To my friends and family, it seems as though I'm always at sea. Having taken fifteen cruises in the last two years, it's hard—if not impossible—to hide my love of cruising. Even so, I have only spent 135 days on a cruise ship throughout my lifetime, ranging from short 3-night getaways to The Bahamas to port-intensive sailings in Europe.
Though I'm years away from reaching the top tier of any cruise line loyalty program, cruising remains my preferred way to travel. Once I'm onboard, I do not have to worry about anything! Everything I need—from dining to entertainment—is under the same roof (literally!). Plus, there's no need to constantly repack. The ship is a mode of transportation that helps guests visit multiple destinations on a single trip.
If you're stuck between taking a land-based vacation or a cruise, here are 6 simple reasons to consider hitting the high seas from someone who has spent over 18 weeks on a cruise ship.
Read more: Frequent cruiser shares go-to tips for saving time and money while traveling
Convenience
Unlike other modes of travel, a cruise ship is essentially a floating hotel. After unpacking on embarkation day, passengers can enjoy a wide range of services and amenities en route to new destinations without constantly repacking and hauling bags through airports and train stations.
Cruise ship guests can relax and immerse themselves in the journey, lounging by the pool on sea days and enjoying high-quality entertainment at night. Perhaps you'd like to splurge on a spa treatment one afternoon or try your hand at one of the onboard workshops. You can also attend one of the daily trivia sessions or seminars!
No matter what your interests are, there's something for everyone on a cruise, so you can have fun while sailing to your next port of call. On a sunny day at sea, you'll find me soaking up as much sun as possible on the lido deck. However, during my cruise to Alaska, I spent more time inside enjoying the ship's lounges and taking in the mesmerizing views of the rugged landscapes. Regardless of how you spend your time onboard, the journey helps make each cruise unique.
Not only that, but there's a variety of dining options steps away from the fun. From three-course meals in the Main Dining Room to late-night pizza, you don't have to worry about researching different restaurants and finding transportation from your hotel.
While you shouldn't assume reservations aren't needed—especially if you're eyeing a certain specialty restaurant—it’s generally much simpler to dine on a cruise ship compared to land-based trips.
Read more: Are cruises worth it?
Variety
Though the Caribbean is a popular year-round cruise destination, ships operate globally, from Alaska to Canada/New England, Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, Hawaii, and more. Though traveling internationally for a cruise is logistically more difficult than choosing a cruise within driving distance of your house, they provide a richer and more varied vacation experience, allowing you to explore diverse cultures and landscapes.
Recently, I returned from a 7-night cruise to the Greek Isles. While it was unbearably hot, my finacée and I agreed we'd rather book another cruise to Greece than the Caribbean. Moreover, we've already booked our summer 2025 cruise. Instead of revisiting Perfect Day at CocoCay and Cozumel, we're venturing to Norway!
If you're itching for more in-depth exploration, consider an expedition cruise. Though more expensive than traditional cruises, they typically have knowledgeable guides onboard who provide expertise on the region. From lectures on relevant topics to leading hikes ashore, they're available to answer questions and offer insight to help guests have a greater understanding of the areas they're exploring.
Plus, expedition ships are smaller than those belonging to mainstream cruise lines. Rather than share the experience with thousands of other passengers, you'll enjoy a more intimate journey. The smaller size of the ships allows them to access more remote and less-visited destinations, too.
Comfort
When on vacation, I prefer not to cook and clean. All of my needs are catered to on a cruise ship, which allows me to fully immersive myself in the experience and focus on relaxing or gearing up for long days ashore. The last thing I want to think about after spending hours exploring a new port is making dinner or cleaning a shower.
Instead, I can enjoy gourmet meals and other onboard amenities, from cocktail bars with handcrafted beverages to full-scale theater shows and more. At the end of the day, I know everything is taken care of by the hardworking crew members. All I have to do is unwind and try to savor every moment of my vacation!
When it comes to accommodations, even the smallest cabins onboard come appointed with modern amenities. You can expect a mini-fridge, phone, television, ensuite bathroom, ample storage, and cozy bedding.
Guests with extra cash to burn should consider splurging on a suite. Not only will you receive more spacious accommodations, but you will enjoy additional perks like priority boarding, access to exclusive lounges, personalized concierge services, upgraded stateroom amenities, and sometimes even a butler!
Read more: I paid $3,600 for a suite on Carnival Vista
Flexibility
There's a reason why cruising remains popular amongst families—everyone doesn't have to be on the same schedule! Children and teens can take advantage of the complimentary youth programming while adults enjoy some much-needed alone time.
Perhaps you're traveling with a large group and cannot decide on a single excursion. The great thing about cruising is there's the perfect tour for everyone! Maybe half of the group would like to go snorkeling, while the other half would like to take a culinary tour and try local cuisine. It's easy to arrange a meeting point for dinner once everyone's back onboard!
On a cruise, I don't have to worry about waiting until my travel companions are up to start my day. Instead, if they're fast asleep, I can head to the buffet for breakfast or grab a specialty coffee from the onboard café. Similarly, if someone needs an afternoon nap, I can remain at the pool and soak up every possible moment of the Caribbean sun.
Value
You do not have to drop thousands of dollars on a cruise vacation to have a memorable experience. There are plenty of ways to maximize your time onboard without breaking the bank!
Though cruises are not all-inclusive, the base fare includes quite a bit, whereas if you book a land-based vacation, you will have to factor in meals, activities, and more, in addition to the cost of accommodations. On a cruise, much of this is included, so you can enjoy a variety of dining options, shows, live music, deck parties, and other activities without worrying about racking up a large onboard bill.
According to Upgraded Points, the average nightly cost of an ocean-view hotel room in Pawley's Island, South Carolina is about $325 per night, so you can expect to spend at least $2,200 on accommodations on a weeklong stay before meals, entertainment, etc.
In comparison, Carnival's website advertises fares as low as $749 per person for 7-night cruises in July 2025. For just shy of $3,000, a family of four could have everything from accommodations to meals and entertainment taken care of.
While there are ways to spend extra on a cruise, taking advantage of the complimentary amenities is the best way to get the most value out of your cruise vacation. Rather than visit one of the specialty restaurants onboard, stick to eating in the Main Dining Room and buffet. Additionally, make the most out of the free entertainment options and avoid those with an extra charge, like bingo, wine tastings, and cooking classes.
Read more: 9 reasons why cruises are a better value for your next vacation
Safety and Security
Within the past two years, I've been on five solo cruises, and though I prefer traveling with friends and family, I'm never worried about embarking on a voyage alone. Cruises are a great way to safely explore new destinations around the world.
Plus, the onboard environment is welcoming and social, with numerous events and opportunities to connect with other passengers, from group excursions to solo meet-ups and casual conversations over dinner.
Even so, one advantage of solo cruising is the freedom to create your own schedule. I don't, for instance, have to ask my travel companions what excursions interest them. Instead, I can choose the tours that align most with my interests.
Moreover, I don't have to worry about others tiring out easily. Recently, my fiancée and I cruised to Europe. Due to the above-average temperatures, she got worn out quickly and was upfront about not wanting to go on our scheduled tour to Ephesus due to fears of overheating. Had I been alone, I would not have had to take anyone else's stamina into consideration.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
