Top 10 Reasons Why People Cruise

A lot of people out there are curious about the notion about cruising, but really have no idea exactly what cruising is all about. They have a bevy of unanswered questions: Is it just for older people? Will they be bored on the ship? Can single people go cruising? Is it expensive? In my new Cruising 101 series, I will answer all these questions and more. But first, let me start by introducing the Top 10 Reasons Why People Cruise, which will hopefully help to dispel some of the misconceptions out there, and help people on their way to booking their first cruise.

1. It's a hassle-free vacation. No driving around, looking for hotels, waiting to catch planes, wondering what to eat. You pack and unpack only once, and spend the rest of your time maximizing your vacation time.

2. It takes you away from it all. No smog, pollution, traffic, ringing telephones, early-morning alarm clocks. It's all about water, sea, sky and landscape. The simple things in life that move us.

3. Pampering. Ever-present and gracious service, breakfast in bed, afternoon tea, spa treatment, lounging on deck. All these are commonplace on a cruise.

4. Huge variety of things to do. Snooze by the pool, jog on the deck, yoga in the gym, take a cooking course, watch a movie under the stars, explore an exotic port.

5. Sample a large geographic area. Cruises cover a vast area, and allow you to "sample" numerous places along the way. This is a great way to decide where you would like to return to and spend more time at a later date.

6. Making friends is easy. Opportunities to socialize are seemingly endless.....at dinner, by the pool, on shore excursions. Many of the people you meet will share the same interests as you in travel and other subjects.

7. You can learn so much. On many cruises, expert lecturers give enrichment presentations that help you understand the history and culture of the places you will be visiting. There are specialty courses on board that teach you cooking, wine-tasting, and even how to hit a golf ball!

8. Safety. The ship's environment is highly managed, and passage onto and off the ship is strictly controlled. Vessels have safety device and features that make problems highly unlikely.

9. It's the trendy way to travel. It's the "in" thing as more and more people indicate they would like to try it. In fact, experts say that a "hidden" reason for people to cruise is the bragging rights associated with going on an all-inclusive pampering cruise in far-flung destinations.

10. It's great value for the money. Cruise prices are comparable to land-based vacations, and typically include entertainment, onboard lectures, free courses, and supervised children's programs. Cruises also receive the highest satisfaction rating in the travel industry.