Ocean Cruising: Find Your Dream Cruise

A cruise vacation is one of the most popular vacation options for many travelers, and for good reason. If you’ve already tested the waters on a cruise vacation, you’re well aware of the great pleasures offered by this highly popular vacation option. If you’re considering a first-time cruise, we’re a little bit jealous – there’s so much fun ahead in your future! 

Not only is it a great value compared to other land-based options, but it also offers a wide range of unique benefits that make it the perfect vacation choice. Here are the top 10 reasons why cruising is the #1 vacation choice:

Unpack Once, You’re Done

Once you're aboard the ship, you only have to unpack once. This allows you to take advantage of the cleverly designed staterooms and stow away all your belongings. Every day brings a new adventure and a new destination, and the crew and ship do all the work for you.

Divine Dining

On an ocean cruise ship, three meals a day are included, along with anytime snacks and sweets. Some ships feature up to 20 different dining venues, most of them included in the cruise fare, others with a surcharge when you feel like splashing out. But rest assured, from the main dining rooms to sumptuous buffets, there’s an array of included choices to cover a wide range of tastes and dietary restrictions.

A Bevy Of Drink Options

From premium coffees to fruit smoothies, tropical cocktails to ship-made beer, you’ll never be thirsty on a cruise. Ocean cruise lines offer a huge menu of delightful beverages in a range of themed venues. On Royal Caribbean International, basic drinks like water, coffee, juices and iced tea are available free with meals, while alcoholic drinks can be purchased a la carte. Drink packages offer value for those who enjoy wine, beer, cocktails and soda, and are often offered free in early-booking promotions. On Celebrity Cruises, beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks, wines by the glass, sodas, juices, specialty coffees and bottled water come with the included Classic Drinks Package.

World-Class Entertainment

Ocean cruise ships are famous for the quality of live entertainment offered. From Broadway-style shows to spectacular circus entertainment, live music to interactive quiz shows, once again there is something for everyone. And it’s all included in the cruise fare.

As Much As You Want

Ocean cruise ships are packed from bow to stern with things to do. Every ship is different, but they’re much more than a floating hotel. The newest ships combine elements of theme parks, water parks, theaters, casinos, concert venues, gyms, spas and more. You can fill your sea days with activity and entertainment, or you can relax on your balcony, by the pool or in a comfortable observation lounge.

Service That Makes Guests Smile

Most first-time cruisers come back raving about the genuine hospitality offered by crew members, who come from all over the world. Guests are always acknowledged with warm smiles and greetings, and no request is too small or too big. They keep your stateroom spotless, and the rest of the ship shines too, with constant sanitizing and polishing.

Never Bored Ashore

Modern ocean cruise ships are a destination unto themselves, but that doesn’t take anything away from the exciting ports you’ll get to explore on your cruise. The cruise destinations you visit will create lifelong memories. You can visit the world’s great cities, relax on glorious tropical islands, sip your way through verdant wine regions and wonder at glacier-filled bays with mountains soaring from the sea.

Working with local suppliers, cruise lines package up the most interesting things about a destination and offer them as shore excursions. Nothing could be simpler: you gather with your excursion group on the ship, you’re met by your hosts and you set off to discover. Best of all, on a cruise line-endorsed excursion you are guaranteed to make it back to the ship on time, so you can set off on your next adventure.

Private Privilege: Perfect Day At Coco Cay

Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity are sister cruise lines, so they have the privilege of sharing Coco Cay, a private Bahamian island exclusively available to Royal Caribbean Group. In 2019 the company invested US$250 million in upgrading the island’s facilities, dividing the destination into a “thrill” side and a “chill” side. The thrill side includes a water park with North America’s tallest waterslide (along with eight other slides), a wave pool and more. On the chill side you’ll find expanses of white sand, beach chairs and hammocks.

Refreshing drinks and tasty food are available at a variety of venues. Cabanas are available to rent for a luxurious beach experience.” And “Perfect Day” is not just a marketing term – cruise guests consistently rate it among the most popular port calls anywhere in the world.

Another Level: Upgrading Your Cruise Experience

There are ocean cruising options for travelers with a wide range of budgets. Royal Caribbean International offers amazing entry-level prices within the reach of many, and they’re a great bargain compared with many land alternatives. No matter what price you pay you’ll enjoy a fabulous experience with a long list of included amenities. But for those with the means and motivation, paying a little more returns a lot more, with upgraded suite accommodations that come with additional services and amenities.

Celebrity Cruises calls its ships “relaxed luxury resorts at sea,” and offers inclusive pricing that comes with basic WiFi access, a drinks package and prepaid crew gratuities. If you upgrade to Celebrity’s The Retreat suites, you’ll enjoy a premium beverage package, unlimited Wi-Fi, pre-paid gratuities, an onboard credit, a butler, private spaces on the ship, and much more.

Unbeatable Vacation Value

Have you checked out the price of a quality hotel night, multi-course fine dining meal and a professional show lately? On a cruise you’ll get that every night of your voyage, for a much lower price! Fares include all the essentials -- food, accommodations, daytime and evening entertainment and transportation between ports. It’s a perfect options for families with kids, who can often sail at discounted rates or even free when sharing a cabin with their parents. Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises offer experiences for the whole family to enjoy.