Destinations for College Cruise Vacations

Going on a cruise is a fun adventure, especially for college students on break from school. Some prefer to go during the summertime, while others like to travel on Spring Break. Some trips are planned among friends, while others are organized through the college. Cruise vacations can encompass a wide variety of destinations. Deciding on where to go and how long to travel are usually determined by availability of preferred sailing dates and exciting destinations. Depending on when the trip is booked, prices can vary. Booking early or late often brings the best pricing, although a last-minute decision may limit destination choices and preferred cabin availability. Here are just a few of the popular choices among students.

Mediterranean
Traveling to the Mediterranean Sea is exciting, especially for those who have never been outside of the United States. These cruises involve taking a plane to a European destination and departing from a port of call in the Mediterranean, such as Barcelona, Spain or Toulon France. Some of the stops on these 7- to 12-night cruises may include historic cities such as Venice, Italy; Rhodes, Greece; and, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Other exotic destination ports are Istanbul, Turkey; Capri, Italy; Haifa, Israel; Cairo, Egypt; and, Dubrovnik, Croatia. These Mediterranean cities have both historical and cultural value for student cruise vacationers.

Mexico
Although Mexico is a neighboring country, many US students have never been there. Taking a cruise laden with Mexican ports of call is one way of visiting a foreign country without going so far from home that family and friends will worry about their safety. The weather and diverse activities make Mexico a cruiser’s Mecca, with spectacular sunsets and a festive atmosphere to boot. With many destinations made popular by the TV show “The Love Boat” in the late 1970s to mid-1980s, the reputations of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta continue to woo young adult travelers even today.

Costa Rica
Cruising from Costa Rica about the Caribbean Sea can take from 6 to 11 nights, depending on which cruise trip is chosen. Well-known for its warm weather and relaxing beaches, the ports of call include Aruba, St. Lucia, St. Barts and the British Virgin Islands. One exciting portion of the adventure is to traverse the Panama Canal. This is an opportunity for students on vacation to learn not only about the construction of the canal, but also the rare culture and different languages spoken throughout the islands on the cruise itinerary.