Cruising 2014: Welcome Aboard!

We'll let you in on a little secret: August is the month when 2014 cruises start to book up, meaning you'll get the best early-booking rates now (price increases are on their way). Besides, in cruising it doesn't pay to wait—the choicest itineraries and the nicest cabins always book early.

So don't miss the boat! Get inspired to set sail with the following cruise updates, advice, and tidbits. And don't forget, we're here to help you enjoy an easy, relaxed, and very personal cruise planning experience, along with exclusive perks (like valuable shipboard credits), special VIP privileges, and much more.

What's so great about cruising, you ask? "First and foremost, cruising is the best way to explore almost any new destination," says Hideaways Founder/President Mike Thiel. "With both river and ocean cruising, you get a taste of an area—either on your own or as part of a shore excursion—and then decide if and where you'd like to return for an in-depth visit."

Additional pluses? You unpack only once. Revel in attentive service. Enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded travelers. Mix adventure with relaxation. Get wined and dined. And pay in U.S. dollars.

Hideaways-Recommended Cruise Lines

You've got choices: Big ships. Small ships. Ocean-going vessels. River cruisers. The list goes on and on. And while choices are great, they also can be confusing. But we know what's out there and which line is likely to fit your cruising style. Here are some of our favorites.

AT A GLANCE: For a snapshot look at our most highly recommended cruise lines, with must-know details about what makes each different, special, and right (or not-so-right) for you, check out our Cruise Chart.

"I would encourage everyone to try one of Oceania's smaller ships. Many of us have had bad experiences with massive crowds on massive ships, and Oceania was quite the opposite—a real breath of cruise fresh air." —Brian DeWolf, Eden Prairie, MN

Breaking Cruise News for 2014

As you might expect, the cruise industry is always on the move, constantly introducing exciting new ships and experiences. Here's a preview of recent cruise news we thought would interest you.

• Next year, Sea Cloud Cruises plans a number of what they call "unknown itinerary" cruises. In other words, you'll know the departure and arrival destinations, and not much else—it's up to the winds, weather, and the Captain's discretion as far as what ports you visit. If you stop by the open bridge and ask the Captain, he might tell you what he has up his sleeve for the day. Intrigued? Consider the 8-night Naples-to-Mallorca voyage, departing Oct-19-14 and visiting, well, nobody knows!
  
  
• Ponant Yacht Cruises and Expeditions currently is building a new luxury 264-passenger ship—sister to the recently launched Le Soleal—which is scheduled to enter service in spring 2015. Like Le Soleal, all cabins and suites will offer sea views, and 95% will have private balconies. The as-yet-unnamed ship will cruise the shores of Alaska in the summer, and Australia and New Zealand in winter.
  
  
• Two brand-new ships will join AmaWaterways' fleet in 2014, the AmaSonata on the Danube River and the AmaReina on the Rhine. And starting next year, they'll enhance their Provence & Spain itinerary by adding an optional 2-night land extension in Marseille, France. Reminder: Starting this year, AmaWaterways offers complimentary wine, beer, soft drinks, and juice with lunch and dinner on all their ships in Europe (except for AmaVida and AmaKatarina).
  
  
• Oceania Cruises' Land Tour Series has expanded for 2014 with multi-day excursions such as Alaska's Denali National Park, Wine Tours in New Zealand, and Miami's South Beach at Canyon Ranch, giving you even more opportunity to get to know each destination you visit. Back on board, the line is transforming and updating its three R Class ships with new carpeting, curtains, bedding, and colors to resemble the decor of Marina and Riviera.
  
  
• What are you doing in early 2015? We suggest Crystal Cruises' Silver Celebration World Cruise, a 108-day, round-trip-from-Miami extravaganza of luxurious cruising designed to celebrate the line's 25th anniversary. You'll cruise the world in sumptuous style, from the Caribbean and South America to the South Pacific, Australia, and Africa. All-inclusive cruise-only fares start from $36,245/person.
  
  

"When Hideaways suggested a trip with Alaskan Dream Cruises ... we were confident they knew what floated our boat and signed on for an eight-day tour around Glacier Bay. The recommendation was brilliant." —Hideaways Ambassador Vance Stephenson, Wilmington, NC

Must-Read Cruise Articles

Hideaways' article archive is filled with reports written about cruising by both staffers and members of the Hideaways Aficionado Club. Here, we share some of our favorites.

Must-Know Missives: Cruising the World, Your Way and Top 7 Unexpected & Unforgettable Cruise Experiences

Alaskan Dream Cruises: Alaska At Last

AmaWaterways: A Colorful, Cultural River-Cruise Feast

Celebrity Cruises: Something to Celebrate

Oceania Cruises: Enlightening a First-Time Cruiser and The Black Sea, Unveiled

Paul Gauguin: Cruising Where Life Imitates Art

Sea Cloud: Gatsby Would Approve

Silversea Cruise Lines: When Smaller is Better

European River Cruising: Rolling on the River and Barging Through Europe