TopX: Everyone does Top 10 lists, but let's be honest, there aren't always 10 things that deserve to make the cut--or there could be more. Hideaways isn't like everyone else, we're unique and discerning (like you) and we believe in staying flexible, especially when it comes to travel. So we'd like to introduce to you our new e-newsletter, Hideaways Life: TopX Edition, designed to bring you the best of what's around.

Top 7 Unexpected & Unforgettable Cruise Experiences

"Now, Voyager, sail thou forth to seek and find."—Walt Whitman

Cruising is as much about the journey as the destination, and that's never more apparent than when the journey surprises you with an unexpected experience that takes hold of you and won't let go, forever lingering in your memory. Here are our Top 7 such experiences.

#1 SeaDream Yacht Club. SeaDream takes the "Yacht" part of its name seriously; if you want a very personalized cruise experience with a captain and crew who go out of their way to accommodate special requests, this is it. About the experience: Picture yourself floating in the gin-clear turquoise waters off a picture-perfect beach in the North Sound, Virgin Gorda, BVI. You've been enjoying the sun and surf for a while when suddenly, you're hungry and thirsty; as if on cue, a portable bar—actually a surfboard—appears, along with two attendants serving caviar and champagne. Only the Caribbean sun is shining brighter than your smile.

#2 Oceania Cruises. We continually hear rave reviews from members about Oceania for its excellent crew and its elegant-yet-unpretentious atmosphere. About the experience: You're at an open-air market in the Mediterranean with a Master Chef—and a few other passengers from the new ship, the Marina—in search of the choicest seafood. Back on board, you'll use what you bought in a cooking class focused on regional cuisine at the Bon Appétit Culinary Center, the world's only hands-on culinary studio at sea. Bon voyage, and bon appétit! Member-only perk: $100 - $200 in shipboard credit on select sailings.

#3 Star Clippers. A voyage on a Star Clippers reproduction clipper ship will inspire you from a more golden age; the line's fully-rigged sailing ships are so small you can easily interact with the captain, crew, and your fellow passengers, usually a very international bunch. About the experience: After a relaxing afternoon spent lounging in the safety net around the bowsprit, watching dolphins playing in the frothy bow waves, you'll join in the nightly ritual of raising the sails to catch the evening breeze, and then climb the rigging to the crow's nest for an incomparable horizon-to-horizon sunset view. Life is good!

#4 European Waterways. Slow down to a rejuvenating pace with a deluxe barge trip along one of Europe's scenic canals or smaller rivers with European Waterways. About the experience: Anchoring under Urquhart Castle in Loch Ness (and trying to catch a glimpse of Nessie) is dramatic enough, but it hardly competes with your fun on board the Scottish Highlander, like sampling 18 single Malts, enjoying an after-dinner yarn told by an eccentric Highlander, and—perhaps most unforgettable of all—being entertained by your accordion-playing captain! Nessie, who?

#5 Paul Gauguin. Luxe and intimate, the Paul Gauguin cruises to secret spots in the Pacific Islands the big boats can't, with a pampering crew-to-guest ratio. About the experience: During the day, you'll catch Gauguin-esque vistas of impossibly blue seas dotted with lush islands, but it's at night when you'll enjoy something truly magical: stargazing! You'll meet a man named Dominique at "La Palette," the wonderful observation lounge, where he'll teach you about the stars overhead. Make a wish (to return to Tahiti?)! Member-only perk: $100 - $200 in shipboard credit on select sailings.

#6 Celebrity Cruises. It's simple: If you like first-class amenities and service, award-winning dining, and sophistication without the stuffy attitude, you'll love Celebrity. About the experience: You weren't quite sure what to expect when you agreed to watch the Hot Glass Show^SM—a cruising first, created in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass—but you find yourself mesmerized by the process as chunks of glass are transformed into beautiful pieces of art right before your eyes. If you're lucky, you might just win one in the free raffle to take home as the ultimate cruise souvenir.

#7 Disney Cruise Lines. While we're always proponents of vacationing away from the masses, we do have a soft spot for Mickey Mouse--and his over-the-top cruises are nothing if not entertaining. About the experience: This is a vacation for the kids or grandkids, and you didn't want to break the bank so you booked an inside cabin, with no hope for a view . . . but wait, what's this? Disney Dream, the line's newest ship, has "virtual portholes" in inside cabins that offer a live video feed to the outside. After a few enjoyable days at sea, you'll realize this cruise wasn't just for the little ones!

This list is totally subjective, of course, and we couldn't list all the unexpected and unforgettable cruise experiences we know of. Want to learn more and get truly personal assistance in identifying your perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary, and memorable experiences? You're just a phone call away from your very own Cruise Specialist at Hideaways Travel Services (toll-free: 800-843-4433)—try us once, and you'll never "go it alone" again.

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