- Cruises are the perfect choice for extended family and friend groups. They provide something for everyone, and they completely eliminate the “Where are we going to eat” and “What are we going to do today/tonight” questions. On our Alaskan cruise last summer with three generations, some enjoyed watercolor painting while others hit the casino while others worked puzzles and some relaxed on deck. Even on port days, we split up by interests, yet were able to come back together at dinner every night and share what we had all done.
2. Cruises are the best option to cover the most ground in the shortest amount of time. By traveling while you sleep, you are able to wake up in a different port to explore every day. This past fall, we were able to see, in one week, Athens, Crete, Mykonos, Rome, Naples, Istanbul, and Kusadasi. 3 countries, 7 cities, 1 trip. They are a perfect way to sample cities and countries so that you know where you want to return. I now know that a full vacation in Greece is at the very top of my list!
3. Cruises are, especially right now, one of the most cost-efficient ways to travel. When considering pricing of a cruise, keep in mind that all food is covered as well, making it one of the best bang for your buck vacations. You may have the cost of port excursions, but you can also often just roam around a port independently and explore on your own.
4. Cruises are the perfect level of activity for most people. I tend to be a go-go-go person on vacations and cruises allow me to do that on the port days, but they also force me to relax and read a book and lay out in the sun on at sea days. I always come home from vacations more tired than I left (by my own choice!), but I do feel rested after cruises just by virtue of their schedule.
5. For people who get stressed out making decisions and planning logistics of travel, a cruise takes that right out of your hands. You can make your choice based on the ship or on the itinerary (I always make mine based on the itinerary, while my husband loves to look up the ships), but the planning is basically done for you other than which of the delicious entrees you will choose at dinner!
6. I wasn’t going to include a number 6 because I’m a firm believer in a list of 5 or a list of 10 but nothing in between, but this cannot be left off– FOOD. I’m not a huge foodie, but I do hate to cook, and so for me any meal that is prepared by someone else is a winner in my book. But for people who do love food and lots of different types of a food, a cruise is the best possible place to indulge your food passion. From the specialty restaurants to the main dining room to the buffet to the pizza stand and the burger joints (and my kids’ favorite, the soft serve ice cream machine!), you can eat till your heart’s content!
