Is a Cruise Vacation Right for You?

As new ships are built and new specialized cruise lines appear, the cruise vacation is becoming ever more affordable and feasible for the average Joe. Now, if you haven't been on a cruise in a while images of crowded staterooms, rigid schedules, and cheesy pool games might come to mind. Or maybe you're thinking about long lines at the ever-present buffet. The old stereotype that cruises are for the "newly wed" and the "nearly dead" doesn't apply anymore. Cruises have come a long way in the last few years and have a lot more to offer than 24-hour pizza, though that is certainly a plus. Here are a few things to consider if you're still not sure if a cruise is right for you.

1. You don't want to have to make a lot of special arrangements or spend time intensively planning your vacation.
Casinos, bars, restaurants, variety shows, dance clubs, pools, movies, children's programs, spas, and more are all located on major cruise ships these days, meaning you don't have to worry about figuring out what you'll do during your vacation- whether it's buying tickets for a show, making reservations for dinner, finding directions to the pool, etc. These are all included in your cruise package, meaning there is much less work for you!

2. You tend to procrastinate with your vacation plans... or you have been known to plan every minute weeks and months in advance.
If you want to plan your excursions or special celebrations on the ship months ahead of time you can. If you want to wait until you get on the ship to decide what to do and where to go, you can. No matter what your personality style is, a cruise allows you to have as much (or as little) control over your schedule as you want.

3. You like seeing lots of different people and places on your vacations.
Think of a cruise ship as a floating hotel. Every stop you make, you get to take the hotel with you, meaning you get to see various cities, islands, and countries in one trip, but you only have to unpack once!