There is always something to do on a cruise – from the minute you step onboard until the minute you disembark, there is non-stop action if you want it. Most cruise ships have around-the-clock entertainment, including live music, dance clubs, casinos, movies, stage shows, pools, water slides, and more.
There's so much to do on a cruise, there's little likelihood you'll hear your kids complain, “I'm bored,” once you're on board the ship. Indeed, there are ample amenities and activities on a cruise ship to appeal to all ages, making it the perfect vacation solution for multigenerational trips.
Cruises offer great value for your vacation dollar because the fares include nearly everything you'll need for a fantastic trip: food, accommodations, daytime and evening entertainment and transportation between destinations.
On most ships, all or almost all of your evening entertainment also will be ship-based. Many people just love this sort of vacation. It's a lot like going to Disney World near Orlando or to an all-inclusive Sandals resort, where you can spend a wonderful week without ever leaving the property.
You may feel the ship move when on a cruise. Most passengers describe the feeling as a vibration instead of defined movements. The degree of movement felt does increase if the cruise ship is traveling through bad weather and you may be able to feel when the cruise ship is docking or pulling away from the port.
Cruises can be a great vacation idea, especially if you're not overly interested in trip planning. One of the most significant benefits of a cruise is that much of the work is done for you, including the itinerary, dining and entertainment options.
On the best cruises for couples, you get to experience so many exciting new sights, sounds and tastes together, you're likely to fall in love with each other all over again. In fact, cruising is so romantic that thousands of couples actually get married, honeymoon and renew their vows onboard ships annually.
Among the most common reasons people give for not taking a cruise vacation is seasickness. While it's true that you're on a moving ship, it's nothing like going on your friend's fishing boat: the movements are slow and much less pronounced. On newer ships you often don't even feel like they're moving.
The views you and your partner will share are about as romantic as they get. Cruises are a place to get away from the stress and responsibilities of life. With nothing to worry about, the two of you can focus on each other. Cruises are designed to cater to however active you want to be.
So many cruise ship crew members — especially the younger, unmarried service staff — blow off steam the way 20-somethings away from home for the first time typically do: by partying and hooking up with each other like it's the end of the world. “Think about when you went to college for the first time,” says Bruns.
They make a great family holiday
As well as the good value for money reason the fact that everything is organised and within easy reach makes a cruise a good option for families or large groups. Many of the larger cruise ships are designed with families in mind and have a wide range of activities for all ages.
The bottom line is everyone knows it is safer to fly than it is to drive, and it just so happens that it is safer to cruise than it even is to fly. TravelPulse writer Donald Wood contributed to this report.
Cruise prices can vary quite a bit, with cheap cruises and especially luxurious all-inclusive cruises available. Budget lines can offer cruise tickets as low as $50 per night in some cases, while the more high-end experiences can reach up to $1,000 per night and more.
Factors that go into the price include the type of cabin you choose, length of cruise, when you sail, and even the ship and cruise line you sail. Short cruises on budget cruise lines can run as little as a few hundred dollars, while long luxury trips can run well into the thousands of dollars per person.
A lot of people are nervous of taking a cruise. Some are even outright haters – and most of them have never been on one! Cruising has a lot of fake news around it. Mention you're a fan of cruises and you'll be met with an equal number of effusive voices as you will those who are adamant cruising is not for them.
Motion sickness
Seasickness is common on a cruise ship, especially if you're not used to being at sea. For some people, it's not easy to avoid getting seasick, and symptoms include nausea, headaches, vomiting, dizziness, shortness of breath and drowsiness.
Cruise ships are large passenger ships used mainly for vacationing. Unlike ocean liners, which are used for transport, cruise ships typically embark on round-trip voyages to various ports-of-call, where passengers may go on tours known as "shore excursions".
A cruise is a vacation spent on a ship that sails the ocean, periodically stopping in ports for sightseeing. Cruise can also be a verb that describes sailing around aimlessly for fun.
Stay hydrated and get enough sleep. Use over-the-counter motion sickness medications or talk to your doctor about other medications that might help. Remind yourself that this adjustment is normal and will become easier to make over time.
Cabin Choice
The lower you are, and more towards the middle of the ship, you will not feel it as much. Cabins at the front and back of the ship tend to sway the most, so you want to avoid any rooms in these areas.
Hurricane season lasts from June through November, so winter is prime time. Winter is a no-brainer. (Plus, it's colder up north and kids are in school, so ships are less crowded.) The rainy season runs from November through March, so the weather is best between April and October.
If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.
If you're most interested in the beach, July and August may be your best bets. If you're looking for a mix of sunshine and slightly cooler temperatures, try a cruise to the Mediterranean in June, September or October.