Tuesday, 9 March 2010

Why Do So Many People Love To Take A Luxury Cruise Holiday?


By Dorothy Yamich

In these days of faster everything, including faster and larger commercial airliners where passengers are packed in like sardines, one thing remains constant. That's the wonderful and leisurely world of cruising. For many years the troubled airline industry has experienced many setbacks, while the cruise industry has been growing by leaps and bounds. There are many reasons why you should consider being a part of this amazing phenomenon. Here are some.

According to some recent research from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), ninety-five percent of cruisers give top marks to their cruising experience and over seventy-five percent are planning 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 your departure port you can always get a flight and cruise package deal that is usually less expensive than purchasing your flight and cruise separately. You will also save even more money as your lodging, restaurant meals, and entertainment are included.

When you book a luxury cruise holiday, well over 85% of your vacation is prepaid and that includes all meals, movies, night clubs, stage shows, and entertainment, as well as many other activities and amenities. In addition, most ships have onboard activities such as rock climbing, golf, climbing, dancing, swimming, scuba diving lessons which can lead to certification, Pilates, yoga, and fitness trainers. You can also treat yourself to 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 a repositioning cruise. A repositioning cruise is made possible at certain times of the year, usually in the spring and fall, when the cruise lines relocate their ships from one area of the world to another.

There are numerous luxury cruise vacations to choose from, that range from three day mini cruises to several month long cruises as well as an incredible around the world cruise odyssey.

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

If you like delicious food you will certainly love gourmet meals and scrumptious desserts prepared by incredible chefs and served in a variety of restaurants. There are also huge, delightful buffets available throughout the day and even midnight buffets. There are a number of themed lounges 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's always something to interest everyone on a cruise. You have the option of being as active as you like or you can just relax and experience breathtaking sunrises and sunsets while watching the world go by. So many wonderful and precious memories 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 all over the world book conferences, seminars, team building get-togethers, product launches and employee reward vacation cruises. Cruise lines don't charge extra for conference room facilities and use of audio/video equipment.

Group cruises are not only for companies and business people. Family reunions, honeymoons and weddings, sports groups and clubs, charities and fund raisers are only some of the many kinds of groups that have their events on cruises.

On cruises there is no hassle of having to pack and unpack again and again every time you travel to a new destination. Another bonus is that there is no limit on the amount of luggage you can bring 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 physician and medical staff are never more than a few minutes away on cruise ships should passengers need to see doctor. Most common passenger ailments and minor mishaps happen less on cruise ships than on shore.

Cruising is one of the safest forms of travel. The cruise industry has an excellent record of safety. And as far as robberies and assaults are concerned, they are over a hundred times less likely to happen 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.

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