Top 12 Reasons Why You Should Go on a Cruise

Before we try and convince you to throw caution to the wind and embark on your maiden voyage, let's clear up a few myths around cruising.  

Myth #1 - You'll be claustrophobic on the ship 

Stop what you're doing and look up 'Icon of The Seas' from Royal Caribbean. Currently the world's biggest cruise ship, Icon has 20 decks and can hold 7500 passengers. While this sounds like a lot of people, cruise ship engineers plan for there to be plenty of open space.  

Aside from smaller sailing and adventure-based vessels, most major cruise ships and vessels should not make you feel cramped or trapped.

 

Myth #2 - You'll get seasick 

Cruise ships are massive, and are engineered to withstand waves with purpose-built stabilisers for smooth sailing. If you're worried about getting seasick, aim to book a cabin in the middle of the ship where it's more stable, and grab some sea-sickness tablets or anti-nausea patches.  

Myth #3 - Cruises are boring 

This could not be further from the truth. In fact, you're more likely to be overwhelmed with choice when you consider the vast array of entertainment, sporting, shore excursions, spa treatments and dining options available on most cruise ships.  

Myth #4 - Cruises are packed with kids 

Cruises are super family friendly holiday options, making them a drawcard for little ones. However, cruise lines go above and beyond to cater for adults, with 18+ sanctuaries scattered throughout the vessel. If you want a complete adults-only experience, Virgin Voyages exclusively caters to passengers over 18.  

With those myths sorted, here are 12 of the top reasons why you should consider a cruise experience for your next vacay. 

If you're new to the game, think of cruises like floating all-inclusive resorts. What other holiday includes the cost of your accommodation, food, travel, entertainment and most activities in one fare?  

Inclusions will vary with each cruise line and itinerary, with options to add things like drinks packages, gratuities, shore tours, onboard spending credit and even flights in your package. Once the sum of your holiday is paid, you can jump on board and avoid paying a cent for the entire voyage.  

Depending on the level of luxury you're after, it's common to see fares for less than $100 per person, per night. This is far cheaper then what you would pay on land for all-inclusive accommodation, dinner and evening entertainment.  

Travelling with kids? Major cruise lines sometimes offer deals where kids can sail free, or at discounted rates when sharing a cabin with two adults. 

Most cruises come packaged up in a neat bow with the itinerary and finer details sorted before you even leave for your holiday.  

All you need to do is pick a cruise line, itinerary and a cabin type. From there, your travel agent can assist with any flights, pre- and post-cruise accommodation and transfers.  

Once booked, you can log on to the cruising portal and book shore excursions, or just wait until you're on board and reserve them then! 

Whether you're cruising for two nights, a week, or a few months, when you first arrive in your state room feel free to completely unpack and make yourself comfortable. After all, it is your new home away from home! 

Your floating hotel will take you from island to island, city to city, with no need to pack and unpack at each destination. This means no stressing about dragging your bag along cobblestone streets, or lugging it on public transport to make your next flight. 

Mega ships are like floating cities with everything you could possibly need on board. We're talking wi-fi, satellite TV, medical centres, doctors, laundry facilities, gyms, restaurants, shops, cinemas, theatres, spas, swimming pools and more.  

Once you step onboard, you can forget about the real world and focus on more important things, like relaxing and spending some quality time with the people you love.

Cruise ships travel at night, meaning you can wake up each morning in a new and exciting location. Not only does this mean you avoid wasting any daylight hours on transit, it also gives you more time to explore the culture and highlights your next port.  

Cruising is a great way to see amazing destinations with ease. Depending on your itinerary, you'll find ports of call in major cities and picturesque villages that showcase regional highlights and must-see hotspots.  

The benefits of an all-inclusive resort with the added bonus of a change of scenery each day? Sounds pretty good to us.  

Speaking of buffet dinners, food is always a massive highlight on cruise vacations. From poolside barbecues to five-course meals, self-service buffets and casual eateries, foodies are well and truly spoiled for choice.  

Take your pick from the likes of fragrant Indian curry and spicy oriental delights, fresh seafood, American BBQ meats, homestyle dinners, late-night pizza and poolside tacos. Oh, and did we mention unlimited desserts. It's safe to say you won't be going hungry while on board.  

As a rule of thumb, most restaurants are included in your cruise fare with the exception of some specialty restaurants and dining experiences.

Worried about keeping entertained during sea days? Rest assured that most cruises offer a wide array of activities to keep the whole family entertained.  

We've already written about some of our favourite activities at sea. At a glance, expect to see things like: 

• Swimming pools and water parks 
• Fitness classes and gym facilities 
• Kids clubs 
• Cooking, dancing, computer and cocktail-making classes 
• Wine tasting 
• Basketball, tennis, soccer and a range of court sports 
• History and cultural talks 
• Spas 
• Casinos 
• Libraries 
• Movie theatres 

New ships even include things like surfing simulators, indoor skydiving, rock climbing walls and ice skating rinks. 
 

Every night on a cruise ship is an entertainment spectacular. Think of your ship like a floating capital city with nightclubs, movies, live music, themed parties, magic, comedy, cabaret and Broadway-style shows. 

There are plenty of options for those who want to sit back and watch, and for those looking to participate in interactive entertainment like game shows and casino nights. 

Organising a group trip? Save yourself the hassle and let our travel experts do the heavy lifting for you. Just pick a date and itinerary, and we will happily sort out the nitty gritty details with the wider group.  

Great for large groups, multigenerational families, friends trips, reunions, sports group or more - enjoy having the day to yourself and then catching up with the crew for dinner. With something for everyone and guaranteed ocean views, cruises will keep even your most discerning family member happy on holiday.

As you set sail to your next destination, why not indulge on a treatment from the lavish onboard spa? Fit with extensive treatment menus, there is nothing better than taking some time out from hustle and bustle of the main deck for a massage or facial.  

Handy hint: Keep an eye out for spa sales in the ship newsletter on larger liners. 

Beyond the spa, enjoy not having to lift a finger. Friendly staff will clean your room each day, while others will treat you to world class service at meal times, going above and beyond to ensure you're as relaxed as possible while on board the cruise.

Need a chance to rekindle that spark, or soak up some much-needed alone time with your love? A cruise vacation is the perfect place to do it.  

Beyond leaving the responsibilities and hassles of daily life behind, nothing screams romance like sunsets over the ocean and cocktails under the stars. 

Some couples even choose to get married on a cruise! Whether you choose to have your big day on board, or celebrate afterwards with a honeymoon cruise, there are loved-up packages to suit every occasion.

The true beauty of cruise vacations is that they cater to every traveller. 

Price point: Those on a budget can opt for cruising deals that keep costs down, while opulent travellers can board luxury ships for an all-inclusive experience at sea.  

Families: Most cruise lines offer a huge range of age-appropriate child and teen facilities and activities supervised by experts. With the children entertained, adults will have time to relax without the young'uns. 

Couples: Strolls under the stars, exotic port stops, spa services and intimate dinners make cruising the ideal choice for couples. Want to make it even more memorable? Chat to your Flight Centre consultant to see how the cruise team can help organise a proposal. 

Singles: Cruising is a great way to meet new friends from around the world. Alternatively, if you're social battery is all out and you need some peace and quiet, then enjoy a trip where you can be 100% anonymous and keep to yourself. 

Holiday length: Only have the weekend? No worries, there's a cruise for that. Keen to take 6 months off? You guessed it, there's a cruise for that too. Whether you're linking two parts of a bigger trip, or making the most of your annual leave, it's highly likely there is a cruise to match your dates.  

Boat size: From tiny sailing boats with basic lodging, to mid-sized vessels and epic mega-ships, cruises come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.  

Destinations: If your destination of choice is close to the water, chances are there is a cruise vacation servicing a port nearby. Itineraries cover everything from weeks in the Pacific and Caribbean, to expeditions through Alaska's scenic landscapes and the Norwegian Fjords. Jump aboard a river cruise to visit tiny towns scattered throughout Europe or the uncovered wonders of the mighty Mekong.  

So, how'd we do? If that hasn't convinced you that a cruise holiday is a good idea, then we're not sure what will.  

If you've got more questions or are busting to book a cruise of your own, chat with your local Flight Centre travel expert. We've got all the goss on cruise vacations around the globe.