Vacation packages come in many different shapes and sizes. Here’s a rundown of the different characteristics of escorted tours, independent vacations and cruise-tours.

First, it’s important to note that traveling on an escorted tour is more affordable than traveling on your own. Escorted tour operators book hotel rooms in bulk, passing the savings on to you. Same goes for everything else you enjoy on an escorted tour. Typically that includes guided sightseeing, meals and local transportation, such as motorcoach, train or ferry travel from one city to another. It costs much less than if you arranged the same services yourself. Plus, you know your total cost up front. There are no hidden fees.

On an escorted tour, a knowledgeable tour director will lead your escorted tour group along every step of your vacation. He or she will be well versed in the local language and culture, which is especially important if you are traveling in a foreign country. You’ll learn about the history, geography and current events of each region you visit.

On an escorted tour, much of the sightseeing is included. That means you don’t have to pay for each museum visit or activity separately – it’s all included in the price of your tour. While your days may be filled with included sightseeing, or transferring via motorcoach from one overnight locale to another, you will also have some free time to spend however you’d like. Perhaps you’d like to take some optional excursions (for additional fees), relax at your hotel, sit at a sidewalk café and write postcards, or explore the area on your own.

You travel with like-minded passengers on an escorted tour. Compare notes on sightseeing, share travel tips and get to know one another over included meals. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with traveling in a group.

Remember that not all escorted tours are created equal. You may stay in one city for several nights while taking day trips through the local countryside, or your leisurely itinerary may cover a few different cities in one area of the world. Then there are fast-paced, “panoramic” tours that give you a great overview of many countries in Europe, several states in the U.S. or many regions of Australia.

Escorted tours are available on every continent in the world, from budget to luxury, leisurely to fast-paced. And they range anywhere from 6 to 34 days! Indeed, if you peruse the different offering of escorted tours (see links below), you’ll surely find an escorted-tour vacation that will suit your vacation time frame and budget.

Independent vacations are ideal for folks who would like an experienced travel company to take care of their hotel accommodations, airport transfers, transportation between cities and city orientation tours. Independent travelers who like to plan how to spend their vacation days at their own pace would love the convenience of a hassle-free independent vacation.

With an independent vacation, you benefit from having a local host in each city of your itinerary available to answer questions and suggest the best places for sightseeing and dining. Again, typically one half-day of guided sightseeing in each city is included, but you’ll have plenty of time to explore on your own. Some meals may be included on independent vacations, particularly overseas, where breakfast at your hotel is included every morning of your stay (be sure to read “What’s Included” with each itinerary to confirm).

Also on an independent vacation, your transportation between cities is by plane, train or boat. Typically you’ll spend two or three nights in each location, and only a few locations are visited. (This is different from a fast-paced, “panoramic” escorted tour – see above.)

If your independent vacation only features one city, where you lodge for the duration of your trip, this is commonly called an “independent city stay.” Again, you’ll have a local host on hand to answer any questions or smooth over any problems that arise while you’re on vacation.

Finally, with an independent vacation, you travel solely with those in your immediate party, giving you the flexibility and privacy to enjoy your vacation just how you see fit.

With a “tour & cruise” or “cruise & tour” or “cruise-tour” (so many monikers!), you enjoy the best of both worlds. Typically, with a tour & cruise, you overnight in a few cities on land, and travel between cities by motorcoach, so you can sit back and let someone else do the driving, while you admire the scenery from large windows. Plus, you also get to relax on an ocean cruise of several nights or more. (Tours with a one-day or overnight cruise are simply considered escorted tours.)

Tour & cruise vacation packages are a great way to combine two decidedly different styles of travel. Cruising has its own perks, namely cruise ships packed with a multitude of onboard activities—casinos, kids’ clubs, climbing walls, swimming pools—as well as different dining options, from plentiful buffets to 24-hour pizzerias to formal, romantic dining rooms! You will still have the opportunity to set foot on land via optional shore excursions, that will introduce you to the culture and sights at various ports of call.

Tour & cruise destinations are varied. You can find them in Greece, the Northeast U.S., Peru, Alaska, Hawaii, Western Canada, China and many other locations throughout the world.

As you research vacation options, be sure to review each itinerary carefully to ensure you are fully aware of what’s included in your vacation package. As always, knowledgeable AffordableTours.com consultants can help answer all of your questions about particular trips.