How about a Cruise?
According to Cruise Lines International Association – less than 20% of
the US population has gone on a cruise. Repeat cruisers make up the bulk
of the business. 
However, the number of first timers is increasing rapidly and the cruise
industry is busier than ever before. Most cruise lines are ordering new
ships to meet the demand.
Why is cruising so popular?
Simple- it is easy, relaxed, and entertaining. All those things that every
vacation use to be before the hassles of air travel plus endless security
measures taken by tour operators and resorts. It has become a chore to
go on vacation. You need a day or two to recover from vacation hangovers.
Cruising offers so many variations in style, age group, activity level and price that every client of mine, from every walk of life, gets asked the same question "how about a cruise". I could write pages about how I have enjoyed every one of my 15 cruise adventures.
Here are some of the questions I´ve been asked by uninitiated cruisers. My answers will give you some idea about why I like to travel around the world onboard a ship.
Can you give me one good reason why I should go on a cruise?
You will wake up in a different city every morning and only have to unpack
ONCE.
Won’t I get bored?
There is so much to do on a ship that the only way you would get bored
is if you are a super Type A personality who doesn’t really want to be
on a vacation. If that happens to be the case, there is a full service
business center to keep you at work 24/7. The midnight buffet will help
you work through the night. Then go to your cabin, order free room service
and take it back to work. You can do as little or as much as you want
on a cruise.
I am bringing 3 good books. Is that enough?
If you are a first time cruiser and you manage to read one book of around
500 pages,- I will negotiate 10% off of your next cruise. I stopped bringing
books on cruise number 2. When you want to read a magazine or browse around
the stacks, you go to the well stocked library onboard. Most have DVDs,
CDs, reference books, self help and novels. Lots of paperbacks from cruisers
who didn’t want to carry them home.
I don’t want to be around a lot of old folks.
OK. Don’t go on the cruises they go on. There are plenty of ships geared
for each age group from kids (Disney) to teens (Carnival) to eco 30’s
(Regent) to avid 40’s (Holland America) to booming 50’s (Crystal). BTW-
old folks prefer not to cruise with youngsters either.
Where should I cruise?
Go anywhere. Pick a destination that you have always wanted to go to,
choose the number of days you want to be gone, think about what activities
would make you feel relaxed and happy then contact a travel agent to suggest
which ship would be right for you. Think outside the box – how about a
cruise through the Panama Canal? Awesome!
by Jo Giraudo
