After 30 years of booking world cruises, Cruise Specialists has heard it all! Our team of agents are here to share some of the top myths that keep people from enjoying a vacation, which will go beyond relaxing to life changing.

“There are so many facets that make a World Cruise an amazing experience for guests – from the intriguing ports of call and luxury cruise ships to the camaraderie among our cruise guests, who all have a passion for travel. If a traveler can overcome some of the most common misconceptions about World Cruises, we know each will have an unforgettable journey,” said Annie Scrivanich, Senior Vice President, Cruise Specialists.

“At Cruise Specialists, we truly believe in ‘enriching your life through travel’ and have built our reputation on providing the very highest levels of service with our one-of-a-kind World Cruise experience. We know just how special these voyages are and hope that by shedding light on these myths, more people will take the initial steps needed to begin planning the vacation of a lifetime.”

According to Cruise Specialists, here are the Top 5 World Cruise myths:

MYTH: “World Cruises are too expensive.”

In reality: A World Cruise is an exceptional value, when you take into account that almost all living expenses – including accommodations, meals, traveling and entertainment – are included for 3-6 months.

In fact, some travelers use world cruises as their winter homes. There are various pricing options depending on the cruise ship and type of stateroom or suite the client selects.

Regent Seven Seas’ 2017 World Cruise is an example of an all-inclusive option for guests where special shore tours, pre-paid gratuities, transfers between airport and ship, and more are included. On selected voyages, Cruise Specialists’ clients receive the added benefits of an experienced onboard voyage host, along with exclusive shore excursion options.

MYTH: “I won’t be able to spend enough time in one port.”

In reality: World Cruise itineraries typically include multiple ports of call with overnight stays to allow individuals more time to immerse themselves in destinations.

For example, Holland America Line’s 2017 World Cruise will visit 36 ports of call with overnights in 10 different iconic port cities over the course of 111 days. There are also opportunities for overland tours – getting off the ship in one port and rejoining at a later port, complete with hotel stays and transportation, which provide incredible flexibility.

Cruise Specialists consultants work with clients to create a customized itinerary using carefully-vetted local tour operators for single and multi-day excursions.

MYTH: “I’m going to get bored.”

In reality: Guests can take advantage of a wide range of options and activities while in port and during days at sea. Cruise Specialists also offers its guests exclusive shore programs and a special “Humanitarian Shore Tour” for those guests interested in making a difference locally.

For days at sea, every cruise line has its own personality. They invest significantly in specialized programs to enrich the onboard experience from learning a new skill and guest lecturers to cooking demonstrations, becoming a pro with your camera, taking up yoga, and much more.  Cruise Specialists organizes special chat sessions, as well as dinners and cocktail parties for clientele. Plus, everyone needs a little down time, and days at sea provide an opportunity to relax and recharge.“There is a great sense of appeal when it comes to extended days at sea    for most it’s a treasured time. For our clients going on a World Cruise or extended voyage, it’s a time of peaceful renewal, a chance to unplug, time to enjoy new experiences and create lasting new friendships,” added Scrivanich. “This time to rejuvenate is always a remarkable discovery for our guests.”

MYTH: “If I get sick or hurt while traveling, I won’t know what to do.”

In reality: Although the cruise client might be miles away from home, medical care is not far away. Ship doctors are skilled in addressing a wide variety of medical situations and injuries.

Cruise Specialists’ voyage hosts are also an invaluable asset; they can help communicate with the ship’s staff or a client’s cruise consultant, and contact the guest’s travel insurance company to arrange necessary assistance. Most personal health plans will not cover illnesses while traveling abroad, which is why Cruise Specialists highly recommends clients purchase quality travel insurance and offers assistance with comparing policies to find the protection that best suits each individual’s needs.

MYTH: “I have to plan it all myself.”

In reality: This couldn’t be further from the truth. Cruise Specialists’ cruise consultants take care of all the details for each individual client, based on their specific needs and desires. As North America’s leading World Cruise travel agency, Cruise Specialists’ cruise consultants specialize in the complexities of arranging such a trip, have decades of experiences personalizing these experiences to suit the most discerning travelers, and work with a range of clientele and budgets. When a client is looking for a new adventure to an exotic destination, leave it to the experts to plan the next dream vacation.

To learn more about all facets of a World Cruise, click here to access “The Definitive Guide to World Cruising”.

Cruise Specialists is exceptionally qualified to shine a light on these myths, as its travel agent experts have been creating uniquely-customized World Cruise travel experiences for nearly 30 years – ones that include a variety of enhancements, depending on cruise line, such as a send-off party prior to embarkation; well-traveled onboard voyage hosts to assist with all queries throughout the cruise; exclusive, private shore excursions; and much more.