research ports in advance

On some vacations — a beach trip, for instance — you don't have to do much research in advance. You just show up and figure out your days on the fly.

Most cruises aren't that way — at least if you want to get the most out of them. At the heart of most cruises are port calls that, in many cases, are short, often just a few hours. You want to have a plan for what to do in these ports, or you'll miss out on a big part of the cruising experience.

Once you know which ports you'll be visiting, do as much research as you can. You can read TPG's guides to the best excursions and activities in destinations like Alaska , the Caribbean and the Mediterranean .

Join a Facebook group for your cruise line

Another great place to get ideas for what to do in ports and on ships — and what to bring on a cruise, for that matter — are the many private Facebook groups dedicated to particular lines.

I belong to a number of them, including the Royal Caribbean Cruises group, the COPs (Cruisers Opinion Page) group and the Holland America Line Fans group. On these pages, you'll find thousands of cruise fans who often are only too willing to answer questions you might have about your upcoming trip. I've met some wonderful people in these groups, some of whom have become my longtime friends on Facebook.

Sign up for private tours in advance

Booking a shore excursion directly through your cruise line is easy. You check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and — poof — it's all arranged. But booking tours through your line isn't the only option, and it's not always the best choice.

In many cases, you can save a lot of money — and get a better touring experience — by booking shore excursions in advance through independent tour operators in ports or a tour booking service such as Viator or ToursByLocals .

Often, independent tours will be more intimate than the tours offered directly through cruise lines. They might go to the same sites but in a small van instead of a big motorcoach. You might have six or eight other people on a tour with you instead of nearly 40. If your traveling group is big enough, you might even book a private tour just for your friends and family with an independent tour operator.

Related: We skipped the cruise ship excursion and went with ToursByLocals — here's what happened

Sign up for activities in advance

Some lines will let you sign up for shows, tours and other activities (including meals at specialty restaurants) before sailing using online portals. If you want to be sure you get a seat for a specific show on a specific night, or a specific tour or restaurant reservation time, it's a good idea to do this. It's common for popular shows, tours and restaurant reservation times to book up in advance.

If you don't sign up for activities in advance, a backup strategy is to do so just after you board a vessel — but I'm a big advocate of advance planning. You'll find it particularly pays off when sailing on a giant ship, such as Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas , where there are thousands of other passengers competing for restaurant reservations and show tickets.

Related: The 15 best cruise ships for people who want to never grow up

Consider travel insurance

It's not always smooth seas when it comes to cruising or any other sort of travel. We hate to bring it up, but you might need to cancel your cruise in advance due to the sudden onset of an illness. Or, perhaps, you need emergency medical attention during your sailing. Maybe the flight to your ship gets canceled, and you miss the vessel's departure.

These sorts of things can happen to cruisers, and they're all situations where you might benefit from having travel insurance. Here's a comparison of the top travel insurance providers and information about cancel for any reason add-ons .

Related: Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

Pack wisely

For starters, pack early ... and be strategic. Throw all the clothes you think you'll need on the cruise in a pile, then take away half of them. We promise you won't need them.

Most cruising these days is casual, and you only need a few outfits to rotate through a voyage. If things get dirty, no problem. Some ships have launderettes on cabin decks where you can run a load or two of laundry every few days. If not, you can send laundry out to be cleaned on board for a fee in most cases (you might even get this for free if you have status with a cruise line ).

The extra cost of doing a few loads of laundry on a ship is a small price to pay for the freedom of not having to lug a giant suitcase around as you travel to and from your ship. Plus, you'll want to save room in your suitcase for all the little treasures you'll find along the way.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry service

In addition to packing light, pack anything you think you might need for the first few hours of your cruise in your carry-on bag . This means things like medication and a phone charger, but also a bathing suit, a hat, sunscreen and other items that'll let you head straight to the pool deck to start the fun. A porter will likely take away your main bag as you arrive at the port, and you might not see it delivered to your cabin for several hours.

Put your phone in airplane mode

Some of the biggest cruise ship horror stories online are tales of cruising newbies who racked up thousands of dollars in cellphone charges while on ships.

This can happen when you leave your phone turned on and, say, watch videos on the internet. Many phone plans — even international plans — do not include talking, texting and data on cruise ships, and you'll pay exorbitant roaming rates for such services that'll show up weeks later on your phone bill.

You can find ways to make calls and access the internet from ships without spending a boatload of money. You can buy a Wi-Fi package, for instance, that'll let you make FaceTime calls and stream videos (on some ships) by Wi-Fi without using phone data. Some phone companies also have cruise-specific plans you can buy in advance of a voyage.

Personally, I never go that route. I keep it simple. I just put my phone in airplane mode the moment I step on board a ship and never switch it back on. I then turn on the phone's Wi-Fi, buy a Wi-Fi package and do all my calling, texting and web surfing over the internet. That way, there's no chance I'll be surprised by an unexpected phone charge.

Get ready to unplug from work

Really, this should go without saying, but you are heading on vacation . Google that word (and scroll down past the entries for the Ed Helms and Chevy Chase movies to the Wikipedia entry).

This trip is going to be all about taking a break from work , not spending hours every day dealing with the latest crisis back at the office — or, at least, it should be.

In the days leading up to your trip, make sure you wrap up any pressing work projects, let your co-workers know you'll be offline, reply to any outstanding emails and — most importantly — turn on your out-of-office message.

Trust us: You'll be so much happier.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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The wellness benefits of going on a cruise

From the fresh sea air to the lack of jet lag

One such luxury liner is Cunard's Queen Anne, with whom Harper's Bazaar has teamed up on the Wellness at Sea programme . The offering consists of three pampering spa packages designed specially to boost your skin, body and mind – featuring treatments, products and nutritionally balanced menus.

At the launch event for the Queen Anne, Bazaar 's beauty director Katy Young hosted a Wellness at Sea panel in conversation with the nutritionist Dr Federica Amati, the sleep specialist Dr Lindsay Browning, and the senior brand manager at Cunard, Francis Fred. The group explored the benefits of being at sea and what it can mean for your health.

"The Queen Anne marks a milestone in a journey that we've been on for a few years now as a brand," said Fred, of Cunard's efforts to harness the "revitalising and relaxing" power of the sea. "In 2018 we started this journey to create Mareel wellness and beauty, taking inspiration from the sea. The Norse word Mareel refers to the luminescence and energy that comes from the ocean. We've worked with our partners to develop a spa and wellness experience that really brings that into the ship and into the holiday experience."

Below, read highlights from the panel discussion, and discover the wellness benefits to being at sea.

Quality, sleep-inducing facilities

We're experiencing a disturbed-sleep epidemic, with nine out of 10 people reporting poor-quality slumber. The Queen Anne offers the services of a sleep concierge to all its guests, as well as a pillow concierge, with a selection of nine different pillow choices. The top suites also have a bed concierge, for the ultimate in comfort and rest.

"It's a really great time, when you're on holiday, to start making changes and prioritising your sleep," said Dr Browning. "You might have the opportunity to try out different pillows, for example, or to experience a good-quality mattress. Cruise ships also tend to have thick black-out blinds or curtains because they're travelling into the sun, so you might have much better levels of light-blocking than you get at home. Then, when you return home, you might realise your mattress isn't as comfortable – and mattresses do have a finite life span; eight years is really the maximum you should be using a mattress for, and yet many of us have mattresses that we can remember buying at the turn of the millennium. You might decide to get one or two of those pillows you tried, or perhaps you realise that your curtains at home could do with a refresh. It's about bringing some of the things you experience on-board back home, so that the good sleep you had on holiday becomes the norm, to give you more energy and better health for the rest of the year."

Finding nutritional balance

As Young pointed out, it's easy to fall into a pattern where we under-eat before we go away and then we over-eat while we're on holiday. Achieving balance, therefore, is key.

"It's important to find a dietary pattern that you can enjoy and take with you anywhere," explained Dr Amati. "A lot of people might have strict rules that they stick to when they're at home, and they have a routine that they don't diverge from – but it's not necessarily enjoyable. Naturally then, what happens when you have the opportunity to try something new and find more joy, you jump into it. So my advice is to create moments, everyday, at home or at work, wherever you are, where you can actually enjoy the food that you're eating and have a better relationship with that. It means that when you travel, you won't suddenly think, 'Woohoo! Time to let loose!' You can approach food in a way that's more about how it's going to make you feel and how it's going to support your health on holiday.

"People also tend to drink a bit more alcohol on holiday, which has a direct negative impact on our overall wellbeing and our sleep, as well as our gut health. So I always say, by all means have a lovely time, but don't necessarily punish yourself by giving your body loads more to tackle."

A change of daily routine

Removing the day-to-day stresses of life, and taking time for yourself, often results in better sleep on holiday, and a general feeling of rest and relaxation.

"Sleep tourism, focusing on sleep itself, is big business now," said Dr Browning. "It gives you an opportunity while you're on holiday to take some time out, to make changes to your daily routine. [It's much easier] when you're not in your home, you don't have children screaming at you, you don't have to get up and get ready for work, to dedicate the time to improving your sleep. If you're in a space where you have access to relaxation, yoga, meditation or perhaps the ability to learn new skills, you can then take those on after your holiday, too."

Beating jet lag

Travelling by cruise liner is much kinder on your circadian rhythm, as opposed to the harsher impact of long-distance flying.

"When moving time zones you experience jet lag – our bodies can't adapt to more than one hour per day, so if you've flown somewhere with a five-hour time difference, it probably takes five days to catch up," added Dr Browning. "Going on a cruise eases you in, in comparison to a flight. You go through each time zone gradually. If the ship is travelling east, they change the time in the middle of the day; if travelling west then they change it in the middle of the night, so you barely notice it."

Another tip to help combat sluggishness and any jet lag: "Get as much bright light as you can during the day. This also helps to improve sleep at night."

Customisable menus

"People want always-on, healthy choices that you can customise," said Fred. "Even in the regular buffet, we cater for special dietaries; I think that's the norm now. People want more choice for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Throughout our restaurants, you can look for the Mareel seaweed symbol, and that indicates a more considered choice on the menu.

"Our wellness café is vegan-based with protein options. It means that guests can custom-make their meal to their tastes and their needs in that very moment. We also have the juice bar, where we can blend juices as well as mixers for low- and no-alcohol cocktails, to offer a more informed choice."

The freedom of movement

On a cruise liner you have the luxury of space; the ability to walk, stretch or even take part in activities while travelling – which all come with health benefits.

"When you travel – especially by car or by plane – there's a higher risk of things like constipation, [caused by] routine changes, perhaps not having access to the toilet when you need it, not drinking enough water, or sitting for long periods of time," said Dr Amati. "So looking after our gut, making sure we get enough water and, importantly, making sure that we're moving throughout the day, will really help to prevent constipation. Nobody wants to be constipated on holiday!"

Getting a food education

The plentiful food options available on a luxury cruise liner provide an opportunity to try new things and consume a good variety of fibre-packed fruit and vegetables.

"There are some really simple ways to nourish our gut," said Dr Amati. "The first one is fibre – so really focusing on fibre-rich foods. And that's any plant; it doesn't mean you have to have a bowl full of salad leaves – or what my husband sometimes calls 'rabbit food'. You could have mushrooms, you could have nuts and seeds... When we look at which foods really contribute to improving health outcomes and decreasing the risk of premature death, we're talking about wholegrains, nuts and seeds, legumes and beans, and fruit. Fruit has been demonised quite a lot, but eating whole fruit is really good for us. So we should try and get more of those foods in our diet.

"I love the idea of having animal products as a side. That's really much better for us. Think plants first, and then, 'what side can I have with that?' We should aim to enjoy an abundance of different plants. Try and get 30 different plants a week if you can. Vary it up – five-a-day can sometimes mean we get stuck in a rut. Also, spice it up – add some spices and herbs or some pine nuts. That's not only good for you but they make your food taste better.

"Additionally, fermented foods are naturally probiotic; they contain lots of live microbes and are often symbiotic, so things like sauerkraut have fibre and live cultures in one package. Add these to your diet and try and avoid eating too late at night. Our gut needs a rest."

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5 Affordable Cruise Vacations to Book — Plus How to Find the Best Deals

Here's what you need to know to save money on your next cruise.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Cruising has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. This form of travel is incredibly convenient (read: no need to pack and unpack), and everything you need can be found right on board — ultimately taking the stress out of trip planning. Plus, with hundreds of ships at sea across dozens of lines, there’s a cruise out here for every type of traveler. Fortunately, cruising doesn’t have to cost a small fortune, and many budget-conscious travelers may opt to set sail for their next trip. Below, we’ve rounded up the best cruise lines offering affordable fares coupled with value-packed inclusions to stretch your dollar further. We’ve also tapped some expert cruise specialists to share their top tips and tricks to help you save money both on and off the ship.

Here's everything you need to know to book an affordable cruise vacation.

Best Affordable Cruise Lines

Virgin voyages.

Courtesy of Virgin Voyages

This adults-only cruise line from Richard Branson — which also happens to be a Travel + Leisure World’s Best Award winner — offers excellent value. In fact, according to T+L A-list cruise advisor and Q Cruise + Travel founder and president Rob Clabbers, Virgin Voyages fares “include more than on most mainstream large-ship cruise lines.” For example, he says, “Virgin fares include internet access, gratuities, all meals — there are no cover charges for its restaurants that on most other lines would be considered specialty restaurants.” Beverages like soft drinks, coffee, and tea are also included, as are snacks, mezze at the aft terrace, and group workout classes. Best of all, there are no pricey beverage packages. “Instead,” says Clabbers, cruisers — or, as Virgin calls them, sailors — can buy their own reasonably priced drinks (think: beers from $6, $10 cocktails, and wines by the glass under $11) a la carte. Additionally, with some promotions , the cruise line throws in a “ bar tab ” credit that can be used towards drinks.

Princess Cruises

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Another World’s Best Award winner — and WBA Hall of Fame Honoree, no less — this fan-favorite ocean line is renowned for refined ships, serene ambiance, and exceptional service. Moreover, per Clabbers, passengers can choose from “optional packages to help customize a passenger’s trip that provide savings over buying things separately.” For an extra $60 per day, consider Princess Plus, which offers perks like Wi-Fi for one device per guest, gratuities, fitness classes (two per sailing), and beverages like bottled water, specialty coffee, soft drinks, and juice. Alternatively, for $80 per day, passengers can spring on the Princess Premier package, which features the same beverages plus specialty dining (two per sailing), unlimited fitness classes, premium desserts, reserved theater seating, and Wi-Fi (four devices per guest).

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is a favorite among families of all ages for its over-the-top entertainment and activities (think: go-karting, Broadway-caliber productions, and so on). “While Norwegian Cruise Line may price slightly higher than some of its competitors, you need to consider the Free at Sea package,” says travel advisor Jennifer Travis of Marvelous Mouse Travels . She goes on to describe the promotion as a “game-changer when it comes to cruising” since it includes perks like a “free open bar (up to $1,400 in savings), free specialty dining (up to $180 in savings), free Wi-Fi (up to $200 in savings), and a $50 discount on excursions.” Other Free at Sea perks include 70 percent off second guests, free third and fourth guests (on select dates), and free airfare (per the cruise line’s website: “ Pay airfare for one guest, and you'll automatically lock in roundtrip flights for two ”). Also, you can’t go wrong with the Free at Sea Plus package, which includes a wider selection of beverages, more specialty dining, unlimited Wi-Fi, and additional shore excursion credits. Before booking, be sure to check the line’s full selection of deals , which run the gamut from half-off deposits to $150 cruise credits and more.

Royal Caribbean

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean

Zip lines, water slides, surfing simulators, ice skating, rock climbing walls: Find all this and more aboard (most) Royal Caribbean ships — and, best of all, they’re complimentary! Ideal for fun- and adventure-loving travelers of all ages — read: kids and kids-at-heart alike — it’s pretty much impossible to be bored while cruising on this World’s Best Award-winning mega-ship line . Additionally, according to Travis, Royal Caribbean “offers some of the best short itineraries,” some of which clock in at under $200 per person for two-night sailings. Longer itineraries, including a seven-night Bahamas sailing aboard one of the line’s newest ships, Odyssey of the Seas , clock in at under $600 per person. The line also offers an abundance of deals , including up to $600 off sailings, 60 percent off second guests, and more.

Carnival Cruise Line

Courtesy of Carnival Cruises

“ Carnival Cruise Line is known for its competitive pricing without cutting back on the onboard activities or various dining options, thus making them an attractive option to budget-conscious cruisers,” explains Travis. For example, many itineraries, including a four-night Bahamas cruise from Miami , clock in at just over $150 per person. Additionally, says the travel advisor, “Carnival sails to a wide variety of destinations from so many local ports that you almost do not need to fly to your cruise ship anymore, which is another huge savings given the cost (and stress) flights can add to any vacation.” Keep an eye out for frequent flash sales for even more savings.

How to Find the Best Cruise Deals

Booking early is an easy way to save on your next cruise vacation . “Typically,” says Travis, “the best pricing on a cruise is when the schedule is first released.” And, while you could wait for a last-minute deal, “you may not get the room category that you want.” Similarly, Clabbers says that flexibility is key when it comes to finding — and scoring — the best cruise deals . For example, he previously told T+L that if you are “very flexible and are looking for a standard room on a large ship on an itinerary that repeats week after week, you are more likely to find a promotional fare.”

Conversely, giving up some of that flexibility sometimes pays off. According to Clabbers, select cruise lines will offer lower fares to those who opt for a nonrefundable deposit instead of a refundable one. Finally, you may also consider cruising in shoulder season or even low season. Sure, the weather won’t be perfect, but the fewer crowds and cheaper fares more than make up for that, especially if you’re on a budget.

Tips for Saving Money While on Board

While your tab can quickly rack up once on board, there are several savvy ways to save money. For one, consider bringing your own booze. According to Travis, “Many cruise lines allow their guests to bring a specific amount of alcohol or nonalcoholic beverages onboard the ships, which can help save you money while you are on the ship.” Additionally, ​​Michele Benard , another travel advisor at Marvelous Mouse Travels, advises packing your own necessities from home — like Advil, Tums,  motion sickness medicine, and after-sun lotion — as opposed to buying them on board at a much higher price. You’ll also want to skip the souvenirs at the onboard gift shop, which tend to be more expensive than those you’d find in port.

Benard also recommends taking advantage of “all the free activities on the cruise ships,” which can include everything from water slides to trivia game shows. Pro tip: “Stay onboard during a port day, and the lines won’t be as long.” On a similar note, spa treatments tend to be less expensive on port days, so those craving some R&R — that is, sans breaking the bank — may consider booking a service during this time.

Finally, says Clabbers, save money on your next cruise by enlisting the help of an onboard cruise consultant to select your next sailing. “You will typically receive an onboard credit or savings on your next cruise, and your own travel advisor will be alerted so they can help you plan your vacation.”

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure .

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