Top 3 Reasons to Try a Cruise

For years I have planned on writing about cruising, it is my 2nd favorite type of vacation. Since we haven’t cruised since 2011, I just didn’t have the proper excitement to write about it. Now that my next cruise is booked for September this year, I feel now is the right time to share my love of cruising with you. This will be our 6th cruise. We have taken 3 cruises as a couple, 2 cruises as a family of four and this time I am leading a friends and family group that currently includes 8 cabins with a total of 17 people and possibly more!

Why Should We Try a Cruise?

Value

While most cruises are not all-inclusive, your cruise fare covers accommodations, food and entertainment. Cruise fare varies by cruise line but anywhere around $100 per person per day is a good deal. In addition to your cruise fare, gratuities and port taxes there are always extras. Many ships have an upscale restaurant that charges a premium to dine there. There are charges for excursions at the ports of call, spa treatments, many beverages and of course and shopping you do on or off the ship is extra.

To put it in perspective, one year we wanted to go out west for our vacation. The airfare alone was going to cost us more than a week long cruise! I still haven’t seen the Grand Canyon but that year I visited the eastern Caribbean instead.

Activities for All Ages

You will never be bored on a cruise…unless you want to be. Personally, I like to play games, attend classes and get involved in the activities around ship while my husband loves to sit by the pool and relax. Some Sea days on a cruise we will go our separate ways between meals and that is ok. We both enjoy vacation by doing what we love.

When we cruised as a family the boys were tweens. They enjoyed spending a lot of their time in the tween club hanging with kids their own age. They joined us for meals and some of the evening shows but at other times they were off with the new friends they had made-enjoying vacation their way.

Exotic Ports of Call

I have cruised both the eastern and western Caribbean and I have favorite ports of call and excursions on both. This year we will be visiting 2 ports for the first time San Juan, Puerto Rico and Grand Turk. I am excited to learn about and visit new locations.

Before you cruise with your kids teach them about the places they will be visiting. They will enjoy the ports of call more if they know some of the history or what the area is famous for.

If you have never considered going on a cruise, I hope you will. It is a great way to travel.