8 Reasons To Experience A Cruise At Least Once In A Lifetime

There’s no doubt that a cruise holiday offers perks that a traditional holiday simply can’t compete with and there are a few reasons to experience a cruise at least once in a lifetime.

From all you can eat restaurants to cocktail bars, fun in the sun and unpacking once, a cruise is the ultimate holiday.
With an ever growing interest (and offering), cruise lines are becoming the next hot destination for seasoned and new travellers.
Cruising is such a unique experience to the norm, that it will literally leave you floating on water.
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Once the cruise bug bites, be prepared to do it over and over again! The results of the recent Cruiseline.com and Shipmate Member Survey are a testament to this. Of 5’000 respondents, 98.8% reported they intended to embark on another cruise within the next year. Another staggering result from the survey was that, of these respondents, nearly half already had two to four future cruises booked, and 33% already had their spot secured on one.

Here are 8 Reasons To Experience A Cruise At Least Once In A Lifetime:

1. Do What You Want, When You Want: There are so many activities on board:

For Foodies: Speciality restaurants allow you to travel the world with your taste buds.
For Adrenaline Junkies: Cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) promise various thrills while on board, from go-karting racetracks to the largest ropes course at sea. NCL’s iconic ThrillPlex activity zones are extremely popular amongst children and adults alike.
For the Wellness-Focused: Most modern vessels boast a top-class built-in spa, offering various restorative treatments, saunas, steam rooms, and much more.
For Families: Any reputable cruise line should offer a kids’ programme for kids and teens of all ages. There’s also plenty of choice regarding activities for family bonding, including rock climbing, bowling, waterslides, pools, arcades, and sports.
For Couples: Honeymoon cruises are rising in the ranks, and there’s lots for couples to enjoy onboard, such as relaxing hand-in-hand strolls along oceanfront promenades and luxurious stays in The Haven if cruising with NCL.
For Risk-Takers: Try your luck at the casino, where you can play your favourite games and socialise to your heart’s content.
For Big Spenders: Yes, you can even shop on board. Boutique-style shops feature everything from clothing to souvenirs – keep your eyes peeled for excellent deals on duty-free must-haves, like jewellery and perfume.

2. Themed Cruises For Unique Interests: Beyond the standard cruise, there are many themed cruises catering to specific interests. Whether it’s a jazz festival at sea, a culinary voyage with celebrity chefs, or a cruise dedicated to stargazing and astronomy, there’s likely a specialised cruise out there that fits your passion.

3. Cultural Immersion With Local Experts: Many cruises employ local guides for their onshore excursions. So, instead of just visiting a place, you get to understand it through local eyes. These guides share stories, traditions, and insights that ordinary tours might miss.

4. Overnight Port Stays: Some cruises offer overnight stays in ports, allowing passengers more than just a few hours to explore a city. This allows cruisers to experience the nightlife, local events, or dawn views of places like Venice or Santorini.

5. Stargazing On The Open Ocean: Away from the lights of urban areas, the ocean offers some of the clearest night skies – great news for stargazers and star-bathers. Some cruise lines even offer guided sessions, allowing passengers to witness celestial events and constellations in all their glory.

6. Experiencing Remote Destinations: Certain places are particularly challenging to visit—like Alaska’s Inside Passage or the Norwegian Fjords. Cruises provide a comfortable means to explore these remote and often untouched landscapes.

7. Culinary Journeys With International Flair: Cruise ships often source local ingredients and adjust their menus based on the region they’re sailing in. This means passengers get to taste authentic dishes prepared by expert chefs, experiencing a culinary journey as they sail from one port to another.

8. Learning Opportunities With Onboard Experts: Many cruises feature guest lecturers who provide deep dives into topics related to the voyage—be it marine biology for a trip around the Galapagos or ancient civilizations for a Mediterranean cruise.

Experience A Cruise — Apart from the on-ship experience, cruises offer passengers access to an array of off-ship excursions like swimming with pigs in the Bahamas! Image: The Sandton Times

As the cruise season gets into full swing and 2024 aspirations come into focus, now’s your chance to turn those dreams into reality. Get planning to set sail!

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