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