Consider a cruise from Florida this winter and early spring

• In winter particularly, cruising from Miami is worth the added expense of air because of weather and port choices.
• Local agents say cruising is ideal for families.
• Four local agents weigh in on cruising trends.

With the recent weather conditions, many travelers saw firsthand how a blizzard or even a snow event can impact travel plans. This is also true of a cruise. Although one does save on airfare is leaving from New York City on a cruise, there are other implications to consider.

Local travel agents are in agreement: Consider a winter cruise from Miami or other ports in South Florida – it’s worth the added expense of airfare.

“Sailing from New York or New Jersey, our clients spend at the sea three to four days, depending on where they are going,” said Chandrakant Panchal, travel consultant with Ports & Voyages in the Parlin section of Sayreville.

Although no airfare is needed, Panchal does caution, however, that weather is a consideration and may offset the air savings: “Sailing from New York or New Jersey in winter/spring, there is always a possibility of ‘bad weather.’” Panchal also suggests researching airfares will benefit the traveler.

In addition to weather and not sailing three or four days to get to the warm weatherer, Panchal said there are more port options and itinerary choices. “Clients have a better chance to get more ports of calls than to and from New York because you spend more days in sea. You may get better variety of ports of calls because most of the Caribbean islands are much closer to Miami,” Panchal added.

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And, if one is spending vacation dollars to fly to South Florida, Panchal advises to enjoy the city of Miami. “In addition, many of my clients may make Miami a pre- or post-vacation place. They create an add-on vacation, as they are already paying for air,” Panchal said.

Lisa Lee, a travel consultant with Avenue Travel Group, American Express in Bedminster, said starting a cruise in ports including Miami also offers more sailing options. “There are more short and long cruise options from Florida than from New York. You are more limited in sailing options from New York/New Jersey than options from Florida,” Lee said.  “From New York or New Jersey you will need to take very long cruises to get to the Southern Caribbean Islands without starting in Miami.”

Thousands of Central Jersey cruisers have enjoyed spectacular voyages aboard Norwegian Breakaway which sails weekly to Florida and the Bahamas in the fall through spring and then sails to Bermuda in summer and early fall.

Norwegian Escape, Norwegian’s largest ship to date, homeports year-round in Miami and sails a seven-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary, visiting Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas.

“Norwegian Escape takes the best of what guests have come to love on Norwegian Breakaway and takes it to a new level,” said Vanessa Picariello, senior director of public relations of Norwegian Cruise Line.

“Guests can sail from the cruise capital of the world in Miami to the Caribbean on a very premium ship with new and exciting outlets like the District Brewhouse, The Cellars and Food Republic, as well as two Tony Award-winning Broadway shows and Norwegian’s first nursery at sea," she said.

Norwegian Escape features a variety of accommodations including the company’s signature luxury ship–within-a-ship complex: The Haven by Norwegian; along with Studios, designed and priced for solo travelers; and many options for families, multi-generational groups, spa enthusiasts and more.

Continuing Norwegian’s commitment to excellence in entertainment as guests enjoyed on the Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Escape features two Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals: "After Midnight" and "Million Dollar Quartet."

Panchal said clients enjoy sailing new ships. “It is human nature that their first choice is always picking anything new. The majority of new ships are much larger with many varieties of newer and broader activities. In addition, due to applications of modern technologies, our passengers feel much safer. And because of the new technologies in every aspect of ship design, passengers have no issue of passing time or no reason of getting board. And they feel completely safe to travel,” Panchel said.

Panchal said clients book and rebook Norwegian.

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“One of the main reasons people prefer Norwegian is due the fact that people are getting fed-up of ‘doing things as planned or doing things as told.’ The freestyle sailing program on Norwegian gives people complete freedom," Panchal said. "And all other amenities like service, food, entertainment etc. are completely fabulous.”

For families, Norwegian Escape boasts the largest ropes course at sea, a three-story multiplex of heart-pounding challenges complete with two planks and five sky rails, zip tracks that allow guests to soar through the air. Norwegian Escape’s Aqua Park is the largest at sea and includes the new Aqua Racer slide.

Diane Jones, a travel agent with TPV Productions in Old Bridge, said she has booked many clients on Norwegian Breakaway, and is eager to suggest its Miami-based sister ship. “I would definitely recommend Norwegian Breakaway, and the sister ship Norwegian Escape out of Miami. I recommend cruising to everyone. It's the absolute best way to travel and see the world,” said Jones.

In addition, as an expansion to the line’s acclaimed children’s programming, Norwegian Escape features the line’s first dedicated nursery for young cruisers two and under.

Wherever the embarkation port, New York or Miami, there are ships to match budgets and travel destinations.

“Ships are always thinking of new items that can be added to make the cruising experience more enjoyable,” said Frank Hryszkanich, owner Travel, Ports & Voyages in Old Bridge and the director for the Association of Home-Based Travel Agents.

“Be as active or inactive as you want," he said. "There is a daily activity sheet with times as to all the things that will be happening on board the ship. Cruise vacations are great for families and friends that live in different states to get together and reminisce and to stay close to see one another more often."