Modern Cruising

by peremuk

Today we’re in another place entirely. While Carnival’s vessels still offer their proven fun-ship formula, and Princess still occasionally trots out The Love Boat cast as spokespeople, the cruise industry has grown outward to encompass options for almost everybody. Yes, you can still do the glitzy Vegas thing, but you can also sail on ships that are nearly as grand and formal as the Golden Age ocean liners. Yes, you can do a weekend party cruise, but you can also sail to the jungles of Central America on a small expedition ship.

Today’s largest vessels are (get this) about four times the size of the Titanic, with onboard amenities such as lavish gyms and spas; intimate, reservations-only restaurants; multiple entertainment options, from big production shows to intimate music recitals; and sports options such as golf, basketball, and (on some of the Royal Caribbean ships) rock-climbing and ice skating. In 2004, Cunard introduced a planetarium aboard its new Queen Mary 2, while Princess started showing movies on a drive-in-style screen above the Pool Deck. Meanwhile, smaller lines began offering cruises to parts of the world you may not ever get to otherwise, such as Libya and Siberia.