Why we cruise (and why you should too)

When someone says the word vacation, what comes to mind? A tropical beach cabana? A European trek? Antiquing in New England? Sightseeing in Alaska? Road trip to a new or favorite amusement park? For everyone, it’s different. For Ladean and I, it’s cruising. Yes, we have taken lots of different kinds of vacations. From camping alongside the river, to cabins and horseback riding in the Smokey Mountains, to Disney vacations, to cruising in the Caribbean, to Vegas trips, to simply getting in the car and driving until we find something fun to do (and much, much more), we have experienced a lot. Truth be told, we have loved every vacation we have taken, though some more than others. Through it all, we have determined that taking a cruise is our first choice. Today’s blog topic is why we choose cruising as a preferred vacation, and why you should as well.

According to the Cruise Lines International Association (of which we are affiliated), last year 28.5 million people took a cruise. Of that number, nearly half of them were North Americans at 14.2 million passengers. That’s A LOT of cruisers. We were 2 of those people last year. So, why do we have such an inclination to cruising over other vacation choices? I have compiled a list of 7 reasons why it is our preferred vacation, and why you should take a cruise.

1. VALUE – By all accounts, few vacation choices add up to the value that you get for your money when you book a cruise. For one price you get all your meals, select drinks, stops in fun and exciting locations, entertainment, and activities. If you’re on a strict budget, the cruise ships have everything you need for a fantastic vacation without ever spending another dime aside from your initial expense when booking. If your budget allows, you can splurge on extras like unlimited drinks packages, specialty dining, shore excursions, duty-free shopping both on-board as well as in the ports, and nominally-priced “extra” activities on-board such as riding a rollercoaster, catching an IMAX movie, having a spa day, or getting professional photographs done.
2. UNPACK ONCE, MULTIPLE DESTINATIONS – The great thing about cruising is the fact that we unpack our suitcase once, when we get onboard. The ship handles all the transportation between a number of exciting ports. Whether its island hopping in the Caribbean, city stops along the New England coast, different countries in the Mediterranean, or the different islands of the South Pacific, you get to enjoy all the ship has to offer while traveling to these exciting destinations. Think of how much aggravation, time, and money would be spent flying or driving between all of these destinations on your own with a different hotel at each stop.
3. THE FOOD – No matter what cruise line or ship you choose, the food is phenomenal; from the all-encompassing buffets, to the features offered in the main dining rooms, to specialty dining options. Granted, some cruise lines are better than others when it comes to the food, but even on the “value” cruise lines such as Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean, you’re still going to be able to enjoy such delicacies as lobster, prime rib, steak, salmon, shrimp, and many entrees and desserts that you may never get the chance to try otherwise. Food is always available 24 hours a day and, on some ships, you can get it delivered to your stateroom or private balcony for free.
4. FAMILY-FRIENDLY – Almost all activities for children are supervised, which means it’s like having a babysitter on board. Taking a cruise ensures that there will always be something for the entire family to do. Kids will love the cruise ship play zones featuring fun activities like mini-golf and water slides. Teens will have their own cool hangout areas where parents will know they are safe, and couples can enjoy a romantic dinner at sunset as they drift across the ocean. Cruise ships are perfect for an extended family get-together as each ship can hold thousands of passengers, so there is always room for everyone.
5. ENTERTAINMENT – Cruising is just plain fun There are so many options on a cruise ship for entertainment. Want to take a ballroom dancing class? How about a Broadway show? Maybe you are into the casino scene. There’s always live music playing. The nightclubs keep the party going late into the night, and the stand-up comedians will keep you laughing long after you leave the theatre. From fitness classes to life-sized board games, there’s something going on somewhere on the ship from morning until night. It literally is a floating city.
6. CUSTOMIZABLE – Cruises come in all shapes and sizes. No one cruise itinerary or ship is perfect for everyone. That’s the beauty of it all. Make your vacation as short or as long as you want. Can’t decide between the Bahamas or the Caribbean? Extend your cruise a few days and take in both. From short 3-day trips to transcontinental cruises, there’s a length and itinerary for everyone. You can choose a cruise that caters more to destinations, or one that focuses more on the on-board activities. Choose a ship that has set dining times, or a freestyle cruise where it’s “come as you are” anytime. From the value-driven mass market cruise lines to the elite luxury cruise lines. From the smaller, more intimate cruises to the mega ships, everyone can find their “happy place” at sea.
7. IT’S EASY – Did you know that more than 50% of Americans live within a 5-hour drive of a cruise port? Covering all 3 coasts, there are literally more than 25 cruise ports in the U.S.; and that’s not including Hawai’i, or Alaska. Granted, not every cruise line or itinerary is available at every cruise port. You’re not going to sail out of Seattle and expect to get a Bahamas cruise, just like you’re not going to get a New England itinerary when you sail out of Mobile or New Orleans. But you get the point. And when you contact your travel advisor, all you generally have to do is set a budget, decide upon where you want to go and for how long, and they will do the rest. Most travel agents, and all of them who handle cruises, are professionals who can match you with the perfect cruise line, the perfect size ship, and the best itinerary.

So there you have it. The seven reasons why we prefer cruising over any other vacation type. Sure, we love all of our vacations, and are always adding new experiences to our list, but our “perfect” trip will always be on a ship. If you’ve never been on a cruise, reach out to us. Let us show you just how affordable and exciting a cruise can be. If you’re already experienced at sea, let us help you plan your next perfect vacation.