Ever arrive at a new vacation spot, but don’t know where to eat or what to see? Ever visit some exotic island but don’t know what activities to do once you got there? And with the new airport restrictions, the thought of standing in endless security lines is enough to deter the most intrepid travelers.
If you have never been on a cruise, you have been missing out on an adventure. The cost of a cruise includes entertainment, endless food and lodging. Several major cruise lines run itineraries throughout the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Mediterranean, Baltic and Southeast Asia. And you don’t have to pack-unpack and go through airport security lines on a daily basis to visit different countries and ports – the ship (and your room) does all the moving around for you!!
The cost of a cruise includes most of your food (minus alcoholic beverages), lodging (prices vary for different type and size of cabins) and nightly entertainment. Items that cost extra include alcoholic beverages, specialized dining, photographs, shore excursions and gratuities. As long as you do not over indulge your alcoholic consumption and watch your budget on shore excursions, the overall cost of a cruise is typically lower than a land vacation. Can’t decide between Beef Wellington and Lobster? Order both, without having to worry about the check – for the most part, 5-star meals are included.
Onboard entertainment is available nightly. Due to maritime regulations, onboard casino opens all day during sea days and 30-minutes after sailing. Revues, jazz piano, magic show, and dancing are available nightly. Can’t decide between watching a Las Vegas type revue and enjoying a magic show? You could attend both shows – just check the daily ship log for different show times.
Cruises make great family vacation too. Little ones have their own program, often with dinner included. This allows parents evenings out alone or together with family. Children and teens have their own hangouts, pool and arcade. The children are kept busy with age-appropriate activities, leaving both children and parents time to relax and enjoy the amenities, both together and apart.
Just about where the ocean meets land is where you’ll find cruise ports. Want to visit the Mediterranean but can’t decide which country? There are several itineraries that visit different portions of the Med or one that circles the entire Med. How about visiting mysterious Asia? From the coast of Japan down to the Great Barrier Reef, you could choose to cruise the entire route or pick and choose different segments. How about the Caribbean? If you can’t decide which ports to visit, cruise lines have back-to-back cruises that visit not only the Eastern Caribbean, but the Western Caribbean the following week.
Once you have decided on a cruise, cruise lines conveniently booked with reputable local tours to provide a variety of excursions to choose from. Several weeks before cruises set sail, cruise lines send out excursion booklets for pre-booking. Passengers also have the option of booking direct with local tours. However, new cruisers are advised to book directly with the cruise lines since transportation is usually included in ship-sponsored excursions.
My family and I have had the pleasure of sailing several times to the Mexican Riviera, Alaska Inside Passage, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean and Northern Europe. Each cruise was unique in itself, with different cruise lines, different cruise ships and sizes, different times of the year; and with different type of friends and family. I will discuss our experience of each cruise in upcoming future blogs…
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