Has the Cruising Bug Bit You

Got the cruising bug? You’re not alone. Cruisers come from all walks of life and age groups, and most come back for an encore, year after year.Veteran cruisers who’ve sailed the ocean blue – or turquoise- can’t quite understand what’s going on when their land-bound friends wonder whether they should book a cruise for their next vacation.”Are you crazy?” the seasoned cruisers ask. “Of course you should. Why, you’re crazy not to. You’ll love it,” adding, “There are hundreds of ships to choose from and your travel agent can help you pick the right ship for you.”"But do you think my travel budget can stand it?” they’ll ask. Comes the reply from those who’ve been there, “Let me tell you. This is one way to forget about money on vacation. It’s a great value. When you buy a cruise, you get the works, all in one package. Your cabin. Great meals and wonderful snacks five or six times a day. Gyms, casinos and spas. Caberets, comedians, and first class entertainment”. adding.”You get a sense that cruises are generous – plenty of everything you want. And all of this without the hassle of unpacking and packing.”That’s what it’s all about. In the cost-conscious world of today, taking a cruise is the way to manage expenses and add enjoyment to your vacation breaks. You pay for the whole package up front – and there are no worries after that.It’s a very affordable escape from all the stresses you face in ordinary life these days. The sheer array of choices among the cruises you can take is amazing. And at every price level, from adventure cruises on yachts to dun-packed vacations on the biggest ships around. You get more for your money than a comparable resort.Many cruises are fantasies afloat. but it’s a fact that cruising remains one of the fastest growing segments of the vast travel industry.Over the past quarter century, the cruising industry has grown by more than 800 percent. Back in 1970, an estimated five hundred thousand people took a cruise. Today, there is 20 times that number 21.5 million, savoring the delights of a sail to somewhere, whether it’s to the British Virgin Islands, through the Inside Passage in Alaska or the Turkish coast.What’s so remarkable is the broad cross section of North Americans who have “discovered” cruising. The marketers who study work-and-play patterns decsribe it as a “diverse demographic mix”. Well D’oh… it is!Cruising attracts vacationers from every state in the union, not to mention every province in Canada. Californians, those special Americans who love the good life in their own home state, account for a fifth of the total cruise contingent.Florida comes in a close second, followed by New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.Don’t try to typecast them, either. Cruisers clearly are people from all walks of life. Lawyers, software programmers. Physicians, Fortune 500 executives. You’ll find them on a cruise along with engineers, actors, farmers – and a dozen more. Even people of modest means can pay for a week or a few days afloat.Even in the age of cyberspace there’s an urge to take a break the new-fashioned way – by cruising with a do-it-yourself combination of fun at sea and excursions ashore.Can you imagine returning from a cruise and telling your friends, “I just went on the greatest golf vacation.” And they answer, “I thought you’d bought a cruise?” And you reply “I did.” “And I played six championship courses in seven days!”.