Why Do So Many People Love Luxury Cruise Vacations?
In this era of faster everything, including faster and larger commercial airliners where passengers are packed in like sardines, one thing seems to remain constant. That is the wonderful, leisurely world of cruising. For many years the airline industry has experienced numerous setbacks, while the cruise industry has been growing by leaps and bounds. There are many reasons why you should consider becoming a part of this amazing phenomenon. Here are some of them.
Some recent research from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), show that ninety-five percent of people who have cruised give top marks to their cruising experience and more than seventy-five percent plan to cruise again within three years.
Contrary to what some people think, cruises are really affordable. Usually, with most vacations you end up paying for airline flights, hotels or resorts, restaurants, entertainment, and possibly car rentals. If you add these costs up, cruises can really be a bargain. When you book a luxury cruise, in most cases you will pay for the airfare and cruise. However, if you do live close enough to your cruise ship departure port, you may be able to drive there a way lot cheaper than flying.
Even if you have to fly to your departure port you can always get a flight and cruise package deal that is usually less expensive than purchasing your flight and cruise separately. You will also save even more money as your lodging, restaurant meals, and entertainment are 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 booking an inside cabin. If you don’t need to have a cabin with a balcony or ocean view, then you’ll save a lot of money. You have the use of all the amenities that are shared with your fellow passengers have, but it’s costing you a lot less.
You can also save big bucks on repositioning cruises. A repositioning cruise happens at certain times of the year, usually in the spring and fall, when cruise lines move 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 cruise, you are traveling in the lap of luxury in a floating five-star hotel. You will be pampered and feel that you are living the life of a king or queen, not only for a day, but for the entire length of the cruise. Elegant surroundings, gourmet dining and impeccable service are 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 small children to great grandparents, there is always something to peak the interest of everyone on a cruise. You have the option to be as active as you like or you can just relax and experience magnificent sunrises and sunsets while watching the world go by. So many precious, wonderful memories and experiences will stay with you a lifetime when you’ve taken 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 from all over the world book conferences, seminars, team building get-togethers, product launches and employee reward vacation cruises. Cruise lines don’t charge extra for conference room facilities and use of audio/video equipment.
Group cruises aren’t only for companies and business people. Weddings and honeymoons, family reunions, sports groups and clubs, charities and fund raisers are only some of the many types of groups that have their events on cruises.
On cruises there is no hassle of having to pack and unpack over again every time you travel to a different destination. Another bonus is that there’s no limit to the amount of luggage you can bring along on a cruise.
People with disabilities should have no problem getting around on a cruise ship. Cruise lines have made onboard accessibility a non-issue as their ships are equipped with ramps, elevators and easily accessible cabins and state rooms.
Today’s cruise ships have drastically reduced the problem of seasickness. Modern, larger ships slice through the waves instead of riding on the top of them. Also, innovative new technologies like stabilizers and counterbalancing systems have dramatically reduced the pitch and roll of the cruise ships, all but neutralizing the problem of seasickness.
A doctor and medical staff are never more than minutes away on a cruise ship should any passenger have to see doctor. Most common passenger minor mishaps and ailments occur 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 vacationers who have a fear of flying or don’t enjoy being stuffed like sardines into commercial airplanes when traveling to their destinations, here’s some great news. The cruise lines in the U.S. are making terrific progress catering to the cruise passengers needs. They are opening up new ports of call on both the East and West coasts so more and more people who would love to take a cruise but don’t want to fly, can easily drive or take a bus or train to most departure ports.