Ten Reasons to Choose a Cruise as Your Next Vacation

The time to plan your next vacation has arrived. You've made the trek to the same beach resort every summer for the last decade. You've done tent-style camping, and while you loved reconnecting with nature, your wife thought the mosquito population is just a bit too friendly. You've traveled to the big city. Touring new museums and dining in new restaurants was fun, but a vacation isn't really a vacation if you spend it sitting in traffic.

When you're not sure if you're looking for sun and surf, a nature hike, or time on the town; or when you want your getaway to be a bit of all of the above, consider a cruise.

Cruising offers the best of all worlds. I've had the time of my life seeing slices of the world from a cruise ship. Like any other type of travel, there are drawbacks. You might hit choppy waters and have to dose up on the Dramamine. For one reason or another, your ship's itinerary could be diverted and skip a port of call.

But these are the exceptions, not the rules. For the most part, cruises are an exciting and easy way to explore the world and get in some rest and relaxation while you're adventuring.

A few highlights of the cruise experience:

1. There's Something for Everyone on Board

Long gone are the days where the entertainment on a cruise ship occupied the minds and bodies of only the elderly and foodies.

Larger cruise ships are small cities and resort towns all rolled up into one. It can take days on board to discover everything available to you on board. Those who want a beach-like vacation experience can lounge by the pool or on the deck, sipping margaritas and watching the ocean roll by. Athletic types can hit the gym or participate in organized sports activities. Some cruise ships even feature rock climbing walls and skating rinks.

Those who want to be pampered will find spas and whirlpools. You can get a massage, indulge in aromatherapy, or treat yourself to a manicure, pedicure and haircut. Night-lifers will find that many cruise ships offer a variety of evening possibilities, from quieter pub-like atmospheres to tiki bars to late-night dance venues. Try ballroom dancing, kick back your heels during the poolside country-western night, or move your groove thing at the after-hours techno spot. If you'd rather be entertained by the antics of others, catch a comedy routine, a magic show or a dance production before or after dinner.

Cruise ships come stocked with food for the mind, too. Daytime activity options often include lectures, cooking demonstrations and trivia games. If the standard daytime or evening options don't float your boat, you can hit the casino, catch a movie or browse the ship's shopping venues. Play bingo, go to a wine tasting, attend an art auction or take a yoga class, and then find yourself a quiet slice of deck for an afternoon siesta.

What about the kids? Most cruise lines now offer daycare, play areas, and activities geared towards younger travelers. Your little ones can set off on their own adventures while Dad hits the casino, Big Sister and her friend lounge by the pool, Mom indulges herself in the spa, Grandma plays bingo and Grandpa hits the slots. The entire family can catch up on the day's events over dinner.

2. There's Something for Everyone on Land, Too

With so much to do on board, the days at sea fly by. The time spent in ports of call is much the same. Of course, what exactly is available to you on land depends largely on where the cruise you've chosen takes you.

Regardless of your ports of call, you can be sure that the cruise line offers or has networked with local tourism companies to provide a variety of on-shore excursions for you to choose from. Feeling adventurous? Sign up for a hike, take a kayaking trip or go snorkeling with sting rays and sea turtles. Want to feel the sand under your toes and hear a little island music? Get on board a ferry headed for a local beach or take a ride on a party boat. Looking to get a little education or culture out of your trip? Chances are you'll find plenty of museum outings, educational bus trips, ruins tours or nature walks.

If your goal is to load up on jewelry or gifts for all the family and friends who couldn't come cruising with you, there's never a shortage of shopping opportunities. Many cruise lines even offer information sessions on recommended shopping venues and the local bartering systems in their ports of call to keep you from getting swindled.

If there's a member of your group who is feeling lazy or uninterested in a particular port of call, you can leave him or her on board without feeling a lick of guilt. Cruise lines generally offer discounted spa treatments and events while they're docked at a port, so those who don't want to stretch out their sea legs can explore the ship or just grab a spot at the pool while everyone else is on dry land.

3. You'll Know Where Your Next Meal is Coming From

You won't have to scout your vacation destination for decent eateries or worry about blowing your food budget. Most cruises are all-inclusive with the exception of alcoholic beverages.

If you're looking for decorum and the chance to dress up in your finery, take your meals in the ship's formal dining room. If you want to try new cuisines but would rather not put on your cocktail dress or suit and tie, make reservations for the casual dining venue or just visit the buffet style venue. Don't feel like getting out of your robe after that day at the pool or your massage session? You can order room service. If you're craving comfort food after several days of trying the chef's specialties, then grab a slice of pizza, a hot dog, or a "cheeseburger in paradise" at the poolside vendors. Find yourself hungry at midnight because you missed dinner to catch a show? Never fear - there's always a late-night buffet on board.

4. You'll Try Things You've Never Tried Before

How many other opportunities will you have to go cave tubing in Belize, explore Mayan Ruins in Cozumel, or swim with sea turtles in St. Thomas?

Maybe you've always been curious about oxtail soup or escargot, but when it comes right down to it you won't order it off a menu in a restaurant. After all, dining experiences usually don't come cheap, and if you decide to live dangerously and end up thinking what you ordered tastes like sewage, you're stuck listening to your rumbling stomach while everyone else chows down. On a cruise, you can try food that sparks your curiosity, and if you find it isn't to your liking you can order something else at no additional cost.

Do you suffer from a secret urge to play bingo now and then, but never indulge because you're afraid you'll be the only person under 60 in the room? That won't be the case on a cruise ship, and even if it is your friends will never know. If you've always wondered what a "seaweed wrap" feels like but live in an area where people's idea of a spa treatment is eating beans and then jumping in the bathtub, you can see how the other half lives while on your cruise. If you've had an urge to try ballroom or salsa dancing but your hometown is still stuck on the "Achy Breaky" and the "Electric Slide," bring your dancing shoes with you. You'll never see your dance partners again, so who cares if you have two left feet?

5. Don't Leave Home Without it. But if You Do, Don't Worry

In the flurry of activity that leads up to a vacation, it is almost impossible not to forget something. You arrive at your destination to find you've forgotten sunscreen, your camera, aspirin, or a razor.

On a cruise, you won't waste vacation time trekking around in search of a drugstore. The shops on board your ship will most likely have everything you need. Whether it's the makeup you feel naked without or deodorant to keep your cabin mates from holding their noses when you walk by, you'll find it in the ship's stores.

There are medical facilities on board too. If you spend too much time in the sun or twist an ankle traipsing about on a port excursion, a doctor can see you right on the ship.

Even computer addicts can find what they need on a cruise ship. If you or someone you're traveling with starts to get the shakes or experience other withdrawal symptoms after a day of not checking email, visit the ships internet café or computer lobby. On some ships, serious netheads can even bring their laptops and pay for a trip-long web connection from their cabins.

6. You Can Explore Part of the World While Meeting People From All Over It

One of the most fascinating and enlightening things about cruising is that you'll meet people from all over the world. Even if most of the other passengers are from your neck of the woods, chances are that the ship's crew is from all corners of the planet.

On my last cruise, there were staff members representing 70 countries. In my time on board cruise ships, I've befriended a head waiter from Turkey, a cabin steward from the Philippines, an Italian café manager, a Mexican assistant waiter, a Lithuanian sommelier, a Spanish spa manager, and bartenders from Jamaica, The Virgin Islands, and France.

Most cruise ship crew members are welcoming, friendly, and willing to help you learn about their countries and cultures if you are genuinely interested. As someone with a limited travel budget and an American habit of not thinking too far beyond my own borders, I have found cruising to be a wonderful chance to meet people from places I may never go, and to learn a bit about their corners of the world.

7. There's a Bit of Sailor in All of Us

I'm a firm believer that there's a bit of seafarer in everyone. The ocean is mesmerizing and magical, and humans have spent our entire existence trying to explore and conquer the sea. A cruise is a chance to connect with your inner pirate while still getting to bathe and keep all your teeth.

There's nothing like watching the sun rise or set over an endless expanse of ocean. Grab a deck chair, a cup of coffee or a tropical beverage, and watch a show like no other. Let the gentle rocking of the waves lull you off to an afternoon siesta. Over the days on board, amaze yourself with the ocean's transition from the white-capped slate grey of northern seas to the brilliant blues and greens of tropical locales.

While you're at it, don't forget to stand on deck with your arms in the air and the wind in your face, proclaiming yourself "King of the World."

8. You Can Indulge Your Inner Prince or Princess

While we're on the whole royalty theme, let's not forget that the cruise lifestyle is an experience in luxury living. Of course the spas are there to pamper your body and mind, but you'll feel like the world is your oyster even if you never find yourself on a massage table.

You won't see a stove or even make your own pot of coffee for the duration of your trip. Fresh towels and robes will magically appear in your cabin. Your beds will be made. Your dining service will be welcoming and friendly. They'll even help you crack your lobster if you don't know how to do it yourself.

9. You Can Dress Up, But You Don't Have To

Most of us have the occasional urge to strut our stuff. Pulling out the little black dress, the formal gown, the bling or the jacket and tie or tuxedo can be fun in limited doses. But honestly, how many of us get to put on the Ritz in our daily lives? Unless you live in high society, your opportunities to dress like royalty are pretty limited.

On a cruise ship, you can go all out during formal nights. Until I started cruising, I hadn't worn formalwear since my prom. My profession and my social circle just don't lend themselves to fine dining or charity balls. Buying formalwear and jewelry for my first cruise and then twirling around in front of my cabin mirror while grinning like a Chesire Cat and hoping I wouldn't stumbling in my beaded high-heeled sandals appealed to the girly-girl in me.

But let's face it. Heels and strappy dresses aren't for everyone. For some of us, particularly those who have to get dressed up frequently in their normal lives, "vacation" means spending the week in shorts and tee-shirts. If that's the case for you, don't sweat the formal stuff. Skip the dining room and order room service or eat in the café instead. Hit the tiki bar later instead of heading to the club where dressed-to-the-nines passengers flit about in their finery.

10. There's No Better Way to Plan Your Next Vacation

A cruise is an opportunity to spend short periods of time in a variety of vacation destinations. Depending on the length of your cruise, you may spend days in as few as one or as many as ten ports of call. A day isn't enough time to really experience the flavor, life and culture of a place. But it is enough to give you a glimpse of what's available to you there. You can add the places that capture your fantasy to your list of future destinations, and eliminate those that don't resonate as much with you and your family from your list of options

A word of warning - cruising is addictive. You might find the next vacation you plan will be another voyage.