Rustic Vacations

In this era of faster everything, including faster and larger commercial airliners where passengers are packed in like sardines, one thing seems to remain constant. That is the wonderful, leisurely world of cruising. For many years the airline industry has experienced numerous setbacks, while the cruise industry has been growing by leaps and bounds. There are many reasons why you should consider becoming a part of this amazing phenomenon. Here are some of them.

According to recent research from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), ninety-five percent of cruisers give top marks to their cruising experience and more than seventy-five percent plan to cruise again within three years.

Contrary to what some people might think, cruises are very affordable. With most vacations you end up paying for air flights, hotels or resorts, restaurants, entertainment, and sometimes car rentals. If you add all these costs up, cruises can be a real bargain. When you book a cruise, in most cases you pay for the airfare and cruise. However, if you live close enough to your cruise ship departure port, you may be able to drive there much cheaper than you can fly.

Even if you have to fly to the departure port you can always get a flight and cruise package deal which is usually less expensive than purchasing your flight and cruise separately. You’ll save even more money as your lodging, restaurant meals, and entertainment are all included.

When you book luxury a cruise vacation, more than 85% of your holiday is prepaid and that’s including all meals, stage shows, night clubs, movies, and entertainment, as well as many other activities and amenities. In addition, most ships have onboard activities such as swimming, scuba diving lessons that can lead to certification, golf, rock climbing, dancing, Pilates, yoga, and fitness trainers. You can also pamper yourself with relaxing spas and body massages.

Another way to save a bundle on a cruise is to book an inside cabin. If you don’t need to have a cabin that has a balcony or ocean view, then you will save a lot of money. You have use of all the shared amenities with your fellow passengers, but it is costing you a lot less.

You can also save a bundle on repositioning cruises. A repositioning cruise is made possible at certain times of the year, usually in the spring and fall, when cruise lines relocate their ships from one part of the world to another.

There is a large variety of luxury cruise vacations to choose from, ranging from three day mini cruises to several month long cruises as well as an amazing around the world cruise odyssey.

When you’re cruising, you are traveling in the lap of luxury in a floating five-star hotel. You will be pampered and feel like you are living the life of a king or queen, not just for a day, but for every day of the cruise. Gourmet dining, elegant surroundings and impeccable service are only a few of the superlatives that can be used to describe cruising.

If you like delicious food you will absolutely love gourmet meals and scrumptious desserts created by great chefs and served in a variety of restaurants. There are always wonderful buffets available throughout the day and even midnight buffets. A number of themed lounges are located throughout the cruise ships for your convenience.

Love seeing Broadway style shows and theater performances without having to make reservations or pay outlandish prices for tickets? Then taking a luxury cruise is the answer. So many things are included on cruises which make them such a great value for your travel and entertainment dollar.

From children to great grandparents, there is always something to interest everyone on a cruise. You have the option to be as active as you like or you can just relax and experience magnificent sunrises and breathtaking sunsets while watching the world go by. So many wonderful, precious memories and experiences will stay with you a lifetime when you take a luxury cruise.

Like to party around the clock? No problem. Whether you are with a partner or single, it is always party time. You don’t even have to plan the party or clean up after it, just have a lot of fun!

Businesses from around the world book conferences and seminars, team building get-togethers, new product launches and employee reward vacations on cruise ships. Cruise lines do not charge extra for conference room facilities and use of audio and video equipment.

Group cruises aren’t only for corporations and business people. Family reunions, weddings and honeymoons, sports clubs and groups, charities and fund raisers are only some of the numerous types of groups that hold their events on cruises.

On cruises there is no hassle of having to pack and unpack over again every time you travel to a different destination. Another bonus is that there’s no limit to the amount of luggage you can bring along on a cruise.

People with disabilities should have no problem getting around on a cruise ship. Cruise lines have made onboard accessibility a non-issue as their ships are equipped with ramps, elevators and easily accessible cabins and state rooms.

Today’s cruise ships have drastically reduced the problem of seasickness. Modern, larger ships slice through the waves instead of riding on the top of them. Also, innovative new technologies like stabilizers and counterbalancing systems have dramatically reduced the pitch and roll of the cruise ships, all but neutralizing the problem of seasickness.

A doctor and medical staff are never more than minutes away on a cruise ship should any passenger have to see doctor. Most common passenger minor mishaps and ailments occur less on cruise ships than on shore.

Cruising is also one of the safest forms of travel. The cruise industry has an exceptional safety record. And as far as assaults and robberies are concerned, they are over a hundred times less likely to occur on a cruise ship than in your own home town.

For those that have a fear of flying or don’t enjoy being crammed like sardines into commercial airplanes when traveling to their destinations, here is some great news. The cruise lines in the United States are making terrific strides catering to cruise passengers needs. They are opening up more ports of call on both the East and West coasts so more and more people who would love to go on a cruise but don’t like flying, can easily drive or take a bus or train to most departure ports.

To quickly find and book cheap cruises, at the best possible price, whenever you feel like traveling, go to Travel Tips Guide, for more info.