Cruise Lines

This is going to be a fun one. The idea of a cruise ship is ridiculous. Your humble scribe has never been on a cruise but does remember in college when fellow classmates would talk about “Semester at Sea.” A semester at sea, you mean working a cruise ship for a semester? Learning the ins and outs of the hospitality business at a nautical level? Not quite, a semester on a ship, yes, but you’re not working. Rather, you’re taking classes and traveling the world with your professors on board. I don’t think advanced level econometrics nor engineering classes were offered. In fact, I can’t imagine asking my parents permission to sail for a semester. In any event, those lucky kids that managed to convince their parents really scored!

For the rest of us there still exist cruise ships in their classic fashion. Massive pieces of advanced machinery towing us around the world replete with swimming pools, rock walls, rum and coke and fresh shrimp cocktail. Not a bad way to spend 7 to 14 days!

Like anything, cruise lines vary. Some are flat out awesome, while others make you long for a desert island and a volleyball to be-friend (if you haven’t seen “Cast Away,” stop reading and see it immediately). We’re going to stick to the awesome options here.

Carnival Horizon

From the famed Carnival Cruise Lines, a popular departure point for the Horizon is Barcelona. A 133,500-ton behemoth, over 2,000 LED tiles light up the main room and all the walls feature textures and patterns that are designed to incorporate the tile lights thus creating a one-of-a-kind ambience. The elevators oddly enough are some of the more talked about features on the ship, controlled via iPad-like touch screens. The Horizon brings to the table 1,980 rooms, 864 of which are ocean-view, balcony staterooms. The Cloud 9 Spa staterooms are really something to see (and experience) with access to hydrotherapy pools as well as private lanais per room.

Norwegian Bliss

Ok, so the previously mentioned Horizon came in at a fighter’s weight of 133,500 tons. The Bliss takes this to another level, weighing in at 168,028 tons. But honestly, who cares, at such weights what does that really tell us. Well, at 30,000 or so more tons, you also get more stuff. The Bliss can accommodate 4,000 passengers as well as a racetrack, space-themed laser tag, and some mind-boggling pool options. The Haven is where the suites are located, there are 95 of them, and they’re fabulous. Wood-paneled sun decks, private pools, access to semi-private bars with other beautiful people. C’mon, throw that credit card down already!

American Duchess

We’re going to depart a bit from the big and bold cruise lines and provide some info on a classic. Gigantic cruise lines are available, but a bespoke, more cozy option like the Duchess along the Mississippi River also has its charm. Colorful artwork abounds by Michael Blaser, and there is an impressive library – the Lincoln Library – with extraordinary views that are as soothing as any massage. A piano bar cranks out the relaxing tunes and the service on this vessel is some of the best. Attentive to every detail, where staff get to know you by name, this is an experience rather than simply a cruise.

This is the type of post that could go on and on and on and on. For more option, cruise over to Riffbuddy - Cruise Lines. But check out these three options, they’re fantastic and you can’t go wrong on the open seas.