Shorter Cruises Closer to Home for Summer, 2014

Caribbean Princess in Princess Cays

Since its inception, the cruise industry has continued to prove itself brilliant in reading demand and then providing the cruises customers not only say they want but are prepared to vote for with their travel dollars.

As I've mentioned previously, cruise lines will respond to ongoing turmoil in the Middle East and economic uncertainty of the European Common Market by reducing capacity in the Mediterranean next year.  Lest the point be missed, that means right now is when you will find your best values in Europe for the foreseeable future.



Sabine Abduction by Giambologna in Florence

Carnival, still reeling from its recent errors, will pull both of its ships, Sunshine and Legend, from Europe next year, reinforcing its core niche of close-to-home cruises for budget-conscious Americans.  Neither of those ships has been assigned an itinerary for Summer of 2014, so I'm hopeful that one will end up in Southern California, but I would guess they will stay in their winter home ports of New Orleans and Tampa, respectively, to continue cruising the Caribbean.

One bright spot for So Cal locals is that Carnival will bring a second ship, Imagination, into Long Beach to basically replicate Inspiration's itineraries one day earlier.  Undoubtedly, Carnival has determined they can make more money on these shorter cruises in the summer than on Mexican Riviera itineraries.  That makes sense considering the trend for more Californians and others to want shorter itineraries to squeeze into increasingly hectic schedules. 

Princess has already jumped on that trend with its similar cruises from Los Angeles for the fall through spring seasons, and there will also be more short cruises in the Caribbean during that time period, including aboard traditionally 7-night and longer lines Princess and Celebrity.

Hopes of other lines placing ships on the West Coast south of Alaska itineraries for summer have faded.



Bluebeard's Beach

Regardless of whether both of Carnival's ships currently deployed in Europe remain in their Caribbean winter homes for Summer 2014, sun-seeking cruisers will have a lot more choices close to home. 

Norwegian's newest super ship, Getaway, will go head to head with the Royal Caribbean's awesome Oasis and Allure of the Seas, hoping to take a share of that family market ready to drop bigger bucks for jaw-dropping, over-the-top pazzazz.  The lovely but definitely less ground-breaking Caribbean Princess will also vie for the big bucks when it cruises from Ft. Lauderdale for the summer. 

Disney Fantasy will capitalize on Disney's sterling reputation to demand generally higher prices than any of its competitors, including Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas, from Port Canaveral, which although a half step behind Oasis Class is still bigger and hipper than most other ships. Only one size smaller but still very cool, Navigator of the Seas will give Carnival some competition in Galveston, Texas



Solarium on Jewel of the Seas

While not in the same league with the line's bigger ships for surprising entertainment choices at sea, Vision of the Seas will serve up some great 4 and 5 night cruises to the Western Caribbean for families with less time or money.  And for what it is worth, I've always enjoyed cruising on this class of ship and never felt like I was really missing anything I needed to have a great vacation. Somewhat larger Jewel of the Seas will return to the popular Southern Caribbean from San Juan.

As an exception of the rule of shorter cruises closer to home, consider Sea Princess cruising from Perth (Fremantle), Australia, to Asia, including exotic ports like Kuala Lumpur, Phuket and Singapore.

For the ultimate tropical escape for lovers, you finally will have the opportunity to sail around Tahiti and her Pearls on a four-masted Windstar Sailing Cruise Ship for the first time in years.



Beach near St George's, Bermuda

Of course, there will still be cruises in Northern Europe and the Med, and closer to home you'll find lots of Carnival cruises in the Caribbean and the usual plethora of choices in Alaska next summer. And don't leave beautiful Bermuda or Hawaii out of your list of possibilities for fun in the sun for families.

How will you make 2014 the best year of your life?  I'd love to help you sort through the possibilities and plan a great cruise.

Better service leads to better trips!

P.S. It's not too late to make 2013 your best year so far. Last minute deals for summer and lots of great cruises throughout the year are available right now.