| It seems like everybody these days is setting | | | | duty-free shopping (in the Caribbean, at |
| sail, cruising around the deep blue ocean on | | | | least) or scuba diving or whatever draws you |
| ships the size of small cities. Travelers | | | | to exotic locales in the first place. |
| return from their ocean adventures with | | | | |
| strange and marvelous tales of grand movie | | | | Traveling also entails meeting a lot of new |
| theaters, huge climbing walls, water slides, | | | | people-some of whom are nice and some of whom |
| and mounds of delicious food, but is this the | | | | are not nice. Dealing with nasty flight |
| reason why cruises have grown in popularity? | | | | attendants, shady cab drivers, and grouchy |
| What is it, exactly, that makes cruises so | | | | hotel clerks can add a level of stress to |
| appealing to so many people. | | | | travel that detracts from the sense of |
| | | | excitement and adventure that should |
| Perhaps it's the price. Long cruises, | | | | accompany any vacation. Perhaps it's because |
| especially, can be expensive, and port fees, | | | | everyone's so relaxed or perhaps it's because |
| cruise cancellation insurance, and airfare | | | | the staff is brainwashed (or desperate for a |
| (if it's not included in the price), not to | | | | generous gratuity), but, in general, fellow |
| mention pricey shore excursions, can destroy | | | | travelers and staff on cruise ships seem to |
| your vacation budget. Just like with air | | | | be a whole lot happier, nicer, and more |
| travel, however, significant discounts can be | | | | accommodating than your average human being |
| found online and through travel agents, and | | | | you encounter every day. Your fellow |
| when travelers factor in the meals, | | | | cruisers, who come from a variety of |
| accommodation, and shipboard entertainment | | | | backgrounds, are not only happier but also |
| that are included in the fare, cruises can | | | | more interesting to be around, and you're |
| actually be pretty reasonable. There's also | | | | actually encouraged and able to socialize on |
| less room for the typical nasty surprises | | | | a cruise. |
| that accompany traveling to exotic locations | | | | |
| on your own. | | | | But let's be honest. Nothing's more important |
| | | | to you than your stomach. Airlines understand |
| Unlike land tours, which offer a similar | | | | that. It seems like, on some long-haul |
| sense of security when traveling, cruises | | | | flights, attendants are walking around every |
| also allow passengers a great deal of | | | | hour with another opportunity to stuff your |
| personal freedom and the ability to set their | | | | face. Airline food, however, will never be |
| own pace. If you don't feel like getting up | | | | able to compete with cruise ship food. Food |
| for breakfast, then you can stay in your | | | | is often the highlight of a cruise |
| cabin and make it down in time for lunch. On | | | | experience. Whether it's at a buffet, in a |
| a tour, if you miss breakfast, you might have | | | | dining room, or in your cabin, the food is |
| missed the bus for the entire day, and you'll | | | | delicious, and there's plenty of it. In fact, |
| end up stuck in your hotel, while everyone | | | | you might find yourself gaining a few pounds |
| else is seeing the sights. Cruises have a | | | | if you're not careful. Luckily, that's what |
| definite relaxation factor that accompanies | | | | vacation is all about. If you are worried |
| the fact that you are, essentially, staying | | | | about your waistline, there are plenty of |
| in a floating hotel, which is one reason why | | | | opportunities to exercise and stay fit |
| cruises attract passengers who are | | | | onboard. |
| celebrating honeymoons, birthdays, | | | | |
| anniversaries, and family reunions. | | | | Finally, one of the major reasons why cruise |
| | | | travel is growing in popularity is the |
| The fact that cruises are actually carrying | | | | variety it offers. Over 200 cruise ships |
| passengers from one port of call to the next | | | | float in the world's oceans and rivers today, |
| with a minimum of fuss or fanfare is another | | | | and that number is growing by the year. Just |
| reason for their popularity. Unlike planes, | | | | like with air travel, there are the big |
| trains, or, God forbid, automobiles, | | | | names-Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, |
| passenger can sleep, eat, exercise, and even | | | | and Carnival-and they each have their own |
| party while the ship is transporting them | | | | fleet of ships. There are also smaller cruise |
| from point A to point B. As mentioned | | | | lines, tailored to a specific region or for a |
| earlier, the pace is slower, but for many, | | | | specific purpose. These days, if you do your |
| that's a benefit rather than a drawback of | | | | research, you can find the perfect cruise |
| cruise travel. Also, once you get to your | | | | ship to fit your needs, wants and interests. |
| port of call, you'll be all rested up for | | | | |