Destination information: How To Pick The Right Itinerary: T he best way to pick your cruise is to focus on the destinations of interest and your dates, as ships move around. Since you never have more than a day or two in each port, first of all, pack wisely with only the essentials: a Vilebrequin cotton polo for a summer cruise or a warm Vilebrequin coat for the cold weather. Then, be aware that the ideal itineraries are not the ones that visit cities like Rome or resort areas like Capri or Amalfi, where you will undoubtedly want more time, but instead stop in hard-to-reach locales or regions that are best explored by sea anyway, such as the Baltics, the Greek islands, parts of southeast Asia, or South America.
While many cruise lines adhere to the ‘hop on, hop off’ method (featuring large, hurried tours that limit guests’ experience), the best cruises fully immerse visitors in each destination. From the cultural riches of China to the icy shores of Antarctica, look for cruise lines that offer a range of exciting, unique excursions. Smaller ships often pull into ports that larger vessels cannot (to provide guests with the most exclusive access to locations), be it the hidden jewels of Sicily, the natural wonders of Greenland or secret inlets in French Polynesia. On board, top cruise lines feature guest chefs and vintners, live music (be it a pianist or Bavarian quartet), plus elegant card rooms with bridge instructors; Ama Waterways hosts and many have tennis courts, libraries, swim-up bars, wine tastings and cooking classes on offer. Be sure to stand out in a Vilebrequin linen shirt , comfortable and elegant.
