According to some recent research from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), ninety-five percent of cruisers give top marks to their cruising experience and over seventy-five percent are planning to cruise again within three years.
Contrary to what some people may think, cruises are very affordable. With most vacations you end up paying for flights, hotels or resorts, restaurants, entertainment, and also car rentals. When you add all these costs up, cruises can be a great bargain. When booking a cruise, in most cases you pay for the airfare and cruise. However, if you happen to live close enough to your cruise ship departure port, you may be able to drive there a lot cheaper than you can fly.
Even if you do have to fly to the departure port you can always get a flight and cruise package which is usually less expensive than buying your flight and cruise separately. You will save even more money as your lodging, restaurant meals, and entertainment are also included.
When you book a luxury cruise vacation, well over 85% of your holiday is prepaid and that includes all meals, night clubs, stage shows, movies, and entertainment, as well as numerous other activities and amenities. In addition, most ships have onboard activities such as golf, rock climbing, dancing, swimming, scuba diving lessons which can lead to certification, Pilates, yoga, and fitness trainers. You can also pamper yourself with wonderful spas and body massages.
Another way to save big bucks on a cruise is to book an inside cabin. If you do not need to have a cabin with a balcony or ocean view, then you will save a lot of money. You have use of all the shared amenities that your fellow passengers have, but it's costing you a lot less.
You can also save a bundle on repositioning cruises. A repositioning cruise is made possible at certain times of the year, usually in the spring and fall, when cruise lines relocate their ships from one part of the world to another.
There are many luxury cruise vacations to choose from, ranging from three day mini cruises to several month long cruises as well as a fantastic around the world cruise odyssey.
When you're cruising, you are traveling in the lap of luxury in a floating five-star hotel. You will be pampered and feel like you are living the life of a king or queen, not just for a day, but for every day of the cruise. Gourmet dining, elegant surroundings and impeccable service are only a few of the superlatives that can be used to describe cruising.
If you like delicious food you will absolutely love gourmet meals and scrumptious desserts created by great chefs and served in a variety of restaurants. There are always wonderful buffets available throughout the day and even midnight buffets. A number of themed lounges are located throughout the cruise ships for your convenience.
Love watching Broadway style shows as well as theater performances without having to make reservations or pay exorbitant prices for tickets? Then going on a cruise is the answer. There are so many things that are included on cruises which make them such an incredible value for your travel and entertainment dollar.
From children to great grandparents, there's always something to interest everyone on a cruise. You have the option of being as active as you like or you can just relax and experience breathtaking sunrises and sunsets while watching the world go by. So many wonderful and precious memories will stay with you a lifetime when you take a luxury cruise.
Feel like partying around the clock? That's not a problem. Whether you're with a partner or single, it's always party time. You don't even have to plan or even clean up after a party, only have a lot of fun!
Businesses around the world book team building get-togethers, conferences, seminars, product launches and employee reward events on cruises. Cruise lines do not charge extra for conference room facilities and the use of audio-video equipment.
Group cruises aren't only for corporations and business people. Family reunions, weddings and honeymoons, sports clubs and groups, charities and fund raisers are only some of the numerous types of groups that hold their events on cruises.
When you cruise there is no hassle of having to pack and unpack again and again every time you travel to a new location. Another bonus is there is no limit on the amount of luggage you can bring on a cruise.
People with disabilities should not have problems getting around on a cruise ship. Cruise lines have made onboard accessibility a non-issue because their ships are equipped with ramps, elevators and easily accessible cabins and state rooms.
Modern cruise ships have dramatically reduced the problem of seasickness. Today's larger ships slice through the waves instead of riding on top of them. Also, new innovative technologies like stabilizers and counterbalancing systems have greatly reduced the pitch and roll of cruise ships, all but neutralizing any problem of seasickness.
A physician and medical staff are never more than a few minutes away on cruise ships should passengers need to see doctor. Most common passenger ailments and minor mishaps happen less on cruise ships than on shore.
Cruising is one of the safest forms of travel. The cruise industry has an excellent record of safety. And as far as robberies and assaults are concerned, they are over a hundred times less likely to happen on a cruise ship than in your own home town.
For those that have a fear of flying or don't enjoy being crammed like sardines into commercial airplanes when traveling to their destinations, here is some great news. The cruise lines in the United States are making terrific strides catering to cruise passengers needs. They are opening up more ports of call on both the East and West coasts so more and more people who would love to go on a cruise but don't like flying, can easily drive or take a bus or train to most departure ports.
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