It’s the pinnacle of relaxing vacations—sailing the open seas in the lap of luxury with nothing but fun, entertainment and the promise of adventure in a far-flung exotic destination. All these things and more have given cruising its time-tested reputation as one of the best ways to spend a bit of time away from home.
If you’ve been thinking about booking a cruise for the first time, but are hesitant to book because you don’t quite know what to expect, look no further for a quick crash course on all the details and features you can expect on the vacation of a lifetime.
Accommodations
From the moment you set foot onboard your cruise ship, you’ll be welcomed to take a load off and leave your worries on the dock. Representing the main fee you’ll have to foot before hitting the open waters, your accommodation tickets offer you your own special home on the ship and include the price of all the basic amenities — most meals and some entertainment.
Most cruise lines offer a wide range of cabin types and prices, with the least expensive rooms located on lower decks and toward the center of the ship. Although these cabins cannot offer windows and are often a bit cramped, they are a great value for passengers who don’t anticipate spending much time away from the action on deck. The most lavish rooms are located along the sides of the ship and feature plenty of space, large windows and sometimes even private balconies. This option is a great choice for travelers who have the resources to splurge a bit and who appreciate a secluded place to escape to amid all the fun.
Activities Onboard
Cruise ships get larger with each new incarnation and therefore are able to offer more and more exotic activities each year. The more surprising special features you might find on certain ships include indoor ice skating rinks, rock climbing walls and zip lines, although the most exciting and unexpected perks will vary from ship to ship.
While cruise ships may have once been likened to a floating resort, today they are closer to resort towns. Passengers can spend time strolling along avenues and checking out a wide variety of shops and boutiques, have some fun with the kids on a miniature golf course, spend the day at a water park, hit up the casino or enjoy a Broadway-caliber musical.
Cruisers who may prefer to add a bit more relaxation to their schedules can unwind at first-rate spas and salons for massages and facial treatments, enjoy a live band while they eat or simply laze on a deck chair in the sun. Nearly all cruise ships offer a packed schedule of events and parties for guests of all dispositions as well, so a dull moment is rare if not impossible.
Destinations
One of the most appealing aspects of cruising is getting to travel to beautiful, exotic destinations, but without all the usual pitfalls of travel. Compare having the time of your life while drifting from port to port without a worry to standing in endless lines, wrangling luggage and navigating airport gates.
There are nearly as many available cruise destinations as there are navigable ocean ports in the world. Trips of all lengths can be found to the Tahitian Islands, through the Panama Canal, around the Mediterranean Sea or along the coast of South America.
The most popular cruise destinations currently reside in the Caribbean Sea. Offering perhaps the world’s most perfect weather, sandy beaches, clear ocean waters and a backdrop of rainforest, the many visitors are understandable. Port stop on these trips are numerous because of the close proximity the islands share and onshore activities include scuba diving, hiking through the jungle or hopping a jeep tour through the tropical terrain. Cruise lines continue to increase the size of their Caribbean fleets as well, and more ships mean a better chance for finding great rates and deals.
Another well known and often booked cruise adventure graces the shores of the Alaskan Coast. The most luxurious way to take in the breathtaking vistas of North America’s wild frontier, Alaskan cruises also give travelers a range of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to experience life in the great north from hiking across active glaciers to commanding a sled dog team.
The fastest growing sector of the vacation industry worldwide, the benefits and perks of cruising become apparent to first time travelers after a single voyage, if not before. For an upfront accommodation rate, ships expect nothing from passengers once they step onboard so you can simply relax and have the time of your life on the open seas. Cruising is a fantastic vacation choice for families, couples and just about any breed of traveler, so do your research and book a cruise trip you’ll never forget now.
Matt Hawking is a freelance writer who writes about many topics such as vacationing and cruise vacations
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