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Long gone are the days when cruises were just for old people and families seeking time away together. Nowadays, with over 20 million people taking cruises annually, the cruise industry has become a trend and attraction for the younger population as well. And who can blame them? Cruises appeal to the masses because there is something for everyone. Whether you’re a pool bum or a casino junkie or a concertgoer, you will be able to find something right up your alley on a cruise. Having gone on two cruises in the last two months, I’ve had plenty of time to analyze exactly what it is I love so much about cruising. If you’ve never been on a cruise before but are curious to know more, you’ll want to check out my top 10 reasons to take a cruise.

1. You get to unplug

Since there is no cellular service at sea and the wifi on board is usually slow and pricey, you have the luxury of completely unplugging for the duration of your cruise. In an age when everyone is seemingly on their phones all the time, being forced to go off the grid for a few days may be the most liberating feeling you’ll experience. It’s just you, your friends/family, and the sounds of the waves.

2. The food goes on for miles

I’m serious. There is a never-ending supply of free food. Looking for a pizza buffet? Why not also check out the Italian buffet, build-your-own-burger buffet, and dessert buffet? Each ship has its own unique set of food options, but the common theme across all cruise ships is that the food is flowing 24/7. As if all that weren’t enough, you can also order room service any time you want. Trust me, there is no shortage of food!

Views from the restaurant onboard

3. All day free gym access to compensate for the unlimited food

After indulging in all that delicious food, one must have access to a gym to be able to work it off, right? Thank goodness cruise ships come with free access to their gyms. Not only do all cruise ships come well equipped with gyms, but most of the time, these gyms have phenomenal views overlooking the water. Talk about a nice, peaceful and relaxing workout.

4. Activities are in abundance

I often hear people talk about how they don’t see how there would be anything fun to do on a cruise ship, and that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Not only are there planned activities and shows going on literally all the time, but there are also have fun games like mini golf and corn hole on some cruises, and fun activities like water slides and rock climbing walls. There’s never a scarcity of shows to watch, like comedy shows, dance performances, and musical concerts – all for free.

Reading about all the activities onboard – professional cruiser alert!

5. You can bring as much stuff as you want

Seriously. Cruise ships don’t weigh your bags before you get on or limit you to only one suitcase. You have the freedom to pack as many shoes and outfits as you want for your cruise vacation. Even though we always pack light no matter what, not having to worry about whether your suitcase is overweight does alleviate quite a bit of the stress that comes with packing for a new type of vacation.

6. No matter where you are, every view is worth a million bucks

Where else in the world can you vacation where no matter where you stand on the ship deck, your view goes on for miles? Staying at a resort with this type of view would cost you an arm and a leg. On a cruise ship? It’s part of the package deal.

7. It’s the closest you may ever come to Utopia

With over 20 million people every year taking a cruise, you can expect your ship to be full of thousands of people from all over the world. This diverse mix of people that you will inevitably meet gives you the opportunity to learn and hear about different perspectives from various parts of the world. It’s also a learning experience in itself being in close quarters with such a large scale of people.

8. Welcome to the world of duty-free purchases

Taxes cease to exist in the middle of the ocean – could you imagine trying to figure out which country’s territory each purchase was made in? This means that you can score some sweet, tax-free deals on an assortment of items that you can find in the stores on your ship. We’ve found that certain ships prioritize shopping more than others, so keep that in mind when choosing which company to cruise with!

There will also be surprises, such as this one, even if you don’t choose to make any purchases!

9. Cruises are relatively inexpensive and great for budget-conscious travelers

One of the great things about cruises is that you can tailor them to fit your exact preferences. Balling on a budget? Choose an off-season date. Only free during the holidays? Choose a shorter cruise duration. You can alter all of the dates, lengths, and ports of departure to best fit your needs or preferences. How many other vacations can you do that with?

10. Friendships are easier to make on cruises

When you go on a cruise, you will be living in close quarters with the same people for an extended period of time. This makes it the perfect place to make new friends! You will find that there are tons of activities offered by the boat, where you can meet people with the same interests as you. We have bonded with people on cruises over topics ranging from the University of Michigan, to orthotics, to our inability to control our food consumption. Spend a little of your vacation time getting to know people from different parts of the world!

Going on a cruise is something we highly recommend that everyone should do at least once in their life. A cruise is like no other vacation you’ve ever taken, and we hope the reasons above have made you think the same. If you have the opportunity to go on a cruise, take it! Happy travels!

Looking for more fun things to do in the Caribbean? Then you might want to check out these posts:

• Beginner’s Guide to Island Hopping in the Virgin Islands
• Guide to Taking a Day Trip to Virgin Gorda (BVI) From St. Thomas (USVI)
• Traipsing Through Turks and Caicos Islands
• Relax and Recharge on Florida’s Paradise Coast
• 6 Essential Things to do in Cartagena, Colombia

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