CRUISE VACATIONS
The ocean is waiting. We handle everything else.
From choosing the right ship to help plan your on board experiences, every detail is handled. You just show up.
WHY BAREFOOT
Forty plus sailings of lived experience, at your service
With more than 40 plus personal cruises combined, we have stood on the deck at dawn watching Alaska’s glaciers come into view. We have navigated the ports, tasted the specialty restaurants worth reserving, and learned which cabin categories are worth the upgrade and which ones are not. That firsthand experience backs every recommendation Barefoot makes.
Booking a cruise on your own is entirely possible. Getting the right ship, the right sailing, and the right experience for your specific group takes someone who has actually been there. That is what this agency is built on.
Expertise built from real experience
Knowing which ship fits your group is one thing. Knowing which deck to book, which dining time to request, which shore excursions are worth the price and which ones to skip in favor of a better independent option — that comes from actually sailing those ships. Barefoot’s recommendations are built on real experience across multiple cruise lines, not brochure copy.
Access you cannot get on your own
Travel advisors work directly with cruise line representatives, not through the same public channels you would use on your own. That relationship means Barefoot knows when promotions are worth waiting for, when to book now, and how to position your reservation to get the most out of it. That kind of timing and insider knowledge is hard to replicate without someone who works inside the industry every day.
A person, not a help desk
Calling a cruise line’s customer service line means explaining your situation from scratch, waiting on hold, and hoping the person who picks up has the authority to actually help. Booking through Barefoot means one call, one person, and someone who already knows your trip inside and out. Whether a price drops before departure, your itinerary changes, or something comes up while you are at sea, you have a direct line to someone already in your corner.
CRUISE STYLES
Every traveler has a style. Let us help you find yours.
Cruising is not one size fits all. The experience you have on board depends almost entirely on the type of ship you choose. Here is how to think about it.
MAINSTREAM
Mainstream and mega-ships
High energy. Family forward. Built for everything.
These are the floating resorts most people picture when they think of cruising. Broadway-caliber entertainment, multiple pool decks, dozens of dining options, and activities for every age group. If you want variety, energy, and a ship that never sleeps, this is your category.
PREMIUM
Premium and upscale ships
Refined. Spacious. A step above the crowd.
A noticeable step up in service, cuisine, and atmosphere. Smaller ships mean less crowding, more attentive staff, and a pace that lets you actually relax. Think boutique hotel at sea. Strong enrichment programming, superior dining, and a guest experience built around quality over quantity.
LUXURY
Luxury cruises
All-inclusive. Highly personal. Nothing left out.
The full-inclusion category where nearly everything is covered from the moment you board. Fine dining, premium beverages, excursions, Wi-Fi, and a staff-to-guest ratio that makes the service feel almost private. These ships are smaller, quieter, and built for travelers who want the best version of everything.
RIVER
River cruises
Slow down. Go deeper. Wake up in a new city.
Instead of sailing open ocean, river ships navigate inland waterways and dock right in the heart of historic cities and villages. Ships carry fewer than 200 guests, which means an intimate, unhurried experience with excursions typically included. Ideal for travelers who want cultural immersion over resort-style amenities.
CRUISETOURS
Cruisetours
The cruise and the destination. Both, fully explored.
A cruisetour combines a traditional sailing with an extended land journey before or after your time at sea. Alaska is the most popular example, where a cruise through the Inside Passage pairs with a multi-day rail and lodge experience deep into Denali country. Other regions offer similar combinations. If you have ever wanted to go somewhere but felt like a ship alone would not be enough, a cruisetour is the answer.
EXPEDITION
Expedition cruises
Remote. Active. Unlike anything else.
Built for the corners of the world that most ships cannot reach. Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galapagos, and other remote destinations accessed via specially reinforced vessels with onboard scientists and naturalists guiding every landing. These are not vacations, they are experiences. If adventure and education drive your travel, expedition cruising belongs on your list.
CRUISE DESTINATIONS
Where the Ship Takes You
From the turquoise waters of the Caribbean to the frozen edges of Antarctica, every ocean has a story worth sailing. Here’s a look at where we can take you.
THE CARIBBEAN
Sun, Sand, and Island Soul
Year-round warm weather, turquoise waters, and vibrant island cultures.
The Caribbean is where most cruisers fall in love with the sea. Whether you’re island-hopping through the Eastern Caribbean, exploring the ancient Mayan coastline in the West, or discovering the spice markets and rum distilleries of the Southern islands, there’s a version of this region for every traveler.
THE MEDITERRANEAN
History, Architecture, and Open Skies
A rich mix of ancient history, stunning architecture, and varied European cultures.
Few itineraries pack as much into a single sailing as the Mediterranean. Walk Roman ruins in the morning, sip wine in a cliffside village by afternoon, and watch the sun sink into the Aegean at dinner. The Western Med favors Spain, Italy, and France. The Eastern Med delivers Greece, Croatia, and Turkey.
ALASKA
Glaciers, Wildlife, and True Wilderness
Dramatic glaciers, rugged coastlines, and incredible wildlife at every turn.
Alaska is one of those destinations that genuinely stops people in their tracks. Watching a glacier calve from the deck of a ship, spotting humpback whales off the bow, or walking into a fishing town that feels untouched by time — it’s unlike anything else in cruising. Top ports include Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Glacier Bay.
THE BAHAMAS
Easy, Breezy, and Close to Home
Relaxed island vibes with upscale private cruise line resorts just a short sail away.
The Bahamas is the perfect entry point for anyone new to cruising. Short sailings, calm waters, and stunning private island destinations make it accessible without feeling like you’re settling. Nassau’s blend of energy and charm, paired with the exclusivity of cruise line private islands, makes this region punch well above its distance.
NORTHERN EUROPE & THE BALTIC
Fjords, Northern Lights, and Medieval Cities
Spectacular fjords, cascading waterfalls, and centuries of history at every port.
This is bucket-list cruising for a reason. Norwegian fjords carved by ancient glaciers, the fairy-tale canals of Stockholm, the imperial grandeur of St. Petersburg — Northern Europe and the Baltic deliver scenery and culture that simply don’t exist anywhere else. Best sailed in summer for long daylight hours or late fall for a chance at the Northern Lights.
THE MEXICAN RIVIERA
Pacific Energy, Ancient Roots
Energetic port towns, fantastic diving, and deep-rooted Mexican history along the Pacific coast.
Sailing the Mexican Riviera is a completely different experience from the Caribbean — warmer tones, Pacific swells, and a laid-back coastal culture that feels entirely its own. Cabo San Lucas delivers the dramatic scenery. Puerto Vallarta brings the charm and the cobblestone streets. Cozumel adds some of the best reef diving in the world.
BERMUDA
Pink Sand, British Charm, and Atlantic Blue
Sub-tropical climate, pink sand beaches, and a uniquely British island personality.
Bermuda occupies its own category entirely. It’s not the Caribbean — it’s something more refined. Pink sand beaches, pastel-colored cottages, cliff-top golf courses, and the historic Royal Naval Dockyard make it a destination people return to again and again. Most sailings depart from the U.S. East Coast and spend multiple nights docked, giving you real time to explore.
HAWAII & THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Overwater Bungalows and Polynesian Magic
Pristine coral reefs, overwater bungalows, and authentic Polynesian culture.
The Hawaiian islands offer lush volcanic landscapes, black sand beaches, and a warmth that’s genuinely hard to describe until you’ve felt it. Venture further into French Polynesia and Bora Bora redefines what a view from a bungalow can look like. These itineraries tend to run longer, and every extra day is worth it.
ASIA
Ancient Temples and Hyper-Modern Skylines
A striking contrast between centuries-old tradition and some of the world’s most modern cities.
An Asia cruise isn’t just a vacation — it’s a perspective shift. Sailing into Tokyo during cherry blossom season, exploring the street markets of Vietnam, or watching the lights of Singapore reflect off the harbor at night are the kinds of moments that travel veterans talk about for years. These itineraries reward experienced cruisers ready for genuine cultural immersion.
