If you’ve never taken a cruise, you probably think they’re expensive, annoying, or boring. However, there are options in the cruise industry for every taste and price range. Here are a few interesting facts about cruises that you probably didn’t know.
1. The Possibilities Are Endless
The images from those ubiquitous Carnival Cruise commercials that depict a massive, city-sized ship on an open sea with thousands of passengers and a ton of entertainment are what most people picture when they think of what a cruise is like.
However, the variety offered by the various cruise options is quite astounding. Whatever your preferences or financial constraints, there is sure to be a choice that fits your ideal getaway. You can pick from cruises with themes like jazz music or healthy eating, or you can select one that caters to a particular demographic, like seniors, people with disabilities, or members of the LGBT community.
2. You Don’t Have to Be at Sea the Entire Time
Consider that the vast majority of cruises include stops at various ports of call if spending your one and only annual vacation at sea seems too much. Cruise and stay vacations, in which you typically spend time at the beginning or end of the trip in the departure city, are well-liked and easily accessible for those who prefer a more evenly distributed mix of time at sea and on land. There are also cruise tours that include several days and nights on land at well-known locations interspersed with rest periods of a day or two at sea.
3. Accommodations Are More Flexible Than You Think
You might dread being confined to a tiny, windowless cruise cabin. Although these cabins are the cheapest and ideal for those who only intend to stay overnight, they are by no means the only choice.
These days, more affordable cabins come with a private outdoor area. Upgrades to suites with more room and extras like butler service are available for those who want to splash out. Families can reserve a single large cabin to share or more private neighboring cabins with connecting doors.
4. Seasickness Isn’t an Issue
You might be hesitant to go on a cruise if you are prone to motion sickness or seasickness. However, these ships are so big and heavy that the sea is usually not rough enough to rock them around, so this isn’t a problem. Modern stabilizers that prevent rocking are also included in cruise ship equipment. Last but not least, all cruise ships have doctors on board who can assist if you get seasick, and anti-nausea and anti-motion sickness medications are available for purchase on board.
5. There Are Activities for Every Taste
The onboard entertainment on cruise ships has grown incredibly diverse and sophisticated. Nowadays, it’s simple to find cruises with activities and entertainment options for almost every interest. Stargazing at night on the open sea must be excellent; Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, for instance, has a planetarium. Owning a full-sized IMAX theater, the Carnival Vista. Some cruises offer everything from zip lining to wine tasting in terms of extracurricular activities.
How to Save Money on a Cruise
The following are a few ways to cut costs on a cruise if cost is a concern for you:
- Be Flexible
Holding off until three to six weeks before the cruise’s scheduled departure is a great way to get a rock-bottom rate. At that point, your options will be limited to the remaining cabins, and you might have to reserve an interior cabin without windows. But the fare is significantly reduced for you. Additionally, booking cruises for “shoulder seasons,” or the intervals between summer and fall or spring and summer, can help you avoid the busiest travel times.
- Try a Homeport Cruise
One factor driving up the cruising cost is the requirement to purchase a plane ticket just to get to the departure city. Major cruise lines are increasingly providing cruises that leave from coastal U.S. cities. Almost any significant Florida port city offers year-round cruise departures. Depending on the time of year and other factors, you can also set sail from cities like Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New Orleans, New York, Galveston, and Baltimore.
- Plan a Group Trip and Cruise for Free
Most major cruise lines provide benefits for people who bring them large groups of people. You could get free lodging for you and your cabin mate, for example, by identifying yourself as a group planner and gathering at least 16 people on a two-per-cabin basis. Sometimes cruise lines offer group organizers credits for things like internet access, onboard activities, and shore excursions to say thanks.
Discover the Joy of Cruising
You won’t want to miss out on the enjoyment of taking a cruise any longer now that you know what you do. If you’re prepared to make your first cruise reservation, you should start looking into your options immediately. Find various cruise itineraries and packages online. The ideal cruise can be found at a reasonable price, and options range from weeklong family cruises to romantic weekend sailings. You can find a cruise that won’t break the bank and will help you make lifelong memories with a bit of time, patience, and research.
Like anything else, it’s always a good idea to be informed of the most recent studies. Before deciding on a course of action, we advise weighing at least three or four options. The quickest, most thorough way to find all the benefits and drawbacks you need to consider is to conduct an online search.
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