Thinking about a cruise this summer? Wallace Immen is the man to help you navigate the increasingly crowded seas of cruising.
"Extreme cruising — from six weeks to six months in duration — is one of the fastest-growing niches of the cruise market," he writes in The 116-day cruise.
Mr. Immen, who has been writing about cruising and travel destinations in The Globe's Travel Section for 20 years, was online earlier to take your questions on extreme cruising, plus any other cruise questions. Not sure what region of the world to head to? Wondering which cruise line is right for your family?
Your questions and Mr. Immen's answers appear at the bottom of this page.
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Sue From an island in the Pacific from Victoria Canada writes:Do you know of any cruise lines that cater to the single traveller-those of us who do not want to share a cabin with a complete stranger?
Wallace Immen writes: Hello Sue. The single supplement is certainly an issue for someone travelling solo on a cruise. Cruise lines base their fares on two people sharing a cabin and so they charge as much as a second full fare if one person wants to travel alone. Sharing is one option, and understandably you don't want to have to ship out with a total stranger. You might try getting a friend or relative interested in your itinerary and I know there is a British Columbia based club called Travel Buddies Singles Travel Club that helps get like-minded travellers together.
I'm not aware of any cruise line that caters specifically to singles. However, some of the big cruise lines that get a lot of single passenger are known to run singles specials and waive supplements. Cruise lines may also be amenable to waive the supplement on cruises out of the peak season that they expect will have vacancies. Ask your travel agent to make a request. Good luck.
Michael Thurley from Nobel, Ontario Canada writes: Having sampled two cruise lines, I would wish for one which did not emphasize shopping, both on board and on shore, and gambling. Quality lectures and simpler and quieter entertainment with visits to interesting and historical ports would all be appreciated. I would be prepared, in fact, to pay more for less glamour. Winter cruises are of more interest except for a summer Russian river cruise. I am 74 and my wife and I are not looking for a mobile holiday camp.
Wallace Immen writes: Hello Michael; it sounds as though your past cruises were on the big ships of the mass market lines that emphasize action and something for everyone. You'll probably be more pleased with a line whose publicity emphasizes guest lecturers and concerts rather than Broadway shows. I'd suggest looking into Celebrity Cruises, a division of Royal Caribbean, or Holland America Line. If you've got some room in your budget, Crystal Cruises has a remarkable guest lecture series, language training and computer workshops. Regent Seven Seas is known for its smaller ships and lecture program as well. One Regent ship, the Paul Gauguin specializes in Tahiti.
j dawson from Canada writes: Hello Mr. Immen. I have a 16 year old girl and a 15 year old boy as a single mother. We have never been on a cruise before and have independent interests. Is there a cruise out there that offers entertainment enough for all of us?
Wallace Immen writes: There are certainly a lot of cruises that offer entertainment for all ages. One of the things I have found about the new generation of cruise ships is how they are being laid out as a city might be, with districts for people with different interests. A number of lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises have teen programs and even teen night clubs on their ships and there are multiple activities and pools to try so they won't get bored. There will also be lots of activities for adults other singles on board that provide opportunities for you to socialize.
