“The road is always better than the inn.”
---Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
When the brilliant Cervantes made that observation over 400 years ago, he meant it quite literally. Inns were frequently filthy, and vagabonds sharing accommodations sometimes robbed travelers while they slept.
On the road, a voyager could enjoy nature, awake to potential danger.
Today, Americans live in the golden age where we enjoy safe travels and comfortable accommodations throughout the world, even if news stories frighten many into believing otherwise. For the bold, it's a bad news/good news scenario, as there's better availability and pricing for many "inns," according to T+L.
The "road" is also better, and we can now cover distances undreamed of in the 16th Century. Whether by land, air or sea, we can now easily traverse distances which formerly required bumpy carriage rides, days in a saddle or seemingly endless walks.
On the water, we now combine the "road" with the "inn" aboard cruises that include entertainment, meals and accommodations beyond the wildest dreams of kings and queens, much less average citizens in the past who labored from sunrise to sunset trying to barely scrape by and rarely even considered a voyage far from home.
We have truly amazing cruise ships from which to choose based on our personal preferences.
The largest and most jaw-dropping ships in the world include activities like surfing, sky diving, ice skating and rock climbing, making them world class destinations in their own right.
Then again, a more low key ship with fine dining and plush lounge chairs by a pool might be everything you desire for a luxurious vacation. Spas, casinos and more await you on board.
Most of us, however, also look for great destinations to visit, whether tropical islands, spectacular fjords or historic regions. Do shore excursions make the cruise for you?
If you're someone who actually prefers cruising more than ports, perhaps you should consider a transatlantic crossing on Cunard Queen Mary 2. With the only planetarium at sea, play performances by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, royal balls and Insights Guest Lecturers make the crossing between New York and Southampton a truly unique alternative to first class air. You arrive without jetlag, ready to explore the inns of London, other parts of Great Britain and the rest of Europe.
Other cruise ships do trans-oceanic cruises when re-positioning for a changing season in the fall and spring, Cunard makes numerous crossings beginning in May and all the way until January, including many special themed sailings.
Whereas the primary function of most ships is to act as essentially floating resort hotels, Cunard's ships are ocean liners, designed to cross vast oceans.
Prior Cunard trips set records for speed in delivering mail between the continents, transported millions of new immigrants from Europe to Ellis Island and even were drafted into military service during World Wars to transport troops.
These historic crossings are wonderful ways to celebrate milestone events in our lives, like wedding anniversaries,significant birthdays and retirement.
Take advantage of Cunard's current Big Balcony Event, with free upgrade from Ocean View to Balcony on Transatlantic Crossings.
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| Queen Victoria |
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| Wes in Pub Aboard Cunard Queen Victoria |
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