Cruises
Did you know that each cruise line and even each ship has its own “personality”? Each ocean, river or expedition cruise line offers you a unique vacation in terms of atmosphere, service, size and style of rooms or suites, as well as entertainment, dining and so much more. Pick the wrong ship and that relaxing vacation you were hoping for may end up being very different from your desires.
Fortunately, you can rely on a Q cruise expert. Q Cruise + Travel was previously known as Cruise Holidays Chicago on Magnificent Mile, so it won’t come as a surprise to you that our forte is in planning cruise travel. Our Cruise + Travel Advisors are all certified by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) as well as our cruise line partners. By working together with you, we will help you find the perfect cruise line, ship and itinerary, and then tailor your ocean or river cruise vacation to your needs.
Virtuoso Voyages and Cruise Benefits
Our travel advisors work with all top ocean and river cruise lines and can recommend the best itineraries and ships (both large and small) for you. Our clients also have exclusive access to over 500 special Virtuoso Voyages sailings on a range of ocean and river cruise line partners. A Virtuoso Voyages sailing can only be booked through a Virtuoso advisor. The benefits you’ll receive with our compliments include:
- Services of a dedicated onboard host
- A welcome-aboard cocktail reception
- Your choice of a
- Shore Experience: a unique tour exclusive to our Virtuoso clients, often incorporating access to destinations or venues that are not available to others
- Private Car and Driver (select sailings and destinations)
- Virtuoso Personalized Experience Credit to spend on your preferred Virtuoso service – hotels, private excursions, transfers or other services provided by a Virtuoso preferred partner
- Shipboard Credit: a credit to spend onboard of your cruise
The available choices vary by sailing and your Q advisor will be happy to explain your options. In the unusual event that a specific sailing does not have sufficient participants, an onboard credit may be provided instead of the host services and other benefits.
Cruise Styles
As Chicago cruise travel experts, we divide the wide range of cruise lines in four main categories that sail to destinations around the world. We’ll gladly help you understand the differences.
In addition to the very popular river cruise lines, ocean cruise lines can generally be subdivided in:
- Luxury cruise lines, including the newer category of Upper-Premium/Deluxe cruise lines
- Contemporary and Premium “Resort-Style” cruise lines
- Specialty cruises, including adventure and expedition cruises
In each of these categories you might find ships or cruise lines that offer specialty cruises. Itineraries and unique ship designs make them especially suitable for expedition cruises or adventure cruises.
Contemporary and Premium “Resort-Style” Cruise Lines
Contemporary “Resort-Style” cruises offer a fun-filled atmosphere for the entire family, groups of all sizes as well as couples, with entertainment that may include some of the best Broadway-style shows, a variety of dining options and lots of activities for kids of all ages, a cruise on a contemporary cruise line might be just right for you. Onboard most contemporary cruise ships you might find swimming pools, spacious health clubs and spas, a casino, theatres, a comedy club, a range of bars and nightclubs and other amenities that you might find at a large resort. These lines typically feature larger ships that sail to the world’s most popular destinations.
Premium Cruise lines offer many similar activities, frequently on ships that nowadays are considered mid-sized. By offering a higher staff-to-guest ratio, premium cruise lines pride themselves on offering a higher level of service and a great environment for adults and couples, not just families with (little) children. In addition to the most popular destinations, you will find premium cruise ships in less visited places.
As most Contemporary and Premium ships offer a range of accommodations from compact inside rooms to lavish suites, you’ll find all kinds of travelers—first-time cruisers, family reunions, honeymooners, social groups, and avid travelers looking for value. Premium cruises also tend to have more couples and other guests onboard who prefer a higher level of service
Contemporary and Premium Cruise Lines and Itineraries
Click on a cruise line logo below to see cruise itineraries offered by your preferred cruise line.
Celebrity Cruises
This premium cruise line offers spacious ships with a modern, cosmopolitan design. With ice-topped martini bars, excellent gourmet restaurants, extensive spa facilities, Celebrity appeals to couples and other travelers who are foodies, health and fitness enthusiasts or those who simply enjoy “Modern Luxury”. Special room categories like The Retreat: a suite class with private restaurants, bars, sundecks and on some ships even a pool, just for suite guests. Alternatively, AquaClass and Concierge Class offer additional luxury with all the amenities of a larger ship.
Cunard Line
With a range of premium and luxury accommodations, and a proud British heritage that goes back over 180 years, Cunard is known for its Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossings, world cruises and a range of European itineraries. More formal than most cruise lines, Cunard’s four modern Queens proudly offer an oceangoing experience like that in the golden age of travel. Q Cruise + Travel is one of Cunard Line’s largest agencies in North America and offers additional amenities on most Cunard sailings.
Disney Cruise Line
Imaginatively designed children’s activity programs, plenty of opportunity for character meet-and-greets and shows only Disney can create make this a solid favorite with families, especially those with younger children. But this premium cruise line is also surprisingly adult-friendly, with adults-only areas, pools and restaurants.
Holland America Line
With its 150+ year history of sailing between the Netherlands and the United States, its mid-size ships proudly display many of the traditions of ocean travel. A gracious crew, trained at this premium line’s private schools in Indonesia and the Philippines, Dutch officers and a wide range of itineraries, including world cruises and Grand Voyages, keep its “Mariners” past guests come back time and time again.
Norwegian Cruise Line
The line that made Freestyle Cruising famous offers a casual atmosphere and a wide range of dining options, excellent entertainment and nightlife. Would you like some extra luxury and privacy with your large ship entertainment? Consider the luxurious Haven enclave, for suites and villa guests only. Solo travelers may appreciate the compact studio rooms.
Princess Cruises
Remember the “Love Boat”? That was a Princess ship. Frequently praised for its excellent range of itineraries around the world, the “consummate hosts” at Princess Cruises offers beautiful ships, warm service and an opportunity to “Come Back New” from your vacation.
Royal Caribbean International
Sum up Royal Caribbean in one word and it would be “Innovation”. Or maybe “Wow”. Royal Caribbean continually pushes the envelope: on your ship you might find skydive simulators, bionic bartenders, bumper cars, ice skating rinks, rock climbing walls, surf simulators, zip lines… Combined with great restaurant options and “name brand” shows like Mamma Mia, Cats, Grease and Hairspray, you’ll understand why this is one of our favorites for family or multi-generational travel.
Find more cruise itineraries and options using our Virtuoso cruise finder.
