5 Reasons to Take a Cruise

If you've been looking for a new way to travel, this is what you've been looking for. Cruising has been redefining the way people travel within the past decade. Over 20 million people take a cruise each year; it has become more and more popular over the last few decades and just the past few years as well. No matter what kind of vacation you're looking for, there is a cruise for you.

1. Value

Cruises are a great vacation for your dollar because the price includes meals, accommodations, entertainment, and transportation to and from each port. Some cruises even offer all-inclusive drinking packages. A typical cruise vacation can cost $50 to $100 per person per night. This is much cheaper than the average cost of a hotel per night, especially if you were to include eating three meals a day per person or if you were to attend any shows or events. There are even more luxurious lines that offer more entertainment and packages.

2. Multiple Destinations

On a cruise, you typically always visit one or more destination, or port, during your cruise vacation. You can visit more than one city, country or continent in one cruise. Once you embark onboard, you don't have to worry about getting from destination to destination—the ship and its captain takes care of that for you! That way, you don't have to waste your time or money taking a train, bus, or airplane getting from one place to another. If you can think of a destination, a ship sails there. Over 43% of cruises are offered within the Caribbean islands, but they reach as far as Asia, Australia, Alaska, Europe, Africa, and Antarctica.

3. All Ships & Sizes

Cruise ships come in all shapes in sizes, whether you want a small river cruise, or want to sail on the world's largest ship! The largest ship, Symphony of the Seas, weighs over 230,000 gross tons and carries over 6,800 passengers. But if you're not interested in a floating city, there are ships that hold fewer than 2,000 passengers. Even that might seem like you'd be trapped like a bunch of sardines, but you'll be fooled by how you might never see the same person twice.

4. Entertainment

Along with the cost of accommodations and food, the price of your cruise comes with activities and shows—cruise lines bring dancers and musicals to sea! Cruise lines offer Broadway musicals, diving, and aerial performances. Most ships offer activities such as Broadway shows, rock climbing walls, spas, fitness classes, miniature golf, casinos, pools, art auctions, and more! Some ships are limited to zip lining, waterslides, ropes courses, ice skating, flow riders, Carnival LIVE, indoor skydiving, ice bars, bowling, 3D movies, and much, much more!

5. Service

No matter what cruise line, the service on each ship is set to the same standard. You get to know the crew and gain relationships with them. They are always happy to see you and have a smile on their face. You get to know your cruise director, waiter, and housekeeper, as they lay your napkin upon your lap for dinner, leave a schedule for the next day on your bed, and show up to every show within the day.