Going on a Cruise: The Ultimate Way to Travel

For years, the thought of going on a cruise spelled b.o.r.i.n.g! Sitting on a boat, watching the waves go by was not my idea of fun. I'm all for relaxation, but if I'm going to spend thousands of dollars, I want to do more than sit on a ship, sipping fruit out of an umbrella. I realize this is the vacation of choice for many, but I'm a history nut, an art aficionado (hardly) and a creature of culture (so I tell people, anyway). I want a vacation where I'm seeing and doing things. I want to delve in to the past and even the future on occasion. I want to see beauty as it was 200 years ago. I want to see intricately designed buildings and fascinating paintings. I don't want to bake under the sun for a week. I live in Florida; I can do that at home!

Five years ago, my brother opened a travel company and shortly after, he found a niche in cruise vacation packages. I kept hearing how wonderful cruises were, and it did seem like everyone around me really enjoyed cruising, but I could not get that stigma out of my head that all cruises were nothing more than riding the waves on the ship. When I went to work for my brother last year and started selling cruise packages, the light bulb finally went off, and I saw what the fuss was all about.

Cruising definitely does not mean sitting on a boat for a week sipping Daiquiris! It can, of course, if that's what that traveler wants. But, cruising is so much more than sunning on the ship. A week long cruise usually hits at least three ports of call, depending on where the cruise is going. For example, a Western Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines for seven days hits at minimum; Cozumel, Mexico, Key West, Florida, and the Cayman Islands. An eight day Eastern Caribbean goes to the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as the Bahamas and Antigua. Each port offers excursions of the cultural and tropical variety, so there are many things to do for all travelers.

Additionally, almost everything in a cruise is included in the price, except for drinking and gambling and a few other services. How can you beat that? All night buffets, 24 hour room service, movies, shows, swimming, and yes, laying out in the sun sipping fruit through an umbrella, all for under $600! Cruises used to cost thousands of dollars, but the rates have come down tremendously in the last couple of years making them one of the most affordable vacations out there for singles, couples, and families.

Excursions at each port do cost extra and of course things like spa treatments are an additional charge, but unlike hotels and resorts, food and entertainment aboard the ship are included in the rate of the cruise and both last all night.

Cruises are also very family friendly, and many ships have specific areas for kids and teens, including restaurants, clubs, and play areas.

There are several different cruise lines to choose from, each one offering different types of themes, excursions, and itineraries. Carnival is known as the "fun ship", while Norwegian offers "free style" cruising. There are cruises for seniors, cruises for gays and lesbians, cruises for book lovers, cruises for Trekkies, and so on. And, cruises don't just go to tropical locations. You can take a European cruise, an Alaskan cruise, or a cruise that goes to Canada and New England. There are cruises to Asia, to Africa, and to just about anywhere else that has water. If you have an interest in a specific type of theme or itinerary, contact a travel agent or the cruise line directly for assistance in finding the niche you're looking for.

I just returned from my very first cruise, and without a doubt, the experience exceeded my expectations. I had always heard that once I started cruising, I'd become a cruise-a-holic. Had anyone told me that ten years ago, I would have laughed and hopped on a plane to London. However, now, I can happily say I ate my words at the 24 hour buffet. The only problem was trying to decide if they tasted better with ketchup or chocolate syrup.