Why I Love to Cruise
Cruising from Australia and indeed around the world is booming and it’s not hard to see why.
While there will always be doubters, I for one, am a convert.
I’ve cruised on my own, with my husband and with two kids in tow and each one has been hassle free and full of fun.
The reasons I cruise are many and varied, but basically, cruises are fun. Cruises offer great value and provide an opportunity to visit world-famous destinations that some would never be able to afford if they had to pay for the food, transportation and accommodations separately.
Here is my list explaining why I love cruising and why I think you should consider one as a good choice for your next getaway.
You only have to unpack once. On checking into your cabin you can settle yourselves, get acquainted with your digs and relax. Although you may be visiting many different ports, your biggest decision is what to wear on any particular day. This leads me to my second point.
Cruises save time. The majority of your travel is done while you are asleep, with you waking up in a new port and with new experiences beckoning. And I have to say some of the best sleeps I’ve had were to the slow hum of the ships engines as my lullaby.
Cruises represent fantastic value. Fully inclusive (alcohol is one exception depending on the cruise line) means your accommodation, travel, all meals, entertainment and in most cases gratuities are covered in the fare. So once you are on board your additional spend is minimised. For more thrifty travellers this means they can better balance the budget as they can check out shore tours prior to departure to work out their total spend. There is simply no way you can compare the cost of a cruise visiting any 3 or four ports with a land based tour doing the same. By the time you cost in the travel, whether by plane, rail or car, the meals, the hotels costs, incidental costs for entertainment, there is simply no way it can compete with the cost of a cruise.
For gourmands, cruises offer not only top cuisine, but an almost endless variety of fare to sample. Every cruise ship has one or more specialty restaurants that offer fine dining at a small surcharge. There is no way having a meal in a comparable mainland restaurant can come close to the value offered whilst cruising (especially when you add in the obligatory gratuities and service charges). No need to worry about exchange rates or purchasing a meal that you don’t enjoy. If you are unhappy with your meal, just try something else!
Time to relax. I still chuckle when people tell me that the reason they cruise is because it allows them the opportunity not to think. I hear that a lot. But it is true. After you embark the vessel and unpack, your biggest decision is how to rest. On a cruise, you are fed and entertained, and someone else cleans your room. It sounds basic, but isn't that what we really want when we go on holiday? We all work longer hours now than in previous years. Computers and mobile phones control many of our lives. So when we are on holiday, we need to relax. Do a much or as little as you like. If you want to sit on your balcony all day and read, why not? Swim in the pool, play bingo, work out in the gym, take a dance class….it’s all there for you if you want to do it! I like to think of cruising as a lazy persons holiday as it is simple and the most major decisions you have to make is what to wear and where you are going to eat.
You have a choice of accommodation from an inside cabin to a luxury penthouse or villa. These days cruise companies have wised up to the fact that families and groups travel together with more options now being offered for interconnecting rooms, suites and in some cases villa style accommodation that include private relaxation areas and butlers. And the beauty is the cost is nowhere near what you would expect to pay on the mainland. Split level suites can cater for up to 8 passengers while quad share cabins offer a more affordable option to the price conscious.
There is no doubt the entertainment offered on-board is second to none. Broadway shows are now the big thing on the cruise scene with such hits as Mamma Mia, Chicago, Rock of Ages, Legally Blonde just to name a few. Other spectacles include ice skating shows, aqua theatres, fireworks displays, Cirque (Circus) shows, Magicians, and all manner of variety performances. Not to mention the quaint piano bars, discotheques, comedy clubs and lounges available for your rest and relaxation. There is simply no way you can experience all the same opportunities in a land based program.
Cruises cater to all demographics, from family themed “Disney” cruise lines to five and six star Silversea and SeaDream Yacht Clubs. There is a cruise line for every type of cruise passenger and every budget. From totally all inclusive pampering to budget friendly. Add to that the small expedition ships, large mega liners, intimate yachts and sailing vessels, there really is plethora of choice.
Exciting destinations are on offer especially those hard to access places. Many smart people realize that cruises are a unique and affordable way to experience the world. Our planet is vast and spectacularly beautiful. We sometimes forget that most of it is water. The capital of Alaska is Juneau, and you can't get to it by car. Many destinations such as Alaska, the Arctic and Antarctic, the Scandinavian and New Zealand Fiords as well as the major European and Asian waterways are only accessible via ship.
As well as destination based cruises many lines also offer specialty or themed cruises, often for a shorter duration. These can include comedy cruises, epicurean cruises, music, dance, singles cruises, Melbourne Cup and specialty events. There are also many enrichment programs available on board. I have seen “Rosetta Stone” language courses on offer, IT computer courses, coffee and wine appreciation, of course culinary courses, dancing, wildlife, music and the list just goes on and on and on.
With any cruise you can guaranteed a variety of excellent shore tours are on offer as well. The beauty of booking these with the cruise company is that they only use the best operators and you will never be late for the ship! There is always a list of the best things to do in each port on offer and you can choose from tours which cater to all activity levels and special interests. This is after all why we cruise, to get a taste of the ports we are visiting.
Passengers with mobility issues will have no problems whilst on a cruise. The tendering process may prove tricky in some ports but if the right cruise is chosen they can move freely from the ship to port with no issues. All ships have disabled cabins and lifts so mobility issues are minimised. The American based ships are particularly well situated to accommodate clients with any issues here.
Shopping is always fantastic both on board in the duty free stores as well as in the ports of call. The ships often have fantastic sales where jewellery and luxury goods can be purchased for a fraction of the price. Art auctions are also very popular and well-known artists works are often on show and available for purchase.
Meeting people from all around the world is another great reason to cruise, especially for the kids when they mix with their peers in the kids clubs. Special interest cruises are great for this as well as you already have something in common with your fellow travellers and great friendships (not to mention romances!) can be forged whilst on the high seas.
Security issues are minimised whilst on board with in room safes and passports held by the purser. For those who are a little cautious or nervous about travelling abroad, this is an easy and “safe” option. Even in port if they go on the prescribed shore tours they know that they are in the best hands.
Combining a cruise with a land package is a perfect way for travellers to get both into those hard to visit places such as Alaska’s inside passage, while also touring and visiting land based attractions. Extremely popular for Canada/Alaska and Europe it gives clients the option to experience a combination of different travelling styles. Many clients will book a coach tour which can be a little hectic, then a cruise towards the end of their holidays to relax and unwind before heading home.
When cruising you know you will be getting off at the best destinations, not the backwater of a place. All the hard work has been done for you as to the best places to see, things to do and you still have the opportunity if you wish to just wander and explore on your own! Again it comes down to the fact that all the hard work has been done for you. You just have to make a few decisions and off you to. Relax, enjoy and experience!
Travelling via water give a different perspective of a country. Beautiful coastlines, getting up close and personal with marine wildlife and rugged landscapes. Being able to enjoy the hustle and bustle of a city by day, and relax under the stars without all the noise and pollution by night. The fresh breeze in your hair, sun on your face…need I go on?
Listed were just some of the reasons I love cruising, I am sure you can think of a few more of your own. My next adventure is a trip through the Panama Canal in March and I have to tell you if I could pack my bags now I would! Bon Voyage!