| For many years, taking a cruise for a family vacation | | | | · Swimming pool games |
| was considered an expensive luxury that few people | | | | · Shuffleboard |
| could afford. Most people never even considered a | | | | · Ping pong |
| vacation cruise as an option for themselves. Times | | | | · Skeet shooting |
| have changed, though, as more and more people are | | | | · Lectures and workshops |
| discovering that cruising is a great value for a family | | | | · History and culture of ports of call |
| vacation. | | | | · Arts and crafts |
| 1. What you get | | | | · Photography classes |
| The price you pay for your cruise includes a huge | | | | · Sports and game competitions |
| number of things. It covers your accommodations | | | | · Scavenger hunts |
| (cabin) for the duration of the cruise, all of the food | | | | · Discussion groups |
| you can eat, and a huge variety of shipboard | | | | · Mix and mingle hour |
| amenities and activities. A good way to see the value | | | | · Wine tasting |
| of what you get for yourself is to compare the | | | | · Painting lessons |
| direct costs of a cruise with the direct costs of a | | | | · Clay and pottery lessons |
| typical vacation. Add up the cost of comparable | | | | The list goes on and on, and changes regularly. Some |
| travel, hotel, food, and activities, you will quickly see | | | | cruises are even considered "theme" cruises, where |
| that the price of a cruise is indeed a bargain when | | | | activities are designed around a particular topic or |
| you take into consideration everything that you get. | | | | special interest. |
| 2. Shipboard amenities | | | | 4. Ports of call |
| Modern cruise ships have an amazing array of | | | | Being on a cruise ship is like being at a fine resort |
| amenities. Nearly all ships have the expected | | | | with great food, lots of fun, and exceptional facilities. |
| swimming pools, restaurants, bars, and other | | | | In addition to all of this, though, a cruise also takes |
| common attractions. More and more, though, cruise | | | | you to one or more ports of call. At each stop, you |
| ships offer other amenities that may surprise you. | | | | can experience the culture of a location, explore the |
| These may include: | | | | area, go on a special excursion, and then return to |
| · Wine, cigar and specialty bars | | | | the comfort of your floating hotel. |
| · Ice skating rink | | | | Some cruises visit only a handful of locations, while |
| · Rock climbing wall | | | | others stop at four, five, or even more places. You |
| · Luxury spa | | | | can choose a cruise that goes to as many or as few |
| · Modern fitness facility | | | | ports of call as you like. Many cruise aficionados say |
| · Jogging track | | | | that cruising is a great way to see a wide variety of |
| · Game room | | | | places and determine which ones they would like to |
| · Broadway entertainment | | | | go back and visit for a more extended stay. |
| · Multi-room staterooms | | | | 5. Choices |
| · Specialty facilities for special needs | | | | A cruise is a great value because it offers so many |
| · Miniature golf | | | | choices. You can do as much or as little as you like, |
| Each ship is different, so find out the amenities on | | | | and be very spontaneous about participating in |
| whatever ship you are considering and select the one | | | | activities. You have the freedom to relax and do |
| that best matches your wants and needs. | | | | nothing or spend your time being busy - it's all up to |
| 3. Shipboard activities | | | | you. |
| Activities abound on a cruise ship, and it is the rare | | | | One thing is for certain - when you go on a cruise, |
| person indeed who can manage to take part in all of | | | | you will never be bored. Some people return from |
| them. There is literally something for everyone to do | | | | their cruise saying they want to do it again because |
| on a cruise ship, so you can be assured you will | | | | they didn't have time to do all of the activities they |
| never be bored. | | | | wanted, while others return and want to do it again |
| The list of shipboard activities will vary, but here are | | | | because they had a great time doing absolutely |
| some typical examples: | | | | nothing. Cruising truly does offer something for |
| · Dance lessons | | | | everyone. |