Why Cruises May Be the Perfect Vacation

Let’s get this out of the way from the get-go: I have an irrational fear of being shipwrecked at sea and eaten by sharks. 😬 But I LOVE cruising! It has become one of my favorite vacations!

But first, why book a cruise vacation?

1. Cruises are fabulous for travelers who want to unpack once and then be whisked away to multiple destinations.

2. Most cruise lines offer all-inclusive vacations: entertainment, food, lodging, and transportation are all included in the price. Once you’re on the ship, you don’t have to worry about a thing.

3. Each guest can customize their vacation, all while on the same ship. Want to be active and adventurous? Check. Want to relax and read a book? Check. Want to eat great food? Check. Want to watch superb entertainment? Check.

If a cruise sounds like a good fit for you, there are a few other factors to consider before booking this type of vacation: Which cruise line? Where (in the world) do you want to visit? When can you go? How long can you be away? What stateroom type? And the one that brings us all back to reality: What is your budget?

>> Which cruise line?

Each cruise line has its own vibe and caters to a specific type of traveler.

• *Disney caters to families and fans of Disney, but also folks who want exceptional service.

• *Royal Caribbean caters to families with an array of onboard activities on their colossal ships, including roller coasters, surfing, rock climbing, ice skating, go-karts, and much more.

• Celebrity caters to the Gen X crowd and their families. It offers more upscale dining and entertainment alongside beautifully designed spaces.

• *Carnival is known as a low-cost cruise line. They may be a good fit for you if your budget is limited and you still want to experience a cruise vacation.

• *Virgin Voyages is a relatively new adults-only Cruise line. On a Virgin Voyages cruise ship, you’ll find adults of all ages who enjoy a kid-free vacation, great food, unique entertainment, beautiful spaces, and cheeky/fun/vibrant onboard experiences. They also have a solid commitment to sustainability, so Virgin Voyages might be the cruise line for you if you are passionate about that.

• Viking is another adults-only cruise line that is well-known for its European river cruises. You can find empty nesters and retirees onboard, and their ideal traveler loves learning about the cultural and historical significance of the places they visit.

*Cruise lines I have sailed on!

I can book these cruise lines AND MORE, including Princess, Norwegian, Holland America, and luxury cruise lines!

>> Where (in the world) do you want to visit? When can you go? How long can you be away?

Cruises can take you to the warm beaches of the Caribbean or Hawaii, the splendor of the Alaskan coastline, a European adventure, or all the way down under in Australia and New Zealand. No matter where you’re looking to go in the world, a cruise could take you there.

Depending on how much PTO you have to burn and your budget, there are 3-day weekend cruises and multi-week voyages that cross oceans and lots of options in between.

>> What stateroom type?

Every cruise ship offers a variety of stateroom types, ranging from inside staterooms to ocean-view staterooms with portholes, to verandah or balcony staterooms, and suites, as well as concierge-level staterooms. Location on the ship is another consideration. If you are prone to seasickness, it’s best to have a room in the middle of the boat on a lower deck with either a porthole or a balcony to see the horizon.

One perk of using a Travel Advisor who specializes in cruise vacations (like yours truly!) is that I can help recommend options to make your dream vacation a reality. I have sailed on several cruise lines and would be happy to discuss my experiences in as much detail as you would like. I also enjoy doing alllll the research and training, so you don’t have to!

Want to get on board? Or interested in learning more? You can fill out my free, no-obligation vacation quote request form, and I'll email you back within 48 hours to start planning!