In 2007, the industry reported that more than 9.5 million Americans took advantage of a cruise vacation (Travel Agent Magazine).
Cruise vacations extend all over the world, including Alaska, Canada/New England, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, South America, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, British Isles, Australia and Africa.
One of the biggest perks about cruising is that once you make reservations, everything is taken care of. This means being waited on hand and foot, and never having to deal with extra hassles or making decisions throughout the trip. All-inclusive cruises usually include accommodations, meals and drinks, entertainment, fitness services, etc.
Cruise lines can differ, but for all of them you'll need to pack a variety of clothing options for your trip. Meals are typically served in formal dining rooms. When you book your cruise, the cruise line will inform you of dress requirements, which usually include 70-80 percent smart casual to semi-formal, and only one or two formal events.
Every cruise line packs the schedule with more activities than you'll know what to do. These include stand-up comedy, theater, kid-friendly shows, live music, dancing, piano bars, midnight buffets, pools and hot tubs, aerobic classes, outdoor track, rock climbing gyms, informative seminars, wine tastings and other special events.
During the booking process or while on board the cruise, you can sign up for a variety of activities at the ports-of-call, including sailing, offroad driving, shopping, outdoor adventure, guided city tours, cooking/wine tours and private access to beaches.
