Is a Cruise Vacation Right for You?

I have always loved to travel. I love the thrill of arriving at an airport in some far off place and as another adventure is about to begin. And it's that mindset, that a vacation began (and ended) at an airport that, for many years made a cruise vacations an option that never really entered my mind. However after a friend suggested we go on a three-day cruise to the Bahamas a few years back I discovered the wonderful world of cruise vacations. Now don't get me wrong, I still love flying to some far off place, but now I mix a cruise in my vacation plans every now and then.

So, is a cruise vacation right for you? To help you decide, here are some pros and cons of a cruise vacation.

Pros of a Cruise Vacation

Simplified Vacation Budget
Your cruise vacation will include your room, food, and entertainment all in one cost. (However, alcoholic beverages usually are not included in the pride of the cruise).

Airfare is Included in the Total Price
If you don't live near the cruise ship's port of departure, the total price of your cruise vacation will include the cost of airfare and transfers from the airport to the ship (and back to the airport at the end of your cruise).

Huge Discounts
When you book a cruise vacation in advance you'll likely get a substantial discount off the price of your cruise vacation. If you plan of booking a cruise, try booking it at least six months in advance to secure the biggest discounts.

Cons of a Cruise Vacation

Small cabins and confined spaces
Most cruise ships' cabins leave a lot to be desired in terms of size. While it's true you won't spend a lot of time in your cabin, if you're traveling with a large family or claustrophobic, a cruise vacation might not be for you.

Seasickness
Today's cruise ships are huge, but that does not mean they are not prone to rocking back and forth in rough seas. Seasickness can ruin your vacation, so you'll want to be sure you're not prone to seasickness or have a supply of Dramamine packed in your luggage.

Limited Time in Port
Cruise ships will often visit multiple ports on a single voyage. Because of that, stops in ports will often be only a few hours. Because of that, the time to explore local sights is often limited. If you're the kind of person that likes to explore a destination over a few days, then you may want to consider flying to your destination rather than cruising.