Haven’t Cruised Before? Might be Time to Give it a Try!
I have had many friends and family ask me why I love to be on a cruise ship instead of the many other vacation options out there. It’s not a complex answer that I usually give as I find cruises to be a little bit of everything I love in a vacation getaway. Hopefully, I can convey some of the pluses as you read on.
There are so many opinions about cruising that I need to clear up first.
1. Cruising is just for the older clientele. OK, I cannot lie, on most cruises, you will find a large percentage of cruisers to be over 50 years old, but in the past years, I have seen the shift toward young couples as well as a continued increase in young families on cruise ships. Without a doubt, the senior population enjoys the laid-back atmosphere on cruise ships as well as the type of pampering service not found on most vacations. In some ways this is also what is intriguing to the younger cruiser as they search for something different than normal land-based vacations. Cruising is now for every age group!
2. I will get bored being on a ship for 7 days. The only way you can be bored on a cruise ship is if you stay in your cabin all cruise! Cruise ships have numerous different activities going on from sunrise to the last beat at the disco early the next morning. Even the most energetic cruiser cannot check off everything on the ship activity list over a 7-day cruise. From morning yoga and fitness classes to line dance classes to wine and food tasting, the daily pool activities and so much more including the old standby, BINGO, you can be worn out before the nighttime activities start. My wife always says, “if you don’t have fun on a cruise, it’s your own fault”.
3. My kids will not have anything to do on a cruise. No doubt this is a major worry of parents as they consider a cruise over other vacation options, but the cruise industry knew that was a hurdle to pass over if they were to lure the families on board. Every cruise line (except Virgin which is adult cruising only) has special programs in place just for the under 18 cruisers. Kids, Preteen, and Young Adult clubs exist on most ships with special accommodations set up just for these age groups. Kids can participate in these clubs on a daily basis or in the case of the older teens, can come and go as they please. Activities can include scavenger hunts, science experiments, pool activities, themed parties, and just fun games geared at keeping the younger cruisers entertained while Mom and Dad enjoy some time to themselves.
4. Cruises are so expensive. I must admit that taking a cruise seems like quite a hit on the wallet but when you break it down by what you get out of a cruise it really is quite a good deal as compared to land-locked vacations.
Let’s break it down as to what is included on most cruises as part of the cruise fare:
Your cabin for the duration of your cruise comes with daily cabin cleaning and, still, on most cruises, a turn-down service at night. Some cruise lines allow the 3rd and 4th passengers in the same cabin to cruise for free! Great for families to keep the costs down.
All meals that are taken in the ship's main dining areas, including buffet options for all three meals. Many ships also have snack areas available at poolside or specific locations around the ship. Great food options, and a perk of cruising is that you can order more than one entrée to try something new with your traditional fare. Coffee, tea, milk, and juices are included as well.
Most of the ship’s entertainment is included at no extra charge. This includes Broadway shows, Cruise-line talent shows, Comedy shows, Karaoke, and a wide array of bar and lounge singers and musical players. New on-board activities such as mini golf, ziplines, Wave-surfing, and Rope courses can be found on many ships. There are some entertainment options that require an additional charge and are available on many ships. For example, Go-carting, bumper cars, sky diving and golf simulators, TV Game Shows, Bingo, and, of course, Casino offerings.
Multiple ports of call on most itineraries. Most 7-night cruises will include at least 3 ports of call to allow you to see other parts of the world, and I do mean “the world.” Ships go to ports of call in places that most of us have heard of but never thought we could get to.
Whether it’s traveling the many different options in Europe, Asia, Hawaii, Iceland, the Caribbean, or even traveling to the tip of South America, cruises can take you anywhere you want to go. So, you can see, a 7-night cruise is no more expensive than a trip to Disney World, and everything is on the ship! Now, excursions at every port are not included in the price of most cruises, so you need to take that into consideration as you will want to get to see these beautiful new parts of the world you are traveling to!
5. I know I will get Seasick. Again, I will not lie as this is a possibility for some cruisers. Rough seas can cause any size cruise ship to rock and roll but there are several motion sickness remedies that are available to counteract most queasy feelings on a cruise. From motion sickness pills to patches worn behind the ear during the cruise, the ability to counteract this ship's motion is within reach for most. I have never had an issue with this but also have to admit that there have been a few stormy and windy conditions that make it hard for anyone to navigate the ships’ corridors without swaying. A suggestion would be to ensure that your cabin is in the middle of the ship and in the middle of the decks to have more stability in possible bad weather. Most of the time on the ship, you will never even know you or the ship is moving, so don’t let this concern stop you from cruising!
That covers most of the ‘myths’ of why not to cruise so let’s look at what makes taking a cruise something special!
Board, Unpack, and Relax.
Think of a vacation where you get to visit 4 different countries or tropical islands miles from each other over a 7-day period and only unpack your numerous suitcases once! I am pretty sure this means you are on a cruise ship heading to ports you really wish to visit. I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful it is to enter your cabin and unpack the clothes into a closet or drawers and then forget about it until the last day when the suitcases come back out. The ship becomes your home on a journey at sea where everything you need or want is onboard with you- dining, entertainment, activities, fun, and just relaxing on deck. Now, remember that you and your roommates are sharing a 150 to 215 sq ft living area with adequate storage for your belongings but be practical as to what is brought along, as storage is limited.
So Much to Do and See.
Cruise lines have been making improvements to each new class of ships over the years. Make them bigger. Make them more intriguing. Add more levels of entertainment. Add new and exotic dining options. More on board activities while updating the traditional activities such as bingo and the belly-flop pool competition. Casinos are larger with all the newest slot machines as well as new and exciting table games. The traditional pools have been turned into mini waterparks that are a must-do for adults as well as kids. Get the drift?
Cruise ships have become floating cities with all the attractions included. On select Royal Caribbean ships, you even have ‘neighborhoods’ such as The Boardwalk and Central Park. I will touch on the entertainment offerings a little bit later, but there is something for everyone on these ships. And then there are the Ports of Call that offer excursions that challenge the mind as well as the body if you are up to the dare. On a 7-night cruise, there is no way to experience everything that is offered on these ships, but it sure is fun trying!
Love to be Entertained?
Why do I love to cruise? It all comes down to being entertained day and night by the activities and shows on the ship. How about front-row seats to a major Broadway show for FREE? I have been in the front row for Jersey Boys, Six, Million Dollar Quartet, Chicago, Cats, and Hairspray, as well as many off-Broadway presentations. Like to be musically entertained? Most ships have very good guitar/piano players in their bars and lounges, and on select Norwegian ships, they have Howl at the Moon Dueling Piano artists performing all night long! Even the new Icon of the Seas will have dueling pianos! If the new sound is more to your taste, late-night into early morning showcases the Club scene with DJs spinning the most popular songs of today.
Is comedy your thing?
Most cruise lines have 2 or more top-rated comedians performing during the cruise, with general and adult-only performances. Watch out for the front row at these shows, as yes, you will get picked on! Throw in Ice Skating rinks and productions that are outstanding you would think you are in Las Vegas. And all are included in the price of your cruise! (Some of the newer activities do have an additional charge, such as Go-karts, bumper cars, Free-Falling, Simulators, Laser-Tag, Arcades, Escape Rooms, and other options by ship. All ships offer different activities, so research) There is no boredom on a cruise ship!
Food, Food, and More Food
Having food available 24/7 without even leaving the ship is a definite perk in my books. I will admit that I am not a ‘foodie,” so take this for what it is worth, but I can say that the options available on a cruise ship rival any All-Inclusive resort! The main dining, Buffet, and many of the smaller food venues are included in your cruise price. The menu changes every day for all three meals, as does the buffet, and the food is quite good. Another perk here is that you can order as much as you like from the menu as it is time to broaden your food tastes. There have been many times when my wife or I will order two entrees just to taste something I would never have ordered at home.
Have a sweet tooth? Order as many of the dessert offerings each night to sample at your table. Poolside snacks such as a Hot Dog stand, or Pizza Parlor are available on most ships to tide you over between meals. All are included in the cruise price!
For the ‘foodie’ on the cruise, there are numerous Specialty Dining offerings on all ships.
1st class steakhouses, Seafood, Italian, Asian, Barbecue and French Bistro are just some of the options on ships. There is an additional charge for these dining options, or you can purchase a Dining Package for any combination of nights on your cruise. Gratuities are already included in the price, so you should find the prices to be reasonable. Many cruise lines also offer several Beverage Packages that allow you to order a drink, alcoholic or non, from any bar, lounge, or entertainment venue. You need to do the math as to whether a package is right for you, as you need to have 6 drinks over the period of a day to make most of the packages worthwhile.
Ports of Call that will intrigue you!
Cruise lines continue to expand their sailings to new and often forgotten locations. Cruises to Iceland and Greenland, South Africa, South America and Japan, and River Cruises through Europe and Australia just to name a few of the newest ports of call. Soak up the sun on cruises to the numerous Caribbean islands as well as Hawaii and Tahiti. Venture to the beautiful Alaskan sea ports or add a land tour to really appreciate what Alaska has to offer.
Want to explore the northeast coast and Newfoundland, jump on board cruises leaving Baltimore and New York. Love to spend time reading and just relaxing, try a transatlantic or transpacific cruise and spend days out at sea before reaching London or Hawaii or end up in one of the picturesque Alaskan ports. Yes, cruises can take you almost anywhere you want to be!
Let’s wrap up by just stating that taking a cruise on Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, Celebrity or any of the other cruise lines is an experience of unlimited fun and entertainment. Next up, what Cruise line or ship should you choose for your cruise vacation?
Let Travel Grown help you find the perfect cruise for beginners or loyalty status cruisers. Give us the task of researching for you and bringing you the best options for you and your family or friends.
Until next time, let’s go cruising!
