A Virtual Cruise in Ten Photographs

Sometimes, I find the best way to get people excited about cruising is through pictures.  After all, they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Since January is typically when most of us are looking to plan our cruise vacations for the coming year (or two!), I thought I'd share ten of my favorite cruise photos.  Maybe they will inspire you to travel somewhere you hadn't considered, or sail on a ship you hadn't thought about.

I can almost smell the fresh, ocean air and hear the soothing sound of the ship's whistles now...

1.  Norwegian Sun - Skagway, Alaska

 Norwegian Sun in Skagway, Alaska.

Note the old, unpainted livery in this 2005 photo.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

2.  Oosterdam - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

 Sunset along Puerto Vallarta's Malecon

before returning to the Oosterdam.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

3.  Queen Mary 2 - Departing New York City

Delayed a day and a half by Hurricane Kyle, 

Cunard's QM2 slowly feels its way into the Atlantic.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

  My fiancee Kim waves goodbye to our pilot boat from the

decks of the Queen Mary 2 in September, 2008.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

  

4.  Crown Princess - Alesund, Norway

 Crown Princess is just visible at the end of the

historic streets of Alesund, Norway.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

5.  Silver Spirit - Morning Arrival in Castries, St. Lucia

One thing I never get enough of: sunrise at sea.

Photo © Aaron Saunders 

Sunrise over St. Lucia aboard Silversea's Silver Spirit

in December, 2010.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

  

6.  Veendam - At Sea bound for Los Angeles

A guest takes in the view from his balcony

aboard the Veendam during a 2005 repositioning

cruise from Vancouver to Los Angeles.

Photo © Aaron Saunders 

7.  Celebrity Summit - Coffee time in the Cova Cafe

 Pull up a chair: the relaxing atmosphere

of the Cova Cafe coffee bar aboard Celebrity Summit.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

8.  Grandeur of the Seas - Cozumel, Mexico

 Grandeur of the Seas docked in Cozumel, Mexico

in January 2009.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

9.  Crown Princess - Reykjavik, Iceland

 It was cold, it rained all day, and yet our time

in Reykjavik aboard Crown Princess was one of

the most memorable of any cruise.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

Horseback riding through the lava-formed terrain

outside of Reykjavik, Iceland in August 2009.

Photo © Aaron Saunders 

10.  Norwegian Pearl - Cruising Vancouver Island

The Promenade Deck of the Norwegian Pearl on a rare

two-night cruise from Vancouver to Seattle in May 2009.

Photo © Aaron Saunders