I took a cruise to the Caribbean on Feb 4th. We left from Miami and returned on the 9th. I booked the cruise with a group that I belong to and the total people who went on the cruise was about four hundred. While I was on the ship I had time to think about all the reasons I love cruising. I was quickly able to name several wonderful things about a vacation on the seas. For those of you who have never tried cruising, I thought you might be interested in reading about the experience:
Relaxation: Something about being on the ship helps stress melt away. Maybe it’s the gentle motion of the ship that rocked me to sleep each night and gave me lots of great naps. Maybe it’s seeing hundreds of people lounging by the pool and at the bars that encourages me to relax and have fun. It’s a great environment for reading, reflecting, and recharging and I did plenty of that.
Fun: There is a huge amount of fun to be had aboard cruise ships. The staff organizes events throughout the day and night: Dance lessons, trivia contests, bingo, and there is also a casino. The gym treadmills look out over the sea and there are exercise classes and massages offered. There is fun to be had 24 hours a day.
Food: I don’t know how they do it but cruise ships feed thousands of people delicious fresh food. Every meal was excellent. There are formal dining rooms and huge buffets that pretty much satisfy whatever you’re craving. One bonus about meals being included in the cost of the cruise is that you feel a freedom to try new foods, or have a second helping of something delicious. Room service is also available if you feel like eating alone. The bartenders on cruise ships tend to make the best drinks and I also had my share of those.
Price: Cruising can be more affordable than traditional land vacations. If you add up what you would spend on airfare, meals, snacks, entertainment, and hotels, cruising can cheaper, depending on things like cabin size, location, and the number of ports.
These are only a few of the reasons I love cruising. I plan to take another cruise next year if not before then. There are always new ports to explore and new ships to experience. The possibilities are many.
