A cruise ship sails into the harbor in Sydney, Australia.
Every Tuesday is Travel Tip Day
Today: 3 Reasons to Choose a Cruise for Your Next Vacation
Are you ready for a vacation? We are!
We like to explore the world, and have done so in a number of different ways: trains, flights, cable cars, hiking trails, active and educational tours. Cruise vacations, however, provide some unique advantages compared to other kinds of travel.
Three years ago, we spent more than 100 nights on cruise ships in Europe, intermixed with other methods of travel. And we continue to take more cruises to explore new destinations, or when we need a week or two to unwind.
Here are 3 smart reasons to choose a cruise vacation now.
1. Cruising is a relaxing way to explore the world.
On a cruise vacation, you unpack your bags once and relax. No packing and unpacking – or bag schlepping – for the length of your vacation. On a cruise, you settle into your stateroom, and are then transported in luxurious style to many of the world’s unique destinations.
Just like we like wine bars to sample new kinds of wine, we like cruises to explore new regions of the world. Cruises provide a sample of destinations, so if you really fall in love with one Caribbean island, you can book a longer stay there on a future vacation.
At the same time, a cruise may help you discover that some places are not as enjoyable as you may have thought they would be. With a cruise, you make that discovery without spending an entire vacation in that place.
On the other hand, cruising allows you to discover unique places most travelers are unlikely to visit as a stand-alone destination. Places we found fascinating, like Sarandë, Albania. Qaqortoq, Greenland. Varna, Bulgaria. Roseau, Dominica; Gibraltar; Torshavn, Faroe Islands; Brí¸nní¸ysund, Norway; and the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Hundreds of unique destinations around the world are visited by cruise ships.
2. Cruising accommodates a wide range of interests among those traveling together.
There are cruise ships and cruise itinerancies appropriate for all kinds of travelers. Megaships that are like floating cities with non-stop activities and entertainment. The ship is the destination. There are small ships that continually visit new destinations on unique itineraries. There are river cruises that sail slowly through rivers, allowing for viewing and exploring interior cities and attractions, rather than those relatively close to the sea.
Families, friends or other groups with diverse interests can all enjoy the same cruise. There’s plenty to do, or nothing to do but relax. One person can read on their verandah while another swims. A husband can be winning a blackjack tournament in the casino, while his wife is getting a hot stone massage.
When it comes to ports, our parents like to take shore excursions. We like to explore on our own. We can each do our own thing, and compare experiences at dinner back on the ship.
3. Cruising is a great value and makes your vacation dollar go further.
Cruising makes your vacation dollar go further – allowing you to see and experience more in one vacation.
Cruise vacations are relatively inclusive. Cruise fares include the cost of accommodations, meals, entertainment, transportation between destinations, and top level service.
Particularly in Europe and other parts of the world, it is cheaper to buy a cruise in US or Canadian dollars than to pay in foreign currency. And when the ship visits expensive destinations – such as Oslo, Norway, you are insulated from the local high costs.
With a cruise vacation, you have paid for the vacation up front, so there are no unpleasant surprises if currency fluctuations occur.
Yes, cruise lines offer extras like drinks, shore excursions and specialty restaurants for an extra charge. But dollar for dollar, you will find cruise value hard to beat with current prices like a 7-day premium Caribbean cruise from $399.
This month is National Cruise Vacation Month. October 13th is the World’s Largest Cruise Night – a 24-hour promoting by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). Most Cruise Lines are offering special pricing during the promotion.
So what are you waiting for?
Are you a cruise fan? Why do you like to cruise?
Or, are you not ready for a cruise vacation? Why not?
Either way, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Please post in comments.
Other travel tips posts:
- Visiting Somewhere New? 7 Tips for “Getting In the Know” Before You Go
- Looking for the best airfare? 5 steps to find the best airfare in 5 minutes
- Got Frequent Flier miles? 5 Tips on Finding a Free Ticket Using Them
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