How do you know a cruise is right for you?

“How do you know a cruise is right for you?”

Believe it or not, many people have never been on a cruise.  According to Cruise Line International Association’s 2009 Market Profile, out of a population of 296,623,000 people in the United States, 45% have never cruised.

There are a lot of misconceptions about cruises.  People think they will be bored, they will get sea sick, they will gain weight, and the list goes on.  However, modern cruising does away with all of that. 

Cruises today offer sailing tailored to specific travelers.  You have cruise lines that market specifically to singles, families, older travelers, budget travelers, luxury travelers, and the list goes on.  You can also find cruises based upon your interests.  Theme cruises are very popular and cater to hobbyists.  One can find cruises for cake decorating enthusiasts, mystery theatre fans, adventure travelers and much more.  With so many cruises catering to your lifestyle and interests, it’s hard to be bored. 

In addition to the above, all cruise lines offer shore excursions which are tour trips given at the various port of calls.  If you want to swim with the dolphins in the Bahamas or part on the beach in Jamaica, there is a shore excursion that offers it.  These can be booked prior to your cruise, which is the best way to do it, or after you board the ship.

Something else that cruises offer to do away with the boredom misconception is the mini cruise.  You can sail away for 3 days to get the feel of cruising. Then, if you like it, you can go for the longer cruise vacations that last anywhere from 7 days to 6 months or more.

Another great thing about today’s cruise ships is that they are built with stabilizers meaning it is next to impossible to feel the boat rocking when at sea given that the weather is not extreme.

Earlier, I mentioned that there are cruises for almost every interest and lifestyle.  The cruise lines understand that fitness enthusiasts are also a part of their clientele.  This is why on most if not all cruise ships you will find top of the line fitness facilities for those individuals who want to maintain their workout routine and shape while enjoying their vacation.  These facilities include spa services, yoga classes, personal trainers and massive weight and cardio rooms.  Fitness does not have to take a back seat to your being on vacation, unless of course you want it to.

Cruising offers another great benefit which is affordability.  For the average person to cruise, one can find prices as low as $300 per person.  After adding on taxes and fees, the cruise would come out to about $500 per person.  This rate varies depending on the length of the cruise and the type of stateroom you opt for.  Even so, no other vacation package is going to offer you that type of affordability especially if you live in the port of call.

So, back to our question, how do you know a cruise is right for you?   If you would like a vacation that won’t break your bank account and offers enough variety to keep you entertained, then a cruise is right for you.