Cruise vacations have grown exponentially in recent years and for us, that eat, sleep and breath cruising, we really aren’t surprised.
I spent many years doing family road trips across North America and flying off to warm all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean until I took my first cruise. I was surprised to find out that a cruise is one of the most cost-effective ways to travel, and now I can do two or three cruises a year for what it used to cost me doing one land-based vacation!
Cruising blends a mixture of relaxing sea days with exciting and adventurous shore days across a large selection of cruise ships. Here are a few reasons I have come up with why you should consider a cruise;
Value
Your cruise price includes accommodation and food is always included, but with some cruise lines, your fare can also include drinks, gratuities, flights, transfers, shore excursions and even pre-or-post-cruise hotel stays.
Resorts offer activities and experiences to guests, but there’s no comparison to the quality and attention to detail in even the lowest priced cruise. For one single far you’ll find top-quality shows, musical performers, casino games, comedians and parties. There are also spas, art auctions, poolside activities, and more.
The beauty of a cruise is that you can be as busy or relaxed as you choose. You make your vacation exactly what you want.
Multiple Destinations – One Holiday
A cruise allows you to unpack once and see several amazing destinations all in one holiday. You find your stateroom, unpack in Miami and wake up the following day in Grand Turk, and then the next day in the British Virgin Islands. It is a great way to explore many destinations without the normal inconvenience associated with travel. You can visit a different country every day, spend a day on the high seas or have the ship to yourself during a port day.
The Food
I always found the food at resorts a hit and miss experience. My first cruise opened a whole new world of food and quality service I’ve never found in any other vacation experience. There is so much choice when it comes to dining on a cruise ship. Everything from fine dining to a quick burger and fries by the pool is available.
For those that enjoy set dining times, you find a world of incredible personal service from a ship’s waitstaff. Waiters quickly learn your name, your dining preferences, tastes and pace and make dinner an experience, not just a meal.
There are options to pay for speciality dining on just about every ship but I’m confident you will fine that all the food that is covered by the basic fare will be on par or better than your favourite restaurants at home.
The Perfect Family Vacation
Cruising is a great option for the entire family. We started taking our children on cruises at a young age and found it to be better than any other vacation. Cruise lines have a team of qualified and highly trained members of staff and specific age groups often have their own designated areas.
One of our children has a life-threatening food allergy and the measures the cruise line took to insure her safety were very reassuring. The dining room staff were prepared for her condition from the very first day and we were even offered an on-board phone to be contactable with the youth program staff at all times.
Our children enjoyed the youth programs so much that they begged to go back after family time and made new friends around the ship. Our Christmas cruises were some of the best with snow in the atrium, carols and children’s Christmas concerts.
I have travelled and booked dozens of cruises in the last 15 years. I have been to more than 30 different ports along the North American coast and throughout the Caribbean and I am certified with most of the major cruise lines.
Whether you are setting sail on your first cruise or you are an avid cruiser looking for a unique and distinct experience, I am the best travel agent for you. Contact me today, and we’ll start planning your next voyage.
