Why Take a Cruise?
By Anne Campbell
Since I landed a job at Cunard Line at age 23, I've been hooked on traveling by
ship. As a journalist, I've written objectively about ships and the cruise
industry in two editions of Fielding's Guide To Worldwide Cruises, and created
two advertising-supported web sites, CruiseCritic and later CruiseMates. During
this time, I've visited every continent on earth, including Antarctica, by ship,
and I've sailed the inland waterways of Europe, China and the UP.SO. by
riverboat. I've sailed on the biggest and tiniest cruise ships in the world,
tall ships, a self-drive houseboat in France, and luxury barges.
What I love most about cruising is the sense of complete freedom I experience the moment the ship's ropes are pulled up from the dock. I join fellow passengers in festivities on deck as we celebrate the start of our journey to ports that promise a potpourri of colors, people and experiences. The romance and adventure of going to sea remains a dream most of us seek to make real. Life at sea is such a fantasy of time and place that the glow lasts long after the cruise is over.
For a week or so, I will have no responsibilities or details to take care of -- because once I'm on board, an experienced staff takes care of all my needs. I return to my cabin after breakfast and find that the beds are made, the cabin is in pristine shape; after dinner and a show, my bed is turned down and new towels have magically appeared.
Like most people who cruise frequently, my favorite time is spent at sea -- I.a., days when no port calls are scheduled -- as unscheduled hours lie ahead of me. After breakfast is served in my cabin, I can start my day off with a brisk jog on deck, a dip in the whirlpool and a massage; or I can grab a deck chair and delve into my favorite book. The ship's daily program lists dozens of activities open to all, from cooking demonstrations to yoga, workouts in the state-of-the-art gym, lectures, art auctions and movies. At night, my entertainment options range from glitzy Las Vegas-style stage shows to cozy bars, cabarets, the casino or disco until dawn.
Each port of call brings the opportunity to encounter new people, scenery and a host of optional activities. 
Typically on a one-week Caribbean cruise, I'll go snorkeling, hiking, shopping and perhaps rent a four-wheel vehicle to explore remote scenic terrain. In Europe or Asia, where I may visit a country each day, I prefer to plan my own sightseeing with the help of Goggle rather than relying on the cruise lines' overpriced motor tours.
Cruise ship dining is both my joy and curse, since it's available 24 hours per day and is always in front of me. I will plunge into food with nary a thought of calories, as if being at sea somehow exempts me from weight gain. Each day revolves around dining, including scheduled meals, high tea (translate: cookies and brownies), hamburgers on deck, pizza, ice cream and more. If you can't decide which entree or dessert you want, order two! At night, we dine in an elegant room with dozens of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Or I can opt to dine casually in the buffet instead, where less dressy attire is fine. Of course the ship's gym, jogging/fast walking track and other fitness facilities (all free to use) are there when I want to stay in shape.
I've saved the best reason for last: Cruising is the biggest bang for your buck of any vacation choice. Since the price of your cruise ticket covers your cabin and all food, entertainment and service, roughly 80 percent of your vacation is paid up front. Tips, alcohol, spa charges and shore excursions are extra, but we'll tell you how to have a fantastic time ashore without buying pricey tours.
Copyright Anne Campbell, 2006
