To those of you who have already caught the cruise ship virus, congratulations! You have already experienced one of the best ways to travel and will undoubtedly cruise again one day. For the rest of you, those of you who haven’t surfed before, this article is for you.
I have been on several cruises, the most recent being this year’s Allure of the Seas. Cruises have it all: fun, food, excitement, food, romance, food … and did I mention the food?
When you travel, you usually have to choose a destination and then decide when to go and how to get there. With a cruise, you still do, but a typical 7-day cruise will stop at at least three ports of call, meaning you’ll be able to see several exciting destinations, not just one. When you start searching, be sure to sign up for automatic notifications about cruise deals from various cruise lines, and perhaps even some notable travel sites like Cruise ships, Y Travelzoo. Cruises often don’t fill up, and you can get great deals if you’re willing to wait for last-minute prices. These days, there are also a wide variety of ports of departure. Not just Florida and California, but also Texas, Louisiana, Seattle, New York, and even Boston. You’ll want to check all of these to decide where you want to go and how long you want to cruise. They usually vary between 3 and 7 days.
Nervous about getting seasick? I am not. Most of today’s cruise ships are so large that you can barely feel the rocking of the ship. If you think you’re prone to motion sickness, do yourself a favor and take a tour of the gulf. For example, cruises to the Western Caribbean are much smoother than those to the East because the ship is in the calmer waters of the Caribbean, not the Atlantic. And there are many brands of motion sickness medication, including the patch that works wonders.
So you made your reservations, arrived at the port and now you are on board, what do you do? Have fun! Cruise lines are spending more and more money these days to make sure there is plenty to do on board so no one gets bored! Take the Allure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) for example. This ship has more than 2,700 cabins and nearly one staff member for every two guests. There are several restaurants on board, including Johnny Rockets and Starbucks. There is also a full-size carousel, two climbing walls, and two wave zones for learning to surf or boogie. There is a zip line that towers 9 stories above the boardwalk, as well as a 9-hole miniature golf course. There are several theaters, ice skating rink, casino, more than 5 swimming pools, 8 whirlpools, gym, ping-pong tables, bingo, shopping, cinema …
You get the point, there is a YOU of things to do! For those traveling with children, there is a children’s area on each ship where they can meet other children their age and have fun while parents explore on their own. And there are enough kid-friendly activities for the whole family to be entertained together if they wish.
Meals are also worth discussing. On most ships, you can choose to sit early or late, and your dinners are usually at the same location each night. These range from casual to formal meals, and are packed with exquisite menus. Expect three-course meals ranging from lobster to filet mignon, with kid-friendly options. If you decide you want something a little more casual, most ships also have buffet-style cafes serving everything from chicken nuggets to hamburgers to hot dogs. There is usually a pizzeria on most ships as well. Expect to eat well on a cruise. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and cruises get it, with a wide variety of eggs, meats, breads and fruits to start the day right. Do you feel like relaxing? Call room service – whatever you want in your room will be delivered free of charge! It’s all part of the food package.
Finally, there are the ports of call. At each stop there will undoubtedly be many suggestions of things to do, such as excursions, shopping trips, beach days, boat trips, snorkeling tours, etc. You do not need to take an official tour when you arrive at a port. In fact, you don’t even have to get off the boat if you don’t want to. Some take advantage of an empty jar to schedule a relaxing massage. However, if you are going ashore, be sure to bring your passport and cruise ID so you can get back on board. And whatever you do, don’t be late! The captain must leave on time, and if he is a few minutes late, they will be fined hefty so they cannot wait for him!
As I say, there is a lot to do and a lot of fun on a cruise. Why not consider a cruise for your next vacation? I know you’ll be glad you did. Good trip!
Dave michaels
PS: Full Disclosure – I love to travel and I really love to cruise, but I do not work for Royal Caribbean or any other cruise line, nor do I receive any incentives from anyone. I just convey my love for cruises!