| |
Travel Vacation - Set Sail by SeaWhy Cruises are the In Thing to Do These DaysIt seems like everybody these days is setting sail, cruising around the deep blue ocean on ships the size of small cities. Travelers return from their ocean adventures with strange and marvelous tales of grand movie theaters, huge climbing walls, water slides, and mounds of delicious food, but is this the reason why cruises have grown in popularity? What is it, exactly, that makes cruises so appealing to so many people.
Perhaps its the price. Long cruises, especially, can be expensive, and port fees, cruise cancellation insurance, and airfare (if its not included in the price), not to mention pricey shore excursions, can destroy your vacation budget. Just like with air travel, however, significant discounts can be found online and through travel agents, and when travelers factor in the meals, accommodation, and shipboard entertainment that are included in the fare, cruises can
|
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
| actually be pretty reasonable. Theres also less room for the typical nasty surprises that accompany traveling to exotic locations on your own.
Unlike land tours, which offer a similar sense of security when traveling, cruises also allow passengers a great deal of personal freedom and the ability to set their own pace. If you dont feel like getting up for breakfast, then you can stay in your cabin and make it down in time for lunch. On a tour, if you miss breakfast, you might have missed the bus for the entire day, and youll end up stuck in your hotel, while everyone else is seeing the sights. Cruises have a definite relaxation factor that accompanies the fact that you are, essentially, staying in a floating hotel, which is one reason why cruises attract passengers who are celebrating honeymoons, birthdays, anniversaries, and family reunions.
The fact that cruises are actually carrying passengers from one port of call to the next with a minimum of fuss or fanfare is another reason for their popularity. Unlike planes, trains, or, God forbid, automobiles, passenger can sleep, eat, exercise, and even party while the ship is transporting them from point A to point B. As mentioned earlier, the pace is slower, but for many, thats a benefit rather than a drawback of cruise travel. Also, once you get to your port of call, youll be all rested up for duty-free shopping (in the Caribbean, at least) or scuba diving or whatever draws you to exotic locales in the first place.
Traveling also entails meeting a lot of new peoplesome of whom are nice and some of whom are not nice. Dealing with nasty flight attendants, shady cab drivers, and grouchy hotel clerks can add a level of stress to travel that detracts from the sense of excitement and adventure that should accompany any vacation. Perhaps its because everyones so relaxed or perhaps its because the staff is brainwashed (or desperate for a generous gratuity), but, in general, fellow travelers and staff on cruise ships seem to be a whole lot happier, nicer, and more accommodating than your average human being you encounter every day. Your fellow cruisers, who come from a variety of backgrounds, are not only happier but also more interesting to be around, and youre actually encouraged and able to socialize on a cruise.
But lets be honest. Nothings more important to you than your stomach. Airlines understand that. It seems like, on some long-haul flights, attendants are walking around every hour with another opportunity to stuff your face. Airline food, however, will never be able to compete with cruise ship food. Food is often the highlight of a cruise experience. Whether its at a buffet, in a dining room, or in your cabin, the food is delicious, and theres plenty of it. In fact, you might find yourself gaining a few pounds if youre not careful. Luckily, thats what vacation is all about. If you are worried about your waistline, there are plenty of opportunities to exercise and stay fit onboard.
Finally, one of the major reasons why cruise travel is growing in popularity is the variety it offers. Over 200 cruise ships float in the worlds oceans and rivers today, and that number is growing by the year. Just like with air travel, there are the big namesPrincess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnivaland they each have their own fleet of ships. There are also smaller cruise lines, tailored to a specific region or for a specific purpose. These days, if you do your research, you can find the perfect cruise ship to fit your needs, wants and interests.
Cruising KidsThree Most Popular Cruise Destinations for Kids Decadent buffets, VIP service, round-the-clock entertainment, and exotic shore excursionsits easy to see why more Americans than ever before are shelling out big bucks for long, relaxing cruises on ships the size of small cities. Kids love cruising,...
How to Get the Most Out of Your Accumulated Flight Points When Traveling Frequent flier miles sound great in principletravel with a certain airline and earn points that you can cash in later, or use a certain credit card to earn points without even traveling. What could be better than free airline ticket? Airlines,...
Pros and Cons of All-Inclusive Vacation Holidays All-inclusive vacations are appealing to families and people on a certain budget. Included in an all-inclusive package will be a round-trip airfare from a departure destination, transport between airport and your hotel, your hotel fee and all meals...
Time Share Travels Four Reasons to Say Yes to Timeshares Timeshare resorts offer some of the nations best vacationing. If youve never checked out timeshares or are not familiar with them, heres a basic primer. A timeshare is a resort where the property is owned by a group of people who wish to use the...
Motorcycle Madness The Hottest New Way to Spend Your Vacation Are you an adventurer? Do you have the spirit of a wanderer? If so, then the hottest new trend in vacation travel, a motorcycle vacation, may be just the ticket for you. Whatever countryside you enjoy, and whatever bike you ride, a motorcycle...
Travel Vacation : Are you ready for a great vacation in a sunny, warm, and possibly sandy area? Ingredients for a hot holiday youll remember for a lifetime are easy to plan. Here are a few to keep in mind... |
| |
|
|
|