July 21, 2025 • 17 mins
Summary
In this episode of the Island Vacation Travel Podcast, Al Philogene explores the differences between cruising the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. He discusses key factors such as destinations, cruise types, onboard experiences, and the overall adventure versus relaxation aspect of each ocean. The episode aims to help listeners choose the right cruise experience based on their preferences and travel goals.
Takeaways
The Pacific Ocean is significantly larger than the Atlantic.
Cruising choices depend on personal preferences for culture, adventure, or relaxation.
The Atlantic offers more predictable weather and shorter cruises.
Pacific cruises tend to be longer and focus on immersive experiences.
Onboard experiences differ greatly between the two oceans.
The Atlantic is family-friendly with larger ships and entertainment.
The Pacific emphasizes education and cultural immersion.
Adventure seekers may prefer the Pacific for its unique experiences.
Travelers should consider their travel style when choosing an ocean.
It's not about which ocean is better, but which aligns with your travel soul.
Chapters
00:00 Cruising the Pacific vs. Atlantic: An Overview
03:26 Key Differences in Destinations and Diversity
06:43 Climate and Seas: What to Expect
09:13 Onboard Experience: Entertainment vs. Education
11:27 Adventure vs. Relaxation: Choosing Your Cruise
13:36 Real Traveler Scenarios: Finding Your Perfect Cruise
16:09 Conclusion: Team Pacific or Team Atlantic?
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
So today, guys, we are going to be discussing cruising the
Pacific versus the Atlantic and the five differences, right?
This one is going to be interesting.
Now, did you know guys, that thePacific Ocean is more than twice
(00:21):
the size of the Atlantic? Yeah, the Atlantic sees millions
more cruises and millions more passengers every year.
Surprised you are not alone. You are not alone.
Hey guys. Hey, hey, hey, I am Al Philosian
and this is island vacation travel podcast.
(00:44):
Welcome, guys. Welcome.
Today we're setting sail to compare the actual Pacific Ocean
versus the Atlantic Ocean. And I know it's not something
that you've thought about, but today we're going to discuss the
differences between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean,
(01:10):
right? All right guys, now what are the
real differences and which oceangives you the trim cruise
experience you're looking for? Let's face it, when most people
plan a cruise there are a SEC towhat they actually know or they
(01:31):
actually follow where the deals are, which is not a problem.
But here's the challenge. Choosing between the Pacific or
the Atlantic cruise isn't just about geography, it's about
experience. Yes.
Now are you looking for culturalimmersion or beach hobby?
(01:57):
And do you want adventures or laid back luxury?
It's all up to you. Should you cruise to the
Caribbean hotspots, Mediterranean coast, or the
remote Pacific island? Yes, most travelers are going to
get over well trying to figure out which side of the world
suits them best. That's why today I'm breaking it
(02:21):
down for you guys. Yes, I'm breaking it down for
you today. Now, if you're dreaming of your
next cruise but don't know whereto start, let's head over to
vw.islandvacas.com. That is ISLANDVAC as.com, where
(02:45):
we help match travelers with theperfect cruise, whether that's
across the Atlantic's historicalgems or the Pacific's lush
islands. Book a free discovery call and
get our advice now. That's going to change very
soon, so take advantage of it. That's CWW dot islandvcs.
(03:10):
That's ISLANDB A/C as.com, your compass to unforgettable travel
right now. Let's dive into the five key
differences between cruising thePacific versus the Atlantic.
(03:32):
First of all, destination versusdiversity.
The Atlantic, the Caribbean, Europe, Mediterranean, New
England, Iceland, Yes guys, and even Africa.
Yes, you've got cultural cities like Barcelona and Lisbon,
(03:55):
island escapes like St. Lucia, See the flag right there?
And not forgetting Texas and Caicos and historic gems like
Quebec and even Amsterdam. Yes, that is all Atlantic.
Now let's switch over to the Pacific then.
(04:16):
Hawaii, French Polynesia. Fishy New Zealand, Australia
guys and even Asian big up to myfriends from Kiribati Islands.
Do your research guys. It's just like the Caribbean.
Also in the Pacific Ocean. Now the Pacific is actually
(04:38):
fast, less spots, longer distances but once in a lifetime
destinations. You got to think volcanoes,
atolls, Mori villages and coral archipelagals, yes, amazing.
Now second on the list, guys, climate and the seas very
(05:02):
important to put in mind becausedifferent oceans, different
beasts, right? Let's start off the Atlantic.
Predictable seasons. So when you wonder why there's
more cruises out there, predictable seasons, Caribbean
cruises are perfect year on, buthurricane season that can
(05:26):
actually be between June and November.
And guys, global warming is real.
So it's actually changing. Just so you all know, OK, it can
bring major disruptions between June and November.
Most times it's in the latter part of the year.
Right now the Pacific, on the other hand, the weather series
(05:49):
drastically tropical in in Polynesia, Britain, Australia
and Chile near Alaska. That's like a whole spectrum of
different types of weather. And yes, French Polynesia is
tropical just like the Caribbean.
It's in the southern part of theworld, right on the Southern
hemisphere. Guys, the seas, they can be
(06:14):
rougher in parts. I mean, different parts of the
world, the ocean is just different, it acts up different,
the weather is different. So that's why especially in the
Southern Pacific or across the International Dateline, Yes, it
gets very tricky. All right, now, further on the
(06:36):
list, guys, cruise duration and ship type, right?
For the Atlantic, popular for shorter cruises, 3 to 5.
Sorry about that. Three to seven nights from
Florida, Miami or even the European ports.
Ships are typically larger as well.
(06:57):
Entertainment heavy. It's all about entertainment,
right? And very family friendly, Very,
very family friendly. So you'll feel your family.
That would be perfect for the Pacific.
Take longer, more immersive itineraries, literally usually
between like 10 to 20 days. So that's those longer cruise
(07:18):
with more boutique ships, expedition vessels and fewer
mega ships and crowds right now there's a reason.
Next you have the onboard experience, right?
The onboard experience is very different on the Atlantic side.
(07:41):
Big brands, very big brands and you guys will be familiar with
those brands. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC,
Disney just to name a few. Holland America just to name a
few. Few dominant the Atlantic,
right? Expect water parks, casinos,
musicals and also party vibes. That's what it's about right
(08:06):
now. It's perfect for families and
multi generational groups. Not going to lie about that.
For the Pacific however, many cruisers focus on education,
culture and nature. Similar to how the industry of
cruising actually started expeditions.
(08:27):
It was usually educated people going on and do research and
stuff across the world. So this more suits into there
right? Think National Geographic
Expeditions, Ponent or Oceana Cruises.
These are also some cruise linesthat we do business with, but
they actually focus on the Pacific.
(08:49):
They focus on expeditions, education, experiences, right?
Guest speakers come on board, marine biologists, local
cuisine. That's some of the stuff that
you get on there. This is this is much slower and
I would consider it meaningful travel right now, 5th on the
(09:10):
list. We have adventure versus
relaxation in the Atlantic. It's more structured exclusions,
right? City tours, island shopping,
snorkeling, walks, you know, stuff to keep you going and
entertain. You still get part part of the
(09:30):
discovery, but it's not so entrenched, right?
The Pacific, on the other hand, it's about discovery, all about
discovery. Diving in coral gardens,
visiting on inhabited islands, star gazing, my favorite on the
open seas. That is something that you can
(09:52):
pay for, right? On the ocean.
In the Pacific, it is pitch because the islands and the
countries are far apart. So what you have is just the
open sky and the Milky Way. You'll see shooting stars and
everything you can imagine underthe sun.
That's why I made my wishes cometrue.
FYI. Right now guys, if you're
(10:16):
looking for a cruise outfit thattransitions from the deck
through the dinner, check out our IVTA store on our website.
Our best travel polos, packable linen shirts, and island style
(10:37):
sandals are packing stock. This is our store Com right
style made for Voyager like you.Yeah, right.
So we're back. So here's the big question,
guys. Which ocean wins?
Which ocean really wins? It depends on you.
(10:58):
It just all depends on you if you want to cruise.
But with sports activities and social birds, the Atlantic is
unbeatable. But if you want transformative
of the green exploration with surreal nature and death, the
Pacific is your is calling you guys.
(11:21):
It's your calling to actually goto the Pacific.
If you see that's what you actually like me, I'll say this,
the Pacific changed the way I actually saw travel, right?
I was looking at it in one week because we in the islands, we in
Saint Lucia, we're looking at itin one week, the Pacific.
I remember watching it on National Geographic and that
kind of stuff. Discovery Channel.
It made me look at it completelydifferent, especially cruise and
(11:44):
fro Alaska or even on the outskirts of Central America,
going up to Alaska, right, or French Polynesia, French
Polynesia islands. This places welcome you with
just a different, different feel, right?
(12:07):
The stories are different. The ancestors navigated by
Starlight. You have all kind of different
stories that just mind boggling totem poles being created and
erected in the middle of nowhere.
I used to have a totem pole before, but not rid of it.
But that's one of our souvenirs actually picked up, right?
That's a spiritual experience I would see, right?
(12:30):
That's not just a cruise. It's not just a cruise.
OK, so you have to bear in mind now guys, did that story make
you itch to book something? We've partnered with the top
cruise lines to offer exclusive Caribbean and Pacific only
(12:51):
available through Island Vacation Travel Agency 110.
Go to islandvacas.com/cruise right Island Vicky's forward
slash cruise. Don't forget to check it out
right. We're going to set up some kind
of discount for our podcast listeners, guys concerning
(13:14):
cruising because want to really encourage you all to go cruising
and a love cruising myself smarter and also cruise deeper,
right? Go a bit further, cruise
different. We'll find out what the world
has to offer. Try different stuff.
Don't just try what everyone is trying.
(13:35):
Now let's bring down some real traveler scenarios to help you
choose when you went on a cruise.
So family with kids, Atlantic wins, more entertainment, kid
zones, shorter travel times, right?
If you're honeymooners, Pacific guys think Bora Bora and yes
(13:59):
over the Bahamas. Yes, unless you come into St.
Lucia that is. Yes, if you're a solo traveller,
depend on your vibes because different people have different
vibes. Looking to mingle?
Exit Atlantic? Want solitude and want to
reflect? Want to grow?
Pacific is the way to go. Yes, we meet other solo
(14:24):
travellers as well. Now retirees or seasoned
cruises, Pacific right routes offer a fresh take, especially
Australia to New Zealand voyagesor requisitioning cruises across
the Pacific. Yes, yes, it's something like
(14:50):
nothing you've ever experienced.The requisitioning cruises,
they're just simply amazing and something that like you've never
experienced. And don't forget you have the
transatlantic and trans Pacific cruises as well, right?
These are ideal if you love likethe CDs you enjoy cruise
(15:13):
lectures and 1:00 to 1:00 plug as well.
They're actually perfect as you get a chance to actually enjoy
just being on the water in the middle of nowhere, heading from
one continent to the other. Now cruise planet overload.
I got you guys. You could actually book a
one-on-one cruise clarity session with me, Al Philosian,
(15:38):
right? That's me where I help you
figure out your cruise style andrecommend specific itineraries,
right? Sports are limited, but podcasts
listeners actually get priority access to islandfacis.com.
Forward cruises, right? Let's get you confident in
(16:04):
cruising right now, guys. We're coming to a conclusion,
right? From vibrant Caribbean reports
to tranquil Pacific paradises, each ocean offers something
special. It's not about which ocean is
better. No, it's not about that.
It's about which one aligns to your travel soil, what tickles
(16:30):
your soul, right? So tell me, are you tip Pacific
or Team Atlantic? Drop a comment, guys, leave a
review and don't forget to checkout our next episodes for pro
packing tips for your next cruise vacation, right?
We're going to help you all. We've done it before, but we're
(16:51):
going to revise it again becauseit's very important because the
packing rules just change of theTSC guys, stay curious.
Stay curious, right? The island expired until the
talk again, guys. Next time TuneIn, do not forget
(17:12):
to give us a comment share, likeand subscribe.
This has been the island vacation travel podcast with
your host, me, Alfie Lotion. Thank you guys for riding the
wave with me. See you on the next voyage.
So today, guys, we are going to be discussing cruising the
Pacific versus the Atlantic and the five differences, right?
This one is going to be interesting.
Now, did you know guys, that thePacific Ocean is more than twice
(00:21):
the size of the Atlantic? Yeah, the Atlantic sees millions
more cruises and millions more passengers every year.
Surprised you are not alone. You are not alone.
Hey guys. Hey, hey, hey, I am Al Philosian
and this is island vacation travel podcast.
(00:44):
Welcome, guys. Welcome.
Today we're setting sail to compare the actual Pacific Ocean
versus the Atlantic Ocean. And I know it's not something
that you've thought about, but today we're going to discuss the
differences between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean,
(01:10):
right? All right guys, now what are the
real differences and which oceangives you the trim cruise
experience you're looking for? Let's face it, when most people
plan a cruise there are a SEC towhat they actually know or they
(01:31):
actually follow where the deals are, which is not a problem.
But here's the challenge. Choosing between the Pacific or
the Atlantic cruise isn't just about geography, it's about
experience. Yes.
Now are you looking for culturalimmersion or beach hobby?
(01:57):
And do you want adventures or laid back luxury?
It's all up to you. Should you cruise to the
Caribbean hotspots, Mediterranean coast, or the
remote Pacific island? Yes, most travelers are going to
get over well trying to figure out which side of the world
suits them best. That's why today I'm breaking it
(02:21):
down for you guys. Yes, I'm breaking it down for
you today. Now, if you're dreaming of your
next cruise but don't know whereto start, let's head over to
vw.islandvacas.com. That is ISLANDVAC as.com, where
(02:45):
we help match travelers with theperfect cruise, whether that's
across the Atlantic's historicalgems or the Pacific's lush
islands. Book a free discovery call and
get our advice now. That's going to change very
soon, so take advantage of it. That's CWW dot islandvcs.
(03:10):
That's ISLANDB A/C as.com, your compass to unforgettable travel
right now. Let's dive into the five key
differences between cruising thePacific versus the Atlantic.
(03:32):
First of all, destination versusdiversity.
The Atlantic, the Caribbean, Europe, Mediterranean, New
England, Iceland, Yes guys, and even Africa.
Yes, you've got cultural cities like Barcelona and Lisbon,
(03:55):
island escapes like St. Lucia, See the flag right there?
And not forgetting Texas and Caicos and historic gems like
Quebec and even Amsterdam. Yes, that is all Atlantic.
Now let's switch over to the Pacific then.
(04:16):
Hawaii, French Polynesia. Fishy New Zealand, Australia
guys and even Asian big up to myfriends from Kiribati Islands.
Do your research guys. It's just like the Caribbean.
Also in the Pacific Ocean. Now the Pacific is actually
(04:38):
fast, less spots, longer distances but once in a lifetime
destinations. You got to think volcanoes,
atolls, Mori villages and coral archipelagals, yes, amazing.
Now second on the list, guys, climate and the seas very
(05:02):
important to put in mind becausedifferent oceans, different
beasts, right? Let's start off the Atlantic.
Predictable seasons. So when you wonder why there's
more cruises out there, predictable seasons, Caribbean
cruises are perfect year on, buthurricane season that can
(05:26):
actually be between June and November.
And guys, global warming is real.
So it's actually changing. Just so you all know, OK, it can
bring major disruptions between June and November.
Most times it's in the latter part of the year.
Right now the Pacific, on the other hand, the weather series
(05:49):
drastically tropical in in Polynesia, Britain, Australia
and Chile near Alaska. That's like a whole spectrum of
different types of weather. And yes, French Polynesia is
tropical just like the Caribbean.
It's in the southern part of theworld, right on the Southern
hemisphere. Guys, the seas, they can be
(06:14):
rougher in parts. I mean, different parts of the
world, the ocean is just different, it acts up different,
the weather is different. So that's why especially in the
Southern Pacific or across the International Dateline, Yes, it
gets very tricky. All right, now, further on the
(06:36):
list, guys, cruise duration and ship type, right?
For the Atlantic, popular for shorter cruises, 3 to 5.
Sorry about that. Three to seven nights from
Florida, Miami or even the European ports.
Ships are typically larger as well.
(06:57):
Entertainment heavy. It's all about entertainment,
right? And very family friendly, Very,
very family friendly. So you'll feel your family.
That would be perfect for the Pacific.
Take longer, more immersive itineraries, literally usually
between like 10 to 20 days. So that's those longer cruise
(07:18):
with more boutique ships, expedition vessels and fewer
mega ships and crowds right now there's a reason.
Next you have the onboard experience, right?
The onboard experience is very different on the Atlantic side.
(07:41):
Big brands, very big brands and you guys will be familiar with
those brands. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC,
Disney just to name a few. Holland America just to name a
few. Few dominant the Atlantic,
right? Expect water parks, casinos,
musicals and also party vibes. That's what it's about right
(08:06):
now. It's perfect for families and
multi generational groups. Not going to lie about that.
For the Pacific however, many cruisers focus on education,
culture and nature. Similar to how the industry of
cruising actually started expeditions.
(08:27):
It was usually educated people going on and do research and
stuff across the world. So this more suits into there
right? Think National Geographic
Expeditions, Ponent or Oceana Cruises.
These are also some cruise linesthat we do business with, but
they actually focus on the Pacific.
(08:49):
They focus on expeditions, education, experiences, right?
Guest speakers come on board, marine biologists, local
cuisine. That's some of the stuff that
you get on there. This is this is much slower and
I would consider it meaningful travel right now, 5th on the
(09:10):
list. We have adventure versus
relaxation in the Atlantic. It's more structured exclusions,
right? City tours, island shopping,
snorkeling, walks, you know, stuff to keep you going and
entertain. You still get part part of the
(09:30):
discovery, but it's not so entrenched, right?
The Pacific, on the other hand, it's about discovery, all about
discovery. Diving in coral gardens,
visiting on inhabited islands, star gazing, my favorite on the
open seas. That is something that you can
(09:52):
pay for, right? On the ocean.
In the Pacific, it is pitch because the islands and the
countries are far apart. So what you have is just the
open sky and the Milky Way. You'll see shooting stars and
everything you can imagine underthe sun.
That's why I made my wishes cometrue.
FYI. Right now guys, if you're
(10:16):
looking for a cruise outfit thattransitions from the deck
through the dinner, check out our IVTA store on our website.
Our best travel polos, packable linen shirts, and island style
(10:37):
sandals are packing stock. This is our store Com right
style made for Voyager like you.Yeah, right.
So we're back. So here's the big question,
guys. Which ocean wins?
Which ocean really wins? It depends on you.
(10:58):
It just all depends on you if you want to cruise.
But with sports activities and social birds, the Atlantic is
unbeatable. But if you want transformative
of the green exploration with surreal nature and death, the
Pacific is your is calling you guys.
(11:21):
It's your calling to actually goto the Pacific.
If you see that's what you actually like me, I'll say this,
the Pacific changed the way I actually saw travel, right?
I was looking at it in one week because we in the islands, we in
Saint Lucia, we're looking at itin one week, the Pacific.
I remember watching it on National Geographic and that
kind of stuff. Discovery Channel.
It made me look at it completelydifferent, especially cruise and
(11:44):
fro Alaska or even on the outskirts of Central America,
going up to Alaska, right, or French Polynesia, French
Polynesia islands. This places welcome you with
just a different, different feel, right?
(12:07):
The stories are different. The ancestors navigated by
Starlight. You have all kind of different
stories that just mind boggling totem poles being created and
erected in the middle of nowhere.
I used to have a totem pole before, but not rid of it.
But that's one of our souvenirs actually picked up, right?
That's a spiritual experience I would see, right?
(12:30):
That's not just a cruise. It's not just a cruise.
OK, so you have to bear in mind now guys, did that story make
you itch to book something? We've partnered with the top
cruise lines to offer exclusive Caribbean and Pacific only
(12:51):
available through Island Vacation Travel Agency 110.
Go to islandvacas.com/cruise right Island Vicky's forward
slash cruise. Don't forget to check it out
right. We're going to set up some kind
of discount for our podcast listeners, guys concerning
(13:14):
cruising because want to really encourage you all to go cruising
and a love cruising myself smarter and also cruise deeper,
right? Go a bit further, cruise
different. We'll find out what the world
has to offer. Try different stuff.
Don't just try what everyone is trying.
(13:35):
Now let's bring down some real traveler scenarios to help you
choose when you went on a cruise.
So family with kids, Atlantic wins, more entertainment, kid
zones, shorter travel times, right?
If you're honeymooners, Pacific guys think Bora Bora and yes
(13:59):
over the Bahamas. Yes, unless you come into St.
Lucia that is. Yes, if you're a solo traveller,
depend on your vibes because different people have different
vibes. Looking to mingle?
Exit Atlantic? Want solitude and want to
reflect? Want to grow?
Pacific is the way to go. Yes, we meet other solo
(14:24):
travellers as well. Now retirees or seasoned
cruises, Pacific right routes offer a fresh take, especially
Australia to New Zealand voyagesor requisitioning cruises across
the Pacific. Yes, yes, it's something like
(14:50):
nothing you've ever experienced.The requisitioning cruises,
they're just simply amazing and something that like you've never
experienced. And don't forget you have the
transatlantic and trans Pacific cruises as well, right?
These are ideal if you love likethe CDs you enjoy cruise
(15:13):
lectures and 1:00 to 1:00 plug as well.
They're actually perfect as you get a chance to actually enjoy
just being on the water in the middle of nowhere, heading from
one continent to the other. Now cruise planet overload.
I got you guys. You could actually book a
one-on-one cruise clarity session with me, Al Philosian,
(15:38):
right? That's me where I help you
figure out your cruise style andrecommend specific itineraries,
right? Sports are limited, but podcasts
listeners actually get priority access to islandfacis.com.
Forward cruises, right? Let's get you confident in
(16:04):
cruising right now, guys. We're coming to a conclusion,
right? From vibrant Caribbean reports
to tranquil Pacific paradises, each ocean offers something
special. It's not about which ocean is
better. No, it's not about that.
It's about which one aligns to your travel soil, what tickles
(16:30):
your soul, right? So tell me, are you tip Pacific
or Team Atlantic? Drop a comment, guys, leave a
review and don't forget to checkout our next episodes for pro
packing tips for your next cruise vacation, right?
We're going to help you all. We've done it before, but we're
(16:51):
going to revise it again becauseit's very important because the
packing rules just change of theTSC guys, stay curious.
Stay curious, right? The island expired until the
talk again, guys. Next time TuneIn, do not forget
(17:12):
to give us a comment share, likeand subscribe.
This has been the island vacation travel podcast with
your host, me, Alfie Lotion. Thank you guys for riding the
wave with me. See you on the next voyage.
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