Choose the Right Voyage
How long, where, when and on what kind of ship — a clear guide to finding the voyage that fits you.
Get Free Voyage QuotesThe Right Voyage Starts With the Right Questions
Every cruise brochure promises a dream vacation. The trick is finding the voyage that is a dream for you — the right number of nights, the right part of the world, the right season and the right size and style of ship. A Voyage Travel is a guide to making those choices well before you compare a single price.
Most disappointing cruises are not bad cruises. They are good cruises that were wrong for the traveler: a lively mega-ship for someone who wanted quiet, a port-every-day itinerary for someone who loves sea days, an Alaska sailing in a month when the wildlife they hoped to see had gone, or a two-week voyage for someone who really had five days to spare. Choosing well is mostly a matter of answering a few honest questions in the right order.
- How much time do you really have? Count travel days to and from the port, not just the nights at sea. See voyage length.
- What do you want to see? Beaches, glaciers, ancient cities, wildlife or open ocean. See ocean voyages by region.
- When can you go? Every region has a season, and some regions only have one.
- What kind of ship suits you? A resort-style ocean ship, a river ship, an expedition vessel or a small luxury ship are four different holidays.
- How do you like to spend a day? Busy ports, relaxing sea days or a mix of both.
Six Kinds of Voyage, Compared
Warm-Water Ocean Voyages
The Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico: beaches, short flights to the port and sailings all year round.
Voyages by region →
Culture & History Voyages
The Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Asia, where the ports are the main event.
Compare regions →
River Voyages
Small ships docking in the heart of towns, with a guided tour most days and a calm river all the way.
River or ocean? →
Expedition & Polar Voyages
Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galápagos with naturalist guides and landings by small boat.
Expedition voyages →
Luxury & Small-Ship Voyages
Fewer guests, more space, more included and smaller ports that big ships cannot reach.
Luxury and small ships →
Crossings & Repositioning
Ocean crossings and one-way voyages with long runs of sea days between continents.
Crossings explained →Match the Voyage to the Traveler
| If you… | Consider | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Have a long weekend and want sun | A 3–5 night Bahamas or Caribbean sailing from Florida | Short flights, quick turnaround, a taste of cruising |
| Want scenery and wildlife | Alaska, Norway, or an expedition voyage | Days of glaciers, fjords and marine life from the deck |
| Love history, art and food | The Mediterranean, Northern Europe or a European river | Major cities and historic towns on almost every day |
| Prefer quiet and space | A small ship or luxury line | Fewer guests, more space per guest, easier embarkation |
| Have time and like sea days | A crossing, repositioning or grand voyage | Long runs at sea between continents, often with enrichment talks |
| Are traveling with children | A big resort-style ship in school holidays | Kids’ clubs, water parks, family cabins and lots to do on board |
These are starting points, not rules. A family can love a river cruise, and a couple wanting peace can be very happy on a big ship with a quiet cabin and a good balcony. What matters is knowing what you are choosing.
Season Matters More Than Most People Think
The same itinerary can feel completely different in a different month. Alaska cruises run roughly from May to September, and the long days and wildlife vary through the season. Northern Europe and the Norwegian fjords are mainly summer destinations. The Mediterranean is busiest and hottest in high summer, while spring and autumn bring milder weather and fewer crowds in port. Antarctica is reached only during the southern summer, roughly November to March.
The Caribbean is sailed all year, but the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30. Cruise lines change routes to avoid storms, so a summer or autumn Caribbean voyage usually goes ahead — possibly with a different port order or a swapped stop. If a particular island matters to you, choose winter or spring.
Ship Size Shapes the Whole Voyage
The largest resort ships carry several thousand guests and offer water slides, Broadway-style shows, dozens of restaurants and bars, and something going on from morning to midnight. Mid-size premium ships trade some of the thrills for more refined dining and a calmer atmosphere. Small luxury ships and yachts carry a few hundred guests or fewer, often include drinks and gratuities in the fare, and can call at smaller harbors. Expedition ships are built for remote places, with Zodiac boats for landings and naturalist teams on board. River ships are small by design, sized to fit locks and low bridges.
None of these is better than the others; they suit different people. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise spend much of their time helping travelers narrow down this exact choice, because once the style of ship and the region are right, picking the actual sailing is easy.
Who Is Behind This Site
A Voyage Travel is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
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