Planning your next vacation

How do you spell vacation? C-R-U-I-S-E is how CAA Travel spells it.

According to the latest statistics, choosing to cruise is one of the most popular ways to get away from it all and rejuvenate in your own alternate reality for a few days or even a couple of weeks.

There are so many options for you in today’s travel world, and CAA Travel experts can help you prioritize your travel objectives and then pull it all together to create your plan of action.

Is an ocean cruise for you?

One third of all CAA travellers are booking cruises, many responding to the lure of the sea on an ocean cruise, transporting them to far-away countries. That’s where you could experience different cultures, world class cuisines, and museums and sights you’ve only dreamed of till now. Imagine taking a selfie at the foot of the Eiffel Tower or breathing the crisp, cool arctic air in Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska!

Ocean cruises offered by CAA Travel partners like Holland America Line open so many possibilities to you, while visiting multiple countries throughout coastal Europe or the sunny Caribbean that could include exciting opportunities to deepen your knowledge of cooking, wine appreciation and water sports.

Caribbean cruises welcome you to peruse many all-inclusive experiences in a temperate clime, where you can explore several ports of call, snorkel in their sparkling clear waters, and soak up the ambience of their laid-back lifestyle.

Some cruise lines even have their own private islands in the Caribbean, including Royal Caribbean Cruises and Princess Cruises, both of which are CAA Travel Partners.

One very special offering for your 2025 departure, brought to you by Together. Groups by CAA Travel, is a “Rockies to the Red Rocks” itinerary. Your journey begins in stunning Banff, Alberta, where you’ll board Rocky Mountaineer and travel in comfort by train to Vancouver where you’ll connect with your Holland America Line cruise to Alaska. This one fulfills many “bucket list” travellers’ dreams.

Or perhaps a river cruise:

If a more intimate vacation is what you’re pining for, a river cruise might be just your thing. Smaller ships that make their way along iconic rivers like the Rhine, the Mekong that winds through six countries in south-east Asia, and Egypt’s Nile River are all popular choices. It’s a rare traveller who isn’t transfixed by the castles of Europe, the diverse and lush landscapes of Asia and the historic beauty of northern Africa.

River cruises by CAA Travel Partner AmaWaterways are well-planned for maximum vacation vibes and focus on specialized service, superb cuisine and exciting cultural activities.

Tips for those choosing to cruise:

1. Don’t cram your schedule with too many activities. Choose the ones that you’re most interested in and leave some down time in between. You don’t want to arrive home needing a vacation from your vacation!
2. Choose your shore excursions in advance to save money. Your cruise line’s app, CAA Travel partner ShoreExcursions, or your CAA Travel Consultant can help you with that.
3. Plan to spend at least one night in your departure city or town before any cruise to avoid the angst of any potential flight delays or jet lag and so you’ll be ready to board on departure day feeling excited and ready to go.
4. Travel insurance is highly recommended to give you peace of mind over issues like trip cancellation, baggage loss or unexpected medical expenses.
5. Plan and book with your own highly trained CAA Travel Consultant who will compile all the elements you want for your precious time off. For stress-free travel planning, call 1-800-705-1803 or book an appointment with a CAA Travel Consultant today!
6. Relax and enjoy your much-deserved vacation!