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Father's Day is fast approaching. Why not surprise dear old Dad this year with a cruise vacation he'll be talking about for years?
Here's what we suggest: When you take Dad out for brunch or gather the family to open cards, include a special note that says, “Surprise! You're going on a cruise!” See, the present comes now, and he'll have 6, 9 or 12 months to look forward to it. You'll want to book far in advance to get the best stateroom, best prices and best available itinerary. The best river cruises and Alaska cruises, for example, often sell out a year or more in advance.
Of course, Dad will need some company, whether it's you, your mom or another traveling companion. And if you haven't done a multigenerational cruise, that's a great way to bring the family together for a reunion.
Here are 6 Father's Day Cruise Ideas — just keep in mind that these ideas would also work for your Dad's birthday, Christmas or an anniversary present.
If you have some change to drop, a truly amazing gift would be a cruise to the Formula 1 Grand Prix De Monaco 2019 in Monte Carlo. An Azamara 5-night cruise in the French and Italian Riviera will let Dad see "the French Riviera on steroids, decked out in fast cars and beautiful people," as the cruise line puts it. "We’ll reserve your seat with pre-purchased tickets (in addition to voyage fare). Before the race, enjoy a day in Florence or Lucca plus late stays in luxurious Saint-Tropez and Cannes. Chances are you’ll see stars and celebrities arriving for the race. And who knows, there may be a few on board." The cruise departs from and returns to Nice, France. And good timing! Azamara's two ships just had a multimillion-dollar upgrade.
Prices start at $3,099 per person (double occupancy) for the cruise only. Bonus: Call a Cruiseable travel expert at 1-877-322-3773 and our agents will provide an additional Bonus Credit of $200 to $400 per stateroom (use the code "Dad22").
Is Dad a duffer? If he likes the links, there are some world-class golf courses he can play at as part of a cruise shore excursion. For instance, Bermuda offers three stellar courses: Port Royal, Turtle Hill and the Mid Ocean Club. He can play 18 holes against a spectacular ocean backdrop. The sleek, modern ship Norwegian Breakaway sails weekly out of New York to Bermuda most weekends throughout the year. Prices start at $749 per person, and you can take advantage of a Cruiseable Bonus Credit of $100 to $200.
If Bermuda's not right, other great golf courses you can consider for Dad include Mahogany Run on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, pictured at top; Falmouth, Jamaica; the Big Island of Hawaii; Haines, Alaska; Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and Cozumel, Mexico; Barbados, Aruba, Sydney, Thailand and the Dominican Republic. And if you really want to go all out, a Cruiseable travel professional can hook your Dad up with a chance to play at St. Andrew's on a British Open Golf Cruise in July 2019 — and take in the final round of action.
Is Dad into water sports (even if he doesn't know it)? A luxury cruise on Seabourn to a tropical getaway would be a Father's Day gift for the ages. Seabourn Sojourn, Odyssey or Quest all have water sports marinas in the back of the ship for free use by the guests, and boy, do they take advantage of it: kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba and more. One itinerary we love: the 7-Day Yachtsman's Caribbean cruise starting in Saint Maarten and calling on Anguilla, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Martinique and St. Vincent and the Grenadines before ending in Barbados. The cruise begins on March 11, 2019, and prices start at $3,499 per person for a suite, not counting your Cruiseable Bonus Credit of $200 to $500 per stateroom.
Do you ever catch Dad watching the History Channel late at night? Treat him to a cruise down the Mississippi River, stopping at Civil War sites along the way. A cruise on American Cruise Line's paddlewheeler Queen of the Mississippi departs New Orleans on 7-day cruises along the Civil War's western theater, including the Vicksburg National Military Park and St. Francisville, La. Cruises take place from August to November and April to December. Prices start at about $4,450, with a Cruiseable Bonus Credit of $100 to $300, depending on stateroom choice.
Games of chance
Does dear old Dad like to gamble a little — say, blackjack, poker, slots or roulette? How about a splash-and-dash Royal Caribbean cruise from Miami to Nassau and nearby Paradise Island in the Bahamas for a day or two at the world-renowned casino Atlantis? Atlantis Paradise Island casino resort offers Bahamas vacationers poolside gaming in a 100,000-square-foot casino with 850 slots and 80 table games. Royal has a few ships that can easily bring Dad to those gaming tables, and perhaps hit the ship casino en route. The lowest cost option would be Majesty of the Seas, with 3-day sailings starting at $199 per person.
If Antarctica, the globe's last wild frontier, is on your father's bucket list, you have several options. If he likes traveling in style and comfort even when roughing it, book a cruise on Ponant, the French expedition luxury line. On its 9- to 15-day expeditions to Antarctica in November and early December, passengers will travel with a team of naturalists and use Ponant's fleet of Zodiacs to discover the region's extraordinary wildlife, magnificent icebergs and breathtaking landscapes. After an exhilarating day on expedition, Dad can relax with a spa treatment or watch for whales with the captain from the bridge. He'll enjoy French-inspired cuisine, chic accommodations and world-class service.
Still unsure about Antarctica? Check out Ellen Miller's Visual List of her thrilling trip to Antarctica with her husband. Prices for the Ponant cruise start at $8,360 per person for this once-in-a-lifetime luxury expedition, a savings of $800 per person, plus 30% off regular rate, plus a $200-$400 Bonus Credit from Cruiseable — if you book right away!
If any of these ideas seems to suit your father, contact us at 1-877-322-3773, or email us, and we'll find you the cruise that fits your dad's travel style — and your budget. And don't forget, you can only claim the hundreds of dollars on Bonus Credits if you book through Cruiseable.
