If you ruled out cruising years ago because of cramped cabins and endless buffets, it might be time for another look. Today’s ships have evolved into floating resorts, with more space, better food and adventures that go far beyond what most people expect.
In this article, you’ll learn about seven reasons to try a cruise vacation, how it compares to land vacations and if it’s right for you.
1. You Unpack Once and Visit Multiple Destinations
When you get on a cruise ship, you unpack your luggage once into a closet and bury the suitcase for the entire trip. You skip the headache of dragging bags to airports or trains every two days. There’s also no need to check into a new hotel or figure out confusing transfer schedules. Your room stays the same while the scenery changes outside your window.
Aside from that, you don’t need to worry about logistics because cruise itineraries are already planned and locked in for you. One morning, you open your curtains to see Nassau, Bahamas. The next day, you wake up to the turquoise waters of Cozumel, Quintana Roo. A single voyage lets you island-hop across the Caribbean without booking extra flights. You get a sampler platter of cultures and beaches in a single vacation.
2. Cruise Vacations Offer Strong All-In Value
Cruise vacation packages bundle most of the travel costs into one price. You pay upfront for your cabin and the daily housekeeping service that keeps it tidy. It also covers the cost of moving you from port to port while you sleep. And you avoid the surprise bills for gas or expensive taxis that often happen with land-based trips. Just remember that add-ons like drink packages and crew gratuities are often separate costs.
Your fare covers unlimited meals at the main dining rooms, buffets and pool grills. You can grab a burger by the pool on the Lido Deck or enjoy a three-course meal in the Main Dining Room. Keep in mind that dining at specialty restaurants onboard typically costs extra.
The fare also includes your evening entertainment and when booked through a service like AAA Trip Canvas, you can get exclusive cruise vacation deals with discounts. All of this often also works out cheaper than a DIY holiday with the same caliber of entertainment, meals, travel and lodging.
3. Modern Cruise Ship Cabins Are Designed for Comfort
Gone are the days of cramming into a dark room with a tiny porthole. Today’s staterooms rival top-tier hotels and are one of the top reasons to try a cruise vacation. You can watch the glaciers of Alaska or the white cliffs of Santorini drift by right outside your glass door.
Some of the newest innovations in stateroom design include:
- Virtual balconies: Newer Royal Caribbean cruise ships use floor-to-ceiling HD screens in interior rooms. They broadcast a live feed of the ocean outside, so you never feel closed in.
- Flexible spaces: Virgin Voyages has “Seabeds” that convert into an L-shaped sofa during the day. It provides a comfortable living room to relax in.
- The retreat: Booking a suite on Celebrity Cruises gets you access to a private sundeck and restaurant. It creates a “ship within a ship” experience for extra privacy.
These cabins work well for couples and large families alike. You might enjoy the modern studio layouts on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady if you travel solo or for a couples cruise. Families can look for spacious suites or multi-level townhouses that span two decks. And for travelers looking for an upscale experience, there are plenty of premium options available.
AAA Tip: Wondering how to pack for a cruise vacation in a smaller room? Use packing cubes from a AAA Travel Store to conserve drawer space and keep your day-wear separate from your formal attire.
4. Dining Options Rival Land-Based Resorts
Forget the idea of being stuck at the same table with strangers every night (unless you really want to be!). On a modern cruise, you can dine where you want, when you want and with whom you want. You might choose a quiet table for two one night and a large group dinner the next.
Here are a few ways dining has changed:
- Global flavors: Norwegian Cruise Line features the “Indulge Food Hall,” where you use a tablet to order dishes from Indian, Thai and Tapas stations in one sitting.
- Celebrity chefs: You can grab a burger from Guy Fieri on Carnival or taste pasta by Jamie Oliver on Royal Caribbean.
- Specialty dining: Most ships have intimate steakhouses or French bistros for a romantic break from the main dining room.
The sheer variety of food means everyone, from picky eaters to foodies, will find something they like. You can enjoy handmade pasta that rivals a trattoria in Rome, Italy, while your kids grab pizza or burgers nearby. Some nights might call for fresh seafood at a dedicated seafood restaurant that rivals the best spots on the coast.
AAA Tip: Pre-book your specialty dining packages with your AAA Travel Advisor to lock in prime dinner times before they sell out onboard.
5. Entertainment and Activities Are Built In
Cruise ships are floating cities packed with so many cruise ship attractions that you never run out of things to do. You can spend your day racing down waterslides that rival the best theme parks on land or catching a full Broadway musical that feels like a dream trip in New York. It also means you don’t need to hunt for tickets or plan an evening itinerary because the fun is just an elevator ride away.
Here are just a few of the activities you can find on board:
- Thrill Rides: Carnival Cruise Line now features BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, while Norwegian ships offer multi-level go-kart speedways.
- AquaTheater: Royal Caribbean ships host high-diving acrobatic shows in massive open-air amphitheaters at the back of the ship.
- Movies Under the Stars: Princess Cruises presents first-run films and concerts on giant LED screens by the pool, allowing you to watch from a lounge chair.
- Deck Parties: Disney Cruise Line hosts massive open-air parties with fireworks that illuminate the ocean sky.
You can also find plenty of quiet corners if you prefer a slower pace. You might book a treatment in a thermal spa that reminds you of a retreat in Bali, Indonesia or take a cooking class to learn a new dish. Later in the evening, you could sip a martini while listening to a live band that plays authentic jazz.
AAA Tip: Use the cruise line’s app the moment you board to secure your seats for the big productions.
6. Cruises Make It Easy to Sample New Destinations
A cruise gives you the chance to test drive a city. You might stop in Lisbon, Portugal, Barcelona, Spain and Palma de Mallorca all in a single week. If you fall in love with a place, you can plan a longer land trip for next year. And if a city doesn’t fit your style, you can avoid spending a lot of money and time traveling there.
At the ports your cruise stops at, you can expect to do things like:
- Private islands: Lines like Royal Caribbean stop at private destinations like Perfect Day at CocoCay for a curated, stress-free beach day.
- Culinary tours: You can shop for ingredients in a local market with the ship’s chef and then cook a meal together back onboard.
- Active adventures: You might hike a glacier in Juneau, Alaska or go snorkeling at the barrier reefs of Roatán, Honduras.
- Voluntourism: Some tours allow you to spend the day giving back to the community by planting coral reefs or volunteering at local shelters.
7. Onboard Activities for Families, Couples and Solo Travelers
You can forget the old stereotype of playing shuffleboard on a cruise all day. Modern ships feature adrenaline-pumping attractions, such as flow-riders, rock climbing and ropes courses.
They’ve made it easy for multi-generational families to vacation together without friction:
- Adrenaline junkies: Royal Caribbean offers the FlowRider surf simulator and RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator.
- Kids and teens: Designated clubs host supervised gaming tournaments, science experiments and parties that give parents a well-deserved break.
- Adult escape: You can retreat to adults-only areas like the Solarium or Serenity Deck to find peace away from the high-energy zones.
You can also choose a ship that matches the activities for your group. For example, when comparing Disney Cruises vs. Royal Caribbean cruises, you’re picking between immersive character storytelling on Disney cruises or adventurous experiences on Royal Caribbean.
Cruise Vacation vs. Land Vacation
Land vacations often require you to act as your own travel agent, driver and tour guide every single day. By contrast, cruising removes the friction of logistics so you can actually relax.
Here is how the two compare:
- Planning Effort: You make one booking that covers your room, meals and transport instead of juggling ten different reservations.
- Cost Predictability: Your main expenses are paid upfront, which saves you from sticker shock at checkout.
- Daily Logistics: You sleep while the captain drives you to the next city, rather than wasting hours in airports or train stations.
- Variety of Experiences: You get to sample multiple countries or regions in a single trip without ever repacking your suitcase.
Why More Travelers Are Trying Cruises
Travelers want to squeeze the most value out of their limited vacation time and cruising guarantees you see more for less. Regardless of whether you take a river cruise or an ocean cruise, you wake up in a new destination every morning, refreshed and ready to go. You can sail through the Rhine Valley to visit castles or lounge on the beaches of the Caribbean islands without ever worrying about a train schedule or a rental car.
Is a Cruise Right for Your Next Vacation?
Cruising suits travelers who want to visit many places in a short trip without the stress of the logistics. It works well for families or groups that require built-in entertainment and easy meals. Cruises are worth it if you want all-in-one value that comes from bundling your hotel, food and travel into a single upfront price.
Cruises might not be the best option if you prefer staying in one city, such as Paris, France, to explore the Louvre for days at a time and truly immerse yourself in the culture. You should also consider how long a cruise ship vacation lasts. Most itineraries follow a strict schedule, which limits your ability to spontaneously extend your stay in a port you enjoy.
Talk with a AAA Travel Agent About Booking Your Next Cruise Vacation
A cruise vacation eliminates the friction of logistics, allowing you to focus on the adventure. Better yet, the world of cruising is always evolving with better ships, destinations and packages popping up each year.
You should leave the stress of how to plan a cruise vacation to AAA Travel. An agent can help you find the best cruises around the world and handle the booking process to unlock exclusive benefits. Reach out to an agent today to lock in your next getaway.