Hello everyone! Welcome back! If this is your first time here, we are glad you've joined us. We are a small travel agency outside of Philadelphia, PA and we specialize in all things cruising. AND.... Because of that, one question we get a lot is, "Why should I go on a cruise?" Most people have a lot of preconceived notions about what a cruising experience is and what it is not. To dispel some of these myths, today we are going to run down several reasons you might enjoy going on a cruise, especially if you have never been on one before. 

#1: Days at Sea

When you are on a cruise you have these things called Sea Days; these are days when the ship is traveling from one location to another. These are days when passengers can explore everything there is to see and do on the ship. Boring? Absolutely not. There is always lots to do and see on a cruise ship and depending on the ship, you'll find various options for dining, entertainment, relaxation, and more. 

This is a great reason to really to your research when choosing a cruise itinerary and ship. Make sure that the ship has what you're looking for while you're out at sea. This is often a great time to relax and enjoy some true relaxation while you're on your vacation. If you're looking for an action packed vacation, choose the right ship and you'll find it! Cruise ships can feature everything from race tracks, broadway style shows, water slides, and more. 

#2: No Travel Time

Rather than hopping on busses, planes, taxi's and trains to visit multiples places, you literally just relax on the ship and wake up the next day at another port. No need to run around and rush between modes of transportation; no crowds, no long waits. You just crash out and relax and the ship moves from point A to point B while you're having fun. 

#3: All Inclusive

Cruises tend to be far more all inclusive than other similar types of resort vacations. Your fare comes with your accommodations, several dining options, entertainment on the ship, as well as access to the ship amenities like the pool, fitness center, parties, etc. Of course there are additional things that you can add to your cruise and pay for upgrades, but you don't have to and the basics are all there already. 

#4: Designed for Introverts and Extroverts

Land vacations can be very isolating, especially if you are traveling alone. You can wind up wandering around a resort alone or touring a city by yourself and, while there's nothing wrong with that, it can make it challenging to connect with others. On a cruise, you can choose how much solo time you want and how many new friends you want to make. Making new connections on a cruise is easy; you all have this vacation in common and people are generally friendly. 

#5: Variety

If you're looking to see a lot on your vacation, a cruise is your best bet. While on a cruise, you'll be able to visit several different ports, and maybe several different countries all within a short time span. Doing a land vacation where you travel to multiple countries would be challenging, but on a cruise it is simple and enjoyable. 

#6: It's EASY!

At the end of the day, cruising is one of the easiest ways to make sure you go on a wonderful and fun vacation without needing to put in tons of planning effort. If you have a good travel advisor who listens to the type of vacation you are looking for, we have no doubt that you will really enjoy your cruise. 

We highly recommend that you use a travel advisor to support you in booking your cruise for a handful of reasons. Each ship is different; some have LOTS to do on board, some are more about the destination. An advisor will know the best times to book a cruise and the best months of the year to sail to different locations. It will never cost you more to book through a travel agent; in fact, you might get access to exclusive deals or extra perks or upgrades. 

The second little tip we will also give you: Don't get FOMO on day one! All the time we see people get on a ship and start rushing around trying to do everything at once. Remember; it will all be there tomorrow! Relax and try to enjoy each step of your vacation. Don't stress yourself out on day one.

Do your research and ask questions. At the end of the day we really believe that cruising can be an amazing vacation experience for anyone, as long as you're booking the right cruise for the type of experience you're looking for. 

We would be happy to answer any questions you have about cruising or help you plan your next vacation! If you're a veteran cruiser; what tips would you give to a first timer? Comment below. We would love to hear from you.