Thread: Reasons to consider a cruise vacation

Why cruise?
What makes a cruise vacation the right choice?

While the answers to those questions can be different for every person, I thought it would be interesting to start a thread/list of reasons, for people who are not sure this is what they want to do. I'll start off with some of mine:

*You get to sample different vacation spots, compare them, and then decide where you would like to go back to. (for example, the different Caribbean islands)

*You see something that you can't see from land or see it differently(like waterfront fjords/glaciers in Alaska or the riverfront on the Rhine).

*It is the easiest/safest way to get to some places (like the Falkland Islands or Iskendurun, Turkey.)

*It is an all-inclusive vacation, for less money than most all-inclusive resorts.

*It is a great alternative to a retirement home - more interesting!!

*It is a great way to have a family reunion with people in all income brackets.

*The sea and the waves are so relaxing!

I hope this was a good start. Please add more. If you do not agree with these reasons, don't say why, just add your own. As I said before, this is an individual thing.

Mindy, you have covered some pretty good reasons already!

I like to cruise because there is something about the ocean that draws me.

I can't explain it, but when I'm sitting on my balcony late at night with a black velvet canopy of sky bedazzled with millions of twinkling stars. listening to the waves and being gently rocked by the motion of the ship.....indescribable! I think it's the majesty of creation that awes me so much at sea.

Once you get onboard, you get pampered, you get transportation to all those ports w/o having to drag suitcases out to a different hotel each night, you get entertainment w/o paying more, there's yummy desserts.

My top 3 Cruising advantages:
1.)You only have to unpack and pack once, unlike other vacations when you change hotels everynight.
2.)When not sightseeing on excursions you are at an all-inclusive resort.
3.)Days at sea are very relaxing, no hectic travel between cities on a tour.

Many others that I'm sure will be listed by others.

Great reasons, EVERYONE!

I love going to bed in one place and waking up in another ... without ever having to unpack but once!

My wife would agree wholeheartedly on the unpack once philosophy. Few things are as nice as settling in and not having to pack up every day just because you are going to a different destination.

A great place to take the kids. How many kids can say they have traveled to so many different places. For the most part it's a safe place for them. You still need to keep them in sight. When they are not in camp.

The food is really GOOOOOD.

You don't get hounded to by a time share. Like at some other all-inclusive resorts I've been to.

Nothing like looking at the sun rise and sun set on the top deck of the ship. Can you say stunning.

Many years ago we used to rent a house in Maine for a week on the ocean for $1300. We lived in Mass so it took gas to get there. Had to buy groceries as well as go out to eat. Also had to cook, clean, make beds and drive to anywhere we visited. A cruise is a no brainer. We board, don't cook, clean, make beds, drive from place to place. Pampered all week and complete relaxation

I forgot one. You don't have to pay all up front. You can pay a little every month if you want. Those a budgets, or straped for money.

Originally Posted by sue miller

Many years ago we used to rent a house in Maine for a week on the ocean for $1300. We lived in Mass so it took gas to get there. Had to buy groceries as well as go out to eat. Also had to cook, clean, make beds and drive to anywhere we visited. A cruise is a no brainer. We board, don't cook, clean, make beds, drive from place to place. Pampered all week and complete relaxation

Thanks for posting this, Sue. My BIL and DH keep talking about renting a beach house. My SIL and I put our foot down about doing it for Thanksgiving - having to bring all the sides and turkey to a house with a oven you never used and not knowing what pans will be available - NO THANK YOU! But you just reminded me about all the cleaning that needs to happen when you don't have a cabin steward to help you out!! I will keep all this in mind next time this "relaxing" idea comes up.