Why are cruises addictive?

We were amusement park fanatics, ridden 140 different rollercoasters, been to both Disney parks in California and Florida many times. Nearly all the six flag parks. Got tired of high prices and long lines, expensive food and drink, and long flights and drives. So we tried a cruise out of Galveston and sure there are crowds , but you can go to your cabin to get away from them. One week at a disney resort is equal to a 5 day cruise out of Galveston. The drinks at disney resort is $15 and cruise ship is $10. $20 for hamburger plate at Disney, cruise ship is included. So as we got older and wiser cruising gives you more for the money, plus you get to see different countries sailing on a plush ship. We get "antsy" we get a booking on a ship out of Galveston. Easy cruising gets us addicted. Sometimes we think we are "cruised out", but when we go to Galveston to watch a Carnival ship depart, we got the itch to go. Something about watching them slip out of Galveston makes you want to go. Got 3 booked so far, all out of Galveston.

Carouse-o virus - its catchy

Cruising is the best way to discover new places of a continent. Let’s take as example Africa, which I recently visited. Africa is known for it’s exotic, diverse places and of course for safari. Most of the cities in Africa are located close to the periphery of the continent. There is no need to visit the middle of the continent if you can get to African Safari firstly on a ship, then on a car. We booked everything with penwellsafaris.com which planned our trip from A to Z. We just bought the cruise ship tickets. The 2 weeks vacation was really exhausting with long roads, but unforgettable views and moments. In conclusion, if you decided to go cruising, then take as many pills against motion sickness you can and enjoy the waves.

Because the board, entertainment, and unlimited food is included. When it comes to traveling directly to whatever country, you tend to spend for those 3 main important things individually.

I have a made a video of our experience on a cruise ship

https://youtu.be/Ex6jYQXNZWc

I especially liked the line "Trying to make me feel like I am important."

Thank you!

When cruising with the family or with a group of friends I call it "Taking separate vacations together" As Pinkie said everybody gets to do what they like and you meet up for dinner for your together time.

I have been trying to come up with the definitive answer since I read you question this morning. There isn't one. I agree wholeheartedly with what everyone has said. Like so many other things you find it the best thing ever or not. We have very good friends that cruising doesn't fit their style of vacation because they felt too limited during shore tours with a set return time (they were never late on the two cruises they joined us for). We on the other hand have no problem with that. Sometimes you want to do more on a given island... for us that just means we have to book another cruise to do other things on that island. We found we enjoy watching the sea, coming from Colorado that is not a pleasure we get to do on a regular basis. My DH likes unpacking once and being several places; he traveled a lot on active duty and said you spend more time checking in and out of hotels that you could use seeing the places you visit. It is a great place to "people watch" and a place where talking to "strangers" is perfectly acceptable. You already have something in common, "you are on this cruise". You are able to go on the same ship, same itinerary, same time of year and have a totally different experience because the atmosphere created by the crew and fellow passengers has changed. Each cruise is different and still familiar. If you go with a group of people you can each do whatever pleases you most. For example if your friends scuba and you prefer shopping, go to the same port do different things then meet up at dinner and have a chat about your adventures. This means, no hurt feelings about being together every minute making it a fun way to spend a week with family and friends. Cruising can be a lot of things from as busy as you want (set your hair on fire busy) or as relaxed as you want (sit on a deck chair and veg). The only way to know if it for you, is to try it.

Sorry for the ramble. I hope you become as addicted as many of us because above all... because it is fun, relaxing and/or whatever you need it to be.

All of the above.

Mainly I park the car and board the ship and worry about nothing until we are back.

We love the service, the atmosphere and everything about the cruise. We are in a lovely resort that takes us to different destinations or in the case of Bermuda the ships acts as a resort or hotel while you are there. Love the food and facilities and just the overall everything. And being on the water is the icing on the cake.

We are addicted just like all the posts above. It is relaxing to us to hear the ship slice thru the water and see the beautiful sunsets. It is relaxing and this hustle bustle world we look forward to a cruise. We dont let nothing bother us as we are blessed to be able to do this. People complain about debatkation, food, etc., but we just go with the flow.

We have a time share, and yes, sometimes it's hard to get what you want in vacation locations. The time share is used primarily for Hawaii, Las Vegas and Golf getaways. We also cruise. Now, for me, cruising is the best. One simple reason. For 365 days a year, I cook breakfast, lunch and supper. I shop for all the groceries and do all the meal planning. On a cruise---I don't do any of that. ALL other forms of holiday or vacations, I end up in the kitchen.

We don't travel as much in the past few years due to schedules, but we are looking for a cruise this spring. During the summer we might do a time share golf week in Canada---due to the differences in the currency.

I would suggest you plan your land vacations using time shares and also use the time share points or credits for cruising---My son does that. For cruising---to help with travel cost--pick a port close to you and review the cruise departures from there. We live in Northern Alberta so--anywhere we want to go costs us big time in airfare.

Study both options and of course---enjoy the people you meet at both venues.

Have fun.