For those of you who have already caught the cruise bug, congratulations! You have already experienced one of the best ways to travel, and no doubt one day you will sail again. For the rest of you, those who have not yet sailed before, this article is for you.
I have been on several cruises, the most recent being Allure of the Seas this year. Cruise ships have it all: fun, food, excitement, food, romance, food… and did I mention food?
When you travel, you usually have to choose a destination and then decide when to go and how to get there. With a cruise, you still do, but a typical 7-day cruise will stop in at least three ports of call, meaning you’ll get to see several exciting destinations, not just one. When you start looking, be sure to sign up for push notifications on cruise deals from various cruise lines, and maybe even some notable travel sites like CruisesOnlyand tripzoo. Cruise ships don’t often fill up, and you can get some great deals if you’re willing to wait for last-minute prices. These days, there is also a wide variety of departure ports. Not just Florida and California, but Texas, Louisiana, Seattle, New York, and even Boston. You’ll want to check all of this to decide where you want to go and how long you want to cruise. They usually range between 3 and 7 days.
Nervous about getting dizzy? don’t be Most of today’s cruise ships are so large that you can barely feel the rocking of the ship. If you think you’re prone to motion sickness, do yourself a favor and take a tour of the gulf. For example, cruises to the Western Caribbean are much smoother than those to the East because the ship is in the calmer waters of the Caribbean, not the Atlantic. And there are many brands of motion sickness medicine, including the patch that works wonders.
He made his reservations, arrived at the port and is now on board. What does she do? Have fun! Cruise lines are spending more and more money these days to make sure there’s plenty to do on board so no one gets bored. Take the Allure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) for example. This ship has over 2,700 staterooms and nearly one staff member for every two guests. There are several restaurants on board, including Johnny Rockets and Starbucks. There’s also a full-size carousel, two climbing walls, and two wave zones for learning to surf or boogie board. There is a zip line that rises 9 stories above the boardwalk, as well as a 9-hole miniature golf course. There are several theaters, ice skating rink, casino, more than 5 swimming pools, 8 jacuzzis, gym, ping-pong tables, bingo, shopping, cinema…
You get the point: there is a YOU of things to do! For those traveling with children, there is a children’s area on each ship where they can meet other children their age and have fun while parents explore on their own. And there are enough activities for children so that the whole family can be entertained if they wish.
Meals are also worth talking about. On most ships, you can choose to sit early or late, and your dinners are usually in the same place every night. These range from casual to formal dining, and are packed with exquisite menus. Expect three-course meals ranging from lobster to filet mignon, with options for the kids. If you decide you want something a little more casual, most ships also have buffet-style cafeterias serving everything from chicken nuggets to hamburgers and hot dogs. There is also usually a pizzeria on most ships. Expect to eat well on a cruise. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and cruisers understand that, with a wide variety of eggs, meats, breads, and fruit to start your day off right. Do you feel like relaxing? Call room service – they’ll bring whatever you want to your room for free! It’s all part of the food package.
Finally, there are the ports of call. At each stop, there will undoubtedly be plenty of suggestions for things to do, such as excursions, shopping trips, beach days, boat rides, snorkeling tours, etc. You do not need to take an official tour when you arrive at a port. In fact, you don’t even have to get off the boat if you don’t want to. Some take advantage of an empty boat to schedule a relaxing massage. However, if you go ashore, be sure to bring your passport and cruise ID so you can get back on board. And whatever you do, don’t be late! The captain must leave on time, and if you’re even a few minutes late, they’ll get a hefty fine, so they won’t be able to wait for you!
As I say, there is a lot to do and a lot of fun on a cruise. Why not consider a cruise for your next vacation? I know you’ll be glad you did. Good trip!
david michaels
PS Full disclosure: I love to travel and I really love cruising, but I don’t work for Royal Caribbean or any other cruise line, nor do I receive any incentives from anyone. Just passing on my love for cruise ships!